About Adam Penenberg
Born 1962. Adam Penenberg is an American journalist and academic.
Adam L. Penenberg (born July 27, 1962) is an American journalist and educator, currently associate professor of journalism at New York University and director of undergraduate studies. He had previously served as editor of PandoDaily and written for Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Wired News, and Playboy. While at Forbes, Penenberg gained national attention in 1998 for helping reveal The New Republic reporter Stephen Glass had been fabricating his stories.
Education Penenberg received his B.A. in Economics from Reed College. After an internal investigation, The New Republic determined that Glass had fabricated the story and subsequently fired him.
Other activities , Penenberg is an assistant professor of journalism at New York University. He is also a freelance writer for Fast Company, The New York Times, Forbes, Wired News, and Playboy.
He is the author of numerous books Tragic Indifference: One Man's Battle With the Auto Industry Over the Dangers of SUVs (2003). About the biggest product liability case in history, the Ford and Firestone controversy, currently being made into a movie. Spooked: Espionage In Corporate America (2008). Co-authored with Marc Barry. Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter, How Today's Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves. (2009) This book explains how companies such as Netscape, eBay, PayPal, Skype, Hotmail, Facebook, and Twitter implemented viral loops to grow exponentially and achieve billion-dollar valuations in only a short amount of time. The book is divided into three sections including viral businesses, marketing, and networks. Trial and Terror (2012) A thriller. Play at Work: How Games Inspire Breakthrough Thinking (2013) Nonfiction. Virtually True (2014) A thriller. Sky Rivals: Two Men. Two Planes. An Epic Race Around the World (2016) Nonfiction
In popular culture Penenberg was portrayed by Steve Zahn in the movie Shattered Glass.
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Important facts
People in Adam Penenberg's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Adam Penenberg?
American journalist and academic
When was Adam Penenberg born?
Adam Penenberg was born on 27 July 1962.
What is Adam Penenberg's occupation?
Adam Penenberg is a journalist and academic.
What nationality is Adam Penenberg?
Adam Penenberg is American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Adam Penenberg. https://biography.guide/adam-penenberg/
MLA: "Adam Penenberg." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/adam-penenberg/.
Chicago: "Adam Penenberg." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/adam-penenberg/.
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