WSJ names senior visual editor

Wall Street Journal managing editor Gerard Baker sent out the following staff announcement on Friday:

I’m delighted to announce that Jessica Yu is appointed Senior Visual Editor, a crucial new role aimed at putting visual story-telling at the center of our journalism. Jessica will oversee the more than 100-strong team of editors in the graphics, interactive, photo, layout and design departments.

As we accelerate the digital transformation of The Wall Street Journal, Jessica will be responsible for sharply improving visual presentation on all Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones platforms and creating a team of visual journalists that will meet and exceed the demands of the digital age.

Jessica is uniquely qualified for this role, having led the transformation of Asia’s print graphics staff into a team of well-trained multimedia visual journalists. She knows both the world of print and that of digital. She has efficiently run the graphics of The Wall Street Journal in Asia and helped create the look for several blogs and sites in Asia.

Jessica is a journalist with a thirst for news: Facing tight deadlines, she and her team frequently deliver digital graphics that enjoy worldwide readership, including some of the graphics on the recent Malaysia flight news. Jessica has worked for more than 10 years in Hong Kong and has been involved in the Journal’s efforts in graphics, interactive, art direction, photography, new WSJ franchises, foreign language properties and social media.

Seth Hamblin will continue in his role as visual editor and will also serve as Jessica’s deputy. Seth will play an enhanced role in our digital visual push.  He will bring his manifold talents to bear as he works with Jessica to make Journal/Dow Jones output a genuine visual treat.

Photo Editor Jack Van Antwerp, Interactives Editor Jon Keegan and Layout Editor John Nichols will continue in their current roles and report to Jessica.

Jessica will report to me.