Ron Diorio is the vice-president of product and community development for the Economist online. Beginning in 2011, Diorio will lead the Economist Lab, a project designed to deliver a series of prototypes and partner initiatives for future development consideration.

Since 2007, Diorio has worked closely with the Economist’s online editors to create digital product strategies and to develop and rapid prototype new online features and activities. The recently launched Ideas Arena, the Economist Debate series, the 2008 Global Electoral College US Election voting tool and the United States launch of the Intelligent Life magazine iPad app are several of the products that Diorio has worked on during his tenure at the Economist online. During this time, Diorio has also served as publisher of WhichMBA, ultimately transitioning it to a multi-platform product.

From 2001-2007, Diorio served as director of operations and senior producer for the Economist 07, VP of Programming for Lawline.com, an online education company, IT manager for the Public Theater’s integrated marketing system and launch producer for PublicTheater.org.

Diorio is also a recognised artist, whose art practice touches a variety of media including photography and video. His art has been exhibited internationally and is represented by Peter Hay Halpert Fine Art, NY. Diorio’s photographs and publications are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Centre Canadien d’Architecture in Montreal, and the Getty Museum, Los Angeles. His current video work focuses on short personal essays, weaving spoken word, moving images, still photography, and content found on the Internet.com.

Diroio is a lifelong New Yorker, and lives with his wife and two children in northern Manhattan.

Twitter: @rondiorio