WSJ names new social media editor

WSJ.com managing editor Raju Narisetti sent out the following staff hire announcement on Monday:

We are delighted to announce that Neal Mann, one of the UK’s most well known pioneers in social media journalism, is joining The Wall Street Journal Digital Network’s social team as an editor. In this key role, Neal will build on our ongoing efforts to cover stories, particularly outside the US, with new storytelling tools and deepen engagement with our readers globally, as well as work on innovative ways to expand our video efforts into the social media realm. He will report to Liz Heron.

Most recently, Neal was Sky News’ Digital News Editor in London, working for Sky News both at home and in the field, initially as Deputy News Editor for home news. Last year saw Neal covering foreign news, working in the field to report on the conflict in Libya. Neal has pioneered the use of Twitter and social media to help break news, and is well known for his news coverage of UK politics, the arrest and subsequent extradition of Julian Assange, the UK phone hacking scandal, and student protests over tuition fees, among other stories.

Neal (@fieldproducer) was named one of the UK’s most influential journalists on Twitter by both The Observer and The Independent, and regularly lectures and speaks on the subject of social media and journalism.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Neal (@fieldproducer; neal.a.mann@gmail.com; Facebook.com/fieldproducer). He starts on May 23 and will initially be based in London.