Smoking Gun has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of a new head of media.
Carl Stroud provides an acute understanding of how newsrooms operate, following two decades as a reporter and editor on national titles.
This encompassed a 10-year career across both print and digital platforms at The Sun, which culminated in the role of website editor. Since then he has held a range of consultancy and PR agency roles.
At Smoking Gun, Stroud will drive the newsmaking and storytelling functions while leading on media strategy.
He said: “I’ve been a long-term admirer of the creativity, skill and flair that defines Smoking Gun.
“The nation’s newsrooms are going through a period of unprecedented change at the moment, and I look forward to navigating this new landscape to help the team deliver intelligent, disruptive and ingenious communications campaigns for our clients.”
Rick Guttridge, MD of Smoking Gun added: “Earned media remains one of the key pillars in strategic communications, whether for reputation enhancement and protection, driving digital performance or brand building. Welcoming Carl on board is the latest step in a series of enhancements to our offering, all designed to help clients solve their business challenges.
“From being at the epicentre of many national conversations at The Sun, he brings with him an unrivalled newsmaking sense that will turbo-charge our earned media campaigns to ensure they stick in memories as well as search engines.”
