28 JAN 2022

BBC Studios taps Jennie Baird to join its Digital News Team

The former news contributor will be tasked with developing and commercializing the BBC’s digital news portfolio outside of the UK.

28 JAN 2022

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BBC Studios has announced several new roles aimed at further bolstering its digital news team in the US, including the appointment of Jennie Baird as News Corp SVP and Global Head of Product, a newly created position of EVP and MD of Digital News and Streaming. “Jennie is a digital heavyweight in the constantly evolving news media landscape. As record audiences turn to the BBC for news they can trust, the creation of this role and her appointment reflects our ambitions to reinforce our global news team further and double down on our commitment to providing a world-leading digital offering," Rebecca Glashow, President, BBC Studios Americas, said.

Baird is set to report to Glashow, responsible for developing and commercializing the BBC’s digital news portfolio outside of the UK. She will help oversee the company's current offering, which consists of the international BBC News app and BBC.com – the BBC’s global news, sport, and features site, which reaches 139 million unique browsers each month. "I'm thrilled to be joining an organization whose very name is synonymous with quality," Baird said. "At a moment in time when impartial, accurate, and trusted information is more essential than ever, I look forward to helping grow the digital reach of BBC News outside the UK and to exploring innovative ways the BBC might better serve global news consumers."

During her tenure at News Corp, the executive was responsible for developing digital solutions for News Corp’s range of media companies, including Dow Jones, News UK, News Corp Australia, New York Post, Storyful, Realtor.com, Foxtel, and HarperCollins Publishers. In her new role, she will lead on developing the vision and investment plans needed to continue driving growth and audiences for the BBC’s digital news products around the globe. Baird will also assume responsibility for the BBC’s recently launched documentary and podcast services - BBC Select and BBC Podcasts.

In addition, the BBC has announced plans to double its digital journalism team in the US and Canada - a move that reflects the increased appetite for its content in the North American market. The new roles will further enhance the BBC’s ability to cover major breaking news from the region, providing a global perspective on its biggest stories. According to the latest Global Audience Measure figures, BBC News now reaches 456 million people worldwide each week. Digital reach grew by 23% year on year, and the US is the BBC’s second-biggest non-UK market, with almost 50 million Americans using its services each week. Almost 9 million people (28%) turn to it every week in Canada.

Jennie is a digital heavyweight in the constantly evolving news media landscape. As record audiences turn to the BBC for news they can trust, the creation of this role and her appointment reflect our ambitions to further reinforce our global news team and double down on our commitment to providing a world-leading digital offering. ” Rebecca Glashow President, BBC Studios Americas