Top Oz newspaper editor resigns amid drastic business model changes

Sydney, July 6 (ANI): The editor of Australia's largest-selling daily newspaper, The Herald Sun, has resigned to peruse other interests.

Simon Pristel has been editor of the newspaper for four years, and looked after the digital integration of the newsroom, launch of the digital paywall, iPad app and mobile site.

Kim Williams, News Limited's CEO, paid tribute to Pristel, The Herald Sun reports.

"Simon has contributed significantly to our company over many years. He is a strong editor and journalist who really contributed to ensuring that the Herald Sun is the most widely read newspaper in Australia with a great digital offering," Williams said.

Pristel started his career with News Limited as a copy boy at The Herald, before joining the merged Herald Sun.

He worked for News Limited at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, the Canberra Press Gallery, Boston Herald, Sydney and in East Timor.

Pristel's move came over a month after Australian media conglomerate News Limited, which owns the Herald Sun, announced its plan to shed up to 400 jobs in the editorial department.

The Australian arm of Rupert Murdoch's media firm News Corporation, also announced plans to slash 70 digital staff on grounds of redundancy last month. (ANI)