Karl Holbrook takes the role of editor for the Express US. Currently executive editor at the Express, Karl was editor of the Northern Echo and has led digital transformation projects at The Scotsman, Edinburgh Evening News and Lancashire Post, says the publiher.
Alex Wellman has been appointed editor for the Mirror US. Alex has been group deputy head of Showbiz at Reach for the past three years, leading content on its national digital titles. Previously Alex has worked at the Sunday Mirror, Daily Mirror, Mirror Online and was also deputy news editor at The Sun.
Karl said: “The Express has come a long way in recent years and this giant leap into the US market is indicative of our ambitions to continue that growth and development. In almost 20 years in journalism, I can honestly say this is the most exciting project I’ve had the privilege to work on.”
Alex said: “We are incredibly excited to bring the Mirror's unique brand of journalism and values to the US. We'll be looking to continue to highlight the issues that matter to our readers on both sides of the Atlantic while also giving them a space to get the best news, sport and showbiz.”
Callum Hoare will join the Express US team as head of news with Emily Hodgkin appointed assistant editor.
Joining Alex’s team at the Mirror will be Zoe Forsey and Joshua Taylor as deputy editors.
Ben Rankin, national audience director at Reach said: “We are delighted to launch our US titles with a dedicated and experienced editorial team. We received huge interest with thousands of applicants in response to our recruitment campaign, which shows the excitement and passion for our US expansion plans.
“We have a strong playbook for launching in new markets and we’re already pulling in sizable numbers from American audiences, but we’re only at the beginning of this exciting journey. The sky's the limit with this project and we can’t wait to get out there.”
Joining the Express team will be Claire Anderson as deputy news editor, Alex Davies as Showbiz editor and Harry Rutter as assistant showbiz editor.
Also appointed to the US Mirror team are Rosaleen Fenton as news editor, Chloe Stewart as showbiz editor and Kyle O’Sullivan as deputy showbiz editor.
Earlier this week the Irish Star announced several appointments to its team, joining previously appointed US editor Ryan Smith. Other members include Laura Colgan, Ciaran Bradley, Katie Gallagher, Jane Corscadden, Brian Dillon, John O'Sullivan and Laura Grainger (all seconded internally), Maria Flannery (who joins from RTE), Martha Brennan (based in San Francisco) and Fionnuala Boyle (seconded from the Daily Record).
Over the coming weeks Reach will launch a US-based recruitment drive with the intention of appointing Americans to its editorial teams.
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