<I>Financial Times</I> Vet Jumps to Dot Com Side

Just days after announcing it would cut 80 jobs while combining the digital and print newsrooms, the Financial Times will transfer an ink and paper lifer to oversee the Web site. Robery Shrimsley, most recently the news editor at the paper, takes over as managing editor of FT.com, which passed the one million mark in registered users. John Thornhill, European edition editor, replaces Shrimsley. The odd man out seems to be former FT.com editor, James Montgomery, who "is exploring several options in print and online at the FT for the future." ROBERT SHRIMSLEY APPOINTED NEW FT.COM MANAGING EDITOR John Thornhill appointed news editor Plus FT.com hits one million registered users LONDON: January 15, 2009: The Financial Times today announced that it has appointed Robert Shrimsley as managing editor of FT.com and that FT.com registered users have broken the one million barrier. In his new role Robert Shrimsley will help steer the ongoing digital and print integration at the FT, while leading on the ongoing design improvements on FT.com and its editorial content. He will work closely with FT.com Managing Director Rob Grimshaw who is responsible for the website's commercial performance and overall strategy. Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times commented on the appointment: "Robert's appointment and leadership will be key to further growing the online presence of the Financial Times as we manage our ongoing online and print integration." Robert was previously the news editor at the Financial Times. He was also the author of Notebook, the FT's daily satirical column on social, political and economic issues. Joining the FT as chief political correspondent in 2000, he has also been the UK editor and the UK news editor. John Thornhill, European edition editor, will become news editor. A former foreign news editor, Asia editor and Lex columnist, John has played a vital role in securing the FT's position as the leading business publication in Europe. Martin Dickson, deputy editor, will assume a watching brief for the European edition. Former FT.com editor James Montgomery is exploring several options in print and online at the FT for the future. The appointments coincide with the news that FT.com has reached one million registered users. The milestone follows increased demand for reliable, accurate, news and analysis on the back of the financial crisis and the roll out of the redesigned website. FT.com's acquisition rate has soared since the launch of its new access model in October 2007; a model that has also enabled blogs, news aggregators and other websites to access FT.com content and link to it more freely. The ground breaking model received the AOP Online Publishing Award for Innovation in October 2008 for a smart use of technology and the successful combination of audience and traffic with a loyal subscriber base. Rob Grimshaw, Managing Director, FT.com, said: "Reaching one million registered users follows the rollout of the new look FT.com and the success of our access model. Together with the quality of our editorial, the FT is now in a real position of strength online. The number of registered users is significant as information on the FT's targetable users is particularly compelling for advertisers." The FT.com access model works by allowing all users access to up to three articles a month for free, followed by a 'light' registration. For more than 10 articles a month readers need to subscribe.

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Financial Times Vet Jumps to Dot Com Side

Noah Davis

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