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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News has appointed Alex Gubbay as its first Social Media Editor.

Alex is currently Interactive Sports News Editor for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport, and will take on this new role in January, leading editorial development of user-generated content and social media initiatives across the Newsroom.

He will coordinate the work of correspondents and reporters using social media tools, ensuring best practice is developed and shared within ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Journalism.

He will manage the existing User Generated Content hub within ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Newswire, coordinating high-quality UGC newsgathering and effective comment and debate on all of the Newsroom platforms. The hub is a central part of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News – generating newsmaking material on stories including the Iran protests, violence in western China, and many UK consumer and social affairs issues.

Part of the role will be to help develop new ways for audiences to have their say on stories being covered by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News, and to ensure technology is developed to support the social media and UGC operations across ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Journalism.

Audiences have always contributed directly to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s newsgathering, especially on breaking stories. The technology to allow people to send in photos, video, eyewitness accounts and comment develops all the time. In common with other media organisations the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ wants to ensure this is as simple as possible for our audiences to do, and deepen our relationship with them in the interests of strengthening our journalism.

Mary Hockaday, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Head of Newsroom, said: "Alex Gubbay is one of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Journalism's most experienced interactive editors – with a strong understanding of how our audiences are using the internet and other digital services. His track record running the popular and successful ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport website, and his strong editorial pedigree, make him an ideal person to lead the development of our use of social media.

"The way audiences consume and interact with news is changing. New social media platforms allow audiences to get, share and comment on the news, and are becoming distribution channels in their own right.

"Alex will lead our work in this area to build an open relationship with our audience, and make sure our distinctive journalism reaches as many people as possible."

Notes to Editors

The new role has been created to coordinate the way in which the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ uses social media to bring news to its audiences as well as evaluate how audiences engage with ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News output. Initially offered as a 12-month attachment, the role will help to assess the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s priorities in the rapidly changing social media environment. The role has been funded by reprioritising existing budgets within the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Newsroom.

KR