Hearst has created three senior roles within its publishing and digital sectors to grow its brand portfolio. Group publishing director Michael Rowley has been promoted to managing director, brands; product director Lee Wilkinson is now strategy and product director; and group trading and partnerships director Greg Witham is group publishing director of the newly-formed Entertainment Group.

In his previous role, Rowley had managed the publisher's weeklies magazine portfolio (All About Soap, Inside Soap, Best, Real People and Reveal) as well as the Lifestyle Group (All About You, Country Living, House Beautiful, Prima). He will continue to oversee Lifestyle, which now also includes Netdoctor.co.uk. 

Wilkinson, who originally joined Hearst as product director in 2012, will have responsibility for strategy, product development and implementation across all sectors. 

Witham has previously held various roles at Hearst. The Entertainment Group he will head up comprises the weeklies portfolio, as well as Digital Spy, handbag.com and Sugarscape.com.

Hearst CEO Anna Jones said of the appointments, "Michael, Greg and Lee all possess a vital mix of deep brand knowledge alongside a passion for pushing the boundaries. They are the ideal candidates".