Media Guardian releases top 100 list for 2009

It’s that time of year again…. The Guardian have released their Media Guardian 100 2009 list. The list, now in its 9th year, is the essential guide to the most powerful people in today’s media. It encompasses those in traditional mediums such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, marketing and PR, advertising whilst also taking into account the power of digital media and media business. The criteria to be awarded a place: the cultural, economic and political influence held.

The big question – who tops the list as the most powerful in the media? For the second year running it is Larry Page and Sergey Brin or, the duo most famously known to the general public as the co-founders of Google . The reason for the top spot was put succinctly by John Plunkett in his overview of the list: ” The pre-eminent force of the digital era, Google has gone from being an internet startup to a verb in little more than a decade.”

So, with Google taking the top spot for the second year running, where is Microsoft? Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive sits at number five. This has got to be a disappointment for Ballmer who finds himself lower than the BBC’s Director General. It seems that Bing has yet to have had a big enough impact to be able to ascend his status. Never mind there is always next year!

The founder and Chief Executive of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, managed an impressive entry at number 11. Unfortunately for Zuckerberg, this was overshadowed by the remarkable entry of Evan Williams, Chief Executive of Twitter at number 9. With the huge amount of publicity Twitter has received this year it is no surprise to find that Williams was featured so highly. Even fanatical tweeter Stephen Fry managed to claim a spot at number 45.

The results certainly make for fascinating reading. The traditional mediums certainly hold their own with two newspaper editors in the top ten, considering the emphasis this year on the recession that is quite a feat in itself.

With all eyes on social media it’s a ‘watch this space’ moment to see who can hold on to their place in the list next year.

To see the full list please click here.

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