Kate de Brito has been named as the editor-in-chief of news.com.au after making a surprise exit from Mamamia earlier today. She had been the Mamamia editor-in-chief for less than a year.
De Brito replaces current editor Daniel Sankey who has been promoted to a new role to identify and develop opportunities for audience and commercial growth in digital sport and wagering information.
The move reinforces News Corp’s focus on the wagering category, which was flagged by News Corp managing director metro and regional publishing Damian Eales earlier this year. The media company recently acquired digital racing publisher Punters.com.au.
Prior to her role at Mamamia, de Brito worked at News Corp for 10 years as news editor of news.com.au and most recently the head of digital for its editorial network.
She becomes the second editor-in-chief to exit Mamamia in the last year. De Brito replaced Jamila Rizvi who also recently resurfaced at News Corp as a contributor to news.com.au.
CEO Michael Miller says de Brito's digital news credentials will evolve news.com.au to greater growth.
“News.com.au has pushed the boundaries with its agility and responsiveness in a news cycle that continues to accelerate and I’m delighted that Kate is returning to News Corp in the new role of editor-in-chief as we continue to grow the news.com.au audience," Miller says.
De Brito says she aspired to return to news.com.au to this role for many years.
"I’m thrilled to return to News to lead the editorial strategy of Australia’s number one news website. Australian consumers value and trust news.com.au as seen by its incredible reach and engagement numbers. I’m excited to build on this success by leading an exceptional editorial team as we continue to drive and shape the news agenda, connecting with Australian audiences in an engaging and credible way," she says.
Sankey starts his new role in December and further details will be announced shortly.
Miller says: "Sankey is an accomplished editor whose drive cemented news.com.au’s stature as #1 website in the country and I’m grateful for his contribution. I look forward to him bringing his digital experience and passion for sport to this growing market place for innovative sports and wagering information. This is an area of investment and growth for News Corp and Sankey's appointment reflects that commitment."
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