NY Times announces expanded role for assistant managing editor Drake

Monica Drake, assistant managing editor at The New York Times will be taking on an expanded role exploring significant new editorial initiatives, especially those that extend beyond the core of the newsroom into new subject areas, formats and business opportunities.

As per the announcement:

“This is a crucial entrepreneurial role in shaping the future of The Times’s journalism. Monica will be the primary partner to David Perpich in exploring new subscription-based editorial opportunities. She’ll work with department leaders, Strategy and others across the newsroom in exploring new journalism opportunities closer to the core. She’ll also shape journalistic vision and standards for new editorial initiatives and participate in testing and recruiting teams to run them.

“In addition, Monica will serve as the masthead’s connector to our expanding world of new products and ventures — a partner to Sam Sifton and Emily Weinstein on Cooking, working with Sam Dolnick and Paula Szuchman on new initiatives in Audio, and as our liaison to Games and Kids, shaping how these areas connect with the core newsroom.

“As Monica transitions into this new role, she also will continue to supervise special projects and sponsored and philanthropic initiatives, including the Headway initiative — a prime example of the type of new innovation and team-building model we have in mind.”

Drake has been with The Times for over 15 years, previously serving as travel editor, deputy travel editor, assistant editor for arts and leisure and assistant editor for weekend arts. She was also a staff editor at the Times and held the same post at the International Herald Tribune.