Media Scotland announces editorial changes across its local titles
Media Scotland has announced changes for its regional titles with the appointment of a raft of new editors; existing regional editors will now be supported by title editors who will take responsibility for championing their newspapers within their communities.
Of the changes group editor Alan Woodison said: “Every town needs a strong, vibrant local newspaper – and every newspaper needs an editor. For the first time in a long time, our readers will have both.”
The move aims to stabilise the publisher’s portfolio of 17 local titles which were relaunched last year with a contemporary design and the introduction of The Ticket, a new entertainment section, to all papers.
The new line up sees John Hutcheson remain as editor of the Paisley Daily Express, John Rowbotham will move from the Hamilton Advertiser after 30 years to his home city of Stirling where he will edit the bi-weekly Stirling Observer. As regional editor for the area his remit includes Dumbarton’s Lennox Herald, with Amada Graham taking the role of editor.
In Ayrshire, Alan Woodison is regional editor with new appointments in the region including Cheryl McEvoy as Ayrshire Post editor; Craig Robertson editor of the Kilmarnock Standard, and Lorraine Howard as editor of the Irvine Herald.
John Murdoch takes on regional editor in Lanarkshire and Lothian, with title editors Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser; Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier; Bob Mitchell, Wishaw Press; Louise Reilly, East Kilbride News, and Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer. A new editor is due to be appointed to the Hamilton Advertiser.
In Perthshire, Alison Lowson will continue to edit the bi-weekly Perthshire Advertiser as well as holding the position of regional editor. Johnathon Menzies will take on the role of editor at the Blairgowrie Advertiser & Strathearn Herald.
Regional editor for Dumfries is Kenny Barr who will edit the bi-weekly Dumfries & Galloway Standard, with the Galloway News naming Iain Pollock as editor.
“We know from talking to readers and advertisers that the local titles were strong and well respected in their circulation areas. Each paper needed an individual to act as a figurehead, both among the staff and in the wider community. We already had good people who could do the job – and so finding editors wasn't difficult. I am looking forward to working with them all in growing Media Scotland at all levels of the business,” added Media Scotland editor-in-chief Allan Rennie.