“Business As Usual” At News As New CEO & Exec Chairman Ushered In
This morning’s announcement of a new CEO and a new executive chairman at News Corp Australia won’t bring wholesale and new generational changes to the business say industry insiders.
Peter Tonagh is to replace the departing CEO, Julian Clarke, while APN’s CEO Michael Miller has become executive chairman of News Corp Australia.
Ian Perrin, CEO of ZenithOptimedia, told B&T the changes were to be expected and shouldn’t cause any great ructions within the business nor a great shift in its thinking.
Perrin said departing CEO Julian Clarke had done an admirable job in improving profits and stemming circulation decline since the somewhat tumultuous rein of former boss, Kim Williams. (Williams recently spoke to B&T about his time in the role, joking he was no longer on the Murdoch’s Christmas card list.)
“There’s been some very good recent stability at News recently and this transition seems very well planned and orchestrated and it bodes very well,” Perrin said. “They’re clearly under control and doing what they need to do.
“Peter and Michael know the business incredibly well, they’re both very highly regarded media executives and I don’t think anyone in the industry will be surprised by these appointments. I would imagine that the consistency that we have seen over the last little while will continue and I don’t think there’ll be a dramatic shift in strategy but there will be a greater emphasis on the their digital assets.
“I can’t see a great shift in their current thinking. The strategy will be refined and improved and worked on and contemporised. The move to digital needs to be speeded up and they’re trying to improve how they deliver the content to consumers and I think you’ll see improved offering in smartphones and the likes, but I can’t see them walking away from their core print assets anytime soon.
Media commentator and CEO of Fusion Strategy, Steve Allen, said this morning’s move was no great shock as Julian Clarke had always maintained he was in the top job for a short time.
Allen told B&T that Michael Miller had been groomed by News for some time for the executive chairman’s role.
“Michael’s very well known and he’s held a number of prominent management positions over the last decade or two and he’s made quite a success of APN considering the turmoil it was in at the time he was jettisoned in there,” Allen said. “And I’d say Michael’s transition has been very smooth and very well thought out.”
Neither does Allen believe that Tonagh and Miller will face the internal squabbling faced by previous CEO Kim Williams who was reportedly not a great believer in the company’s print products.
“These new guys know the culture, they live the culture, that’s the big difference. The problem with Kim Williams was that he’s extraordinarily bright and driven so what do you think an old newspaper hack would think of that? By the very nature of the person their backs will be up, they’d be looking at a bloke like Kim Williams and go ‘fuck you’,” Allen said.
Latest News
Cannes Lions Live Day Four Sees Wins For AKQA Melbourne, Ogilvy Sydney, Clemenger BBDO And Special Group Sydney
During the penultimate day of Cannes Lions Live, Cannes Lions has announced the winners of a slew of categories. The Brand Experience and Activation Lions, Creative Business Transformation Lions, Creative eCommerce Lions, Creative Effectiveness Lions, Mobile Lions, Innovation Lions, and Radio & Audio Lions winners were all announced in the Awards Show, streamed from Cannes, […]
Australian Retailers – How Can You Stand Out From The Pack On Social?
At Zavy, we track the movings and shakings of brands across a range of industries on our social scoreboards. We want to see brands use social media as a space for real brand building and connecting with people – after all, that’s what it was created for. In their ground-breaking advertising report, The Long and […]
Chobani Unveils New Brand Campaign Via Cummins&Partners
Cummins&Partners has redefined what the next decade will look like for Chobani in its new brand campaign Food Made Good. Building on the four years of partnership between Cummins&Partners and Chobani, this campaign was born through strategic leadership to uncover the truth at the core of the brand and bring it to life through a […]
News & Rescue Crews Race To Save Drowning Woman – Only To Discover A Floating Sex Doll!
Japanese rescue crews and journalists have been left red-faced after they arrived to a report of a woman drowning in a local harbour only to discover it was a life-like sex doll bobbing about in the water. The incident happened in the harbour city of Hachinohe on Japan’s north-east coast. “The woman” in the water […]
me&u Appoints Clementine Churchill To Head Of Marketing
me&u, Australia’s first and leading mobile ordering and payment platform, has appointed Clementine Churchill as Head of Marketing as they continue to drive rapid growth and expansion in Australia and new international markets. A highly experienced marketing leader and recognised industry thought leader, Churchill joins me&u from My Muscle Chef, one of Australia’s top rated […]
MILO Asks Fans To Compete To Win #TheMILOCup In New Campaign Via Ogilvy
MILO is on the search for Australia’s best made MILO, calling on fans to share their creations for the chance to win #TheMILOCup, via Ogilvy Sydney. This integrated campaign follows on from the success of last year’s ‘Hot v Cold’ campaign, which encouraged Aussies to settle the debate on whether MILO is best enjoyed hot […]
New ANZ Research Shows That LGBTQ+ Visual Representation Relies On Stereotypes
New research from Getty Images, a world leader in visual communications, has found that LGBTQ+ representation in ANZ remains low and stereotypical. It’s 2021 – this needs to change – especially in marketing and advertising. In partnership with GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation, Getty Images has launched a full-spectrum Guidebook in direct response to […]
Nikki Warburton Departs Audi Australia After Three Years Spent Embracing Vorsprung Durch Technik
Audi CMO Nikki Warburton has left the business. Sadly, didn't receive Sound Of Music on Blu-ray as departing gift.
Lego Announces Plans To Start Making Bricks From Old Drink Bottles
Once again the Scandinavians proving they're on it when it comes to the environment, DIY furniture & adult erotica.
NESCAFÉ Says ‘Now’s Good’ In New Work Via Saatchi & Saatchi
As any visitor to the B&T office knows, you'll get a NESCAFÉ, a Scotch finger & a rendition of Cher's "Turn Back Time".
Craig McLachlan Accused Of Groping Another Woman
Surely, serious concerns should've been raised about Craig McLachlan's behaviour when he recorded "Mona" back in 1990?
REMINDER: Entries For B&T’s Best Of The Best Awards Close Tomorrow!
Has a colleague recently won a 'I look like my cat' competition? That's the temerity required to win a Best of the Best.
More Heat For Coke’s Customisation Tool As It Bans ‘Palestine’, ‘Black Lives Matter’ And ‘Mohammed’, But Not ‘White Pride’
Coke's week from hell continues apace! However, it's primed & ready to remind Pepsi of its own 'Kendall Jenner' episode.
“You Cannot Be Serious!” New Campaign Shows Wimbledon Is A Global Force
Wimbledon kicks off NEXT Monday with high hopes the Aussie male contingent will completely embarrass us all as usual.
Marks & Spencer Confronts Traditional Classifications Of ‘Nude’ In New Underwear Range
If Marks & Spencer excels at anything it's quality underpants, Christmas puddings & white nostalgic British imperalism.
Oasis Still Flogging Back Catalogue In Schmaltzy Outing For Bank Ad
B&T says crank this Oasis-led bank ad up to full volume. At least until a colleague says "turn that f@cking shit down".
Dir David Attenborough’s Life Stories Launches On LiSTNR
Natural historian Sir David Attenborough is one of the most commanding and respected storytellers in the world and now the iconic series, David Attenborough Life Stories, is available on LiSTNR as part of SCA’s recently announced partnership with the BBC. David Attenborough Life Stories is a series of talks on the natural histories of creatures and […]
Menulog Makes Key Marketing Promotions
Menulog has doubled down on its marketing support for restaurant partners, with the promotion of Senior Marketing Manager, Rami Tamer, to a newly created role of ‘Head of Partner Marketing’, as well as the promotion of former-Blue 449 Performance Manager, Jaryd Buggins. In the new Head of Partner Marketing role, Rami will lead a team […]
Barry Drinkwater Leaves ARN Brisbane After 28 Years, Will Hand Over Reins To Alisson Longhurst
ARN has announced Barry Drinkwater will be handing over his content director reins at 97.3FM and 4KQ to respected radio executive, Alisson Longhurst. Drinkwater has had a stellar career in radio spanning more than four decades, and was acknowledged as one of Australia’s Top 20 Content Directors by Radio Today in 2020. He began his radio career […]
Why Pissed Off Customers Can Be A Brand’s Biggest Fan
Do your customers hate your guts? Don't send them faecal matter in the post says this pro, rather harness their power.
The Big Issue Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Campaign, ’25 Years Big’, Via Town Square And Carat
Australia’s largest social enterprise is turning 25. On the anniversary of Australia’s first Big Issue magazine being sold on the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station in June 1996, Town Square has created a campaign to mark the occasion. 25 Years Big is a celebratory statement of pride, rendered in the iconic Big Issue logo […]
Australian Radio Industry Joins Global Working Group On Android Automotive
The Australian commercial radio industry has joined a global working group of broadcasters, carmakers and tech experts collaborating on the innovation of radio in Android Automotive. Android Automotive is Google’s infotainment operating system which is being built into new connected cars. Industry body Commercial Radio Australia is part of the working group, led by the […]
“Man Of The Year!” Vox-Popped Pensioner’s Heartwarming Views On Immigration Becomes Viral Smash
B&T has chosen to lead with these delightful, life-affirming words of wisdom. And let's be honest, we hate that shit.
SBS Appoints Head And Commissioning Editor Of Scripted, Boosting Drama Team
Want to feign being smarter than you really are? Well, you could watch SBS or listen to Radiohead's earlier stuff.
Amy Shark, Delta Goodrem And Guy Sebastian To Guest Host iHeart Radio’s TikTok Trending
iHeart Radio wheels out Oz music royaty in Amy, Delta & Guy. Yes, Guy's arguably more the 'Prince Andrew' of the three.
Triple M’s No Talk Day Returns To Inspire Conversation Around Men’s Mental Health
For the third consecutive year, Triple M’s No Talk Day will return on Thursday July 1 to raise awareness around men’s mental health and encourage courageous conversations on Triple M’s 45 stations across the country with support from partner Beyond Blue. From 6:00am – 6:00pm on July 1, Triple M is encouraging listeners to clear […]
Wednesday TV Wrap: With No Hard Quiz, Travel Guides Easily Wins Non-News Programming
Other than naked squash or having your privates waxed, is there anything better on a Wednesday than a night of telly?
Thrive PR Wins SodaStream Account
The farting in the Thrive PR office rises expodentially after the agency snares the SodaStream business.
72andSunny Sydney Promotes Ross Berthinussen To President Following Chris Kay’s Shock Exit
72andSunny Sydney promotes Ross Berthinussen. Again, confirms it has no plans to revert to Celsius.
Rebounding Ad Industry Sees Google Jump Up Most Valuable Brand Ranks
The latest global brand rankings are in & B&T can confirm they come with about as much shock as licking an AAA battery.
