WSJ names editor for institutional news and data

Wall Street Journal managing editor Gerard Baker sent out the following staff promotion on Wednesday:

I’m delighted to announce that Dave Pettit is appointed Editor, Institutional News and Data.

In this newly created role, Dave will oversee the transition of our newswires platform to the digital age — a change that is critical to the success of the entire newsroom. Drawing on the strength of an integrated news organization, Dave will lead the launch of several specialized coverage areas, or “Dominants”, as well as the development of a digital news service, provisionally branded “DJX”. In addition, Dave will continue his leading role in the newsroom integration project.

Dave has broad experience in real-time and digital journalism. He was part of the team that launched WSJ.com and eventually became the site’s deputy managing editor. At the Online Journal, he directed overall news coverage, developed multimedia and oversaw the site’s most far-reaching redesign so far, in 2008. Following his tenure at WSJ.com, Dave helped launch new products for the Journal and Dow Jones Newswires, including market data and Dow Jones FX Trader. He worked as an editor and reporter for Dow Jones Newswires in New York from 1989-1995.

He will report to Almar Latour.