Latest news with #JeffHoward
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Top 7 sales boss Henry Tajer exits after just six months in job
Seven is searching for a new head of sales following the exit of its chief commercial officer Henry Tajer after six months in the role. Mr Tajer was appointed to Seven's most senior sales role in January following a radical restructure of Seven's corporate structure last year leading to the departure of seasoned Seven executives including advertising chief Kurt Burnette in June 2024. On Monday Seven confirmed Mr Tajer will transition from his full-time role into a consulting arrangement from the end of the month. Seven West Media managing director and CEO Jeff Howard praised Mr Tajer in Monday's announcement saying: 'Henry brought a new level of bold and innovative thinking to Seven's sales team. He drove significant change in his short time at Seven and on behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank him for his contribution. I look forward to continuing to work with Henry on opportunities to drive growth for SWM.' Mr Tajer initially joined Seven as a consultant in August 2024 before becoming Seven's full-time CCO in January 2025, a role that saw him put on a lucrative contract at Seven. His predecessor Mr Burnette had been on $1.25 million a year at the time of his departure. Mr Tajer said of his departure from Seven that it would allow him to transition back to consulting work while allowing him to focus on the 'many exciting opportunities still ahead for Seven' as a consultant. The Seven sales team will be jointly led by Mr Tajer's former direct reports, Katie Finney, Seven's national TV sales director and national digital sales director Jordan King while a search is conducted for Mr Tajer's replacement. In May reported Mr Tajer's appointment at Seven had been the result of a decade of lobbying for a top sales job in Australian television. Sources claimed he ultimately won over Seven chairman Kerry Stokes and son Ryan Stokes, non-executive director of Seven's board, leading to his appointment in January. Mr Tajer's aggressive and at times unconventional style has drawn critics internally and externally in recent years. He arrived at Seven following a string of short-lived roles. Prior to consulting for Seven he was CEO of The Influence Group for a year until June 2023. His previous role at marketing company Dentsu Aegis also lasted one year and saw Mr Tajer ruffle feathers. He also made headlines in adland in 2017 after exiting his role as Global CEO of IPG Mediabrands – a role he relocated his family from Australia to New York two years earlier in 2015 to fill. Mr Tajer's departure follows the recent exit of Seven's 'rookie' news boss Anthony De Ceglie after a controversial year at the broadcaster.
7NEWS
05-05-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Seven West Media announces acquisition of Southern Cross Media Group TV assets
Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with Southern Cross Media Group Limited (ASX: SXL) to acquire the television licences and associated assets operating in Tasmania, Darwin, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia. These licences currently broadcast the Seven Network television signal in each market under our current Affiliation Agreement with SXL. The acquisition largely completes SWM's national broadcast network and opens new markets to Seven where the powerful offering of digital television – both live and VOD – on 7plus complements the Seven broadcast signal. Consideration of $3.75 million cash will be paid on completion and the transaction will be immediately earnings accretive in FY26. Completion of the transaction is expected by 30 June 2025. SWM Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: 'The acquisition of these television licenses is another positive step in SWM's strategic transformation program. 'Seven is Australia's largest commercial, free to air broadcaster and we are excited by the opportunity to further leverage our leading news, sport and entertainment content in these new markets, across both Seven and 7plus to drive incremental revenue, earnings and cash flow. 'Following this acquisition, Seven will reach almost 100% of Australia's population [ex-Riverland]. With the successful launch of our Phoenix total television platform, our valued advertising partners and media buyers will be able to seamlessly reach and target these new and attractive audiences across both broadcast and digital campaigns,' he said. This release has been authorised to be given to the ASX by the Board of SWM. Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) is one of Australia's most prominent media companies, reaching more than 19 million people a month with a market-leading presence in content production across broadcast television, publishing and digital. The company owns some of Australia's most renowned media businesses, including the Seven Network and its affiliate channels 7two, 7mate, 7flix and 7Bravo; the digital platform 7plus; The West Australian; The Sunday Times; PerthNow; The Nightly; and Streamer. The Seven Network is home to Australia's most loved news, sport and entertainment programming, including 7NEWS, 7NEWS Spotlight, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Voice, Home and Away, Australian Idol, My Kitchen Rules, SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife, The Chase Australia, Better Homes and Gardens, RFDS, The 1% Club and the TV WEEK Logie Awards. Seven Network is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia and Supercars.
