BuzzFeed hires Gara as deputy business editor

Tom Gara of The Wall Street Journal has been hired as the new deputy business editor at Buzzfeed.

Gara has been editor of the Journal’s Corporate Intelligence blog for the past two years. He has also worked at The Financial Times.

“Peter and his team are doing exactly what every journalist wants to be a part of: sharp, lively, original reporting, by a great group of hungry young writers,” said Gara in a statement. “Their stories and scoops are already having a real impact, and I can’t wait to be a part it and help shape what comes next.”

Gara will be responsible for day-to-day editing and managing of the team; shaping and packaging posts that straddle the serious and the fun; strategizing on new coverage areas for growth; developing reporters and helping them pursue more ambitious stories; help promote the business section on social media and in other forums such as TV, conferences, BuzzFeed Brews events; and provide leads and sources for scoops.

He will also play a role in developing BuzzFeed’s San Francisco bureau.

“I’ve been a big fan of Tom’s engaging writing style, smart angles and tremendous wit across a range of topics for a while now,” said BuzzFeed business editor Peter Lauria in a statement. “I consider his Twitter feed to be a primary source for both world and business news, as well as laughs. He has that perfect and rare combination of being sophisticated about business news while also not being so earnest about it. He is someone the team will benefit from greatly. Plus, coming up at News Corp. myself, I know Australians are fun to drink beers with.”