Multiple new hires for the 7NEWS teams in Melbourne and Sydney have been revealed, with Director of News for Seven Melbourne, Chris Salter making the announcement via an internal email.
In the email, seen by Mediaweek, Salter announced the hire of Nine’s long-serving reporter and former US correspondent Laura Turner. She will join the Seven Melbourne newsroom. Salter was complimentary of her leadership capability and ability to break stories.
Another reporter poached from rival Nine is producer/reporter Phoebe Worthley. She’ll be joining the team in the Sydney newsroom. Salter praised her hunger and talent as an early career reporter.
Salter also advised the team that there are some internal movements too, with Brisbane’s Jordan Quinn joining the team in Melbourne from the newsroom up north.
He’ll be joined by fellow Queenslander Sheri Smith, who is joining the team from 7NEWS in Toowoomba. She’s on board as an assistant producer/reporter. This is a return to Melbourne for her, where she will work in a number of roles as needed.
The team are also currently interviewing for an extra editor and news publicist.
The new hires follow the Daily Mail report last week that 7NEWS had poached Nine producer Tanya Weingarth.