Murdoch positions James for top job

News Corporation has promoted James Murdoch to the role of deputy chief operating officer in a move that appears to mark him as eventual successor to his 80-year-old father, Rupert.

James Murdoch's newly created role involves him moving to News Corp's New York head office from London. He will continue to report to deputy chairman and chief operating officer Chase Carey and will carry on running News Corp's international operations.

The move for the younger Murdoch will be taken as a sign that the News Corp chief executive is starting to clarify a succession plan. It has always been expected Murdoch senior would position one of his children as an eventual chief executive of the company he founded.

James Murdoch, 38, has been an executive at News Corp for more than 15 years.