These media updates bring you a selection of the latest changes in the UK media landscape. All of these changes are available in CisionPoint. If you have any queries or additional information, please contact our research team at research.europe@cision.com or call +44 (0)20 7251 7220.
National Newspapers
- The Times has promoted David Wighton to Associate Editor for business and politics. David’s former role as Business and City Editor is to be taken over by Ian King. The changes take place on 31st January.
Regional Newspapers
- Following Derek Tucker’s retirement from The Press and Journal (Aberdeen), Damian Bates has been named Editor. Damian, who is Editor of the Evening Express, takes on the role in March. Until Damian’s move, The Press and Journal (Aberdeen) will see Deputy Editor Richard Neville become Acting Editor.
- The Scottish Sun has promoted Nick Sharpe to Chief Reporter. (nick.sharpe@the-sun.co.uk)
- Editor Rebecca Johnson has left the Bracknell News Series. Rebecca has been succeeded by Simon Williams. (swilliams@berksmedia.co.uk)
- Danny Carden has joined the Shropshire Star as a Senior Reporter. Danny was previously at the Matlock Mercury before leaving at Christmas. (dcarden@shropshirestar.co.uk)
- Jerry Ramsden, Managing Director of the Jersey Evening Post, is retiring in April after fourteen years in the role. Jerry, also Managing Director of Guiton Publishing Ltd which includes the Guernsey Press, will remain a non-executive director on the boards of the two newspapers. Paul Carter, former Managing Director of the Guernsey Press, will succeed Jerry. (editorial@jerseyeveningpost.com)
People Moves
- Amendment - Tatler has promoted Richard Dennen from Features Editor to Editor-at-Large. (richard.dennen@condenast.co.uk)
- Following Jo-Ann Furniss' decision to leave her role as Editor-in-Chief of Arena Homme+, Ashley Heath has been appointed in the newly created role of Editorial Director. Ashley’s return to the bi-annual magazine sees him add to his responsibilities as Editorial Director of POP.
- Publisher Centaur Media plc has announced the appointment of Rebecca Miskin as a Non-Executive Director and member of Centaur Media plc's Remuneration Committee. Rebecca, who takes on the role with immediate effect, was most recently General Manager of iVillage Networks for NBC Universal.
Stops and Starts
- Sugar, a magazine covering fashion, beauty, lifestyle and entertainment for teenage girls, is closing. The last issue of Sugar will be the issue out February 23rd and Publisher Hachette Filipacchi will concentrate on the website Sugarscape.com.
- Port, a style and culture magazine for men, is to launch in spring 2011. The magazine, which will cover fashion, travel, design and living, architecture, literature, entertainment and global issues, will be edited by Dan Crowe. The magazine will have Contributing Editors including Jon Snow, Hanif Kureishi, Ekow Eshun, August Kleinzahler, Don Morrison and Fergus Henderson. (info@port-magazine.com)
Publisher Changes
- Pilot magazine has acquired Today’s Pilot from Key Publishing Ltd. The change sees both teams work on one magazine, headed by Group Editor Nick Wall and Associate Editor Philip Whiteman, as Today’s Pilot will be incorporated into Pilot. Today’s Pilot Editor Dave Unwin joins the team as Pilot's Flight Test Editor and will also work on the Today’s Pilot section within Pilot. The first combined issue of Pilot incorporating Today’s Pilot will be the April issue on sale from 2nd March.
Editor Request
- K9 Magazine are currently expanding their video led product/website review sections within K9 Magazine's monthly interactive digital magazine and online at K9Magazine.com. To enquire about both opportunities to feature, please email Kim O'Meara - k.o@k9media.net
People Moves
- Kirsty Hewitt has joined EN, the magazine for entrepreneurs, as a Senior Journalist. She replaces Elizabeth Donevan and will cover regional business and enterprise. (kirsty.hewitt@excelpublishing.co.uk)
- Construction News, a magazine providing the construction industry with news and latest updates, has appointed Tom Fitzpatrick as Reporter. (tom.fitzpatrick@eecho.ie)
- Physics in Medicine and Biology, a journal published on behalf of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine by the Institute of Physics Publishing, is to see Editor Professor Steve Webb leave. He finishes his term in office at the end of 2011 and the journal is currently looking for his replacement. (office@ipem.ac.uk)
- Medical Engineering & Physics, an international journal published by Elsevier on behalf of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, is to see Editor Dr Sally Clift leave. Sally finishes her term in office at the end of 2011 and the journal is currently looking for her replacement. (office@ipem.ac.uk)
National Broadcast
- Global Radio has announced the appointment of Christopher Thorogood as Director of Digital. He will be responsible for Global Radio's websites and apps and will report to Global Group CEO Stephen Miron. Christopher joins from his role as Director of Operations & Acting Head of Digital at Shine Group's digital arm ShineVu.
- Chris Shaw has been appointed to take on the newly created role of Editorial Director at ITN Productions. He will expand the news and current affairs production as well as devise new formats across television, online and mobile. Chris was most recently Senior Programme Controller for Channel Five, responsible for news and live topical output.
- BBC Radio 5 Live's Formula 1 commentary team have added Natalie Pinkham to its line up as a new Pit Lane Reporter. Natalie joins BBC Radio 5 Live in March for the start of the F1 season.
Regional Broadcast
- BBC Radio Solent has announced a new weekend schedule. Richard Cartridge is returning to host the Sunday afternoon show between 14:00 and 17:00. The slot’s current presenter and journalist Mike Powell is therefore moving to take on more responsibility in the news room, presenting daily extended lunchtime news and afternoon bulletins five days a week. Furthermore, from 5th February Sasha Twining is joining the station to host the Saturday 08:00 to 11:00 slot.
- BBC Radio Oxford has announced changes to its weekday morning shows. The breakfast show is now hosted by new presenter Phil Gayle, with Oxford's Louisa Hannan. Phil joins BBC Radio Oxford from his afternoon show on BBC Berkshire. Furthermore, Malcolm Boyden is moving to take over the mid morning show.
The fundamentals of working with bloggers are the same as with traditional journalists at traditional media outlets: respect their schedules; take time to read their material to learn their interests; and only contact them if/when they want to be contacted.
- HomeShoppingSpy is a blog covering interior design. It ranks second in the UK in terms of traffic and links, making it one of the most popular commercial interior design blogs in the UK. It was excluded from Cision’s latest Interior Design ranking due to its affiliation to UK's best-selling homes magazine, Ideal Home. HomeShoppingSpy posts about everything homes-related, from shopping and design to new trends and decorating ideas. It provides an archive dating back to January 2009 and shares an extensive blog roll.
- Other Stories is a blog covering literature. Blogger Kirsty Doole works in academic publishing and on the blog discusses anything from book acquisitions and book news to films and Victorian literature. It also provides book reviews. The blog has an archive dating back to December 2008.
- ScreenTerrier is a blog covering film and TV events. The ScreenTerrier blog discusses anything from castings and auditions to up-and-coming actors and film news. The blog provides advice for young actors/actresses as well as a list of agents. It shares an archive dating back to December 2008.
- UrbanTick is a blog covering landscape architecture. Blogger Fabian Neuhaus, currently a CASA PhD candidate at University College London, discusses anything from technology and development to architecture and mapping. It provides an archive dating back to October 2008 and shares an extensive blog roll.