Murray to lead newsroom transition at WSJ

Dow Jones & Co. CEO William Lewis sent out the following announcement on Wednesday:

Dear Colleague,

Today marks the next critical stage of our WSJ2020 transformation: the creation of a revitalized executive management structure for Dow Jones.

As we look to accelerate revenues in key growth sectors and control costs across the board, I am delighted to announce several important promotions, in particular for Katie Vanneck-Smith and Anna Sedgley.

• Customers & Revenue: Our commercial operations will be united in a single division headed by Katie Vanneck-Smith, who is promoted to President & Chief Customer Officer for Dow Jones. The Customer Group will now include all subscription and advertising revenues across the company. WSJ, DJMG and PIB sales will be brought under the leadership of Nancy McNeill in the newly created role of Chief Revenue Officer, reporting to Katie. As part of this reorganization, Trevor Fellows will leave the company to pursue new opportunities. Trevor has shown outstanding leadership in a turbulent market, and I thank him for his significant contribution to Dow Jones over the past three years.

• Operations & Finance: Anna Sedgley is promoted to Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer. Anna will lead finance, legal, strategy, print operations, facilities, security and technology. Ramin Beheshti is promoted to Group Chief Product & Technology Officer, reporting to Anna.

• Business Transformation: Kristin Heitmann is promoted to the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer, reporting directly to me. Kristin joins my Executive Committee and will ensure WSJ2020 moves forward at speed. Her initial priority will be to work with Matt Murray on the Newsroom transformation.

• Newsroom: Matt Murray, Deputy Editor of WSJ, will assume full-time responsibility for Newsroom transformation. Matt will lead five workstreams: audience analysis, product and customer experience, people and skills, workflow and structure, and technology.

These significant structural and senior personnel changes will help set Dow Jones on a path to swift and sustainable growth. I look forward to sharing with you more thoughts on our company’s journey in due course.

Best,