A weekly editor who helped pilot the ‘Newsroom of the Future’ initiative for Johnston Press has been seconded to a new role overseeing the next phase in the project’s rollout.
Having introduced the new-look newsrooms across its English and Scottish newspapers, JP is now extending it to Northern Ireland where it publishes the daily News Letter and a number of weekly titles.
The move will be overseen by Graeme Huston, left, who is moving from the Derbyshire Times to take on the role of interim editorial director for Northern Ireland.
In his absence Nancy Fielder will become acting group editor of JP’s North Midlands titles, including the Times, supported by Ashley Booker as acting head of content, Peaks, and Andy Done Johnson as acting content editor, Notts.
Graeme will begin his six-month secondment on Monday and will report to Warren Butcher, managing director, Northern Ireland.
Warren said: “Graeme has been instrumental in the roll out of Newsroom of the Future and the team will benefit from his insights and experiences as our own newsrooms move to this new way of working.
“Importantly Graeme will be able to provide his colleagues with an honest, personal account of Newsroom of the Future – from someone living and breathing it.
Richard Parkinson, managing director, Midlands/South Yorkshire added: “The NMSY titles are in good hands, as the team continues to deliver for our audiences and advertising customers across the region.”
Newsroom of the Future was first piloted at the North Midlands titles, which also include the Mansfield Chad and Worksop Guardian, last year.
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Is the Newsroom of the Future the one with the bod in it who uploads UGC, press releases and recipes to websites? Or am I getting it mixed up with another Newsroom of the Future? I think I should be told.
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Our newsroom of the future had three flatscreen TVs which showed cricket, but two of them broke. Good times.
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Has anyone else noticed the spooky ‘Abbey Road’ vibe to the chosen image of Graeme leafing through some of his titles?
I bet he has got bare feet too!
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Our flatscreen TV had to be removed from the wall because of an urgent health and safety issue identified by the editor (me). It was temporarily relocated to a new position which happened to be near an old but still usable satellite connection. Add one cheap set top box bought on the photographic account. And all just before the World Cup. Newsroom of the Present!
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Aside from the smart jokes, can anyone explain how Newsroom of the Future really works. It’s a few years now since reporters were uploading into page templates so what’s new in this version?
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Good luck in your new posting Graeme.
Mark 8:36
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The man who halved the circulation of the Doncaster Free Press in his previous job…you couldn’t make it up!
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Ex-JP Sub
The newsroom of the future is about digital first ‘right first time’ consumer driven content available on tablet and other mobile devices – for free.
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Will the Newsroom of the Future eventually be staff-less..with totally submitted copy and pictures direct to the page ???
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Love the headline on the paper he’s holding: Axe fears.
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Every innovation with JP seems to be a sharper guillotine for chopping a few more jobs. Hope the boys and girls are not looking for long careers.
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Irish eyes won’t be smiling now.
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