Media wrap: GroupM brings Parkinson back to Aus for TV negotiations and a deal between Ten and Foxtel moves closer

Sarah Homewood
By Sarah Homewood | 18 May 2015
 

GroupM brings Parkinson back to Aus for TV negotiations

After AdNews broke the news last week that GroupM's chief investment officer Danny Bass defected to rival media agency IPG, the agency's holding group WPP has since brought European trading boss James Parkinson into Australia to manage the agencies annual advertising negotiations with TV networks.

Deal between Ten and Foxtel moves closer

A deal between Ten Network Holdings and Foxtel could just be weeks away. The deal would see Foxtel take a 14.9% stake in Ten. According to The Australian Financial Review the board of Telstra met on Friday and gave its approval to the offer by its pay TV joint-venture Foxtel to buy the stake in Ten for around $70 million.

Presto searches for CEO

As the ink dries on the official joint-venture between Foxtel and Seven, Presto, the streaming service is now looking for a CEO to ensure the service comes out on top in the steaming wars. The Australian is reporting Shaun James, director of Presto and On Demand at Foxtel, will act as an interim chief executive while a new management team is formed.

Speculation mounts of Southern Cross Austereo CEO

Also in the AFR, speculation is mounting that V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton could be primed and ready to take the top job at Southern Cross Austereo. According to Joe Aston's rear-window column Warburton is a likely candidate to replace Rhys Holleran, who stepped down from the top job a week ago.

Could Struggle Street move house?

Also in The Australian, due to the success of SBS's controversial drama, Struggle Street, other networks have been calling the production company behind the show about the potential for a second series. Leonie Lowe, managing director of KEO Films Australia, told The Australian “Obviously a few of the networks have called because there is strong interest in this type of storytelling now,” she said.

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