Iain Hepburn, former editor of STV Local and online editor of the Daily Record has become the first director of brand journalism for online communications agency Contently Managed.

Hepburn joins the agency with the aim of strengthening its online and social media offering, having previously also worked online at SFX and the Daily Mirror.

He will oversee the agency’s brand offering, creating and publishing content for brands across social media platforms, allowing brands to become publishers in their own right.

“The man is a grafter, through and through,” commented Contently Managed director Craig McGill. “For those starting out in any aspect of comms who think doing digital is easy, ask the likes of Iain and Allan Barr – it isn’t. It’s long hours to do it right. Iain has never shirked in the long hours, doing what it takes to make something perfect.”

Earlier today Hepburn’s successor as editor of STV Local was announced, with Shaun Milne taking on the role.