The digital strategy director who oversaw the recent experiment into paywalls at Johnston Press is to leave the company.

Lori Cunningham joined the regional publisher two years ago, having previously been vice-president of strategy at AOL UK.

In her current role she oversaw the introduction of temporary paywalls onto a series of JP’s local newspaper websites the test audience reaction.

The experiment was quietly dropped with subscriber rates barely climbing into double figures.

Johnston Press made clear in its annual report earlier this year that it was to cease development of its own bespoke digital solutions and in future buy in platforms from elswehere.

An example of this was the tie-up with DMGT-owned jobs platform Jobsite – a deal which Lori helped to broker.

An internal memo to staff said: “Lori Cunningham has decided to leave Johnston Press on 30 June after two years with the company.

“Since joining the company Lori has been involved in the development of our digital strategy which has evolved from the creation of our own solutions to one of partnership with third parties.

“She has recently been focusing on the development of a new website template utilising the purchased Polopoly platform. This will replace our existing websites over the coming months.”

Chief executive John Fry added: “I would like to thank Lori for her contribution to our development as a multi media business. She leaves with our best wishes for the future.”

Comments

Highlander (28/05/2010 15:46:40)
A Johnston Press bigwig falling on her sword after making the wrong decision. Wonders will never cease! Anyone else up in the upper echelons of JP thinking they ought to do the same? I doubt it.

Timing (01/06/2010 10:31:24)
About time too!

JP Worker (02/06/2010 12:24:06)
Bravo – leaving in a blaze of glory! Just a suggestion but do the people responsible for getting duped into buying Atex fancy locating the door?