Johnston Press readies launch of i appointing Newsbeat’s Felicity Morse as digital news editor
Johnston Press has appointed Felicity Morse as digital news editor of i online, as it readies the launch of the paper’s new website next week following the complete acquisition this coming Sunday, it was announced today (6 April).
Morse will be responsible for boosting traffic to i’s new website, together with building and expanding the paper’s online audience.
Her appointment comes as part of the publisher’s commitment to digital growth across all of its news brands, after it relaunched various news sites earlier this year including titles The Yorkshire Post, The Star, Sheffield and Portsmouth News.
She joins i from BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, where she served as social media editor. Prior to this, she held roles at The Huffington Post and The Independent.
The appointment follows the official announcement of i’s new editorial line-up last week, with current editor Oliver Duff maintaining leadership when the first issue under Johnston Press’s ownership goes to print on Monday 11 April.
Elsewhere Andy Webster, formerly at the Sunday Times and The Independent, will take on the role of deputy editor, with new heads of department expected to be announced soon.
The majority of staff have been carried over from the i (17) and The Independent, where it is estimated around 100 of the 160 journalist have lost their jobs.
It comes as part of Johnston Press’ move to core brands through its £25m takeover of the i newspaper last month while it announced it will sell, close or cut costs at 59 local newspapers, which will see the loss of 3,000-plus members of staff.
Felicity Morse, digital news editor at i said: "It's a fantastic time to be involved in such a first-rate digital journalism project, offering readers interesting, original articles online. I want to create a news site that means you don't mind having a long commute, because you come off the train or bus feeling like you know more about the world."
Oliver Duff, editor at i, commented: "Under Felicity's leadership, inews.co.uk will attract people with shareable concise, quality content that complements i's award-winning print journalism. Expect serious news, mischief, and compelling stories."