Murdoch announces News Group Newspapers and Times Media operations merger
News International chief James Murdoch has unveiled sweeping changes including merging the top commercial, marketing and managing operations of News Group Newspapers and Times Media divisions. The move will lead to “some” redundancies across the newspaper groups.
Murdoch, who confirmed the plans to staff today (June 23), says the changes will allow brands including The Sun, News of the World and The Times to thrive in a “transforming” industry.
Under the restructure Clive Milner, group managing director for the newpaper division, becomes chief operating officer and Times Media managing director Paul Hayes will take on the newly create role of commercial managing director for News International. News Group Newspapers managing director Mike Anderson becomes managing director of digital and development across News International.
All roles, together with the four newspaper editors, will report directly into Murdoch.
Former BSkyB chief executive Murdoch took control of News International in December, when be became chief executive of parent News Corporation for Europe and Asia. Sky director of marketing and communications Matthew Anderson joined Murdoch as News Corporation group director of strategy and corporate affairs for the region.
It is understood that Anderson will oversee the role of chief marketing officer for News International with Mike Anderson, until the post is filled externally. It is thought unlikely that Roland Agambar, who heads marketing for The Sun and News of the World, or Katie Vanneck, who runs marketing for the Times and Sunday Times, will be appointed.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that News International’s magazine division, which published titles including Sky Magazine and Love It! would be shutdown and the magazines taken in house. A question marks also hang over freesheet thelondonpaper, which News International denies will be axed.
