Promotions at ABCNews.com

2009 has been a very good year for ABCNews.com. As you know, our big priority on the digital front – in addition to driving revenue and traffic — is building out a robust digital presence for our programs, starting with Good Morning America and World News.

To that end, I’m pleased to announce two staffing changes to help support building out these 'digital franchises' around ABC News programs.

Deirdre Michalopoulos and Ed O'Keefe, the two senior editorial leaders be will be taking on new roles:

Deirdre has done an excellent job overseeing the daily editorial operation for the past two years. We have asked Deirdre to apply those skills to the programs' digital efforts.  Deirdre has been promoted to a critical new role as Senior Managing Editor, Shows and Show Integration, ABCNews.com. She will be responsible for managing, developing and creating content for all ABC News program sites on ABCNews.com, for ensuring that this digital content fits with and reinforces the programs, and managing relationships with New York-based programs. In addition to these daily responsibilities, she will be responsible for developing digital franchises around the programs and working with shows to create integrated editorial, sponsorship and marketing opportunities across platforms.

Ed has contributed much in the past year, first helping to drive our record breaking election coverage, and since then, leading our special projects team and playing a key role in our ongoing redesign and search engine optimization efforts, among other things. He will take on a new role too.  Ed will become the Managing Editor of ABCNews.com and will be responsible for overseeing daily production of the ABCNews.com home page, managing technical issues, and ensuring that we continue to integrate those initiatives into our daily operation.

Both Dierdre and Ed will continue to report to Jon Dube, Vice President, ABCNews.com.

Please join me in congratulating them and continuing to give them your utmost support.