The founder of an award-winning online newspaper is stepping down to join the Yes campaign for Scottish independence.
Stewart Kirkpatrick, who is editor of the Caledonian Mercury, will become the digital head for the Yes campaign, which will see a referendum held in 2014.
He set up the Mercury as an online newspaper in January 2010 and is a former editor of The Scotsman’s website, Scotsman.com – a role he held for seven years during which time traffic rose ten-fold to four million unique users per month.
In his new role, Stewart will be responsible for all aspects of the campaign’s digital network, including the Yes Scotland website and databases, maximising links and co-operation between national, regional and local groups.
Blair Jenkins, Yes Scotland chief executive, said it was a key appointment in what he claimed would be the biggest community-based campaign in Scottish history.
He said: “I am delighted that somebody of Stewart Kirkpatrick’s calibre is joining our team. In 21st century campaigning, digital content, development and management are fundamental to success and Stewart is undoubtedly a proven leader in this field of expertise.”
Stewart is a member of the international committee of the Online News Association and has worked as a consultant for the Scottish Government, STV.tv, The Times and others, while he has also lectured in online journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
He said: “I am very excited about joining the Yes Scotland team and working with Blair Jenkins who, as a journalist and broadcaster, I have admired and respected for many years.
“I am aware of the challenges facing us and very excited about rising to them using all the channels that digital offers. Yes Scotland will be the biggest ever campaign of its kind and I am thrilled to be playing a part in it.”
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Such a shame someone of such talent is using that talent to try to break up the United Kingdom. I sincerely hope this is one campaign Stewart Kirkpatrick loses.
Excellent news, the YES campaign, couldn’t have a better digital head than Stewart.
@Subbed out, we’re not breaking up Britain, it’ll remain, we’ll still be Scottish and citizens of the British isles only not controlled by the corrupt and venal Westminster government.
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Perhaps to ensure Scottish independence Stewart Kirkpatrick ought to try and have the English take part in the actual ballot.
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Every move the YES Campaign makes points firmly towards professionalism whereas the NO Campaign seems to be mired in either lack of activity or buffoonery as displayed by Ian Davidson MP on Newsnight Scotland last night (Tues Aug 7th).
His blustering bullying tactics brought a strong response and demand for an apology from presenter Isabel Fraser but needless to say was not forthcoming.
Interestingly there seems to be a dearth of reporting of the incident by the MSM press today which merely emphasises the importance of the online campaign to Scotland’s political future. VOTE YES in 2014
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No point in forming scathing remarks over the previous comments but suffice to say , Roll On 2014. It hopes to be a great year for Scotland. Anyone wishing to hope that 2014 is not a great year for Scotland is welcome to be ignored.
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No, really I am all for it; independence for England. If that means Scotland going independent as a first step then great.
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This is good news.
The NO campaign has bullys like Ian Davidson, dubious characters like Darling, and no positive arguement, only scaremongering and bullying. Cant wait till 2014 and this so called union will be over, Scotland will take its rightful place in the world again.
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Scottish independence………….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz