New Channel 7 CEO sacks entire Melbourne publicity department
The hits keep on coming at Channel 7 with the new CEO axing the entire publicity team in Melbourne in an extreme attempt to get the network back on top, just months after leaked emails proved tensions had boiled over in the newsroom.
Confidential
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Channel 7’s cost cuts and restructuring under new CEO James Warburton have hit Melbourne.
The entire publicity department and some marketing staff were told this morning they would be made redundant, finishing up this Friday.
Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin is believed to have delivered the grim news today.
Warburton made no secret of the fact he would be overhauling the network with new divisions to remove duplicate roles and cost savings.
Sunday Night is also axed as part of the cuts.
Warburton took the reins following the departure of Tim Worner in August, and staff have been bracing for major job losses.
He made it clear Seven needs to make big changes in order to change the network’s fortunes.
Corporate spokesperson Stephen Browning has also departed, while sports boss Saul Shtein was retrenched two weeks ago as part of middle management cuts.
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Television blog TV Tonight today reported Warburton would create new roles at Seven West Media, including a chief content officer to oversee programming and production; a new chief marketing officer to oversee publicity and a chief digital officer.
“With the new organisational structure, we have focused on simplifying the SWM organisation to enable our content led growth strategy,’’ Warburton said, adding they had to make some tough decisions for the future.
“This new flatter structure will cement our position as Australia’s leading media group with content at the heart of the business, digital growth maximised, duplication of roles removed in all areas and operating efficiencies implemented.”