Advanced Television

Yahoo boosts presence in UK

June 21, 2019

Yahoo UK has announced three new staff hires, continuing its focus into original content. Richard Hatherell has been appointed as Head of Video, Nicola Oakley as Head of Audience Development and Graham Smith as Homepage Editor. The new hires highlight Yahoo’s increased focus to expand its original, quality journalism and further investment into building the team in the UK.

Hatherell, an award-winning Executive Producer, joins from Refinery 29 and will lead Yahoo’s video strategy and output in the UK, building on Yahoo’s continued investment into video. Filmed in Verizon Media’s state-of-the-art London studio, Yahoo’s slate of programming includes Yahoo Sport Presents: The Football Show following the Premier league football season and Women’s World Cup, Yahoo’s hugely popular series focused around the Royal Family, The Royal Box, which has amassed over 20 million views and Yahoo Finance’s premium bi-weekly series Global Change Agents with Lianna Brinded, delving into the lives and careers of some of the world’s most influential women. Hatherell will build on the success of Yahoo’s video output working across Yahoo UK’s key focus areas of Finance, News, Lifestyle, Entertainment and Sport.

Oakley will lead Yahoo UK’s strategy to maximise impact for its dedicated audience, growing its regular audience of returning visitors and helping shape products designed to deepen Yahoo UK’s relationship with its readers. Prior to Yahoo, Oakley was Head of Audience at the Mirror Online, managing a team that was responsible for growing the Mirror’s online audience. Before the Mirror Online, Oakley was at the Liverpool Echo.

Smith will oversee the weekend content across the homepage on Yahoo UK working closely with the news, lifestyle, sports and finance teams. Before starting at Yahoo, Smith was Deputy Digital Editor at CNBC International where he was responsible for CNBC International’s online content. Prior to CNBC, Smith held positions at Newsweek International, Business Traveller and Mail Online.

“We’re thrilled to continue expanding Yahoo’s growing team in the UK with Richard, Nicola and Graham joining us,” declared Nicholas Petche, editor-in-chief, Yahoo UK. “Yahoo is read by millions across the world for their daily intake of news, sport, entertainment and finance. We are committed to investing in video and quality journalism for our readers.”

The new hires will all be based in London. Smith and Oakley will start on June 24th and Hatherell will begin on July 1st. Hatherell and Oakley will report into Nicholas Petche and Smith will report in to Head of News, Stuart Henderson.

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