FT appoints Minto to new role of interactive web editor

by Jennifer Whitehead, Brand Republic 24-Jan-06

LONDON - Rob Minto is to take up the new role of interactive web editor at the Financial Times, to develop the newspaper's online services, including blogs and podcasts.

Minto has been with the FT since May 2004, working on the newsdesk and editorial development. He has been in online media since 1998, when he was editor of Euromoney.com.

In his new role, he will develop the ways that FT readers can interact with the title, including polls, discussions, forums, podcasts, interactive graphics and blogs, all on the FT.com website. The newspaper already offers podcasts, including Lucy Kellaway reading from her column in the paper.

Simon Targett, editor of FT.com, said: "This is an important job as we develop our interactive, podcast and video content on the website. It is based on the news desk, and it requires an instinctive grasp of the topics consuming both our readers online and in the newspaper -- I know he will be a success."

Andrew Gowers quit his role as editor of the FT last year after disagreeing with managers over strategy, including the internet. He was replaced by Lionel Barber.

Earlier this month, Pearson, owner of the FT, confirmed that the newspaper was to break even for 2005 after posting a £3m loss in the first half of the year. The paper had to pay out £2.5m in a settlement over a libel case with the moneybroker Collins Stewart.

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