The New York Times communicated plans to enter Australia back in 2016 and it looks as if that strategy is now being set in stone.
Damien Cave has been appointed Australian bureau chief and Jacqueline Williams its first locally based journalist. The publication is also on the hunt for new staff including a graphics editor, editorial assistant, a local reporter and an audience growth editor.
In a memo sent to staff, international editor Michael Slackman, deputy international editor Jodi Rudoren and Asia editor Phil Pan say:
"Australia is the next frontier for The Times’ global expansion, and we’ve found the perfect pair of pioneers to tackle it: Damien Cave, one of our most entrepreneurial and forward-thinking journalists, and Jacqueline Williams, an Oz native who has spent the last 18 months winning wide admiration in our investigative unit. They will join Michelle Innis, who has been a regular contributor to the international report for three years.
“Damien, a former correspondent in Mexico City and Miami who has been a leader in redefining national coverage, will open our new bureau in Sydney and lead the Australia effort, building a small staff and stable of freelancers. He is a digital innovator and creative team-builder who played a critical role in the successful launch of the Race/Related newsletter, one of our most dynamic and ground breaking initiatives.”
According to the Nielsen December ratings, The New York Times ranked the 17th most-read site in Australia with a unique audience of 1.27 million.
