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JN: What do you consider to be the most important 
benchmarks in your career as an auto writer?
EA: My time as a copy editor, in the trenches at Automobile, 
taught me how a story comes to life. Starting mph magazine in 
2004 taught me how to build something from scratch and how 
to lead talented people (mainly by getting out of their way). 
Writing for the New York Times taught me the power of great 
editing.
Getting the editor-in-chief job at Car and Driver taught 
me the responsibility of speaking to a huge audience, and the 
importance of the grand gesture. Starting the podcast Car Show! 
with Malcolm Gladwell reinforced the importance of trying new, 
often scary things, later in life.

JN: What important attributes do you possess that have 
contributed to your success?
EA: Curiosity, mainly. I think my need to understand how and 
why things work has forced me to ask the deeper questions. I 
also credit the great education my parents and mentors gave me.

JN: Did your Jewish heritage have any impact upon your 
career?
EA: My grandmother always said that self-praise is no recom-
mendation, so I’m not saying I’ve achieved full mensch-hood 
yet. But menschlichkeit has always been a strong concept in our 
family, and I’ve tried to live it in the business world. It’s gone a 
long way toward helping my career.

JN: Tell me about test driving cars. Is it as fun as 
I think it is?
EA: It’s probably even more fun than you think it is. Imagine 

being able to drive a Lotus Elise behind a gravel truck and not 
worry about the paint! Or fill the bed of a pickup truck with 
muddy ATVs in the name of science.
I’m kidding, somewhat. We don’t abuse our test cars. But I will 
say that cars remain the best way to get anywhere, and discern-
ing the differences between models is a delightful way to earn a 
living. 

JN: You were editor-in-chief of the leading auto maga-
zine in American history — Car and Driver. How did this 
experience impact your career as a journalist and as 
a car guy?
EA: It was nothing but a blessing. I got to work with the most 
talented people in the field. I got to air my crazy theories about 
cars and the car business. And I got to speak to the smartest 
audience in the category.
 My job now is to oversee the editorial strategies of three great 
American magazine brands — Car and Driver, Road & Track 
and Autoweek. I’m not sick of cars yet. Must get that checked 
out.

JN: You engaged with online reporting and websites 
early in your career, perhaps, earlier than most auto 
reporters. How and why? What are the challenges 
in the digital age? 
EA: The challenge, to me, has always been to take the values of a 
given brand and apply them to new platforms. For example, Car 
and Driver, in print, always stood for fun, for hardcore car testing 
and for being on the reader’s side.
How do we transfer those values to the digital realm? Well, we 
used our testing, our engaging writing and our respect for the audi-

“MY DAD’S POINT OF VIEW ON CARS, AND THE STORIES HE TOLD ABOUT 

THEM, MADE THEM MORE INTERESTING TO ME THAN JUST A PILE OF METAL 

AND LEATHER. THEY WERE ABOUT PEOPLE, AT THE END OF THE DAY.” 

Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

