Following on from the success of the Guardian’s first virtual reality project - 6x9: a virtual experience of solitary confinement - the new team demonstrates an ongoing commitment to digital innovation in journalism and working with emerging technologies to create immersive and impactful storytelling, says the Guardian.
The team comprises expertise across editorial, project management, digital development, design and commercial. The editorial team will be headed up by Francesca Panetta, executive editor, virtual reality, with commercial strategy director Adam Foley focusing on the commercial side to collaborate with advertisers. Francesca and Adam will be supported by a dedicated team who will produce an ongoing series of innovative and thought-provoking experiential projects, bringing audiences closer to Guardian journalism than ever before, say the publishers. The team is a further development in the Guardian’s strategy to deepen the collaboration between digital, editorial and design teams.
Francesca Panetta, executive editor, virtual reality, Guardian News & Media said: “Virtual reality and interactive content offer an extra dimension to storytelling in journalism and we’re thrilled to have been able to create a team that is truly dedicated to projects of this nature. The reaction from our audiences to 6x9 - our first virtual reality project - was fantastic, and we look forward to being able to bring them closer to our journalism through the medium of virtual reality over the coming months and years.”
Adam Foley, commercial strategy director, Guardian News & Media said: “Now that the Guardian has an in-house virtual reality team we’re excited to be able to work with brands to harness this new technology, not only to support some of the exciting projects that we have coming up but also to explore the new possibilities it provides. As more people gain access to virtual reality, it becomes more important for media owners and advertisers to invest in their own presence on the platform and bring their brand to life.”
