The digital editor of a Johnston Press regional daily has quit the title to set up his own business.

Geoff Fox, left, was the Yorkshire Evening Post’s first digital editor when he took the role in 2007 but has decided it’s time to start his new venture ‘Deadline Digital’, providing video PR for news websites.

Geoff has worked in journalism for ten years and, prior to joining the YEP, was news editor with the Halifax Courier and worked for the Barnsley Chronicle, Slough and Windsor Express and Aberdeen-based Press and Journal.

He said: “The newspaper industry faces a major dilemma. I have seen how difficult it is for newspapers to devote the time and resources to providing original video content for their own websites but I also know there is a demand for it like never before.

“Organisations and companies are keen to harness the huge audiences and trusted reputation which local newspaper websites enjoy.

“There is no better way to get your message across than with a succinct piece of video, and delivered in the right format to the right person, it stands a better chance of reaching an audience intact than traditional print press releases.”

Geoff oversaw every aspect of the YEP’s website including user interactivity, user-generated content and diving web traffic which, he claims, saw a page impressions increase of 200pc since he took the role.

He added: “The newspaper industry is currently tying itself in knots about whether or not to put up paywalls but the bottom line is the web is here to stay and users demand quality content.

“The decision to leave journalism was difficult, but this is a logical next step because I have come to realise that if an organisation or business wants someone to produce videos that a news website is going to actually use, your options at the moment are limited.”

Comments

Lee Hall, digital editor Sunderland Echo (02/03/2010 13:21:44)
Geoff will be a big miss at JP. I wish him all the best in his new venture.