News Corp Australia is shuffling its senior executive and editorial teams as it accelerates its focus on being a more “digital, growth-oriented” company.
From June 1 the company will be implementing what it’s calling a simpler, more nimble structure for its commercial partners. The new structure will also prioritise increasing earnings in News' digital and subscription businesses.
“As part of this strategic direction, the new appointments I am announcing today will position us to be more effective in driving further success in the growth areas News Corp is excelling in such as travel, food, digital advertising products and solutions, and digital subscriptions,” says News Corp executive chairman Michael Miller.
“Additionally our new significant editorial changes will embed a collaborative way of working to maximise our sport and news coverage, hyper local digital subscriptions and drive the success of our all-important weekend editions.”
As part of the changes, its national sales managing director Lou Barrett will take on the leadership of all of News Corp Australia’s direct sales functions. Julian Delany, current News DNA managing director, steps into the new role of chief technology officer for data and digital.
Emma Fawcett has been appointed as managing director for commercial product and platform, and is expanding her role to include both News Xtend and News Connect. Fiona Nilsson, who currently heads up News Corp’s food division, has been promoted to the new role of managing director for food and travel, reflecting the importance of the two categories for the publisher.
Richard Skimin has been appointed managing director for news.com.au, Kidspot and Whimn, as well as e-commerce. Michael Ford, who was recently appointed chief financial officer, has his role expanded to include strategy and M&A responsibilities.
Meanwhile, managing director of Queensland and NT Jason Scott will also be the chair of a new publishing board representing the state and national commercial publishing operations, reporting to Damian Eales. The board will also include South Australia managing director Ish Davies, Victoria and Tasmania managing director Peter Zavecz, and Nicholas Gray, managing director for The Australian, NSW and Prestige Titles.
Neil Monaghan has been appointed business services group managing director, while Peter Blunden will take on the new role of national executive editor to lead a national sports operation, as well as News’s internal news wire. News is establishing its own newswire service by the end of June, following its decision, along with Nine, to close the national news agency Australian Associated Press.
The changes come as News deals with the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The publisher responded early to reduced advertising revenue due to the pandemic, with staff cuts, as well as pay cuts for the executive team.
The publisher has also suspended 60 community titles, and its plans to sell off regional titles have stalled.
In editorial changes at News, Kate de Brito, editor-in-chief of news.com.au, will now report directly to Miller, as a result of the success and growing importance of the platform. Mick Carroll, editor of The Sunday Telegraph, will add the role of national weekend editor.
John McGourty has been appointed national editor for the community masthead network, while Mel Mansell, in his role as group director of editorial transformation and strategy, will continue to work with all editors across editorial practice and efficiency.
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