News Corp announces senior publishing and editorial changes
News Corp has unveiled changes to senior roles across its national editorial network and in the NSW publishing operations as the company restructures its editorial and management reporting lines.
Michael Wilkins, who has been general manager of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph for almost three years, will be promoted to the newly created role of managing director for NSW.
Wilkins: News Corp’s new managing director for NSW
Wilkins previously held roles at News Corp including chief of staff of The Sunday Telegraph, general manager of community publishing and general manager of NSW operations.
In addition to his current responsibilities, he will also manage NewsLocal community publishing, and all publishing assets across NSW including the Telegraphs, dailytelegraph.com.au and The Sportsman.
At the same time, John McGourty has been appointed as NewsLocal’s first publisher, commercial and operations.
McGourty joined News Corp in 2000, as night editor at the Daily Telegraph. Since then he had taken on roles including deputy editor of the Daily Telegraph, editor of network features and most recently, executive editor of the Editorial Network.
Kathy Lipari, editor in chief for News Local, has been promoted to the new role of executive editor for News 360.
Lipari has been with News Corp since 2002, and will now lead all senior national and international correspondents and will work with News Corp’ companies to create storytelling opportunities across platforms.
News Corp Australia chief operating officer, publishing, Damian Eales, said the changes will see NewsLocal community business become part of the overall NSW business, mirroring models in Victoria, Queensland, and Adelaide.
“As we have done in those states, this new model for NSW will better align our commercial leadership to our local communities and advertisers whilst building shared capabilities.”
Campbell Reid, director of corporate affairs and editorial management at News Corp Australia, added: “With our current editorial network being remodelled as News 360, we are creating a storytelling centre of excellence that will ensure all our great stories are told with maximum impact across all News Corp Australia’s platforms, channels and companies.
“Our aim is to ensure our talent in content creation and innovation are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of our business and our consumers.”
The news comes almost a month after News Corp announced leaderships appointments across Victoria, Tasmania and regional areas, following the acquisition of Australian Regional Media.
In April News Corp revealed it would be restructuring and slashing jobs across its editorial teams, making most photographers and sub-editors redundant in a bid to make $40m in cuts.
One month later, 70 staff photographers were then let go as News Corp moved to an outsourcing model.
