News Corp names chief technology officer

News Corp announced Tuesday it has named Paul Cheesbrough as chief technology officer, developing the digital strategy for the media-entertainment giant headed by Rupert Murdoch. Cheesbrough has been chief information officer for News International, where he led technology strategy and delivery, for digital products. He previously worked at the Telegraph Media Group, the BBC and IBM. In his new position, Cheesbrough "will be responsible for setting the company's global technology strategy as well as coordinating with senior leaders across the organization to develop new digital products and expand the digital footprint of its portfolio of businesses," a News Corp statement said. "In addition, he will collaborate with technology teams at the publishing and education businesses and oversee the transition of IT systems relating to the company's proposed separation into two distinct companies." He will report directly Murdoch, who is chairman and chief executive of the New York-based company. The news comes weeks after Jonathan Miller stepped aside as the company's chief digital officer. Murdoch announced in June that the conglomerate will press ahead with a split of the entertainment division from its struggling publishing business. Murdoch said he would be chairman of both companies, including an entertainment unit led by Fox studios and television assets, and a publishing unit that includes The Wall Street Journal and Times of London.