FT boosts digital management team

The Financial Times announced Thursday the appointment of four managers to oversee its digital operations.

Renée Kaplan has been hired in the newly created role of head of audience engagement, while Bede McCarthy has been named director of product. Mark Alderson was named head of operations for the newsroom, and Kevin Wilson was named visual news editor.

With digital subscriptions growing 21 percent year on year to account for 70 percent of the FT’s total circulation, these roles will focus on enhancing the FT’s digital products and services.

“The FT is in strong shape with robust growth in profits year on year and a record high circulation of 720,000,” said FT CEO John Ridding in a statement. “In 2015, we will maintain momentum by increasing our focus on making the FT a habit for new readers and subscribers. Renée, Bede, Mark and Kevin will play instrumental roles in driving this effort through a range of initiatives including a new FT.com.”

Kaplan joins from Havas Worldwide where she is currently chief content officer. She is a former editorial director for France 24 and producer at CNN, CBS News and PBS.  Kaplan is also a lecturer at the American University of Paris and Sciences-Po Paris. She will start in May.

Financial Times editor Lionel Barber said: “Renée is an experienced digital strategist with a strong background in content production and distribution. She will oversee an expanded audience engagement program and team responsible for developing new approaches to promoting FT journalism and deepening our relationship with readers and subscribers.”

McCarthy has been with the FT since 2004 in editorial and product management roles, including technology correspondent and executive editor of FT.com. He worked on the FT’s first mobile apps, including the award-winning web app, and has been running the Strategic Products team since 2013. In his new role McCarthy will oversee management of all FT products including Next FT.com and other major priorities, effective immediately.

Alderson joined the FT as a news sub-editor in 1998 and has since held various roles including production editor of FT Money and executive editor of FT Weekend. In 2010 he was appointed chief production editor which involved working closely with technology teams to deliver improved workflows and deeper print/digital integration in the newsroom.

In his new role Alderson will continue working with technology and product teams to provide better tools and processes for the digital newsroom, and deliver the redesigned FT.com.

Wilson has been with the FT since 2008, when he started as head of design and graphics. During that time he has overseen the expansion in infographics and visual storytelling in print and online, winning national and international awards. Last year he led the refresh of the weekday and weekend print editions of the newspaper.

In his new role he will lead a reshaped visual department, concentrating on the digital channels.