The TV and media heavyweights in the race for 7NEWS Adelaide news director as Chris Salter departs
With 7 Adelaide’s news boss heading interstate, we take a look at the candidates who could replace him – and some of them may surprise you.
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7News Adelaide news director Chris Salter is on the move interstate, earning a well-deserved promotion as Seven Melbourne’s Director of News, starting in July.
A former journalist at The Advertiser, Salter will take over from Shaun Menegola, who announced his departure earlier this month.
“It’s been a tremendous honour to lead Seven’s Adelaide newsroom. Their commitment to telling South Australia’s stories is inspiring, and the reason viewers keep tuning in,” said Salter, who has been in the Adelaide role since June 2018.
The network said his successor will be announced soon, and they will be big shoes to fill, given the station’s ratings dominance in the all-important 6pm timeslot.
We take a look at some of the impressive names in the frame to take on the high-pressure role – and some of them might surprise you.
Gerda Jezuchowski
Executive editor at Network 10 Adelaide for the past six years, the highly-regarded ex-TV journo ticks plenty of boxes.
A former ministerial adviser and local council spokeswoman, the experienced Jezuchowski was also previously chief of staff and senior reporter at 7News between 2009 and 2016.
Mike Smithson
The man affectionately known as ‘Smitho’ has seen it all during a career spanning more than 40 years.
Currently the station’s chief reporter and weekend newsreader, Smithson possesses one of the best contact books in town and would be a good fit as news director.
But would the veteran newsman want to add to his list of job titles, and manage a newsroom of journos, during the final years of his legendary career? That remains to be seen.
Andrea Nicolas
The polished 7News presenter, producer and political reporter has been a staple at the station for over 17 years.
Well-respected for her news sense and abilities in front of the camera, Nicolas could easily step into the high-pressure role. But would she want to?
A long presenting career beckons and the powers-that-be might see her future behind the newsdesk.
Mark Mooney
Insiders have described Mooney as the “clear frontrunner” for the position.
It’s also understood the outgoing boss is pushing for his deputy of three years to be elevated to the role.
Possessing an excellent temperament and respected by all in the newsroom, it’ll be a surprise if anyone else is appointed.
Fiona Clark
Second in charge at Nine Adelaide, Clark has been the station’s executive producer for almost three years.
Highly regarded in the industry, she previously held senior roles at Channel 10 including executive editor, executive producer and chief of staff.
Does she want to run her own newsroom again? The question should be asked.
Nick Harmsen
Chief media adviser to Premier Peter Malinauskas for almost two years, Harmsen has the TV pedigree, having spent 15 years at ABC in various roles including deputy editor, news director and political reporter.
Could the bright lights of commercial TV lure him back to the media? He would instantly have the respect of the newsroom and be a welcome addition to the team.
His wife Jessica is an experienced TV broadcaster at ABC and would also be a good fit at Seven. One to keep an eye on.
Terry Plane
It would be a case of going back to the future – but the former Seven Adelaide news boss barely lost a week of ratings in his 12-year tenure at the station, before he was dumped in 2016.
Anything is possible but a return would appear unlikely, particularly given the network’s public plans to look forward and supercharge its digital offerings.
Jeremy Pudney
Nine Adelaide’s news director for six years, and deputy for another three years before that, Pudney is well-credentialed – though the 6pm bulletin has struggled in the ratings with Seven dominating the market share.
Pudney was at one point rumoured to be a candidate to replace Graham Archer in the 7News hot seat before Salter was appointed in 2018.
Prior to Nine, Pudney was at Channel 10 Adelaide for 14 years, holding senior roles including news boss, executive producer and chief of staff, and was also a police reporter with The Advertiser, covering the Snowtown murders.
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