Ex Photon boss Tim Hughes: I want to come back to a new media or marketing role
Tim Hughes, who chaired Photon Group as the company went on a major acquisition spree before leaving shortly before the company nearly collapsed under a debt mountain is keen to return to a media or marketing role, he has told the Australian Financial Review.
In a full page profile today, the AFR’s outgoing media and marketing editor Neil Shoebridge presents the argument that Hughes was unfairly criticised, describing him as “a skilled business builder and manager”.
The interview is the first Hughes has given since his ousting.
As part of the emergency restructure carried out by new CEO Jeremy Philips, who has himself since been replaced by Matt Melhuish, many of the agency owners who sold to the company did not get the payouts Hughes had promised.
Hughes disputes that Photon overpaid for most of its acquisitions, arguing that it was simply hit by a slowdown in the market.
Hughes tells Shoebridge:
“I’m only 48, so it’s too early for the retirement village.
“I’ve had time to recover from the bruises from Photon and reflect. If the right role comes along in the media or marketing areas, I’d be interested.”
Photon’s remaining agencies include Naked Communications, Frank PR, BMF and BWM.
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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I am sure there are some Photon agencies seething while reading this!!
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hahahaha. Serious?
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maybe Shoebridge has more of a PR bent than we gave him credit for
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Shoebridge’s piece in today’s AFR on Tim Hughes was pure hagiography. A nice puff piece for his good mate before Neil heads out the door to Channel 10.The bottom line is Tim Hughes presided over an absolute value destroying debacle at Photon. It must be comforting for all those Photon business owners who missed out on their payments that Tim has “learned” a lot from the experience and is now moving on.
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We have to get over this annoying habit of blaming CEO’s for the “houses of cards” that crash beneath them.
It is heartwarming to know that one such CEO can consider a well-earned retirement or to re-enter the workforce to keep up the good work.
JRJ
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I wish Tim all the best, however…
I still hold some Photon shares, and I can guarantee that I will be staying away from whichever company gives Tim the opportunity to return!
But I still hope he can redeem himself. No one should be denied that.
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Great! I’ll put him on. And I’ll pay him for his services after a couple of years. Promise.
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This is hilarious.
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Hughes and his mate Bailey pulled 10 million in wages and termination bonuses, then jumped ship when Photon was listing heavily from the burden of enormous debt. Praise the Lord that I watched this from the sidelines without any of my own money tied up in this disaster. Please never ever let this crew manage anything again! Ps what a lovely sight it is when I google Tim Hughes and a nice young singer song writer takes up the first few pages and our Tim is relegated to a small spot on page 3
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Haven’t read Shoebridge’s PR piece – don’t think I could bear all those warm and goo-ey feelings. (Dr Mumbo, you might take note about writing about your own industry chums.) Let’s get real here – maybe Tim Hughes wasn’t 100% responsible for the Photon cock-up but he was sure was close.
The question now is how has Photon’s CFO or any member of that original board retained their positions?? Staggering.
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