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Gilson sets out stall as he takes up fifth editorship

Mike GilsonThe new editor of a regional daily says he intends to keep up his track record of producing “compelling” newspapers.

Mike Gilson, pictured left, took up his new role at Brighton title The Argus yesterday.

The Argus is Mike’s fifth editorship – following stints at The Scotsman, The News, Portsmouth, the Peterborough Telegraph and the Belfast Telegraph, where he has spent the past five years.

He has taken over from Michael Beard at The Argus, who left in November to take up a PR role with Public Health England.

Said Mike: “I am tremendously excited about taking on the opportunity in Brighton. It is a fantastically dynamic place and the newspaper and digital platforms under me will reflect that.

“We will be challenging when we need to be and supportive at other times. We will be at the centre of debate and, at the core of everything, our journalism will be vital and trustworthy.

“I have a track record at producing compelling newspapers and websites. This will continue.”

In his new role he will hold the official title of group editor of Newsquest Sussex.

The company’s managing director Dawn Sweeney said: “I am delighted to welcome Mike to The Argus.

“He is an experienced editor with an outstanding pedigree and I look forward to working with him in the new year to further develop The Argus.”

9 comments

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  • February 24, 2015 at 10:04 am
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    Usual Agincourt stuff from new editor. No mention of new staff, without whom his words will be mere candyfloss. But best of luck in restoring a once superb paper from sad decline. More Brighton news and fewer sketchy attempts from rest of Sussex needed.
    Suspect Gilson won’t lack energy!

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  • February 24, 2015 at 11:49 am
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    Beware the Gannet sh…ing on you from a great height. Hope Mike’s first job will not be to turn the Argus into a weekly because of its very low sales. Brighton merits a top class daily paper. It once had one, until Newsquest and its owners stripped it bare. Mike’s got a massive job on his hands, but he will relish that no doubt after Belfast. Good luck to everyone at soon to be vacated Hellingbury.

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  • February 24, 2015 at 12:00 pm
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    Fond memories of working with Mike in Portsmouth (though they may not always have seemed like good days at the time!)
    Good luck, Mike, and hold on tight, Brighton!

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  • February 24, 2015 at 2:57 pm
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    Worked with Mike at Portsmouth and Peterborough – Brighton is in good hands. Good luck Mike.

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  • February 24, 2015 at 3:01 pm
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    AS previous correspondents on HTFP have pointed out The Argus must decide if it is city paper or a proper two-county paper (East and West Sussex) which it most certainly is not since the long-ago closures of its district offices. It can’t be both with existing staff levels, not even with dreaded User Generated Copy. At the moment it is neither. But if anyone can, Gilson can!

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  • February 25, 2015 at 8:46 am
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    No doubt the paper will publish a “bragout” saying how wonderful it is going to be. It should beware of patronising its readers; the area is stuffed with intelligent well-read people. The paper went severely down market years ago. It never recovered.

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