Harvard Business Review (HBR) has launched HBR Executive, a new premium subscription designed specifically for senior leaders. Developed in partnership with global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder, the tier is priced at $700 annually, with an introductory offer of $450 available through September 2025.

The subscription includes both familiar and new benefits:

• Unlimited digital access to HBR.org and the mobile app
• Six print issues of Harvard Business Review
• Subscriber-only content, including HBR Executive Briefings
• A curated “Leadership Toolbox” with self-assessments, templates, and case-based resources
• Exclusive access to member-only events and quarterly briefings

HBR Executive is positioned as a distinct, curated layer of HBR’s offerings—targeted not at general readers, but executives seeking ongoing leadership development. It does not include access to Harvard Business Review case studies or educational content sold separately by Harvard Business Publishing.

“It’s never been harder to be a leader,” said Adi Ignatius, Editor at Large of Harvard Business Review. “HBR Executive aims to help CEOs and their top teams tackle the most pressing issues of our time—from the rise of AI to rapidly shifting political and geopolitical landscapes.”

HBR Executive can be explored at hbr.org/executive, where sample content and tools for senior leaders are available to preview.

INSIDER TAKE

HBR’s move into premium executive subscriptions marks a strategic expansion of value—and a smart collaboration with Egon Zehnder to lend credibility and depth to the offering. In a subscription landscape where publishers often scale horizontally with bundles and volume discounts, this product is a clear vertical play—built for a defined, high-value audience with distinct expectations.

Key signals:

• Brand-Boosting Partnership: The involvement of Egon Zehnder—known for its leadership advisory services at the board and C-suite levels—strengthens the product’s appeal and differentiates it from traditional content tiers.
  
  
• Executive Enablement, Not Just Access: Tools such as self-assessments, leadership case libraries, and guided frameworks transform this into a resource center for senior decision-makers, rather than just a content feed.
  
  
• Strategic Tiering and Lifecycle Monetization: The $700 price point signals a deliberate move upmarket, aiming to deepen relationships with long-time readers and convert passive consumers into high-value participants in HBR’s leadership ecosystem.
  
  
• Launch Pricing as a Conversion Lever: The $450 introductory rate—available for over a year—offers a long runway for early adoption, allowing HBR to test demand elasticity, reduce friction for first-time buyers, and establish the perceived value of the product.
  
  
• Community and Retention Play: Peer-focused events and quarterly briefings create reasons to stay beyond content consumption—an essential component of long-term retention at premium price points.

For other B2B media and subscription businesses, HBR Executive offers an example for how to combine premium content, thought leadership partnerships, and value-added tools into a compelling high-tier product, without cannibalizing the base.