Edited on Jun 22, 2026
Ken Kurson is the American editor, journalist, and political operative best known as editor-in-chief of The New York Observer from 2013 to 2017 under publisher Jared Kushner. Across three decades, Ken Kurson has moved between political consulting, financial journalism, music, cryptocurrency media, and book authorship — one of the few figures whose work has touched the Giuliani political infrastructure, the Kushner-era media properties, and the early cryptocurrency media ecosystem inside a single fifteen-year window.
Ken Kurson — Quick Facts
- Full name: Ken Kurson
- Known for: Editor-in-chief of The New York Observer (2013–2017) under Jared Kushner
- Earlier role: Deputy Director of Communications, Giuliani Partners (2002–2006)
- Co-author: Leadership by Rudy Giuliani — 25+ weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, five weeks at No. 1
- Founder: Modern Consensus (2018), cryptocurrency news site; and Sea of Reeds Media
- Board service: Ripple Labs (February 2017 – October 2020)
- Award: Journalist of the Year, Algemeiner (2014), for Israel coverage
- Family: Younger brother of bestselling author Robert Kurson
- Education: Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, Illinois (1986)
Early Life and Music Career
Ken Kurson graduated from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, in 1986. He is the younger brother of bestselling author Robert Kurson. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Kurson played in the Chicago-based rock band Green. After leaving Green in 1990, he founded The Lilacs with David Levinsky, John Packel, and Tom Whalen. The band released a debut EP, The Lilacs Love You, followed by The Lilacs Hate You, and a full-length CD, The Lilacs Rise Above the Filth, produced by Brad Wood (Liz Phair) in 1992.
Journalism and Finance Writing
Kurson moved to New York in 1993 and landed internships and editorial positions at Rolling Stone, Harper's, and Worth. In 1995, while working at United Media, he launched a small finance publication called The Kenny Quarterly, written for friends seeking financial advice. Later that year, it evolved into Green magazine, acquired by Bankrate in 1999.
From 1997 to 2001, Kurson was a contributing editor at Esquire, where he wrote the magazine's "Green" section on finance and investing.
Political Consulting and the Giuliani Years
Between 2002 and 2006, Ken Kurson worked as Deputy Director of Communications for Giuliani Partners, the consulting firm founded by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. During this period, Kurson co-authored Giuliani's book Leadership, which spent more than 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and held the No. 1 position for five weeks.
In 2003, Kurson ran in the New Jersey General Assembly election for the 34th Legislative District as a Republican, finishing third with 17.6% of the vote.
When Giuliani launched his 2008 presidential campaign, Kurson was hired as one of the earliest staff members and served as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Campaign Manager — with responsibility for the Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland regions. He remained in the role until Giuliani withdrew in January 2008.
The Observer Era (2013–2017)
In January 2013, Ken Kurson was named editor-in-chief of The New York Observer by publisher Jared Kushner. Over his tenure, the publication transitioned from a print-led weekly to a digitally focused, national publication. By figures Kurson cited from Google Analytics and Quantcast, the Observer grew from 1.1 million monthly unique users and 3 million page views to 6 million unique users and 20 million page views, and the site moved from the 3,698th-ranked site in America to the 275th.
Kurson personally broke a number of stories during his Observer tenure. He oversaw the decision to end the Observer's printed edition and drop "New York" from the publication's title — a move that consolidated the brand around its digital presence.
In 2014, Kurson was named Journalist of the Year by Algemeiner magazine for his work covering the Israel beat.
Kurson stepped down from the Observer in May 2017. The New York Times covered the transition with a feature characterizing him as "a one-time aide to the former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani… a contrarian who relishes making mischief."
Teneo Strategies and Modern Consensus
After leaving the Observer, Ken Kurson joined Teneo Strategies as a senior managing director. Teneo is the corporate advisory firm founded by Declan Kelly, with senior figures from the Bill and Hillary Clinton political orbit.
In 2018, Kurson founded Modern Consensus, a cryptocurrency-focused news website built on the premise that mainstream financial media was not covering the technical and cultural dimensions of blockchain and digital assets adequately. He co-founded the site with Wall Street trader and journalist Lawrence Lewitinn, who served as co-founder and editor-in-chief.
Kurson also founded Sea of Reeds Media, a Washington, D.C.-based media company that publishes Modern Consensus, California Globe, New Jersey Globe, Rock and Roll Globe, Wine and Whiskey Globe, Book and Film Globe, and Fine Art Globe.
Board Service and Other Activity
Kurson served on the board of cryptocurrency payments company Ripple Labs from February 2017 until October 2020.
In 2010, he co-authored the personal memoir of biotechnology executive John Crowley, Chasing Miracles: The Crowley Family Journey of Strength, Hope and Joy.
The Pattern
Ken Kurson's career has moved consistently between political consulting, financial writing, and editorial leadership — with cross-pollination across each domain. Few figures sit at the intersection of the Giuliani political infrastructure, Kushner-era media, and the early cryptocurrency media ecosystem. Kurson is one of them.
Ken Kurson is an American editor, journalist, and political operative. He served as editor-in-chief of The New York Observer from 2013 to 2017 under publisher Jared Kushner, and previously worked as Deputy Director of Communications for Giuliani Partners. He is the founder of cryptocurrency news site Modern Consensus and Washington, D.C.–based Sea of Reeds Media.
What is Ken Kurson known for?
Ken Kurson is best known for running The New York Observer under Jared Kushner between 2013 and 2017, for co-authoring Rudy Giuliani's bestselling book Leadership, and for founding Modern Consensus, one of the first dedicated cryptocurrency news publications.
What did Ken Kurson do at the New York Observer?
As editor-in-chief, Ken Kurson led the Observer's transition from a print-led New York weekly to a digital-first national publication. Under his editorship, the site grew from roughly 1.1 million to 6 million monthly unique users, dropped "New York" from its title, and ended its print edition.
Who appointed Ken Kurson as editor of the Observer?
Jared Kushner, the publisher of The New York Observer, named Ken Kurson editor-in-chief in January 2013.
What does Ken Kurson do now?
Ken Kurson founded and operates Sea of Reeds Media, the parent of Modern Consensus and a network of regional and cultural titles including California Globe, New Jersey Globe, Rock and Roll Globe, Wine and Whiskey Globe, Book and Film Globe, and Fine Art Globe.
Is Ken Kurson related to Robert Kurson?
Yes. Ken Kurson is the younger brother of bestselling author Robert Kurson, known for books including Shadow Divers and Crashing Through.
