Chris Jones
Southern Cross Media Group has appointed Chris Jones to the newly created role of director of sport - TV, sudio and streaming, effective immediately.
In this new position, Jones will oversee the strategic direction of Seven and SCA's combined sport portfolios, drive a unified sport strategy across broadcast television, audio, digital, publishing and social platforms, and will lead sports rights negotiations on behalf of the entire group.
The role brings together 7Sport, Triple M and LiSTNR under a single structure.
Jones will report to Angus Ross, managing director of TV and streaming at Seven, with head of sport content audio Ewan Giles reporting directly to Jones.
Jones has served with the network for sixteen years, most recently serving as director of network sport.
Throughout his career, Jones has been credited with delivering ratings successes across major sporting events including the AFL, the Australian Open, the US Masters, the Rio Olympic Games and the Spring Racing Carnival.
“It’s a privilege to lead this merged team of some of the country’s most talented on and off-air broadcasters,” said Jones.
“Working closely with Ewan Giles and the SCA sport team, we now have an incredible opportunity to capitalise on our strengths, allowing us to share talent, resources, and ideas seamlessly while protecting what makes each brand distinctive.”
“By elevating digital and social media alongside traditional TV and audio broadcasts, we will capture fans who engage with content far beyond our traditional assets.
“Every platform matters, every audience matters, and everyone on our team plays a role across all assets.”
Beyond dedicated sports programs, the unified sports division will play an active role in supporting, promoting, and launching entertainment and news assets across the entire company including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, Seven’s Western Australian assets, and the broader audio and TV platforms.
Angus Ross, managing director - TV and Streaming, said bringing the business together provided a big opporunity.
“Bringing both businesses together has provided a massive opportunity to maximise our footprint across broadcast and audio,” he said.
“Chris has an incredible track record with Seven and the broader sporting industry.
“Having worked closely with Triple M over the years, it makes perfect sense to extend his expertise across audio to lead negotiations across all pillars.
“Chris has live sport in his DNA and has spent over 20 years delivering every major sporting code across the country.
“He has the deep respect of the sporting codes and a proven history of delivering great outcomes for the game, and bringing all these assets together under one sports strategy is a massive win for our audiences and advertisers.”
John Kelly, managing director audio, said by working closer with Seven under Chris’ leadership the company could create a powerful cross-medium ecosystem.
“For our audiences, it means the country's most comprehensive sports coverage, and for our clients and partners, it provides an unprecedented scale to reach highly engaged fans at every hour of the day,” said Kelly.
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