WSJ names new deputy managing editor, new weekend editor

Wall Street Journal managing editor Robert Thomson made the following announcement on Tuesday afternoon:

“I am pleased to announce the elevation to the pantheon of Ann Podd, who will become a Deputy Managing Editor and Night Editor, a position whose influence and responsibility will be significantly and necessarily enhanced. We need a senior editor to take a more holistic view of the paper each afternoon and evening, and a strong character to drive coverage late into the night. Ann’s background and her vibrant personality equip her admirably for this role, which is at the very centre of The Wall Street Journal’s operations.

“We are also promoting a nocturnal pioneer, Mike Boone, whose new assignment will be as Weekend News Editor of the Journal franchise. He will focus on keeping WSJ.com fresh and lively over the weekend, and ensure that Monday print editions are more compelling. Mike will report to Gerry Baker.

“Ann joined the Journal in 1994 as deputy spot news editor in New York. Her experience has been as eclectic as her performance has been excellent. She was the Journal’s day news editor and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia in Hong Kong. Ann was a leader of the team overseeing the introduction of the EidosMedia Methode print and online publishing system – the coming of a new publishing system is supposed to be an extremely painful experience, but her professionalism and energy have ensured that we now have world-class system which is almost glitch-free.

“Prior to working at the Journal, Ann held various editing, reporting and management jobs at the New York Daily News, the Bergen Record, the Buffalo Courier Express and the Associated Press. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell and Newhouse Schools and received an MBA from the University of Buffalo. That background as an unapologetic New Yorker ensures that she will be a pivotal player in the launch of our New York Edition, whatever and whenever that happens to be.

“Mike joined the Journal in 1999 as a copy editor. He was promoted to assistant news editor in 2001, and played an important role in the editing and production of the Journal on September 11, 2001.  After a stint as deputy copy chief, Mike was promoted to copy chief in 2007, succeeding Christine Glancey.  He was named the Journal’s Night Editor in early 2008 and has been our Iron Mike every evening since then.

“Before joining the Journal, Mike held a variety of editing and reporting assignments at the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, and the Battle Creek Enquirer and Lansing State Journal, both in Michigan. Mike is a graduate of Michigan State University, and holds a master’s of business administration from the University of South Florida.”