The Newspaper Works appoints Mitchell Murphy to new role of executive director of publishing

The Newspaper Works today announced the appointment of Mitchell Murphy to the newly created role of executive director – publishing.

Murphy, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the media industry, has a master of business administration and is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. He was most recently a member of Fairfax Media’s senior executive leadership team in New Zealand and publisher of the national broadsheet, The Sunday Star-Times, and the Auckland Now website.

Earlier this year The Newspaper Works merged with the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association (PANPA) to form a single organisation to represent the entire spectrum of the industry. Murphy will also assume the roles previously undertaken by the NPA/PANPA, including organising the Newspaper of the Year Awards and developing strong relations thoughout all levels of the industry.

Says Tony Hale, CEO The Newspaper Works: “Mitchell brings great breadth and depth of experience in all areas of newspaper publishing – from regional and metropolitan newspapers, to print and digital as well as editorial and commercial aspects.”

Reporting to Hale, Murphy will be responsible for representing all facets of the newspaper industry and developing strong relationships with all the industry partners.

Says Murphy: “I am delighted to be joining The Newspaper Works and playing an active role in passionately championing the media industry.

“I look forward to working closely with the board and the dedicated team at The Newspaper Works to enhance the services currently offered to the organisation’s loyal membership base.”

Murphy has worked with Fairfax Media for 10 years including roles as editor-in-chief and circulation director of the Illawarra Mercury, group editor-in-chief, Fairfax Community Newspapers in NSW and Victoria and founding managing editor of www.brisbanetimes.com.au.

He has previously worked in Australia for APN News and Media in senior editor roles and News Ltd covering rugby league and cricket.

Murphy will begin his new role at The Newspaper Works on Monday, September 3 to coincide with the 2012 PANPA Future Forum being held in Sydney on September 6 and 7.