Rupert Murdoch's News International changes name to News UK
UK newspaper operation, which includes the Times, Sunday Times and the Sun, rebrands in wake of phone-hacking scandal
Mark Sweney
The Guardian, Wednesday 26 June 2013 08.08 BST
Rupert Murdoch's News International, parent company of the Sun, has rebranded as News UK. Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA
Rupert Murdoch's News International, parent company of the Times, Sunday Times and the Sun, is to rebrand as News UK as it seeks to move on from the phone-hacking scandal.
The rebrand comes ahead of the separation on Friday of Murdoch's media empire into two businesses – publishing arm News Corporation and TV and film operation 21st Century Fox.
The company skirted around a direct admission that the rebrand is connected with the phonehacking scandal that led to the closure of the News of the World in July 2011.
Mike Darcey, the chief executive of News UK, said that the company is beginning an "bright new chapter".
In a statement the company said that the rebrand follows the "fundamental changes of governance and personnel that have taken place to address the problems of the recent past".
The publisher said that the business had undergone a transformation, pointing out that "new policies and procedures are in place across the company, its main titles are all under new leadership and the executive team has been transformed".
"This is an exciting time and I feel privileged to be leading News UK as it begins a bright new chapter," said Darcey. "With new people and a new strategy, we will take our place within a new company determined to secure a sustainable future for professional journalism around the globe."
The new name and logo, which will be rolled out immediately, are designed to convey a "more coherent and logical identity" for the new parent company of the publishing assets.
The rebranding operation also includes News Limited in Australia, which will rebrand as News Corp Australia.
The name News UK was chosen to reflects the company's roots and ongoing commitment to the country.
"This is the platform from which we will continue to entertain and inform our readers, but also challenge the world around us, using our voice to bring about positive change and hold powerful and vested interests to account," said Darcey.
The company reiterated that it has apologised to victims of phone hacking, set up a compensation fund, closed the News of the World in response and co-operated with official investigations.
Among the main titles wrapped into News Corporation will be the Times, Sunday Times, the Sun, the Wall Street Journal, New York Post and the Australian, plus book publisher HarperCollins and a fledgling education unit, Amplify.
Last month the new brand for News Corp was unveiled, a script based on the handwriting of both Murdoch and his father, Keith.
