Adam Lang to leave Macquarie Media at end of the week
The CEO of Macquarie Media, Adam Lang, will leave on 25 October.
The news comes ahead of the radio business’ full take-over by Nine, when it is anticipated the CEO role will be made redundant.
Macquarie Media boss Adam Lang is departing on Friday
Chairman Russell Tate’s statement indicated it was a time of change for the broadcaster, which has stations including Sydney’s 2GB and Melbourne’s 3AW, as well as boasting talent such as Alan Jones, Ben Fordham and Steve Price.
“Adam and I have been in discussion for some time about his future opportunities within Macquarie which will undergo significant change in the next few months as our operations are integrated with those of Nine Entertainment Corporation. Nine is in the process of moving towards 100% ownership and control of Macquarie, and it is expected that the role of Macquarie Media CEO will become redundant under the consequent organisation structure,” he said.
Until the new structure is finalised, Tate will assume executive responsibilities which normally fall under a CEO’s remit.
In his note to the ASX, Tate also listed Lang’s achievements at Macquarie Media, including leading the Fairfax Radio Network before it merged with Macquarie in 2015. From there, he became COO of the new operation, before being promoted to CEO in April 2018.
“Adam and I have worked very closely together over the past four years, and his passion for radio, his intelligence, his work ethic and his regard for our people have all been outstanding features of his management and leadership during this time,” Tate added.
“On behalf of the Macquarie Media board and staff,I want to thank Adam for the huge contribution he has made to our company and wish him every success in the next stage of his career.”
Lang is currently suing New Corp’s The Daily Telegraph for defamation, claiming an article about the departure of 2GB talkback host Chris Smith implied he is an “incompetent” and “sadistic executive”. The piece said Lang is “the smiling assassin”, responsible for a series of “management bungles” that cost Macquarie Media millions of dollars.
In the statement of claim, filed on 17 September against The Telegraph’s publisher, Nationwide News, a subsidiary of News Corp, Lang sets out how he has “been brought into hatred, ridicule and contempt”, “been gravely injured in his character and reputation”, and “suffered hurt and embarrassment”. In supporting these claims, Lang points to the prominence of the article both in print and online, and the failure of the newspaper and its editor at large Matthew Benns to “verify the accuracy of the allegations” and give Lang a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
been on the cards……
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I love what he did with 2UE.
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The fact he wasn’t invited to the Channel 9 upfronts last week probably says it all.!!
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Barry that is a pretty clear message
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Wishing you all the best for the future Adam.
You have been a pleasure to work with. Keep in touch – might see you at a Swannies game.
Cheers.
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[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] ?
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Big changes coming to Macquarie Media. It’s obvious there will be a fresh approach to radio and reset of the underperforming Mac Sports and NTS.
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MC SPORTS RADIO CALLED WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS RADIO NTS WILL BE CALLED NINE HONEY RADIO
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When I heard that Karl Stefanovic creep on 2GB I started switching off.
What they did to Alan, Chris and now George it’s nearly goodnight from me.
Ray Ray is laughing, he out smarted them while they had the knife in Alan’s back. Ahhh well I grew up with 2GB.
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