Stevenson and Bohill named to fill gap left by Watt departure at Media Scotland

THE publishers of the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and several Scots local newspapers has moved to fill the gap left by Ewan Watt, who last week stepped down as digital editorial director.

Media Scotland (a division of Trinity Mirror) has named Gordon Stevenson as head of digital and an expanded role for Dave Bohill as digital editor.

A Media Scotland statement said: “Gordon and Dave have been instrumental in driving record online numbers at Scotland’s leading digital news brand.

“Media Scotland publish the Daily Record and Sunday Mail – Scotland’s best-read print and digital titles – along with 22 locals including the Paisley Daily Express and the Ayrshire Post.”

Stevenson was digital development manager, while Bohill was online editor.

The release quotes Media Scotland editor-in-chief, Allan Rennie, as saying: “We have seen big audience increases – especially on mobile – driven by news exclusives, our bedroom tax campaign, increased video and picture galleries and football blogs.

“This is opening up new opportunities so we have restructured to put digital commercial at the heart of the editorial floor.

“Gordon and Dave make a great team and over the next few weeks will be unveiling products to further accelerate our growth and reinforce our position as Scotland’s leading digital news publisher.

“Gordon’s focus will be driving commercial through innovation and strategic partnership. Dave will complement this by increasing user engagement through brilliant content.”

The pair will report to Rennie and also Denise West, managing director of Media Scotland.