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Movings/Shakings: 16 February

Leadership succession

MediaCom has announced the appointment of Willie Pang, currently chief operating officer, to the role of chief executive of MediaCom Australia and New Zealand. 

Pang will take over from Sean Seamer, MediaCom’s incumbent chief executive, following Seamers’ recent appointment as chief executive of Supercars Australia.

Pang joined MediaCom in 2015 as chief digital officer and was promoted to chief operating officer in July 2017.

Mark Lollback, CEO Australia and New Zealand, says he was extremely pleased to announce the leadership succession of MediaCom to Pang.

“Willie is an impressive and talented individual who I have no doubt will continue the incredible momentum Sean has created within MediaCom over the last two years. A valued and respected member of our group, Willie’s promotion is a natural progression for him which also truly exemplifies MediaCom’s depth and breadth of talent.”

Pang says he is incredibly humbled to have been appointed chief executive. 

“I am passionate about continuing to build upon an already skilled team, one that will deliver incredible business performance for our client’s brands. My commitment continues to provide best-in-class service to our clients and partners. We have a wonderful culture built on putting our people first and I relish the opportunity to help each and every one of our team members be the foundation for MediaCom to grow and prosper.” 

Transformation time

The Warehouse Group has appointed Scott Newton into a newly created role of chief transformation officer.

Reporting to group chief executive Nick Grayston, Newton will oversee the group’s transformation and responsible for helping reduce complexity, drive performance improvements and strengthen the organisation’s health and capabilities.

Grayston says it is crucial The Warehouse Group transforms its business to respond to the local and global retail industry’s disruption and intense competition.

“Our strategy is to fix the retail fundamentals and invest in our digital future to enable us to transform our business from that of legacy retailer to a data-driven, customer-focused organisation. Scott’s experience will enable us to accelerate the pace of our transformation and focus on efficient execution.”

Prior to joining The Warehouse Group, Newton was at Chorus where he was the general manager of strategy and business operations.

Newton started with The Warehouse Group in early February.

Mediaworks changes

Jay-Jay Harvey is joining More FM on its Drive show alongside Jason Gunn, with current Drive co-host Lana Searle moving to More FM’s Breakfast show with Simon Barnett and Gary McCormick.

Harvey’s new role will see her move to Christchurch to join Gunn, with the new line-up launching in April.

Harvey says the move is huge for her and she couldn’t be more excited.

“It was bittersweet to say goodbye to The Edge after such a long time, but it makes it easier knowing that I’ll be sitting next to Jase, a true broadcasting legend. I’m also looking forward to no more early morning wake-ups.”

Group content director of music at MediaWorks Radio Leon Wratt says he is thrilled two of New Zealand’s top broadcasters are joining forces for the first time.

“Jay-Jay and Jase are both incredibly talented and have large fan followings. We know this combination will be a hit with More FM – a station that is continuing to grow.”

In another announcement, Tova O’Brien will be Newshub’s new political editor.

O’Brien has been with the Newshub team since 2007, and has been the European correspondent for over two years, reporting on breaking international news including the UK elections and the Grenfell Tower disaster.

She will commence the role in April.

O’Brien says she is excited to return to New Zealand and the press gallery.

“I’m utterly delighted to be returning to the press gallery as Newshub’s political editor and know full-well the responsibility that comes with the role. Ours is the best political team in the country and Newshub’s legacy of exceptional, ground-breaking political editors has always been an inspiration.”

Hal Crawford, MediaWorks’ chief news officer, says O’Brien has the skills and experience to make the role her own.

“Tova is an exceptional news talent, filing on every major story in Europe over the past two years. I’m looking forward to her bringing that insight and presence back to Wellington for Newshub.”

Newshub will announce its new European correspondent in due course, with former political editor Patrick Gower taking up the role of national correspondent from April.

Newshub journalists Lisa Owen and Ryan Bridge will be the new hosts of RadioLive Drive from early March.

Host of Newshub Nation, Lisa Owen has also worked as a correspondent and investigative journalist throughout her career and says she is thrilled to return to radio.

“I am pretty excited about getting back to my radio roots; the immediacy of it and the instant reaction you get back from listeners. Oh and I can’t wait to wind Ryan up!”

Newshub journalist Ryan Bridge currently hosts ‘Your Sunday with Ryan Bridge’ on RadioLive. Bridge is looking forward to the move to Drive.

“I can’t wait to crack into it. I love radio – it’s live, it’s fast-paced, it’s relentless and quite a personal medium. Lisa’s a legend and we’re going to give this our all.”

A replacement for Bridge’s Sunday programme will be announced in due course.

Crawford says Owen and Bridge will be an excellent fit for RadioLive Drive.

New snaps

Photographic studio Proof says it is happy to welcome Reagen Butler to the family.

 “Reagen is an exceptionally talented and hard-working photographer who is into portraiture, sports and lifestyle…Reagen is one of the most driven and hard working photographers around. Although he probably wouldn’t describe photography as ‘work’ – during fully booked weeks, he still makes time to shoot the various personal and documentary projects he always has on.”

Most recently, Butler has thrown himself into motion and has worked on various campaigns as a photographer and also director. 

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