• by Sara Guaglione , May 5, 2020

Atlas Obscura has promoted deputy editor Samir S. Patel to editorial director of the travel and food-focused digital media company.

Editorial director is a new title at Atlas Obscura. Previously, Sommer Mathis oversaw editorial for three years as editor in chief.

Mathis departed in February. Patel has been serving as acting editor in chief since then.

Patel had been the deputy editor for three years. 

He has overseen editorial projects, such as "Border/Lands," "Wonder From Home" and other long-form storytelling.

In this new role, Patel will lead the editorial staff and direction of editorial content.

“Samir is the right person to lead Atlas Obscura’s content efforts at this pivotal time, when our community is looking to discover wonder in the world from inside their homes,” stated Warren Webster, Atlas Obscura CEO. 

Patel previously spent 10 years at Archaeology magazine.