MediaWorks: Musical chairs upstairs

MediaWorks NZ Limited today announced a new management structure. Sussan Turner, the CEO of MediaWorks Radio, is appointed to the position of Group Managing Director, assuming control of the Group which includes TV3, C4, ten radio networks and brands and the Company’s VOD and on-line business. 
 
Sussan Turner is replaced as CEO of the Company’s Radio division by Belinda Mulgrew.
 
Jason Paris is appointed to the position of CEO of TV3 and C4. Mr Paris was formerly the Head of Digital Media and Marketing at TVNZ. He will take over in June from Ian Audsley, who joined the Company on a limited-term contract in December. Mr Audsley will continue as Executive Director, TV until June when he will become a non-executive director of the Company.
 
Company Chairman, Brent Harman, commented: “This is an immensely talented management team. Sussan Turner has demonstrated her management skill by building MediaWorks’ radio brands into market leaders in content, marketing and profitability. She has a very strong operational and profit focus.
 
“Jason Paris is a young executive of exceptional talent and ability. As Head of Digital Media at TVNZ, Jason is widely regarded as the architect of TVNZ’s digital transformation strategy. We are delighted to have appointed an emerging New Zealand business leader of Jason’s vision and drive.
 
“And, as business development manager of MediaWorks Radio, Belinda Mulgrew has assisted in delivering the strategy and development and profitability of our portfolio of radio assets, and is a well respected senior manager inside the Group.”
 
Kerry McIntosh of Ironbridge Capital, said the shareholders of MediaWorks were delighted with the appointments.
 
“In a period of sustained revenue and bottom line pressure, Sussan Turner has delivered consistent results. We are confident that the team she has assembled will operate in a dynamic way to strategically position the Company for the future.
 
“From his positions at TVNZ, Jason Paris brings a wealth of relevant experience to MediaWorks and in addition to running television, he will apply his substantial digital media experience across MediaWorks’ broadcasting and on-line assets.
 
“And Belinda Mulgrew, as Sussan’s deputy in Radio, has demonstrated her ability to manage the Company’s highly profitable Radio division.
 
“We are very excited about the future,” Mr McIntosh said.