Seven West Media has appointed Gereurd Roberts, current CEO of Pacific Magazines, as Seven’s new chief digital officer.
Roberts will commence in the role following the completion of the proposed sale of Pacific
Magazines to Bauer Media, anticipated to close by the end of this calendar year pending
regulatory approvals.
Roberts will be responsible for broadcast operations, digital product & technology, and information technology.
He will report to Seven’s managing director and CEO, James Warburton.
Commenting on the appointment, Warburton said: “I’m delighted to appoint Gereurd to this
key role. Our online assets have never been more important, as digital platforms transform
media and present us new opportunities.
“Through our BVOD service 7plus, which has grown 51% year on year, and 7NEWS.com.au, we’re well positioned for future. Gereurd will build on the digital growth he delivered at Pacific, where he grew their digital footprint by 70%, in his new role.
“We’re already delivering innovative new digital propositions to the market, including CODE 7
and contextual ad placement service, 7CAP. Plus, we’re gearing up to measure our combined
broadcast and BVOD audience with VOZ from early next year, which will provide the first
holistic view of the reach and power of TV across all screens. I look forward to the results I
know Gereurd will deliver from our digital properties into the future, particularly as we approach
Tokyo 2020.”
Roberts was appointed CEO of Pacific Magazines in October 2016, and prior to that served
in numerous leadership roles in the business, including as general manager, commercial
director, and publisher.
His over two decades of experience spans management, commercial, and editorial roles, and beyond Pacific Magazines, he has held roles at Guardian News & Media and ACP (now Bauer Media).
He said: “I’m thrilled to take on this vital role in the business. We are clear about the importance
of our digital assets in driving our content led growth strategy and I look forward to leading
that charge, capturing the attention of audiences across all Seven touchpoints by delivering
engaging content through our online platforms.
“With 7plus and 7NEWS.com.au, which has established itself as one of Australia’s top five
news website in just seven months, we are in an enviable position. I can’t wait to take our
digital assets to the next level, and to work with the entire SWM team to build Australia’s most
innovative, digitally-led media organisation.”
The appointment of Roberts joins the appointment of Charlotte Valente as SWM’s first
CMO in October and will be followed by the appointment of a chief content
officer.
