Patrick McCarthy (publisher)

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Patrick McCarthy (June 6, 1951 – February 24, 2019) was the chairman and editorial director of W magazine and Women's Wear Daily (WWD). He grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, studied at Boston University and earned a journalism degree from Stanford in 1973. He began his career with Fairchild Publications, working on WWD in London. When Fairchild retired in 1997, McCarthy was chosen as his successor in the roles of chairman and editorial director. He spent his entire career with the company, guiding it through its acquisition by Disney and its 1999 sale to Condé Nast.

McCarthy died on February 24, 2019, at age 67 after a short illness. He is survived by a sister and three nieces. He was known for his relentless drive to secure exclusive stories, often speaking about the fierce competition and the consequences of sharing information.