News Corp Announces Senior Restructure As Sale Of Regional Titles Stalls

News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller (pictured) has announced a string of senior appointments across the business.

The changes, says Miller, will aid News Corp in being a more digital, growth-orientated company.

He said: “[The new appointments] will make our structures simpler and more nimble, less complex for commercial partners to leverage and will prioritise increasing earnings in our digital and subscription businesses.”

The senior restructure also follows recent negotiations to sell off News Corp’s regional and community titles, with most recent reports suggesting ACM would acquire titles.

Miller said: “In recent weeks we have been undertaking a review of our Australian portfolio and structures and have had discussions with the most logical acquirer of our regional and community titles.”

However, according to Miller, the discussions “have not resulted in a transaction” and News Corp is now considering “alternative structures to best focus News Corp Australia on maximising digital and growth opportunities”.

He said: “As part of this strategic direction, the new appointments I am announcing today will position us to be more effective in driving further success in the growth areas News Corp is excelling in such as travel, food, digital advertising products and solutions, and digital subscriptions.

“Additionally our new significant editorial changes will embed a collaborative way of working to maximise our sport and news coverage, hyper local digital subscriptions and drive the success of our all-important weekend editions.”

The new positions are as follows:

Julian Delany has been promoted to the new position of Chief Technology Officer, Data and Digital.

Emma Fawcett has been appointed Managing Director, Commercial Product & Platform, and is expanding her role to include both News Xtend and News Connect.

Fiona Nilsson has been promoted to the new role of Managing Director, Food and Travel.

Richard Skimin has been appointed Managing Director, news.com.au, Kidspot and Whimn, as well as e-commerce.

Michael Ford, News Corp’s new Chief Financial Officer, will expand his responsibilities to include Strategy and M&A responsibilities.

Lou Barrett, Managing Director, National Sales, will now take on the leadership of all direct sales functions.

Jason Scott will add to his role of Managing Director, Queensland and NT, the Chairmanship of a new Publishing Board representing the state and national commercial publishing operations reporting to Damian Eales.

The board will comprise Ish Davies, Managing Director, South Australia; Peter Zavecz, Managing Director, Victoria and Tasmania; and Nicholas Gray, Managing Director, The Australian, NSW and Prestige Titles.

Neil Monaghan has been appointed Managing Director, Business Services Group, while Peter Blunden, News Corp’s senior editorial leader, will take on a new role as National Executive Editor to lead a national sports operation.

In other editorial changes:

Kate de Brito, Editor-in-Chief of news.com.au, will now report directly to Miller.

Mick Carroll will add the role of National Weekend Editor to his editorship of The Sunday Telegraph.

John McGourty has been appointed National Editor, Community Masthead Network, while Mel Mansell, in his role as Group Director, Editorial Transformation and Strategy, will continue to work with all editors.

The changes will be effective from June 1.

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