Series V. Corporate Strategy Files, 1976-2002 (bulk, 1979-1990), inclusive

The majority of Gerald Levin's files date from his role as executive vice president (EVP) of strategy and development at the corporate level and vice chairman of Time Inc. overseeing strategy. His files were stored in the Time Inc. Archives as "corporate strategy" and include a mix of files from his time as HBO chairman, group vice president of video, EVP of strategy, and vice chairman of Time Inc. through the Time Inc. and Warner Communications merger. As they were found in the archives intermingled, they remain that way. The majority of Levin's files from his earlier roles with Video Group are in the Time Inc. Video Group Records (MS 3009-RG 41).

The Administrative Files and Confidential Files of Levin's records document his work on defining the corporate mission; company restructuring; possible partnerships or ventures with other companies, including internationally; and his work on the Time Inc. and Warner communications merger. Records include correspondence with other companies; interoffice memoranda; presentations to the Board; notes on meetings for the Board, analysts, the Time Inc. annual meeting, and various conferences and company retreats; budgets; research on media industries; and transcripts and background information of speeches.

The series Confidential Files retains the name the files had while in the Time Inc. Archives storage, but does not indicate restrictions. While there is no material difference from the Administrative Files, the Confidential Files remain in a separate series to document the division his office made during the transfer. Confidential Files are Levin's files on Time Inc.'s mergers and considered mergers with other companies, mainly the Time Warner merger. Some documents and original folder titles used code names for various companies such as "Gulf" for Gannett, "Tango" for Time Inc., and "Wonder" for Warner Communications. The use of "Gulf" for Gannett does not appear to have any relation to his files reviewing the possible acquisition of Gulf and Western Industries. Materials found inside the file titled "ABC-CBS" include notes on discussions with Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

N. J. Nicholas, Jr.'s files are a collection of reports and presentations from a short time period of corporate strategizing conducted by the Strategy Committee which looks like it was led by Nicholas and Bruce Hiland. These files were behind a tab labeled "Chapter I material." Some files in Winston Cox's files were behind a "Chapter Two" tab. It can be assumed those files are a continuation of the strategy begun with Nicholas's files. Nicholas's files were found in the same box with some of Cox's.

Winston "Tony" Cox's files document his work defining the corporate mission, company restructuring, and presenting on the corporate strategy to the Time Inc. board and other executives in the company. His records also contain files developing presentations and speeches regarding company strategy for Time Inc. President J. Richard Munro. While only two files refer to "Chapter Two," Cox's files overall may be a continuation of the work by N. J. Nicholas, Jr. whose files were behind a tab labeled "Chapter I."

Corporate strategy studies and reports contains bound booklets, with some accompanying correspondence, memoranda, or notes, on various industries of interest to Time Inc. Copies of studies and reports come from Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development Gerald Levin; Vice President of Corporate Strategy Winston "Tony" Cox; and Vice Presidents of Corporate Development Terri Hershey and Michael McCrudden.

Areas of business include television programming rights and the industries of broadcasting, newspaper, books, home video and motion pictures. The records include files from the Business Information Task Force, general corporate strategy discussion, and updates to Time Inc.'s board. A few reports found with unfiled material in a box of Levin's files were moved to this record group by the archivist.