Former Western Mail editor Neil Fowler has been made publisher and chief executive officer of the daily Toronto Sun, writes Jean Morgan.
Fowler, who has edited a number of UK regional titles, including The Journal, Newcastle, takes up his post on 30 June. He will find himself opposed to another former Journal editor, Phillip Crawley, who is publisher and chief executive of the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Pierre Francoeur, president and chief executive of Sun Media, which owns the Toronto Sun, said of Fowler, whom he chose from a shortlist of 15: “He’s a fighter and exactly the kind of guy we want. What impressed me most was his strong editorial background.”
Back from Canada on Wednesday, Fowler said: “I’m used to 10 or 11 competitors on the news-stands and Toronto is as competitive as it gets in North America. We have to justify to our readers not just spending 50 cents, but 25 to 30 minutes of their day.
“The Sun has a great reputation that goes beyond the boundaries of Toronto, Ontario and indeed, Canada.”
There are four dailies in Toronto, the National Post and the Toronto Star vie with the Sun and Globe and Mail.
Jean Morgan
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog