On the other hand, there is no such thing as a free lunch (if there was in this case and this policy was so great for the Economist, why don't all publications

On the other hand, there is no such thing as a free lunch (if there was in this case and this policy was so great for the Economist, why don't all publications whatsoever insist on anonymity?), and all journalists who might work for the Economist are well-aware of this editorial policy; so they have to pay the price either in offering higher salaries to compensate for the lack of brand-building, or accept fewer/worse hires. It's a curious policy and highly unusual, so I have to wonder if it's a good idea at all. The usual arguments for anonymity online seem to only questionably apply here. There's a lot to be said for people writing under their own names - accountability, for one thing.