Video camera
Credit: jsawkins on Flickr. Some rights reserved

Johnston Press is to appoint a new head of video in a bid to drive "more and better video" across the group.

The newly-created role has been prompted by audience and our advertisers demand, group editorial development director Paul Napier told Journalism.co.uk.

The head of video role at the regional publisher will "lead the development of video across the business", Napier said.

"Johnston Press, in common with lots of other publishers, began to do video some years ago ... what we would like to be is at the forefront of making it better."

He said in recent times expectations of the audience and advertisers has changed, as well as the ways audiences are consuming content.

The publisher currently produces a range of video styles, from video programming, such as weekly sports videos, and other news event packages, through to shorter interview and "scene setting" clips.

Napier added that he is keen "to see much greater frequency of video creation ... then at the other end of spectrum far better quality"

In a release announcing the role, Napier added: "there are a number of examples across Johnston Press already of centres which produce good video, both as one-offs or as part of a regular programming plan.

"Going into 2013, video has to become a greater part of our everyday activity across the whole company."

Currently videos are monetised by pre-roll advertising, but Napier added that he believes there are also "more opportunities in that area."

The closing date for applications was today but it is not yet known when the successful applicant will start in the role.

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