The Courier’s newsroom transformation
The Courier is transforming its newsroom in an ambitious and radical restructure that will better serve our audience online.
Existing staff are currently being mapped into new roles, and the change requires the brands to hire new staff in key positions.
They include reporters across Live News, Sports and Crime & Courts, while there are also adverts for a Data Content Specialist, an Audio Producer, a Group Picture Editor and two social media roles.
The transformation has been in the planning for the last 18 months and was instrumental in attracting David Clegg – former political editor of the Daily Record – to take over as Editor of The Courier.
The business has also recently hired senior audience staff from News UK and Hearst.
David said: “We are searching for talented newsroom leaders who can complement the existing team and help us develop a deeper relationship with our readers.
“We have a strong connection with our communities through print, now we must develop that further online.”
Video: Learn more about Programme Apollo
The DC Thomson Media newsroom changes also encompass The Press and Journal, Evening Telegraph and Evening Express and is known internally as Programme Apollo.
The transformation has been led by Head of Newsbrands, Richard Neville, and has already seen our teams upskilling, innovating and finding new ways of reaching audiences with relevant content.
At the heart of the project is a significant investment in people, technology and resources to deliver ground-breaking digital storytelling.
Video: Hear from our journalists
Our stories will be told through words and pictures, the teams will use video, live broadcasting, programme making, audio producing, animation, interactive graphics and a suite of live events to serve communities with a level and quality of content not seen before in the UK regional news market.
These vacancies offer candidates the opportunity to be part of a business that continues to invest; in journalism, its future and its teams.
FANTASTIC news 👏 a true midweek treat! Well done everyone! ✨ pic.twitter.com/VQtX5JJIK6
— DC Thomson Media (@dct_media) January 27, 2021
Richard said: “We are hoping the fortunes of society in general take an upturn in 2021, but we also believe changes in our news brands team will result in a new and dynamic way forward for our publishing business.
“We want to hear from anyone who wants to join a progressive, ambitious and innovative publisher.
“People who are interested in creating content that reflect their audiences and the values of their communities and are delivered through brands that have received investment in the people and resources needed to deliver genuinely high quality and meaningful content across all platforms.”
About DC Thomson Media
DC Thomson Media is one of the UK’s leading media creators, whose brands have been at the heart of everyday life for generations.
We’re passionate about delivering fulfilling, inspiring and relevant content that enhances the experiences of our consumers.
Our diverse brand campaigns stimulate the imagination, producing dynamic content, products and experiences that really deliver.
As well as the Press and Journal, it publishes the Evening Express, The Courier, Evening Telegraph and The Sunday Post. As well as DC Thomson Media, DC Thomson Group includes global genealogy company Findmypast, leading IT business services provider Brightsolid, multimedia studio Beano Studios and magazine publishers Puzzler Media and The Stylist Group.
DC Thomson is an established family enterprise that has origins in the entrepreneurship of William Thomson in the early 19th century when the firm’s main business was in shipping. During the mid-19th century, the Thomson family invested in publishing, taking an interest in the Dundee Courier and buying it in 1866.
At that stage there were two major publishing houses in Dundee, the other was run by Sir John Leng. In 1905, the Thomson and Leng firms merged under the leadership of William Thomson’s son David Couper (D.C.) Thomson. DC Thomson bought Aberdeen Journals, the publishers of the Press and Journal and Evening Express, in 2006.
In 1905, the Thomson and Leng firms merged under the leadership of William Thomson’s son David Couper (D.C.) Thomson.
DC Thomson bought Aberdeen Journals, the publishers of the Press and Journal and Evening Express, in 2006.
Why Dundee?
Dundee — known as Scotland’s sunniest city — is located at the head of the River Tay on Scotland’s captivating East Coast.
The city is the capital of an extensive region that includes Perth & Kinross, Angus and North Fife – The Courier’s traditional heartlands.
The Tay Region has a population of around half a million people and is an area known for offering an outstanding quality of life.
Dundee is a dynamic, ambitious city with a remarkable history and an exciting future, driven by the development of Dundee Waterfront and a wave of investment that is transforming the economy.
House prices are more affordable in Dundee than in any other Scottish city.
In 2019, it was awarded the title of the Best Place to Live in Scotland (The Sunday Times), featured on National Geographic’s ‘Cool List’ and ranked among the top 30 friendliest cities in the UK (Big 7 Travel).
DC Thomson Media is hiring up to 20 new staff as part of our Digital Newsroom Transformation Programme📱Read how @thecourieruk & @pressjournal have set out an ambitious & radical restructure that will better serve their audiences online▶️https://t.co/XVPHWZNkzr #digitalnewsroom pic.twitter.com/WHhh5Ib649
— DC Thomson Media (@dct_media) January 26, 2021
The V&A was also featured on the World’s 100 greatest places to visit in 2019 (Time).
The Courier has been at the heart of Dundee for more than a century. Both are undergoing incredibly exciting transformations. Come be a part of both.