Contact book update

PR Week UK, Wednesday, 28 February 2007, 6:14pm,

Your update on new launches, new hires and developments in the world of print, broadcast and online media.

PRESS

George Parker, Brussels bureau chief at the Financial Times, is returning to London to succeed James Blitz as political editor. Blitz is to move to another senior role, yet to be announced. Parker's replacement has not been confirmed.

Harry Mount has joined the Daily Mail as a leader writer. He was previously New York correspondent at The Daily Telegraph and has been replaced by former features writer Tom Leonard.

Rob Fearn, former features editor at Q, has joined The Guardian's G2 supplement as senior commissioning editor. He replaces Paul MacInnes, now music editor for Guardian Unlimited. Fearn was replaced at Q by Dave Everley (PRWeek, 26 January). Laura Barnett has also joined G2 as commissioning editor, arts, with particular responsibility for music. She was formerly junior editor of books and art at The Daily Telegraph.

Rupert Steiner, City editor at The Business, has been promoted to associate editor (City and news). Jon Ashworth, former business features editor at The Times, is now senior editor at The Business, covering transport, defence and industry. Tom Burroughes, who covered hedge funds at Reuters, is investor editor.

Matthew Weiner has joined Haymarket's FourFourTwo as deputy editor (features), replacing Nick Harper, who is now features editor of free weekly Sport. Weiner was previously editor of Father's Quarterly magazine, where he has been replaced by former features editor Andy Tongue. Freelancer Rob Kemp has become Father's Quarterly editor-at-large.

Christian Davis, former editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit Weekly, has been appointed as news editor of Drinks International. He replaces Simon Warburton.

Sharon Campbell is to join Pharmaceutical Marketing and Pharmaceutical Marketing Europe as news editor on 5 March. She is ex-senior editor at Pira International.

Breakingviews.com has launched a daily column in Mint, the new business paper from the publishers of the Hindustan Times. It will appear on the Money Matters pages. Hugo Dixon is editor-in-chief and chairman of breakingviews.com.

BROADCAST

Gavin McCoy has taken over from Mark Walker as programme controller at 102.2 Smooth FM. Previously head of presentation for Saga Prime Time Radio and Saga Digital, McCoy will be in charge of all editorial content. Walker left to pursue other interests.

Former Working Lunch roving reporter Nik Wood has returned to the BBC programme as Adam Shaw's co-presenter. He will work Monday to Thursday and replaces Adrian Chiles.

BBC Radio 2 has appointed Jeff Smith as head of music, replacing Colin Martin, who retired last December. Smith was previously director of UK and international programming at Napster.

NEW MEDIA

Reuters has launched a website dedicated to pan-African news and financial data. Reuters.com/africa will include sports coverage, video footage, a continent-wide blogging network and commodities information and features.

Danielle Radojcin, previously PA to the editor of GQ, has become fashion editor at handbag.com. She replaces Vanessa Barford.

Compiled by Kate Magee E kate.magee@haynet.com & sponsored by PR Newswire