Jay Carney | Influence 100
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Jay Carney

Global Head of Policy & Communications
Airbnb
US

Jay Carney has been a regular on PRovoke Media’s Influence 100 over the years, but this year marks only the second time he is noted for his work leading policy and communications for Airbnb, which he joined in 2022 after seven-plus years at Amazon. Since making the move, Carney has been at the top rungs of a company trying to maintain its reputation amid criticism about the likes of cleaning fees and cleanliness. After CEO Brian Chesky spent some time living in Airbnbs, the company rolled out some 50 new features and improvements.

Before joining Airbnb, Carney, a former Obama White House press secretary, had played a leading role in steering Amazon through addressing the multitude of public affairs issues as senior VP of global corporate affairs. Highlights of his tenure included playing matchmaker in one of the most fascinating and consequential business deals of 2017: Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods. When, less than a year into his tenure, the New York Times published a somewhat epic takedown of Amazon’s work culture, Carney – a former journalist himself – took the unprecedented step of publishing his response, “What The New York Times Didn’t Tell You” on Medium. The New Yorker, among other publications, analyzed his response and what this ultimately means for the balance of power between journalists and corporate spokespeople.

Carney was White House press secretary for three years before stepping down in June 2014. Before that he was director of communications for vice president Joe Biden, and served as Washington bureau chief for Time magazine.