MSNBC.com editor-in-chief Dean Wright is departing to join news and financial data provider Reuters Group PLC as head of its digital media business.
Wright has served as editor-in-chief for slightly more than two years, having previously served as managing editor for news after the Web site launched in 1996.
"Dean will be sorely missed at MSNBC," said Charlie Tillinghast, general manager and publisher. "This past year has seen significant growth in our business, from increased page views to record revenues. It is at this high point that we thank Dean for his dedication to MSNBC and its people. We wish him well in his future pursuits and will always consider him a friend."
Reuters said Wright will take up the new post of senior vice president and managing editor for consumer services in New York, where he will lead the editorial operations and programming for the company's consumer media services, including the online, mobile, and interactive television platforms.
Wright's appointment underscores efforts by Reuters to expand its digital media business.
"Dean's strong journalistic background and proven record of building and retaining a major online audience make him the ideal person to run our global operation," said David Schlesinger, Reuters' global managing editor. "He will play a key role in bringing the power of Reuters' renowned news and information directly to consumers across the globe."
Wright will report to Schlesinger and work closely with Media President Chris Ahearn, Reuters said.
Wright has over 30 years experience in journalism and was a senior director at America Online, where he helped manage the integration of programming between AOL and the Time Inc. Web sites, before rejoining MSNBC.com at its Redmond, Wash., headquarters in 2003.
