Guardian Strengthens Newsletter Team with Strategic Appointments
The Guardian has unveiled a series of key appointments for its flagship newsletters, First Edition and Long Wave, marking a significant expansion of its newsletter expertise on a global scale. This move underscores the publication's commitment to delivering high-quality journalism through digital channels.
New Writers Join First Edition and Long Wave
Libby Brooks has been appointed as the lead writer for the UK's premier morning newsletter, First Edition, which boasts hundreds of thousands of daily readers. She will be joined by Hettie O'Brien, who will contribute to First Edition while continuing her work on the Guardian's Long Reads. In London, Michael Segalov steps into the role of writer and deputy editor, bringing additional editorial strength to the team.
Internationally, Jacqueline Housden will join Guardian Australia as an assistant editor, focusing on Australian newsletters and First Edition. In the United States, Ruth Baron and Caroline Phinney will spearhead the development and growth of US-based newsletters, further extending the Guardian's reach across continents.
Additionally, Micha Frazer Carroll has been named assistant editor and writer for The Long Wave, Nesrine Malik's newsletter dedicated to highlighting the most significant Black stories from around the world. This appointment reinforces the Guardian's dedication to diverse and inclusive storytelling.
Newsletter Growth and Innovation
The Guardian now publishes over 50 newsletters, attracting nearly six million unique subscribers in total. Among these, the Saturday Edition, authored by editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, reaches close to 2.5 million readers each week. A milestone was achieved in March when the 1000th edition of First Edition was delivered to subscribers' inboxes, showcasing the newsletter's enduring popularity.
Beyond its core offerings, the Guardian is experimenting with new channels. Last month, it launched Feast, a food-focused newsletter on Substack, demonstrating a proactive approach to engaging audiences through niche content.
Leadership Perspective on the Appointments
Toby Moses, the Guardian's head of newsletters, expressed enthusiasm about the new hires. "I'm delighted to welcome Libby and Hettie to the First Edition team for the next stage of the newsletter's development," he said. "They bring with them an enviable wealth of experience and expertise. I have no doubt they will build on the excellent foundations put in place by Archie Bland and Nimo Omer when we launched four years ago."
Moses added, "With support from Michael in London and Jacqui in Sydney, I'm excited for readers to see what the future has in store for First Edition. They join our superb roster of writers and editors whose journalism connects with readers every day on the topics they care about: from international news, to sport, food, gaming and pop culture."
He emphasized that the success of the Guardian's newsletters is a testament to the deep bond built with readers, fostering communities and conversations around impactful journalism. "Investing in these positions helps ensure our impactful reporting reaches audiences with the warmth, personality and intelligence they expect from us," Moses concluded.
About the Guardian
Guardian Media Group stands as one of the world's largest and most-trusted quality newsbrands, publishing the Guardian, theguardian.com, and the Guardian app. Founded over two centuries ago, the Guardian now serves audiences through five editions: Australia, Europe, International, UK, and US.
With no billionaire owner, the Guardian is renowned for its fearless investigative journalism, holding power to account and amplifying essential stories. Its independent ownership structure ensures freedom from political or commercial influence.
Today, millions of people worldwide choose the Guardian's journalism daily, and more than two million readers across 180 countries have supported its work. Audiences can engage with the Guardian through top-rated podcasts, award-winning documentaries, and a growing digital portfolio, including a premium live news app and the Feast recipe app.
