This announcement was made yesterday by Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of the company.
Since December 2015 Blau has been Chief Digital Officer of Condé Nast International, which publishes more than 100 magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Gentlemen's Quarterly and Wired, and some 100 websites in 27 markets outside the US. Blau previously served as Executive Director of Digital Strategy for The Guardian group. He replaces Nicholas Coleridge, who is stepping down as company President and Managing Director of Conde Nast's British unit on July 31 after 27 years in the organisation, as part of a sweeping series of new appointments which are announced at the London-based media company.
Blau is a career journalist who was named Chief Editor of the Year in Germany as Editor of Zeit Online.
"Wolfgang Blau is a rare executive who can combine digital mastery with the journalistic talent and experience needed to redefine excellence in the digital age. He is the ideal person to drive Condé Nast International’s growth," said Newhouse.
In a move to better serve its advertisers, the organisation has created a new executive role: Vogue Digital Director, responsible for the brand's digital business across 21 country markets, including China, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the Middle East. Jamie Jouning, currently publisher of British Glamour, has been appointed to the position. His responsibilities do not include American Vogue.
"Jouning's appointment as International Vogue Digital Director will make it easier for our advertising partners to harness Vogue's enormous digital strengths around the world," commented Newhouse.
In an additional step to strengthen Condé Nast International's leadership team, James Woolhouse is appointed to a newly created position, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Woolhouse has served as the company's Asia Pacific President, based in Hong Kong, since 2005 and previously held management positions in Britain, Australia and Japan. He will continue to supervise the Asia-Pacific region while taking on wider responsibilities, and will move from Hong Kong to London.
Replacing Coleridge in his role as Managing Director of Condé Nast Britain will be Albert Read, who has been Deputy Managing Director since 2010. Read began his career as a newspaper journalist and subsequently moved to the business side of media. He joined Condé Nast Britain in 2001 and has held a number of management positions previous to his current posting. He will assume the Managing Director's position on August 1.
In a further step to reinforce the management team, Jason Miles, the current Director of Planning, is named Director of Finance and Strategy effective immediately. He is based in London.
