Dow Jones (NSDQ: NWS) has picked a local publishing exec with online tenure to lead The Wall Street Journal’s assault on Europe next year as it squares up to The Financial Times on its own turf. Andrew Langhoff, CEO of DJ’s Ottaway local publisher, will be publisher of WSJ Europe and MD of DJ’s consumer media group across the whole EMEA region, starting January 5. For extra brownie points, he will also run the South America consumer business, including The Wall Street Journal Americas.
Over the last year, DJ has upped its European news coverage, debuted the US WSJ edition in some London locations and added a magazine to the European edition. But the ’09 push is online. Guardian editorial development director Neil McIntosh is already due to start as WSJ.com’s Europe editor in the new year and WSJ’s LA bureau chief Bruce Orwall is moving to run the London bureau.
In the announcement, Dow Jones CEO Les Hinton stressed Langhoff’s “proven track record at growing print and digital publications” – his resume includes stints overseeing ESPN.com and ABCNews.com development for Walt Disney’s internet group and he was internet development VP at Ottaway for two years. One of Langhoff’s goals will be developing “local sections on WSJ.com to create a more regionally relevant experience for readers”. It points to the likelihood of either a bolstered European WSJ.com or country-specific editions within Europe. Patrick J. Purcell will replace Langhoff at Ottaway, also taking the executive chairman role there.
Update: Another change: Christine Brendle, managing director for CMG in Asia, also will become publisher of The Wall Street Journal Asia. Langhoff and Brendle will report to Todd Larsen, COO for Dow Jones Consumer Media Group. Hinton and Larsen explained the moves to staff in an internal memo; you can read the relevant sections after the jump.
A note from Les Hinton and Todd Larsen
Langhoff to Lead CMG in Europe; Purcell to Run Ottaway
December 2, 2008
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce two key appointments in Europe and at Ottaway after the departure of two longtime and valued Dow Jones executives.
With Bill Casey announcing his retirement and Mike Bergmeijer due to leave the company later this month to pursue other opportunities, we have decided to promote Andrew Langhoff to a leading role in the expansion of our international consumer business. Now the CEO of our Ottaway group, Andrew will bring his extensive publishing, Internet and business development expertise to CMG’s operations in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
Andrew will be publisher of The Wall Street Journal Europe and a managing director for CMG. He will be responsible for all aspects of Dow Jones’ consumer business, including The Wall Street Journal’s print and online operations, in EMEA. He will spearhead the continued expansion of our brands with an emphasis on growing our global digital presence. He will also take on responsibility for The Wall Street Journal Americas.
Andrew knows the print and digital sides of the business. He joined Ottaway as general counsel in January 2003 and was named vice president for Internet development in 2004. He was promoted to chief executive earlier this year. He was also vice president of business development for Virage Inc. and held a similar position with the Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) Company, with responsibility for launching Internet sites such as ABCNews.com and ESPN.com.
Andrew will start his new role in London beginning Jan. 5. He will report to Todd as will Christine Brendle, managing director for CMG in Asia. Christine will also become publisher of The Wall Street Journal Asia.