London, 2 July 2008:  News International Ltd today announces four senior director roles in its commercial division – three of which are newly-created – in a move that puts customer needs at the centre of our strategy for future development.

These appointments build on News International’s new leadership structure which was announced by James Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive, Europe and Asia, News Corporation, last week.

Dominic Carter is appointed to the new role of News International trading director and will be responsible for heading up a sales operation across The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and News of the World and thelondonpaper – providing agencies and advertisers with single point access to all five News International power brands.

Carter has worked in newspaper advertising for 17 years and first joined News International in 1991 – rejoining in 2006. He has most recently been trading director for Times Media.

Claire Myerscough takes a wider group position and has been appointed News International business intelligence director. Myerscough will work with all areas of the commercial department to deliver intelligence about the media industry and client markets, driving a more effective service.

Myerscough has been Times Media development director and joined Times Media five years ago. She has been responsible for setting up the creative solutions team and developing a more focused client sales team.

Patricia Kill takes up the new appointment of News International sales support director. Kill, who has overseen the strategic and operational development of advertising production, will now also oversee the administration connected with any sales deal across the group – streamlining advertising booking and reporting to free up the sales teams to focus on customer needs. Kill has most recently been head of advertising sales operations for News International.

David German retains his role as News International classified director in the new organisation.

All four will report into News International managing director commercial Paul Hayes who was appointed to his post on 24 June.

Paul Hayes said:

“We have reshaped the commercial arm of our business to provide a more focussed service to all of our customers. These changes bring key managers with a wealth of experience to the forefront of our business.  

“This is part of a wider restructure designed to make our business leaner, faster and more competitive.”

There are three other senior positions yet to be filled by internal or external candidates – agency account director, digital commercial director and solutions director.