Pink Triangle Press (PTP), the 2SLGBTQ+ media organization, has appointed Mel Woods to the newly-created post of senior editor, audience engagement for its flagship outlet Xtra.

They take on the role effective May 1.

Woods’ mandate includes hosting duties that bring content and advocacy to life on Xtra’s social media channels, including a new TikTok channel. This will allow Xtra to establish a strong presence in podcasting and more video-based storytelling moving forward.

Executive editor Gordon Bowness says this appointment reflects Xtra’s commitment to positioning its content in more spaces.

“With their youthful passion, their urgency around trans issues and their wonderfully varied pop culture obsessions, Mel Woods is uniquely suited to spearhead our focus on expanding the reach of Xtra’s advocacy and journalism via social media, multimedia storytelling and outside media.”

Woods joined the company in 2021 to lead coverage of TV, film, music and video games as senior editor of culture, . Their work has also appeared in The Walrus, the Globe and Mail, Vice, CBC and Slate. While with HuffPost Canada, Woods also earned the top honour for writing on
gender and transphobia at the 2021 Canadian Radio, Television and Digital News Awards and earned gold for general news coverage at the 2021 Canadian Online Publishing Awards.