Guardian hires first digital strategy director

In an effort to grow its digital business as it builds a “digital-first future,” Guardian News & Media has hired its first-ever digital strategy director, paidContent reported today.

Beginning in April 2013, Wolfgang Blau, currently editor-in-chief of Zeit Online, “will work across GNM's editorial and commercial teams, helping them to grow global audiences and revenues by developing new digital platforms that deepen reader engagement and provide new opportunities to commercial partners,” the Guardian stated in a press release.

The Guardian announced last year that it will aim to double digital revenues by 2016.

In 2011, Zeit Online won an award at the Online Journalism Awards, and Medium Magazin also named Blau Germany’s “chief editor of the year,” Journalism.co.uk noted.

“Wolfgang is an innovative digital thinker who understands the opportunities that the Guardian's trusted journalism and open approach to publishing on the web present. His guidance and insight will be invaluable to Guardian News & Media as we continue the journey towards a digital-first future,” Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of the Guardian, stated in the release. Blau will report to Rusbridger.

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