Angela Clark joins ABC as director of innovation as Abigail Thomas exits for Deloitte
Former Macquarie Radio Network CEO Angela Clark has joined the ABC as one of a series of major changes revealed by the national broadcaster today.
Clark will be director of innovation at the ABC. Meanwhile Bruce Belsham, previously editor of abc.net.au, has been promoted to head of current affairs in the ABC’s news division.
Abigail Thomas, head of strategic development at ABC innovation, is leaving to work for Deloitte Online Consulting.
Ian Carroll, the ABC’s previous director of innovation, died in August.
Their appointments come as The Sydney Morning Herald’s Julian Lee reports that Jim Spigelman is to be named as the organisation’s new chairman.
Most recently Clark was CEO of hyperlocal news startup streetcorner.com.au. She was previously reported as the 75% owner of Streetcorner. At the time of posting it was unclear whether she still retains an interest in the organisation although the .
Clark left Macquarie Radio Network in 2009. She is also a previous MD of outdoor firm JC Decaux.
She said: “It is my view that the ABC is the most innovative media organisation in Australia, both in the nature of the content it produces and in how it delivers that content. This role carries with it a great sense of responsibility as innovation is something that organisations must do every day, as second nature. I look forward to working with the ABC to ensure more opportunities for Australians to engage, learn, laugh and explore. There couldn’t be a more exciting time to be joining the ABC.”
The changes wwerre revealed in a memo to staff from ABC boss Mark Scott.
From: Mark Scott
Sent: Thursday, 8 March 2012 11:32 AM
Subject: ABC appointments
Dear Colleagues
During the past decade, the ABC has developed a strong reputation for innovation, constantly finding new ways to connect with and engage our audiences. Developments like iview and our host of ABC mobile apps have shown real leadership in the media sector in Australia, along with groundbreaking work online and in digital television and radio.
Some years ago, we developed an Innovation Division to hothouse and develop content using new technology and applications, as well as to provide a key coordination role for multiplatform development across the Corporation. As you know, Ian Carroll launched this work for us and we remain indebted to Ian for his passion and vision.
One of the things the ABC has learned along the way is that innovation is everyone’s business and a hallmark of our success has been the way cross-platform development has been prioritised across all our divisions as well as through outstanding work from the Innovation Division.
Today we are making some important changes that will strengthen the focus of the Innovation division and ensure our continued commitment and capacity to innovate across the ABC.
I am delighted that Angela Clark will be joining the ABC Executive as Director of Innovation. She is a very experienced media executive with a passion for what digital media can bring to local communities in a fragmenting media environment.
Angela is a real industry pioneer, firstly in bringing a revolution to the outdoor advertising industry with JC Decaux inAustralia, then as CEO with Macquarie Radio Network, and most recently as Founder and Director of Streetcorner.com.au & Everymap.com.au.
I am delighted Angela will join the ABC and help shape our digital future in this important role. She will start with us on 19 March and I know you will make her welcome.
Today we are also announcing Bruce Belsham’s appointment as Head of Current Affairs in the News Division with expanded responsibility for some Innovation portals, including The Drum. There are few more important jobs in the ABC and I am delighted Bruce will be returning to the News division in this vital role. As many of you know, Bruce has over 20 years experience across a wide range of documentary, factual film and television, was EP of Four Corners and also established Four Corners’ highly regarded broadband presence.
Bruce’s most recent experiences in online and multi-platform content, along with his extensive editorial knowledge and experience, will be particularly significant as ABC current affairs programs continue to take advantage of new ways of reaching audiences.
It has always been our thinking that some ABC content offerings developed in the Innovation division would eventually migrate to a relevant content division. The time is now right for a number of our aggregated portals and their teams to make this move. Bruce will continue to have oversight for The Drum and the Environment and the Technology and Games portals which are moving to the News division. At the same time, The Religion and Ethics portal will make the move to the Radio division.
During Ian’s illness and in recent months, Bruce and Abigail Thomas have provided outstanding leadership and continuity for the Innovation team. I want to thank them for their dedication and commitment to their team over many months. They worked together with great professionalism and all of the ABC is in their debt.
A short time ago Abi advised me that she had been offered a wonderful opportunity at Deloitte’s Online Consulting team, and after more than a decade with the ABC, felt it was the right time for a change. She has been one of our leading innovators and is highly regarded throughout the digital media industry. I want to thank her for her outstanding contribution as Head of Strategic Development and wish her every success in her new role.
Bruce and Abi will move to their new roles in early April and Gabby Shaw will take up the role as the Acting Head of Strategic Development in Innovation.
Regards,
Mark
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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