John Singleton calls Greg Hywood ‘an idiot’ following Fairfax report of merger collapse
Greg Hywood
John Singleton has publicly hit out at Fairfax boss Greg Hywood branding the CEO “an idiot” and company chairman Roger Corbett a “precocious, pretentious prick” on the Alan Jones breakfast show.
Singleton talked to Jones 2GB, which is owned by his Macquarie Radio Network, about the story on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald business section today claiming talks of a merger between Fairfax Radio Network and Macquarie had collapsed.
The article claims the $200m deal had fallen through after it became clear 2GB presenters Jones and Ray Hadley were not prepared to be part of it.
During the show Jones said the report was a lie, claiming he had “stymied no radio merger plans,” and the merger had never been discussed with him.
On air Singleton says Hywood “doesn’t know what he’s doing so he hires consultants to tell him what to do and does what they tell him”.
During the interview he said Hywood was a “third rater” and “obviously an idiot” before turning on Fairfax chairman Roger Corbett calling him a “precocious, pretentious prick”.
It also followed the publication of a story in The Australian this morning, quoting Singleton as saying he would never embark on a joint venture with Fairfax, labelling the company as “incompetent” and “out of touch”.
To listen to the interview, click here.
A spokesman from Fairfax has sent the following statement: “Anyone who had the misfortune of hearing John Singleton’s deluded and self-indulgent sprays on 2GB and elsewhere this morning can only feel sorry for the man.
“Amongst the myriad nonsense and highly defamatory remarks, Mr Singleton also failed to mention that his fellow shareholder and Macquarie Radio deal maker, Mark Carnegie, refused to facilitate meetings with Mr Jones and Mr Hadley and walked out of a meeting with Fairfax representatives. Mr Hadley and Mr Jones are the key assets of any value in the Macquarie Radio network and without an opportunity to meet with them there was no point in Fairfax Media pursuing talks with the highly volatile and emotional organisation.
“The fact remains the directors of Fairfax will not enter into any transaction that they do not believe is in the best interests of Fairfax shareholders.”
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle ‘black’!
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John who?
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Bloody love it. The world would be a dull place without the likes of Singo.
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Gotta give it to Singo, he still has the art of crafting great lines: “precocious pretentious prick” certainly has a catchy ring to it.
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Fair observations. But singleton is in no position to make them.
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I could never see Alan or Ray working at Fairfax – whats the tag “Always Independent”
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“Colourful” may be the best way to describe Singo!
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