Conversant Media’s Sorrel Osborne to exit
Conversant Media’s chief operating officer, Sorrel Osborne, will leave the business at the end of the week.
Osborne first joined Here, There & Everywhere’s Conversant Media in 2014 as an account executive, eventually moving into the chief operating officer role in 2017.
Osborne took the helm of Conversant Media following the departure of founder Zac Zavos
Her exit comes seven months after the departure of Conversant Media founder, Zac Zavos. Following Zavos’ departure, Osborne and publisher Zolton Zavos took the helm of the business, which produces Lost at E Minor, The Roar and Techly.
Conversant Media is currently owned by HT&E, which was formerly known as APN News and Media. In 2016, HT&E acquired Conversant Media for $11.6m plus earn outs. It came at a time when the larger independent publishers including Junkee Media and Pedestrian TV were snatched up by major media companies.
While Conversant was bought by HT&E, Junkee Media was snatched by Ooh Media and Nine bought a majority stake in Pedestrian TV. The acquisitions were seen as a commitment to digital investment. Conversant currently sits as a separate business within HT&E, however Mumbrella understands there is a strategy in place to align it more closely with radio business, ARN, which runs networks Kiis FM and Gold FM.
In the latest calendar year results, Conversant Media posted $4.2m. Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was $300,000 and the launch of video platform Club Roar cost the company $320,000.
“It has been a pleasure working for Conversant Media for almost five years, the final two as part of the HT&E media family,” Osborne told Mumbrella.
“I would like to thank the entire Conversant Media team, everyone who has supported myself and the business over the years and especially founders Zac and Zolton Zavos for giving me the opportunity to be a part of their business. I have learnt a lot from some great people and I now look forward to my next challenge”.
A spokesperson for Conversant Media said Osborne would join a new start up.
“We thank her for contribution to Conversant Media and will be announcing more on our plans in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said.
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Sorrel is one of the best people I’ve worked with. She has amazing energy and is a true powerhouse. Best of luck in the new role.
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Sorrel you will be missed by all who have dealt with you and worked with you over the years. Unquestionably one of the smartest people I have ever met in media but more importantly…..really lovely and genuine too.
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Best of luck in your next chapter Sorrel – you were a blessing to CM. No doubt you’ll continue to impress at every turn in future.
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