Under Julian’s leadership, Digital Spy will focus on tone of voice, with a greater emphasis placed on video, visual story-telling and social sharing of content, with the aim of growing it into a global entertainment news brand. Currently attracting 15 million unique users, say the publishers, the brand will continue to be at the forefront of delivering news and features about the worlds of TV, film, music, tech and gaming. Julian will also take on a number of special projects for Hearst, details of which will be revealed in due course.
Julian has over 20 years’ experience of creating innovative and engaging content for some of the world’s most famous media brands. He was launch Editor of heatworld.com, before being made Editor of the Heat brand in May 2008, becoming the magazine industry's first major multi-platform editor, overseeing print, digital, mobile and radio.
Julian was appointed Creative Director of Bauer Media in September 2009 where he oversaw a number of industry-first brand partnerships. He went on to work as a multimedia creative consultant for clients including Cannes Lions, BT, Hachette Book Group, Future Publishing, Signal TV and Channel Mum as well as supporting a number of digital entrepreneurs through their start up phase. He also lectures at City University on its prestigious Magazine Media course.
Key to Digital Spy’s future is its move on to Hearst’s proprietary technology platform MediaOS. The platform allows editorial teams access to up to the minute audience insight, and provides consumers with a better user experience.
Julian says: “Digital Spy is already credible, trusted and knowledgeable, which provides a perfect foundation on which to build. We will blend news and creativity with data analytics and audience insight to deliver sharply angled content, which consumers will love and then want to share. It is my vision to build Digital Spy into a global 24-hour breaking entertainment news operation.”
Anna Jones, CEO of Hearst Magazines UK, says: “Julian brings a wealth of media experience to an already powerful brand. His knowledge of providing audiences with compelling content they want to consume and share is second to none. I look forward to seeing him execute his vision for the brand.”
