National Geographic Is a Surprising Social Success Story

Time Inc. CEO Joe Ripp, who is trying to overhaul the magazine publisher into a digital powerhouse, says he’s using National Geographic as a guide.

This may confuse people who have a vague memory of print magazines with yellow borders, but a new report from a magazine trade group will help you get up to speed.

Turns out that NatGeo, under the leadership of chairman John Fahey, has become an online success. Check out the Association of Magazine Media’s new ranking of magazines by social media likes and followers. And note that NatGeo — a magazine founded in 1888 — has more than lapped the competition:

The MPA’s lists tracks followers and likes at Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest. NatGeo wins every one of those except for one:

Presumably Fahey is sharing some of his social success tips with Ripp — he joined the Time Inc. board of directors when the company spun out of Time Warner earlier this year.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

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