News Limited ups investment in SportingPulse

By By Wenlei Ma | 11 October 2012
 

News Limited has increased its stake in digital sports brand SportingPulse to 89.5% and appointed Fox Sports' Adam Oakes as chief executive.

News Limited has raised its investment in the company to 89.5%, after upping it to 51% late last year. The media company initially bought into SportingPulse in 2009.

SportingPulse has recruited Fox Sport veteran Adam Oakes to head the operations. Oakes has been with Fox for 12 years and is director of specialist channels with the purview for Fox Sports News, Speed, Fuel TV and marketing and traffic. Oakes is to become chief executive on 22 October.

News Limited chief executive Kim Williams said: “Since News' initial investment in 2009, SportingPulse has continued to flourish. We are pleased to be continuing our support not only for the company, but for grassroots sport and digital communities in Australia.

“We are delighted to welcome Adam to SportingPulse as the company's new CEO. Adam is highly respected in the sports media industry and I am confident that his extensive experience in sports operations and management will be an invaluable addition to the SportingPulse business.

“The appointment of Mr. Oakes will also provide additional cross-promotional opportunities between SportingPulse and Fox Sports – ones that will benefit community sport in Australia.”

Founder and current chief executive Nick Maywald will become director of innovation.

Oakes said: “Nick and his team have built a brilliant business. They have secured the support and partnership of Australia's top sporting organisations and advertisers through solid relationships and innovative products. I am looking forward to working closely with Nick and the team in further evolving the SportingPulse business as a formidable digital force in community sport.”

At Fox Sports, head of Fox Sports Channels, Gary Burns, will take over the Speed channel while head of Fox Sports Melbourne, Rod Law, will assume responsibilities for Fuel TV. Fox Sports News will be taken over by Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany and the company will recruit for a director of marketing.

Delany said: “It is with a touch of sadness that we bid farewell to Adam, but we certainly respect that he has been given a wonderful opportunity to take on a CEO role at SportingPulse, which is reflective of his expertise and respect in the broader sports landscape.

“Adam has given over 12 years of invaluable service to Fox Sports. During this 12-plus years he has overseen several departments and operations within the company and has left an indelible imprint on the organisation.”

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