After almost a decade at the company, Ninemsn editor-in-chief and publisher Hal Crawford has announced he is leaving the business to take on the role of chief news officer at MediaWorks in New Zealand.
Remaining with the business until the end of May, Crawford's role will be replaced with Ninemsn managing editor Emma Chamberlain, who will take on the editorial team duties. Product development and commercial partnerships will be looked after by other members of the Nine Entertainment Company.
Crawford has had five different roles at Ninemsn. He began at the company in 2006 as news editor, before being promoted to news executive producer, head of news, editor-in-chief, and then publisher.
“This is a great opportunity for Hal and, as both a friend and a colleague, I wish him all the very best in this new role. We do have an incredibly talented team here, the best in the business, and the team and business are in great hands under managing editor, Emma Chamberlain,” says Nine Entertainment Co chief digital and marketing officer Alex Parsons.
Crawford adds: “I have seen the business transition from a joint-venture to a 100 per cent-owned digital arm of a dynamic media company. Now it’s clear that Nine is committed to digital and digital will be key to the future of the company.
“When I began at Ninemsn, the Australian media landscape was very different. Since then, we’ve had profound changes stemming from changes in behaviour – in mobile, video and social networks. That level of change will continue to happen. I have had a wonderful run at Ninemsn and Nine, and I have to say I owe this company and my colleagues, past and present, a great deal.”
