Jeff will oversee the digital product and multi-platform publishing function in a move that will also bring group marketing and events under his remit. He is tasked with ensuring the business' products and solutions are optimally print and digital focused whilst identifying digital revenue streams.
As part of the function restructure, Richard Thomson has been appointed Group Publishing Director, retaining his current responsibilities within Publishing and Newspaper Sales/Circulation but also leading the publishing strategy for flagship titles i and The Scotsman.
Paul Napier, who has been running Johnston Press's digital news brands and recently oversaw the relaunch of the company’s 161 websites, has become Publishing Director, bringing a wealth of both editorial and digital expertise to the role.
Nigel Leigh has become Senior Director of Commercial Products and Events, reflecting the need to build and scale JP’s commercial product portfolio across all platforms and the opportunity to build the events business across the company.
"This cross-platform approach in publishing acknowledges that our audiences will continue to move towards digital and yet we must preserve our print readership for decades to come,” said Jeff.
“We must have an integrated approach - and get the print/digital balance right in each market - in order to continue to grow audiences, optimise revenues and ensure a vibrant mix of news brands that reach national, regional and local customers," he said.
At its AGM last week, Johnston Press reported its digital audiences have grown by 11% year-on-year, with page views up 17%. inews.co.uk, which launched last year, has seen 12% month-on-month growth whilst digital advertising (excluding classified) revenue has continued to show double digit growth over the past 12 months, says the company.
Jeff joined Johnston Press in 2014, having had a broad career across newspapers and digital media. Before moving to the UK last year, he was Vice President of Digital at The Boston Globe and General Manager for Boston.com. He spent much of his career at The New York Times Company where held a number of vice president and general manager roles in classified products, product & technology, new media, and product management.
