News Limited’s Michael Miller appointed CEO of APN
APN News and Media has appointed News Limited’s regional director for New South Wales Michael Miller as its new CEO.
The appointment follows the tumultuous departure of former CEO Brett Chenoweth in February.
APN announced the appointment this morning with chairman Peter Cosgrove saying: “Michael is well placed to lead APN as his broad media experience in senior hands-on operational roles is precisely what the company needs.”
Miller is a former managing director of Nationwide News and Advertiser News Media. He has also previously served as the company’s group marketing director.
As the new CEO he will face an uphill challenge to rebuild the company’s fortunes after CEO Brett Chenoweth, chairman Peter Hunt and directors John Harvey, Melinda Conrad and John Maasland were forced to resign earlier this year following a dispute with APN’s biggest shareholder, the Ireland-based Independent News & Media.
APN News and Media owns many of Australia and New Zealand’s regional newspapers along with 50 per cent stakes in APN Outdoor and Adshel.
A spokesman for News Limited said a replacement for Miller would be announced “in due course”.
The announcement:
APN News & Media Limited today announced the appointment of Michael Miller as Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Miller is currently the Regional Director for News Limited in New South Wales and has been in senior executive roles at News Limited since 1997, and a director of the company since 2004.
Prior to his current role, Mr Miller was Managing Director of Nationwide News 2011-2012, the Managing Director of Advertiser News Media from 2004-2010, and News Limited’s Group Marketing Director from 1997 – 2004.
He is also a Director of the Committee for Sydney, Waratahs Rugby, carsguide.com.au, the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and is a previous Director of Fox Sports Australia.
Chairman of APN Mr Peter Cosgrove said Michael’s experience in publishing, digital, broadcast, and sports businesses would be of significant benefit to APN.
“Michael is well placed to lead APN as his broad media experience in senior hands-on operational roles is precisely what the company needs,” Mr Cosgrove said.
Sorry to see you go Michael, been at News for a long time….
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You have to wonder whether APN is being set up for a takeover by News Ltd down the track.
The tactic seems to be to appoint as many former News Ltd people (do a check and you will be shocked how many) to key positions and to slash and burn.
News rooms are being slashed, sales staff not replaced and budgets not met.It is interesting that Brian McCarthy (famous at Rural Press and Fairfax for his lack of ideas but penchant for cutting costs) was put on a pedestal by The Australian recently for his efforts as an APN advisor. While he was being paid a small fortune staff were slogging it out with less resources than ever before.
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