ESI Media – publisher of newsbrands the Evening Standard and the Independent – has promoted Laura Weir to chief creative officer, while Oliver Poole steps up into the role of executive editor.
Weir, the longstanding editor of ES Magazine, will retain her current position whilst taking on new responsibilities for the creative direction of all ESI Media brands, ensuring a “cohesive strategy” across all brands and the development of new revenue streams.
In her additional role as chief creative officer of ESI Media, she will report into John Paton, chairman of the Evening Standard and Independent, and Charles Yardley, CEO of the Evening Standard.
“Creativity is at the heart of what makes our editorial content special,” Weir said.
“I look forward to working with editors and their teams across our titles to ensure ESI Media sits at the valuable intersection of content, commerce and creativity – while continuing to ensure ES Magazine remains the leading weekly title it has become.”
Meanwhile, as executive editor, Poole – a former foreign correspondent who has held titles including head of special projects for the Evening Standard and executive editor of the Independent – will communicate with the editors of all ESI Media titles to ensure “consistency of purpose”.
He will have responsibility for the direction, content and delivery of all group editorial campaigns, and will also report into Paton and Yardley.
“Our recent cross-title food campaign demonstrated the power of our brands and what can be achieved by highlighting an issue and making an impact,” Poole said.
“This same power, energy and cross-title cooperation must continue to be harnessed in the coming months, not least in our efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade and its zoonotic risks that will be a major focus for rest of 2020.”
Commenting on the appointments, Paton added: “I am pleased Oliver and Laura have taken on these new roles. Our titles are expanding rapidly and, as we have seen on everything from our views on fashion to our fight to end illegal wildlife trade, we are having an impact globally.
“It is important for our future growth we leverage our efforts across all of our titles.”
Both appointments are to be effective immediately.
