Paul Anderson has resigned as CEO of Network 10.
ViacomCBS Networks International says the resignation is effective immediately but Anderson has agreed to stay in his role in the interim to help oversee the company’s transition to new management.
The company will not seek a replacement CEO for Ten but instead plans to introduce a new management structure for its combined operations in Australia and New Zealand.
There will be co-leads for the business. Both will report to Maria Kyriacou, president of VCNI’s operations in Australia and the UK.
Beverley McGarvey, who is currently chief content officer for Network 10, has been promoted to the new role of chief content officer and EVP, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, giving her responsibility for all content and creative activities related to the company’s networks and digital properties in Australia and New Zealand.
ViacomCBS will recruit a co-lead who will have oversight of all the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in both markets.
The company has also appointed Henriette Rothschild, a partner at the advisory and investment firm KordaMentha, as interim chief transformation officer.
Kyriacou says the appointment of Rothschild reflects the work to ensure the merged Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand businesses are well positioned for the future.
“Network 10 has performed very well this year, with 11 consecutive weeks of audience share growth," she says.
"We want to build on that momentum, while at the same time leveraging the powerful ViacomCBS brands and assets from both a content and revenue perspective.
“I would like to thank Paul for his leadership of Network 10; it is a credit to him and his team that the business has continued to compete and evolve despite the inevitable distractions that have come with recent changes in ownership."
Anderson was only recently appointed executive vice president of ViacomCBS operations in Australia and New Zealand, a move seen as a significant promotion.
“The past 17 years at Network 10 have been the best years of my professional life," he says.
"I have worked with some extraordinary people – both in front of and behind the camera – and have been given some amazing opportunities. Now it’s time for me to try something different and eventually look for new opportunities and experiences.
“Thanks to the hard work, passion and professionalism of everyone at Network 10, and now as part of ViacomCBS, the business is extremely well placed for the future.
"The combination of Network 10 and ViacomCBS is a real game-changer in the Australian market, creating a unique and powerful media group that owns some of the most innovative entertainment and media brands locally and globally.
“I’m very excited about the future of Network 10 and about what the future holds for me and my family.”
Anderson joined Network 10 in 2003. He was appointedCFO in 2011 and took on the additional role of COO in 2014. He was appointed CEO in July 2015 and steered the company through its acquisition by CBS Studios International, which was completed in November 2017.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.