London, June 23, 2009 –
News Corporation today announced the appointment of Rebekah Wade to the role
of Chief Executive Officer of News International. In her new role, she will
assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of News International,
covering all five titles, The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times, News of the
World and thelondonpaper. Ms Wade will continue to report to James Murdoch,
News Corporation’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Europe and Asia, who will
additionally become Executive Chairman of News International. Both
appointments will be effective 1 September 2009.
Ms Wade has been Editor of The Sun, the UK’s most popular newspaper, for
over six years. Prior to that, she spent three years as Editor of the UK’s
leading Sunday tabloid, News of the World. A new Editor of The Sun
will be
announced later in the summer.
Announcing Ms Wade’s appointment, James Murdoch said: “Rebekah combines
enormous editorial talent with commercial and strategic creativity at the
highest level. I know that in this new role she will make a huge
contribution to the business of journalism and to News Corporation’s
continued role as a pacesetter in this incredible business.”
Ms Wade said: “Our titles are among the best in the world thanks to an
unrelenting focus on high quality journalism that connects with its readers.
At such a crucial time for the newspaper industry, I am honoured to have the
opportunity to work with the exceptional team here and believe that we have
an exciting future.”
Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, News Corporation,
said: “Rebekah is a great campaigning editor who has worked her way up
through the company with an energy and enthusiasm that reflects true passion
for newspapers and an understanding of the crucial contribution that
independent journalism makes to society. Her promotion reflects the
importance of journalism to this business.
“News International has set a clear course, having reinvented itself with a
new commercial structure and a commitment to investing in its journalism to
deliver market share gains. I am confident that we have the right team to
lead News International as we develop a new model for our industry.
Personally, I’m thrilled that Rebekah’s energetic leadership will be felt
even more widely in the company.”
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of
March 31, 2009 of approximately US$52 billion and total annual revenues of
approximately US$31 billion. News Corporation is a diversified global media
company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed entertainment;
television; cable network programming; direct broadcast satellite
television; magazines and inserts; newspapers and information services; book
publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are conducted
principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom,
Australia, Asia and Latin America.
News International Limited publishes The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun,
News of the World and thelondonpaper. In terms of growth, share, circulation
and reader engagement, the Company’s titles are among the world’s most
successful. NewsPrinters Ltd prints the national titles and operates as a
contract printing subsidiary for the three state of the art printing plants.
Further brands which are part of the group include the Times Literary
Supplement and milkround.co.uk. The News International group has investments
in property search-engine globrix.com and fashion website BrandAlley.co.uk.
Contacts:
Jack Horner 212-852-7952
Alice Macandrew 020-7782-6013
Daisy Dunlop 020-7782-6074