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News Corp’s Damian Eales to move to New York as global head of transformation

News Corp’s chief operating officer Damian Eales is set to move to New York, taking on a newly-created role as global head of transformation for the media giant.

Eales will be tasked with overhauling the Murdoch-owned empire, following seven years in Australia as the COO.

In an email to staff, News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller said Eales will provide the business with a new ‘contemporary structure’.

“The role of Damian’s team will be to create a contemporary structure for the company that embraces a shared services model and uses shared skills and experiences to reduce costs and also ensure News Corp’s techniques and technology are genuinely the best in the world,” said Miller.

Miller credited Eales as a driving force behind News Corp Australia’s transformation and restructuring the business ‘to ensure we are now set up for growth’.

Under Eales, the media business aligned its print and digital arms and launched content marketing agency Sudden.ly. Eales was thought to be an option for the top job in Australia should Miller step down, although the recent appointment of former WPP AUNZ CEO Mike Connaghan brought that possibility into question.

“One of Damian’s great achievements during his time with us has been aligning our goals and strategic direction across the whole of the company. He leaves the rest of the executive team with the building blocks in place to achieve an aligned, agile, growth-orientated future and I personally thank him for that major contribution,” Miller said to staff.

Eales’ role will not be replaced, but Miller said some executives would take on additional responsibilities. Eales will operate from New York as of September.

Mark Reinke and Richard Skimin will take on audience growth and consumer revenues, Michael Ford will oversee M&A and strategy while Julian Delany will focus on digital and tech operations.

News Corp Australia has undergone several changes this year as it battles with the economic outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a leadership restructure and the closure of several titles.

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