News Corp has announced a major executive reshuffle with CEO Julian Clarke announcing that he will retire at the end of this year.
As a result, current News Corp chief operating officer Peter Tonagh will takeover the role as CEO, and APN News and Media CEO Michael Miller will leave his current role to pick up the role of executive Chairman of News Corp Australia.
Both Tonagh and Miller will report directly to News Corp CEO Robert Thomson who heads up the company's global operations.
In light of the movement, APN has announced that current CEO of its Australia Radio Network (ARN) business Ciaran Davis will take over as CEO of the group effective as of 1 September this year. Miller will remain as APN CEO during the transition period of the company.
APN chairman Peter Cosgrove said: ““Michael will work side by side with Ciaran to ensure the smoothest possible transition for the business, and, on behalf of the Board, we wish Michael all the best in his future endeavours.”
Ciaran’s outstanding leadership and successes at ARN, including taking the Company to be Australia’s number one metropolitan radio network, made him the natural successor to replace Michael Miller.”
“Ciaran’s ability to execute and communicate complex business plans, overlaid with years of international media experience, means he is ideally placed to build on the strong momentum and growth strategy we have in place.”
Miller worked at News Corp as News Limited's regional director for New South Wales until he moved to ARN to take the CEO role in 2013.
Speaking to AdNews Steve Allen, managing director of Fusion Strategy said the appointments were good for News, with Miller being a veteran of the business, not just from his time at News but also with the good work he's done with APN.
“Possibly he wouldn't have been given such a high position if he had not left, and shown what he was capability of. Often people only notice, and you only prove to yourself your full capabilities when you go off and test yourself in very difficult conditions in a company that you've looked at, but never worked at.”
In a statement News Corp's Thomson said the company now has the regions two most talent executives driving development of the company.
“Our clear plan is to use Australia as a base for a significant expansion of our presence in Asia, while ensuring that our traditional businesses in Australia are developed to their full potential.
"Whether in broadcasting or the powerful platform that is print or in digital classifieds, we have a team that will vigorously pursue growth and strive to inculcate the sense of social purpose that has always been the cornerstone of the News Corp culture.
"We must all recognise the genuinely extraordinary work of Julian Clarke, who has helped to fortify the foundations for our future, and done so with dignity, creativity and integrity. Julian's contribution to the company and to Australia will echo for many, many years to come," Thomson said.
With Sarah Homewood
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