News Magazines picks former Murdoch marketer for launches

News Magazines chief executive Camilla Rhodes has appointed Scott Williams as marketing chief. An Australian marketer, Williams worked on Rupert Murdoch-owned titles in Australia.

Williams came to the UK recently without a job and worked temporarily in an interim role at magazine publisher Hachette before finding a permanent role at News Magazines.

In the new role as head of marketing, Williams will be responsible for all aspects of marketing for the new titles being launched, beginning with Love It!

News Magazines recently appointed Euro RSCG London to handle the creative work and Carat to oversee the media for the &£8.5m launch of real life women’s title Love It! on February 7.

The second News International magazine to hit the news stands will be The Sunday Times Inside Out – a monthly homes magazine – which makes its debut on March 16.

With as many as five launches over the coming year and the defection of former group commercial director at IPC’s Ignite’s men’s magazines division Karl Marsden to News Magazines, speculation is rife that the next venture will be a men’s weekly title to rival EMAP Zoo and IPC Media’s Nuts which have taken readers from News Group titles The Sun and the News of the World.