Former regional press editor takes top news agency job

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by HoldtheFrontPage Staff Published 26 Aug 2008

A former Yorkshire Post editor has become managing director of one of the UK’s leading national news agencies.

Tony Watson (right) takes up the MD’s chair at the Press Association having joined the agency in 2003, becoming editor-in-chief last year.

The agency says Tony’s brief is to lead the changes required to ensure PA can maximise opportunities in digital markets.

Tony’s appointment is one of six key senior editorial changes in a major shake-up.

The other appointments are:

Jonathan Grun remains editor of PA but with a wider brief, playing a key role in ensuring PA meets the changing requirements of customers. He also has overall responsibility for safeguarding the reputation of the wire service. Jonathan joined the agency in 1979 as a reporter.

Multimedia editor John Angeli takes the new post of head of content with responsibility for the integration of content across text, photos, video and graphics. He joined PA from the BBC in 2006 and will help to ensure the agency is meeting clients’ needs.

Teilo Colley steps up to become editor (newswire) and will have responsibility for driving the news agenda for wire clients. Teilo joined PA as a reporter and has previously been night editor and deputy editor.

Emily Shelley is editor (entertainment), also a newly-created post. She will have overall responsibility for editorial content for features and showbiz as well as developing video capability. She joined PA in 1999 as a news trainee and has held a number of editorial roles since.

Jim Grice will take on another new role, editor (video). He will have responsibility for video newsgathering and production.

PA Group executive chairman Paul Potts said: “We have created a formidable management team within the news agency who all bring with them impressive knowledge and experience.

“Their key objective is to continue our progress in the digital arena, ensuring that our content and technology solutions are market-leading.

“Under Tony’s leadership, I am confident that the team will meet the challenges of the multimedia landscape and continue to provide innovative services to our widening customer base.”

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