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MediaWorks’ chief content officer Andrew Szusterman resigns

MediaWorks chief content officer Andrew Szusterman has announced his resignation from his role.

Szusterman has been with the company since 2002 and has played an integral role in the development of both the radio and TV business over the last 17 years. 

Originally hired as the programme director for Channel Z radio network, Szusterman went on to conceive and run the original free-to-air C4 music television network. C4’s influence on the New Zealand music scene was pivotal for its success and made household names of some of New Zealand’s most-loved talent, including Dai Henwood, Jaquie Brown, Jono Pryor and Clarke Gayford. 

In 2008, Szusterman became associate director of programming for TV3, where he developed the channel’s first real push into locally produced formats with executive credits on New Zealand’s Next Top Model and X Factor New Zealand franchises. 

In 2011, he returned to his radio roots as group programme director MediaWorks radio. During this time he oversaw the introduction of The Sound radio network and launching Si and Gary’s More FM breakfast show in Auckland and Wellington. 

Returning to TV in 2014 as chief content officer, he oversaw share gains of nearly 11 percent in the 25-54 demographic and was at the helm when Three reached the number one spot earlier this year. Under his stewardship, the channel’s local content lineup has continued to develop with local versions of major franchises, including Married at First Sight NZ and Dancing With The Star’s NZ. 

In addition, he has been instrumental in developing more scripted hours for the channel with new comedies Mean Mums and Golden Boy currently on Three and upcoming murder mystery The Gulf and mini-series Jonah due to broadcast later this year. 

MediaWorks chief executive Michael Anderson says Szusterman will be missed. 

“Andrew is an outstanding executive and leader and has delivered stellar results for Three and previously across radio brands. I would like to thank him for his incredible contribution to MediaWorks over 17 years, for which he should be very proud.”

Szusterman says he’s grateful for his time at MediaWorks, but is looking forward to seeing what the future holds. 

“I’ve been very lucky to lead an amazing team of talented people that have delivered on number one results both during my time in television and in radio. I couldn’t ask for anything more. MediaWorks is such a special business, its people have so much passion for it, it’s rare and at times unexplainable as to why, and that’s what I’ll miss the most. But for now, it’s time to see what life outside MediaWorks is like, and I’m truly excited by that.”

Szusterman will leave MediaWorks in October, and has not yet announced his next career step.

An announcement of his MediaWorks replacement will be made soon. 

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