“In Lotta Folcker, Aftonbladet gets a good leader with solid experience from both news and sports. She contributes with strong expertise in video as well as digital business and development. It’s good for Aftonbladet, but also very valuable when we are to build a new strong media group in the Nordics,” says Siv Juvik Tveitnes, EVP, Schibsted News Media.
Lotta Folcker succeeds Lena K Samuelsson, who previously announced that she wanted to leave the assignment after many years in Schibsted. Lotta Folcker comes most recently from the role of sports manager at the streaming service Viaplay but is a well-known face at Aftonbladet, where she was, among other things, head of Aftonbladet TV and developed live. and breaking video journalism. She has also been managing editor with responsibility for Aftonbladet’s new digital initiatives in features, podcasts and new business models.
“Lotta Folcker is an experienced journalist and media manager with broad competence in news, sports, video, digital development and business. That makes her perfect in this role. She is also a valued leader with the ability to inspire and lift her employees,” says Siv Juvik Tveitnes.
As publisher – editor-in-chief, CEO and responsible publisher – Lotta Folcker will be responsible for both journalism and business.
“I am both honoured and humbled by the task, but above all, I feel an enormous joy to come back to Aftonbladet. We live in anxious times that make it easy to want to roll up our sleeves and fight for independent journalism. It feels more important than in a long time. Aftonbladet has a very strong position today and stands firm, both in journalism and business, but there is also a driving force to always want a little more and great courage that I believe is absolutely crucial on the journey ahead,” says Lotta Folcker.
As publisher at Aftonbladet, Lotta Folcker also gets an important role in the new media group that Schibsted intends to create, Schibsted Media, and becomes one of three editors-in-chief in the new group management.
“Sweden is a priority market for Schibsted Media and we are open to new opportunities, but also to build on the strong brands we already have. In this work, Lotta Folcker’s knowledge and capacity, not least from television and sports, will be a very valuable contribution to the group management,” says Siv Juvik Tveitnes.
Schibsted intends to sell the entire News Media division to the Tinius Trust in the spring, a deal that will see the news division become its own group, fully owned by an independent trust.
“Things never stand still in this industry, and having a stable owner with an open mind to new opportunities gives both peace of mind and challenges one at the same time. It’s a good basis for continuing to develop Aftonbladet’s position and grow even stronger. Combined with the fact that I have followed the fantastic journey that Aftonbladet has made and know that there is good management and a driven and competent organisation in place, makes me now almost impatiently waiting to get started,” says Lotta Folcker.
Lotta Folcker first came to Aftonbladet in 2013. She had then worked for 10 years at TV4, including as head of Nyhetsmorgon. She has also been a reporter at, among others, DN, SvD and Folkbladet in Norrköping and has a degree in political science.
Lotta Folcker formally takes office on 22 April.
