The World Media Group (WMG), a strategic alliance of international media organisations that connects brands with audiences in the context of trusted and renowned journalism, has announced the appointment of Jamie Credland as its new chief executive. Credland brings more than 20 years’ experience in media and publishing to the role, most recently as SVP marketing & strategy at The Economist Group, where he launched the Economist Impact brand. He takes over from Belinda Barker, who will remain on the WMG Board and will act as its chair for 2024.
On the announcement, Credland said: “In an age of misinformation and disinformation, the role of the high-quality journalism has never been more vital. 2024 is going to be a year of elections, conflict and rapid change. Providing audiences with impartial, trustworthy content is going to be more important than ever. I’m looking forward to building on the incredible work Belinda and the World Media Group have been doing to support many of the most trusted international news organisations in their quest to help people make sense of the world when it matters most.”
The WMG has also announced a new structure for its management team, appointing two co-presidents to support Credland: Samantha Adams, VP, advertising sales, Western Europe at BBC Studios and Emma Winchurch-Beale, VP growth partnerships UK, Economist Impact. The co-presidents will ensure that the WMG’s content, thought leadership and events programmes remain closely connected to the commercial realities many news organisations face. 2024 also sees global news organisation CNN International join WMG for the first time.
Barker steps down after 15 years as chief executive, during which time she developed a variety of programmes designed to highlight the importance of supporting high-quality, international trusted journalism through advertising. Under her leadership, the WMG launched the World Media Awards in 2016, it says the only global awards to recognise brands, agencies and media partners who, together, create the most effective cross platform, cross border, content-driven advertising campaigns.
“I am very proud of the work we have achieved championing international, trusted journalism, and it has been a privilege to work with the top international media brands, agencies and advertisers,” Barker said. “I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Jamie, whose passion and experience is exactly what we need to grow and evolve the WMG for the future.”
World Media Group says Credland presented its strategy for the year ahead at its AGM, following the WMG’s first Smart Briefing of the year. A panel of international journalists including the BBC’s Faisal Islam; TIME’s Yasmeen Serhan; and CNN’s Hanna Ziady, chaired by Business Insider’s Spriha Srivastava, discussed the implications of Davos on the year ahead.
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