Fairfax has announced another shake-up in its regional media division, centralising its national sales division from its Sydney offices.

The changes, which will be implemented from February 1, will be led by former ACP digital sales director Simon Hopkins as national sales director print and digital.

According to fairfax much of the regional sales is currently outsourced, and the move will bring it back in house, but will not affect any jobs from the publisher's side.

The move, similar to that implemented by News Limited, will give advertisers a single point of contact for the 202 regional mastheads and 140 websites.

The Newcastle Herald, The Illawarra Mercury, the Mighty V Victorian daily network, North West Star in Mt Isa, the Katherine Times and daily papers, the Launceston Examiner and Burnie Advocate will also be managed from the centralised office.

Hopkins said: “I am looking forward to presenting media buyers and advertisers with what we believe is a very compelling case to invest in our print and digital products.

“Regional Australia continues to become more connected daily. The NBN rollout is an

initiative fast benefiting our audience, in many regions growing it.

“Our mastheads have a long-established and distinguished history in regional Australia

as print newspapers, and the fact they are now available online, via desktop, tablet and

mobile positions FRM solidly for future growth.”