UK: Real Response Media appoints Group Editor
Real Response Media has appointed experienced travel trade journalist Katherine Lawrey to head up its trade-facing editorial team. As group editor, she will be responsible for the print and online editions of Cruise Trade News and Cruise Ports & Destinations.
The current editors of both publications – Jill Sayles and Lesley Bellew – will report to Katherine.
Katherine, who joins the company on November 21, 2016, has worked at TTG Media for 11 years, and held the position of features editor for the last three. She has written about the cruise sector for eight years.
She said today: “I’m delighted to be joining Real Response Media at this exciting time in its growth trajectory. Cruise has been a significant part of my editorial responsibilities at TTG and I’m looking forward to forging even closer links with the industry as we make Cruise Trade News and Cruise Ports and Destinations indispensable reading for cruise sellers.”
This is the latest in a series of appointments showing Real Response Media’s commitment to its growing stake in the cruise sector. In September, Philip Ordever – former managing director of Crystal River Cruises – was appointed to help steer its live events division, alongside Marilyn Jarman (formerly marketing director of the BBC Good Food Show) and Darren Whitehead (former director of Reed Exhibitions).
Real Response Media also owns the Wave Awards, to be held next on February 16, 2017, and the consumer title World of Cruising, published nine times a year. In 2017 Cruise Trade News will increase to a monthly publication, and Cruise Ports & Destinations will become bi-monthly.
Two initiatives launched this year were the Rising Stars Awards, which will be revealed in December, and the Cruise Challenge, a twist on the traditional roadshow format that has proved very popular with travel agents.
RRM managing director Chris Pitchford says: “CTN and CP&D have gone through a phenomenal growth spurt over the past 12 months and we are planning more growth and more product launches and acquisitions over the next 12 months.
“We are very fortunate to gain Katherine as part of our management team; she brings a wealth of experience and a different point of view which is exactly what both these publications need. Katherine will also be charged with growing our conference portfolio, for which we have some very exciting plans.”
