View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Publishers
  2. Digital Journalism
June 1, 2012updated 14 Sep 2012 3:13pm

Express & Star raids Northcliffe for new online chief

By Andrew Pugh

Express & Star publisher Midlands News Association has poached Northcliffe Digital publisher Abigail Edge as its new head of online content.

Edge, who was digital publisher for Northcliffe's thisisbristol.co.uk, will take charge of developing content across all of MNA's online platforms, reporting to head of digital William Beavis.

She said: "I'm delighted to be joining such a strong team which is keen to embrace the potential of digital media. With new technologies and social media platforms emerging all the time there's never been a more exciting time for online news.

'My key areas of expertise are in social media, search engine optimisation and building online communities. These are skills I look forward to bringing to my new role to build on the successes already achieved by the team here so far."

MNA managing director Phil Inman said: "We are all excited that Abigail is joining the digital team. Looking forward, we believe she will make a major contribution in developing our online editorial strategy for the group."

Abigail takes over from Chris Leggett, who took over the role of MNA brand and communications manager in March.

The Express & Star removed the paywall from its website in January after nine months, and instead opted to roll out new paid-for digital newspaper apps for iPad and iPhone.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The company said its latest ABC figures for July to December show it had the UK's fastest growing regional website network, with a 29.1 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of average daily unique users to 59,640.

It also said that expressandstar.com saw the biggest increase in average monthly traffic, up 35.6 per cent to 788,444 unique, while shropshirestar.com was up 26.5 per cent to 359,989.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network