McLennan right man for job
It’s all change at troubled broadcaster Channel Ten with new directions, new executives and a brand new CEO. Managing director of Adstream Peter Miller says Hamish McLennan is the right man for the job, in an article that first appeared in Encore.
I am a bit of a schmuck when it comes to movies. I love romantic comedies. My favourite is One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.
Watching Maid in Manhattan the other night I found myself wondering how well it was rating, a thought which took me to the challenge facing the Ten Network and its near new head sherang Hamish McLennan.
I reckon Hamish has pulled himself a magnificent gig on the heels of having a very long title working for the Sun King, Rupert Murdoch. I am sure he asked Lachlan hard questions before accepting. Like what’s working well, moving swiftly to what’s not and how are the financials. Oh, and Gina’s present mood. Now there’s a news story in itself. The answers would have all been shit, making the job a must do.
I mean, who wants to take on a raging success that everyone attributes to your predecessor? If Hamish can get this baby’s nose up, frankly, he will be rated as one of the best CEOs in Australia, let alone the media.
So how will he go?
I reckon well. The job really is all about consumer insight and creative development. He has to find an audience and hit it hard with what will engage. It is only exactly what he has been successfully doing for his entire career, along with making advertisers feel like the special one at lunch.
And hiring gifted bodgies. Hell, Howcroft was already there. And firing the ones who let you down, a hallmark of life in your modern ad agency.
Geez, sounds a bit like TV doesn’t it?
Peter Miller is Managing Director of Adstream.
This story first appeared in the weekly edition of Encore available for iPad and Android tablets. Visit encore.com.au for a preview of the app or click below to download.
