Motor Sport editor to depart for automotive PR role

Motor Sport editor Damien Smith is departing the magazine to take up an associate director role at automotive PR specialist Influence Associates in mid-September.

A journalist and editor in motor racing for 20 years, Smith has been editor of Motor Sport since 2007, running and setting the editorial agenda for the multi-platform title, which was founded in 1924.

Before that, he was editor-in-chief of Autosport.

In his new role at Influence Associates, Smith will work across several accounts in the automotive, motor racing and classic motoring sectors.

He will report to Influence Associates’ CEO, Stuart Dyble.

Smith said: “”I’ve been impressed by the rate of growth Influence Associates has displayed in the past few years and I’m excited to be joining a company that has a clear ambition to expand further. The experience I have gained during my time as a journalist and editor will stand me in good stead as I begin my new career.

“I’m looking forward to working with the clients within Influence’s wide-ranging portfolio and I couldn’t wish for a better company with which to make such a significant life-changing move.”