Anderson set to leave News International for consultancy

He will advise on commercial and strategic decisions at The Sun as it looks to ramp up revenues and support Rebekah Brooks (née Wade), former Sun editor, in her new role as chief executive of News International.

Anderson will work with Paul Hayes, managing director of NI Commercial, and report to Brooks.

His contract with NI is not exclusive and Anderson is thought to be talking to other newspaper groups about similar consultancy roles.
Anderson is ending full-time employment after four years at News International, including a spell managing The Sun, the company's most profitable title, and News of the World after he joined in December 2005.

Following the appointment of James Murdoch as chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia, News Corporation, in 2007, he became managing director of digital development at News International as part of sweeping changes at the group.

In 2009, Anderson took a period of leave from the company and returned later in the year to manage special projects.
 
It was thought this role involved Anderson plotting NI's bid to wrest the lucrative free newspaper contract from his erstwhile employer, Associated Newspapers, on the London Underground.

However, NI's commitment to the contract has been thrown into question after it decided to axe its free afternoon title thelondonpaper.

During his spell at Associated Newspapers, Anderson managed the London Evening Standard and Metro.
 
Anderson declined to comment when contacted by Media Week.