Orfeo is stepping down as editor-in-chief of *La Repubblica*: he will become editorial director at Qn Media

Mario Orfeo is stepping down as editor-in-chief of *La Repubblica* and, from 9 September, will become editorial director of QN Media, the group formerly known as Editoriale Nazionale, which publishes *Il Resto del Carlino*, *La Nazione*, *Il Giorno* and *QN*. This is the move with which Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio is seeking to gain momentum for the publishing project taken over from the Monti Riffeser group.

Orfeo, aged 60, former editor-in-chief of *Il Mattino* and *Messaggero*, the only journalist to have headed *Tg1*, *Tg2* and *Tg3*, and former Director-General of Rai in 2017–2018 (when the role of Chief Executive Officer did not yet exist), “will work alongside the publisher, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, and the chief executive, Gabriele Benedetto, in driving the group’s growth, providing guidance and coordination on editorial strategy and new development projects”. This is the key passage of the statement, which positions the former editor-in-chief of *La Repubblica* not above the individual publications, but within a steering committee tasked with bringing together print, digital, regional operations and advertising sales.

The focus will be on the new QN, due to be launched this autumn. Del Vecchio’s project “aims to redefine the positioning of the entire publishing group, starting with the new QN, due to launch this autumn, which will evolve into a high-end, authoritative opinion newspaper capable of appealing to a young audience using contemporary language”. An ambitious strategy, in a market where general-interest newspapers are seeking new readers whilst defending their profit margins, brands and central role in public debate.

Agnese Pini remains editor-in-chief of the group’s publications. This is no minor development, as it ensures the editorial control of the local newspapers remains in place whilst a figure of national stature takes up the post. Pini “will contribute to the relaunch of Qn”, which is set to become “a completely revamped publication, with a layout inspired by leading European daily newspapers, a focus on readability and the enhancement of content, and a digital platform redesigned from scratch alongside the print edition”.

Meanwhile, Orfeo’s departure has opened up a new front at *Repubblica*, at a time when the group has come under the control of the Greek firm Antenna and has yet to present detailed development plans. The newspaper founded by Scalfari has also seen the departure of Lirio Abbate, who is moving to *Il Giornale*. The names of Stefano Cappellini, Marco Damilano and Emiliano Fittipaldi are being mentioned as possible successors to Orfeo.