Schwartz Media’s star editor promoted after publisher’s CEO resigns

Schwartz Media’s top editor, Erik Jensen, will become the progressive publisher’s chief executive after its current boss resigned after less than a year in the role.

The publisher’s owner, Morry Schwartz, said discussions for Jensen to become CEO began before outgoing chief executive Ben Shepherd was appointed in December.

Schwartz Media editor-in-chief Erik Jensen will assume the role of the publisher’s chief executive.Credit: Josh Robenstone

Shepherd, a former advertising and consultancy executive, joined Schwartz after the media company’s long-serving boss, Rebecca Costello, was poached to run The Guardian’s Australian operations.

Schwartz Media staff were told on Friday that Shepherd was resigning to pursue other opportunities, with Jensen, the founding editor of the 7am podcast and The Saturday Paper, to expand his remit to include executive duties.

Morry Schwartz said Jensen was always seen as a viable candidate to fill the chief executive role.

Schwartz Media owner Morry Schwartz.Credit: Peter Braig

“He has a natural feel for the company and intimately understands what makes it a success. He brings to business the same qualities he brings to journalism: huge drive and ambition, immense clarity in dealing with complex problems and the ability to cut through to the centre of an issue,” Schwartz said.

“I thank Ben for his work with the company and look forward to working with Erik as we steward Schwartz Media to even greater heights.”

Schwartz himself resigned as chair of his media company in December, stepping back from the company’s day-to-day operations, although he has since returned to an active role.

The company said both Jensen and Schwartz would continue working closely together.

“Schwartz Media produces some of the strongest journalism in this country,” Jensen said.

“It is an honour to run the company that supports that journalism. I’ve worked in newspapers and magazines since I was 15 and I’ve seen good decisions and bad ones. I’m firm in the belief that strong journalism needs to be backed by a strong business – and that the success of a company such as Schwartz Media lies in its commitment to quality.”

Shepherd joined the publisher from Japanese advertising giant Dentsu’s local outpost, where he spent 12 months as chief investment officer.

His other past roles include stints at ad agencies Thinkerbell and CHEP Network, as well as marketing roles at consultancy firms PwC and Bain & Company.

Schwartz Media has become one of Australia’s largest independent publishers over several decades with the launch of The Monthly in 2005, and flagship print product The Saturday Paper launched a decade ago in 2014 with Jensen as its editor.

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