Denise Eaton (pictured), currently editor of the group’s Gravesend and Dartford Messenger Series, takes up the new role on February 28.
Bob Bounds, who currently oversees both the Kent Messenger and the Medway Messenger, will continue to edit the twice-weekly Medway title. He will take on additional responsibility for the award-winning Gravesend portfolio.
Under Bob’s editorship, the Kent Messenger Series has become the country’s biggest-selling weekday weekly newspaper (ABC Jan - Jun 2010).
It has spearheaded a number of high-profile campaigns, including the recent fight against proposals to axe maternity facilities in Maidstone.
Denise, a former deputy editor at the Evening Echo in Essex, has steered the Gravesend and Dartford Messengers to a string of industry awards in recent years.
These include EDF paid-for weekly newspaper of the year in 2009 and 2006. The title also won campaign of the year in the 2011 Shepherd Neame awards, 2009 and 2007 EDF awards and 2006 UK Regional Press Awards.
Numerous reporters have also won individual awards during their time in the Gravesend office, says the company.
KM Group editorial director Ian Carter said: “We are lucky to have such a dedicated and talented senior editorial team overseeing our newspapers, websites and radio stations.
“This move means Bob will be able to devote more time to developing our Medway and north Kent portfolio, which is one of our biggest and most competitive markets.
“Denise has a great track record of campaigning journalism, and this move means she will be editing her home-town paper.”
KM Group is a family-owned business with over 150 years of history. Its portfolio of over 25 products, across press, radio and online, claims to reach over half a million people. KM Group recently won a variety of accolades in the Kent Journalist of the Year Awards and currently employs over 360 people in 11 offices across Kent and in London.
