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Pacific CEO Gereurd Roberts named Seven’s chief digital officer

Seven has named its new chief digital officer. Pacific Magazines CEO Gereurd Roberts will step into the position, meaning he won’t leave the business in the event the Bauer Media buyout of Pacific is approved.

The sale is still being considered by regulators and Roberts will stay in the role of CEO until it is approved.

Roberts was appointed as the CEO of Pacific in 2016 after several leadership roles with the publisher, including as general manager, commercial director and publisher.

His movement to CDO of Seven West Media is part of a management team restructure, which will see eight positions – chief content officer (yet to be appointed), chief digital officer, chief marketing officer, chief revenue officer, commercial director, chief financial officer, chief people and culture officer, and the CEO of Seven West Media in Western Australia – report into CEO James Warburton.

In the new role, Roberts will be responsible for broadcast operations, digital product and technology, and information technology.

Warburton said Roberts would take an important leadership role over the company’s digital assets.

“I’m delighted to appoint Gereurd to this key role. Our online assets have never been more important, as digital platforms transform media and present us new opportunities. Through our BVOD service 7Plus, which has grown 51% year on year, and 7News.com.au, we’re well positioned for future. Gereurd will build on the digital growth he delivered at Pacific, where he grew its digital footprint by 70%, in his new role,” said Warburton.

“We’re already delivering innovative new digital propositions to the market, including CODE 7 and contextual ad placement service, 7CAP. Plus, we’re gearing up to measure our combined broadcast and BVOD audience with VOZ from early next year, which will provide the first holistic view of the reach and power of TV across all screens. I look forward to the results I know Gereurd will deliver from our digital properties into the future, particularly as we approach Tokyo 2020.”

Roberts brings over two decades of experience in the media space, having held prior roles with the Guardian and ACP (now Bauer Media).

Speaking about his appointment, Roberts said he looked forward to furthering the reach of Seven’s digital assets.

“I’m thrilled to take on this vital role in the business. We are clear about the importance of our digital assets in driving our content led growth strategy and I look forward to leading that charge, capturing the attention of audiences across all Seven touchpoints by delivering engaging content through our online platforms.

“With 7Plus and 7News.com.au, which has established itself as one of Australia’s top five news website in just seven months, we are in an enviable position. I can’t wait to take our digital assets to the next level, and to work with the entire SWM team to build Australia’s most innovative, digitally-led media organisation.”

Earlier this year, Charlotte Valente was named chief marketing officer of Seven. The media company still has to announce its chief content officer. That role will join existing positions including chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette, commercial director Bruce McWilliam, chief financial officer Warwick Lynch, chief people and culture officer Katie McGrath and CEO of Western Australia for Seven West Media Maryna Fewster.

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