Adler departing Time Warner

Ed Adler, widely recognized as one of the most powerful executives in corporate communications, is leaving Time Warner after spending his entire career there.

Adler, who began his rise through the ranks of Time Warner while still in college, shaped communications strategy for the media behemoth during some of its most critical periods, including its failed merger with AOL and the battle with activist investor Carl Icahn. But now, at age 55 and with Time Warner’s strategic direction charted, Adler is thirsting for a new challenge.

“There’s not as much action here anymore, which is great for Time Warner,” Adler told The Post. “But I enjoy working for companies in transition and with Time Warner on solid footing, it’s time to move on. I’d like to put all my Time Warner experience together and go work for another big company that’s in the news all the time.”

Adler has survived three regime changes at Time Warner, outlasting former CEOs Gerald Levin and Richard Parsons as well as working for current boss Jeff Bewkes.

Adler began his career at Time Warner as a reporter for Time magazine. He also worked as a programming executive at Home Box Office and in magazine development at Time Inc. before moving to communications. A successor to Adler wasn’t immediately named, and he has agreed to stay with the company through a transition period.