Jérôme Bellay appointed director of Journal du Dimanche

Denis Olivennes, chief operating officer of Lagardère Active’s News division, has appointed Jérôme Bellay director of Journal du Dimanche.

This appointment will take effect on 1 September following the departure of Olivier Jay.

Denis Olivennes had the following to say:

“Jérôme Bellay is one of the few great media heads. Bruno Lesouëf and I are very pleased that he has chosen to contribute his extensive experience, expertise and solid news-broadcasting profile to Journal du Dimanche. He will help the programme to reach new heights.

“On behalf of the Group and Journal du Dimanche staff members, I would like to thank Olivier Jay. Over the years, Olivier has maintained JDD’s demanding editorial standards and worked to raise its profile. He designed and launched a new format to modernize the title, and accelerated the convergence of print and web.

“Jérôme Bellay, 68, is a journalist who began his career in the regional daily press. He founded France Info in 1987 and then the LCI in 1994. He served as president of Europe 1 from 1996 to 2005. Since September 2000, Mr Bellay has been president of Maximal Productions, most notably the producer of the debate programme C dans l’Air on France 5.”