Telstra is consolidating its digital media businesses into a single unit called Telstra Digital Media, to be headed up by Television New Zealand CEO Rick Ellis.
The telco’s chief executive David Thodey told investors that the new unit will handle Telstra’s key media divisions Sensis, BigPond, Trading Post, IPTV, Telstra’s 50% stake in Foxtel, as well as other content arrangements. The newly created Telstra Advertising Network also sits within this division.
Thodey also said Telstra plans to invest $100 million over the next four years to upgrade its media infrastructure.
Thodey said: “Telstra is a leader in online digital media with multiple assets which, including Foxtel, earn $4 billion in annual revenues and employ approximately 4,000 people.
“Telstra’s digital media division will bring these assets together for the first time and enable us to implement a co-ordinated media strategy that delivers long-term shareholder value.”
Ellis will start in the new role in January 2012. He will report directly to Thodey and will sit in Telstra’s leadership team. Sensis chief executive Bruce Akhurst and head of media JB Rousselot will report to Ellis.
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