Google has appointed Uma Patel as its News Lab lead for Australia and New Zealand.
Patel replaces Nic Hopkins who has moved into a new role within Google’s News Partnerships team.
Patel will work alongside academics, newsrooms, nonprofits and community groups around Australia and New Zealand with the focus on tackling misinformation, growing diversity within the industry and supporting digital transformation for journalists.
Patel previously worked at FT Strategies, an innovation team from the Financial Times, where she helped publishers around the world grow their business models including understanding key metrics for success, developing paywall strategies, growing retention, audience engagement, B2B strategy and creating an experimental culture throughout the organisation.
"Facts have never been more important and I’m thrilled to be able to help support the industry to tackle digital misinformation, grow diversity within the newsroom and engage with audiences in a compelling way so we can make sure Australians and New Zealanders have access to the trustworthy and compelling facts they need to understand this new world,” Patel says.
“The Australian and New Zealand news industry has shaped every facet of my life - from my career to my trusted companion as I eat my cereal in the morning. It's a privilege to be able to work alongside newsrooms at such an important time.”
Prior to working at FT Strategies, Patel was a producer and correspondent at the Associated Press, ABC News, Sky News Australia and the Seven Network.
“We’re excited to continue the work of the News Lab in Australia and New Zealand, strengthening our commitment through the Google News Initiative to help journalists - both staff and freelance, and news organisations - both small and large,” says Matt Cooke, Google News Lab head of partnerships & training.
“Since 2015, we’ve provided training to nearly eight thousand journalists and journalism students across the region, and we’re looking forward to working with local experts from across the field to do even more.”
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