News Corp Australia announces Senior appointments

News Corp Australia’s managing director – metro and regional publishing Damian Eales and managing director – community publishing Brett Clegg has announced three senior executive appointments within their teams -

Michael Wilkins, former general manager NewsLocal, has been appointed executive general manager The Daily and Sunday Telegraph. Mr Wilkins will report into Mr Eales.

Simon Anderson, former executive general manager The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, will take on the newly created role of group director wagering reporting into Mr Eales.

Tamara Oppen, former general manager of strategic projects, has been appointed general manager NewsLocal. Ms Oppen will report into Mr Clegg.

These appointments are effective from Monday July 25.

Michael Wilkins

Mr Wilkins began his career in 1988 as a copyboy on The Manly Daily and has gone on to a rich career encompassing editorial and management roles in community, regional and metro publishing.

He worked as the chief of staff on The Sunday Telegraph and was the managing editor for The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs before being appointed to the role of group editorial business manager.

Mr Wilkins moved to Queensland in 2010 where he spent two years as the general manager of North Queensland newspapers. In 2012, he returned to Sydney to take up the role of general manager – operations NSW before being appointed general manager of community publishing in 2013.

Mr Eales said “With a combined monthly audience of over 2.8 million, there are few brands in Australia with the influence of The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs.

“Michael is an exceptionally experienced publisher and will play an important role in further broadening the reach of these prestigious brands.”

On his appointment Mr Wilkins said: “I’m very proud to be overseeing the best masthead brands in Australia. As a Sydney boy I grew up with the Telegraphs and then had the privilege of holding senior editorial positions on both titles. I look forward to helping them grow as we create new audiences, creative opportunities for advertisers and the best products for readers.”

Simon Anderson

Mr Anderson joined News Corp Australia in 2014 and prior to that had held senior roles at Fairfax Media.

Mr Eales said: “As executive general manager The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, Simon has delivered strong results while ensuring business continuity in closing out the financial year and I thank him for that.

“Wagering advertising is growing across all platforms in our business. This newly created role will see Simon working across our print and digital publishing assets to further develop our wagering strategy; leveraging our considerable sports audience to build valuable propositions for wagering advertisers.”

Tamara Oppen

Ms Oppen joined News Corp Australia in 2003 as sales director for The Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

Since then she has held a number of senior roles that include advertising sales director and publisher of the former commuter title mX and strategic operations director for The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs.

Mr Clegg said “The NewsLocal suite of titles servicing communities across Sydney represents a hugely significant part of our business. As the digital agenda of each of these titles becomes more sophisticated, with solutions such as NewsXtend, it’s great to have someone like Tamara leading the team. Tamara is renowned for her digital nous, innovative mindset and her intense customer focus.”

Ms Oppen said: “I’m a passion advocate for local news and the vital role it plays in people’s lives and their communities. I am especially excited about the opportunity to innovate and enhance the NewsLocal offering to both readers and advertisers.”