SCMP creates publisher role, CEO steps down

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has restructured its leadership team including appointing a publisher who will take charge of both editorial and business operations for the company. 

As part of the restructure, SCMP CEO Catherine So will depart after more than three years in the role. Editor-in-chief Tammy Tam will transition to the newly created position of publisher, while executive editor Chow Chung Yan will succeed her as head of the newsroom.

So joined SCMP in 2022, replacing Gary Liu, and previously held senior roles at Expedia Group, Groupon, and REA Group Asia. She described her time leading the Post through a period of transformation as “a privilege and an honour” and said she now plans to pursue professional studies overseas.

So said it had been a privilege and an honour to lead the SCMP during a critical period of transformation and that she now looks forward to pursuing professional studies overseas.

In an email to staff, Alibaba group chairman Joe Tsai stated that while the reshuffle will formally take place in December, the SCMP's core product emanates from its newsroom, making journalists and editors central to the company's commercial success and financial stability. The appointments of Tam and Chow are designed to strengthen this foundation while ensuring editorial independence and excellence, he said. 

Tsai also pledged Alibaba's full resources and long-term commitment to achieving commercial viability and financial sustainability for the SCMP.

Meanwhile, Tam said she was honoured to take up her new responsibilities, stating, "I look forward to leading the SCMP to the next level with everyone’s help." She acknowledged the challenges facing the media industry but expressed optimism, adding, "I’m confident about the Post’s future with Alibaba’s full support and trust."

“Editorial independence and excellence can go hand in hand with sound business strategy and development for our longer-term sustainability and success,” she said.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to SCMP for more information. 

Don’t miss: SCMP unveils new social-led campaign to highlight its readership diversity

Back in June, SCMP launched “The way I read SCMP” series, featuring seven avid SCMP readers and iconic figures in Hong Kong.

Developed creatively by SCMP's Morning Studio and managed in terms of media by Assembly Global, the social-led campaign aimed to highlight the diversity of SCMP's readership and to reflect the brand's dynamic, resilient, pioneering, and creative attributes. 

Related articles:

SCMP unveils new social-led campaign to highlight its readership diversity
SCMP celebrates HK culture and lifestyle with revamped PostMag
SCMP bolsters Advertising+ division with new senior hires