Mirror Appoints Sunday Deputy To Replace Morgan
Trinity Mirror has appointed Richard Wallace, former deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror, as the new editor of its flagship tabloid, the Daily Mirror, replacing Piers Morgan following his dismissal last month.
An experienced journalist, Wallace was previously the Daily Mirror‘s US Editor based in New York and has also held positions as showbusiness editor and head of news. He has also spent time as a reporter for the Daily Mail and The Sun and has spent the last four months as acting editor of the Mirror‘s Sunday sister title while the newspaper’s editor has been on maternity leave.
Since Morgan’s departure the Daily Mirror has been run by deputy editor Des Kelly, and while many have praised Kelly’s leadership, Trinity Mirror have announced that he has resigned in the wake of Richard Wallace’s appointment.
Trinity have also announced the promotion of Ellis Watson, former general manager, national newspapers, to the position of managing director, national newspapers with immediate effect. The move sees Watson overseeing Wallace in his new role as editor, where previously he would have reported to Trinity chief executive Sly Bailey.
Commenting on Wallace’s appointment Watson said: “Richard has bags of ability and huge experience in tabloid newspapers. The Daily Mirror has a fabulous heritage and Richard’s job will be to build on that as we go forward.”
He added: “With his talents, and those of the fantastic Mirror team, we have a very bright future ahead of us.”
Speaking of his appointment Wallace himself expressed delight, stating: “The greatest challenge for national newspapers is circulation. I’m confident that we have the team, the talent and the will to tackle this challenge and I look forward to even greater success for the Daily Mirror. I’m absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to lead this great newspaper, especially as I’m going to be working with the most talented team in Fleet Street.”
According to the latest ABC circulation figures, the Daily Mirror’s circulation has dropped by 5.5% year on year in the six months to May, resting at just under 1.9 million. Increasing circulation will be high on Wallace’s agenda as editor as the Mirror plays catch-up to its arch rival the Sun with a circulation of 3.3 million.
While the Daily Mirror is clearly moving forward since the departure of Piers Morgan, the former editor may still have business with his former employers after reportedly demanding £1 million compensation from the paper. Morgan’s nine year reign at the tabloid came to an end after the Queen’s Lancashire regiment proved that pictures depicting its soldiers torturing Iraqi captives were staged and demanded an apology from the paper (see Sacked Daily Mirror Editor Could Demand Compensation).
Trinity Mirror: 020 7293 3000www.trinitymirrorplc.uk
Recent Newspaper Stories from NewsLine ABC National Newspaper Round-Up May 2004 Times Rolls Out Compact Edition Across The UK Media Planners Welcome Independent’s Tabloid Move
Subscribers can access ten years of media news and analysis in the Archive