THE Now Media group is restructuring its travel publishing division to make its main driver, Natalia Thomson, a shareholder.
Natalia (34) edits BTN and several other titles, including Travel News Weekly, SA Tourism Update as well as the online dailies, eTNW and SA Tourism Update Online. She also launched and edits what in 14 months has become Canada’s most influential travel trade news medium.
Under the arrangement, a new company called Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd (TTP) will commence operations on July 1 and will house Now Media’s travel publications based in Africa. Travelinfo is excluded.
No staff changes are envisaged. Existing contracts will run their course but new advertising contracts will be entered into under the new name and be invoiced separately from other Now Media titles.
Natalia has bought into the new company in an arrangement that will see the Marsh family retain control with David Marsh being executive chairman of TTP.
Natalia has an MSc in Publishing (Journalism) Cum Laude from Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, Scotland. She started at Now Media in 2003 as the company’s most junior journalist. She is about to begin a further degree at Aberdeen with the topic on online content marketing.
