CHANGES IN NSTP MANAGEMENT
Media Prima steps up transformation into major digital publisher
THE New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) has announced a new management line-up as the country’s leading publisher steps up its transformation into a major digital publisher.
Heading the list is Datuk Yushaimi Maulud Yahaya as NSTP editor-in-chief (EIC) effective Jan 1.
As EIC, he is responsible for the overall editorial operations and content enhancement of NSTP’s three titles — New Straits Times, Berita Harian, and Harian Metro — and other digital titles.
Yushaimi, who has more than 27 years of experience in journalism, reports to NSTP chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid.
“He will focus on integrating the editorial resources and strengthening NSTP’s print and digital offerings.
“This is in line with the introduction of convergence, with the main objective of solidifying NSTP’s position as the news and content provider of choice in the face of a challenging business environment,” Jalil said in a statement yesterday.
Yushaimi has been NST group editor since March last year after rejoining NSTP as NST executive editor (news) in 2012.
Prior to the appointment, he held several key positions, such as editor-in-chief of The Malay Mail and group editorial adviser of the Redberry Group.
Another key appointment was Farah Ezrin Mohd Rashidi as the head of education vertical.
Farah, who was the general manager of marketing prior to the new position, will look into the total offering of NSTP’s educational products, including BH examination seminars, pullouts and educational books, NST’s School Times and Higher Ed, as well as the interactive education portal FullAMark.
Other changes see Azizi Othman appointed general manager, digital business and development; Sazali Hashim as head of production; Othman Mamat as executive editor, special projects; and Fadzlena Jafar as head of content, education vertical.
Other appointments are Saidon Idris as senior executive editor for convergence, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzaman as BH executive editor, Muzli Md Zin as NST executive editor, Tuan Mohd Asri Tuan Hussein as Harian Metro executive editor, Thilinadan Muniandy as executive editor of convergence and David Christy as production executive editor.
Zaini oversees the title’s special desk, features/Op-ed, entertainment and literature, while Muzli oversees the title’s probes, Life & Times, Op-ed and supplement desks. Tuan Mohd Asri oversees Harian Metro’s special desk, features, entertainment, Gen Y and Vroom.
Jalil said: “The structural changes within NSTP have been introduced to enhance efficiency as well as to create relevant support services to meet the company’s vision to be the leading digital-first content and commerce company.
“Our digital reach of more than 22 million throughout 2017 is a remarkable achievement and we are confident the newsroom transformation will provide impetus for the future.”
He said NSTP had last year recorded over 100 per cent increase in digital advertising revenue and from subscription of FullAMark.
The restructuring will see the convergence concept in the news gathering and production process.
This is seen as a major step in the newsroom transformation, with the integration of the editorial resources to change the traditional newsroom into a more fluid and dynamic news gathering engine.
The move is part of Media Prima’s Odyssey Transformation Plan to position NSTP as the leading digital publisher, shifting from print to the digital-first model.
The other initiative is the creation of new content verticals, a merger of editorial content teams with digital product development and brand management, with education and lifestyle verticals becoming the first to be established.
“These content verticals are introduced to meet the new business landscape, offering new valueadded alternatives and customercentric approach,” said Jalil.