New editors for wine, motoring titles

New editor season continues with the appointments of Christian Eedes at Wine and François Rabe at Wiel at Ramsay, Son & Parker, both effective from March 2008. Eedes replaces Fiona McDonald, who is leaving to pursue a freelance career, and Rabe takes over from Ferdi de Vos, who has accepted a position in the corporate sector.

Eedes joined Wine as editor of its website, www.winemag.co.za, in April 2000 after a stint in advertising and quickly added circulation marketing responsibilities to his portfolio. He became part of the magazine editorial team two years later, while still continuing as web editor and building a growing following for his online weekly e-letter, Gulp! He was promoted to deputy editor in March 2003.

During his time with the magazine, Eedes has been involved in several Winr initiatives such as the Tasting Academy, established last year to develop the wine judging talent pool and raise the bar for wine tasting standards in South Africa.

Youngest motoring editor

Rabe began his career as a reporter at Die Burger, where he became the youngest motoring editor in the country. Among his more notable achievements has been the launching of MWeb Motoring – now Wheels24 – GQ Cars and Veld Toe, the forerunner of Weg!.

He has had extensive experience as a media consultant and freelance journalist and has contributed to the full spectrum of motoring titles in South Africa, including Wiel when it was part of Johnnic Communications (now Avusa).

He joined Wiel's editorial team when the publication was brought into the Ramsay, Son & Parker stable 18 months ago, in August 2006.