Ellis Watson, the general manager of MGN, has been elected chairman of the Newspaper Publishers Association for 2004. He will take up his post at the beginning of January.
Before joining MGN at the age of 35 earlier this year, he had worked for News International, being appointed joint marketing manager in 1994, rising to marketing director the next year.
In 1999, he was made general manager of The Sun’s CurrantBun.com.
Watson said: “I look forward to leading the NPA and building on the work of Terry Grote, my predecessor. I shall enjoy working with my NPA member colleagues and the executive team to promote the interests of our industry.”
Key issues currently facing the NPA include readership research, newspaper distribution, newsprint environmental matters and restrictions on sports media rights.
Steve Oram, NPA director, said: “I am delighted to be working with Ellis to tackle the many challenges facing the NPA.”
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