LA Times biz editor gets a new job

Los Angeles Times business editor Russ Stanton has been appointed the paper’s Innovation Editor, according to a memo from publisher David Hiller posted on LAObserved.com.

The memo stated, “Russ Stanton, Business Editor, has been named to the newly created position of Innovation Editor, reporting directly to Jim O’Shea. Russ’s mission, working with editors and reporters across news and features, is nothing less than the transformation of our newsroom into a 24/7 operation that breaks news all the time online (and mobile, etc.) and publishes in print with the analysis, personality, and utility that only great writers and editors can provide.”

Later, the memo said, “Russ and Rob will work closely together in guiding and integrating our efforts across print and online. The two will also lead a company-wide team to assess and recommend changes across all departments to ensure that we are, in fact, re-tooling our whole enterprise for the web and print.”

Read more here. A release put out by the Times stated, “In that role, Stanton will work with editors and reporters across all news and features desks to transform the newsroom into a 24/7 operation that continuously breaks news online, and publishes in print the analysis, personality and utility that great writers and editors can provide in that medium. Stanton joined The Times in 1997 as a reporter in the Orange County edition and has been Orange County Business Editor, Technology Editor and Deputy Business Editor. As business editor, he oversees the paper’s coverage of technology and the business of entertainment, two key components of The Times multi-media strategy. Named a Fellow of the Herbert J. Davenport Economics Program at the University of Missouri, he also earned his B.A. at California State University.”

No word on when a new business editor will be named.