Merrill: joins Emap from Chat
Knowles: associate editor role
Emap has finally confirmed Paul Merrill as editor of its new men’s weekly magazine – called Zoo Weekly by insiders- and has revealed his launch team.
Chat editor Merrill, who will be leaving IPC after Christmas, has named former NME editor and Daily Mirror reporter Ben Knowles as associate editor of the magazine, which is expected to launch within months and is codenamed Project Tyson.
Emap has also confirmed that editor-at-large will be Michael Hogan, a former editor of Sky who has written for Heat, Marie Claire, Word, FHM and FHM Collections. Emma Cochrane, formerly editor oft Empire, Total Film and Smash Hits!, is managing editor.
Mark Dinning moves over from running the features desk at Emap’s Empire to be features editor. Andrew Pettie has been lured from The Daily Telegraph to become TV editor, and Matt Mason, who has worked for the Daily Mail, Match and Total Sport, joins as sports editor.
Overseeing art and design is creative director Jonathan Sellers, whose track record at Emap includes working on the relaunch of fashion title For Him as lads’ mag FHM and the launches of Heat and Closer.
Matt Phare, formerly creative director across Emap’s Youth Group, joins Project Tyson as art director following the redesign of More magazine. Colin Hubbuck, previously a production editor on Heat and Smash Hits!, will head the production team and Steve Nash, formerly of FHM, will be picture editor.
Dan Cotton, who picks up the role of business manager, has a background spanning Motor Cycle News, men’s gaming and retail, and The Boston Consulting Group.
Barry McIlheney, editor-in-chief of special projects, said: “Securing the outstanding services of Paul Merrill is a huge coup for Project Tyson and we are delighted that he is joining Emap to head up this groundbreaking new launch with the support of an extremely talented and experienced team. Tyson has attracted a wealth of interest from across the industry and we look forward in continuing to build the team.”
By Jon Slattery
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