Mirror North will be led by Maria Breslin, current editor-in-chief of the Liverpool Echo, who will take up a newly created role with the Mirror as editorial director, with responsibility for the online publishing team, as well as a special focus on developing the Mirror’s brand online, aligning with the sensibilities of the paper. Maria will also be the overall owner of the title’s paid subscription offering, Mirror+.
The move means Mirror Executive Editor, Lizzie Smith, moves wholly into taking responsibility for a new focus on the Mirror’s talent-led video strategy, including a new bi-weekly YouTube show to be launched in September.
The North of England is a traditionally strong region for the Mirror, says the publisher, and is home to the brand’s highest concentration of audience among English regions, reaching 41% of the online population in the North.
While the MEN has been based in the Oldham space since 2010, on a site which still hosts Reach’s Oldham printing facility, the site was originally used by Trinity Mirror as an office for the Mirror’s Northern team, who once occupied the ground floor.
Maria will take on the new role from late September, with Steve Graves moving up to take the editor-in-chief role at the Echo, having previously covered the same role for Maria while she was on a secondment at the Mirror.
Mirror Editor-in-Chief Chloe Hubbard said: “Opening Mirror North signals a commitment to attract talent from outside of London, working and living in the heartland of our readership.
“I want the Mirror to authentically reflect the communities our readers live in. It is a longstanding personal crusade of mine to attract regional talent into the national press, which is often populated by those from the London radius who can afford to live in the capital.
“I am delighted that Maria shares my vision for the Mirror and will join us in the Autumn. She is a formidable and passionate campaigning journalist, and we will benefit hugely from her leadership and deep rooted northern connections.”
Maria added: “I can’t begin to describe the pride I felt at being appointed Liverpool Echo editor. It really was a dream come true. The Echo is one of the biggest brands in regional journalism and there wasn’t a single day I didn’t love going into work. I was also lucky enough to lead a talented team of committed journalists and I am so proud of what we achieved over the years.
“But I’m beyond excited to be joining the Mirror and working with Chloe and her team on such an historic national brand. Playing a key role in ensuring voices from the Mirror’s northern heartlands are heard is a big draw as is our subscription service Mirror+ and working with, and developing, our online publishing team. I can’t wait to get started.”
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