Hal Crawford to leave Media Works in NZ and return to Australia
Hal Crawford is set to return to Australia in 2020.
Crawford, the former publisher and editor-in-chief of Ninemsn, left the country in 2016 to become chief news officer of Media Works in New Zealand.
Crawford will be in Australia next year
Media Works owns TV, radio and digital news platforms, including Newshub.co.nz.
While at the helm, Crawford launched the New Zealand version of The Project. In addition, he relaunched the Newshub website and oversaw a rise in both audience engagement and revenue, Media Works said.
Crawford is returning to Australia with his family.
“I know this has been a really hard decision for Hal, and it is one he has made for family reasons,” CEO Michael Anderson said. “He has been talking to me for some months about his family’s desire to move home, and he confirmed with me a couple of weeks ago he wants to be back in time for the 2020 school year.
“Hal has achieved a huge amount in his time with us. Newshub has gone from strength to strength under his leadership – for which he should be very proud. I am incredibly sad to see him go and wish him all the very best.”
Crawford added: “This newsroom is very dear to me and very dear to New Zealand. It’s a special place and very hard to walk away from. I have felt supported by a very fine group of people from the moment I walked in in 2016, and together we have achieved a lot and told some very important stories.
The search for Crawford’s replacement will commence immediately.
HAL CRAWFORD WILL BE AT NNE HE WILL WORK WITH MACQUARIE MEDIA
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