SBS managing director James Taylor to lead Ooh Media
SBS managing director James Taylor has announced he will step down from his role, after 13 years at the public broadcaster, in order to head up Ooh Media.
Taylor will leave SBS in the coming months, and will commence as CEO and managing director of Ooh Media by the start of 2026. Former Ooh Media CEO Cathy O’Connor will stay at the company until then, in order to ensure a seamless transition.
Taylor’s unexpected move leaves SBS — which is already lacking a chair with the recent exit of George Savvides — without a clear successor as managing director. The board of directors will “immediately begin a recruitment process” to fill the role. The organisation has a history of promoting from within for its senior executives. Taylor was appointed as managing director in 2018, after serving as SBS’ chief financial officer for five years prior.
According to the Ooh’s ASX annoucement, Taylor will be paid a base salary of $1.344 million (including super), with a maximum short-term bonus of $750,000 and a long-term bonus of $1.3 million, for a total package of $3.394 million. This is considerably more than the total package of just under $1 million he was making at SBS.
“It’s been a privilege to lead SBS and work alongside such a talented and committed team. I’m incredibly proud that today we’re reaching the biggest audiences in our history, producing more original local content than ever, and doing it with a credibility we’ve earned, not claimed,” Taylor was quoted as saying a press release.
SBS managing director James Taylor is moving to Ooh Media.
Taylor’s departure from SBS comes as a surprise. When asked by Tim Burrowes — Mumbrella’s publisher and host of the ABC show Medialand — in July whether he intended to “go through to the end of your second term”, he indicated he would.
“That’s the point of a term, Tim. I’ve signed up for another term and my intent is to serve it, and I’ll keep the job and I’ll stay motivated for as long as I feel like I’m adding value to my job.”
“I’d like to thank the whole SBS team and in particular my Board and Executive colleagues for their commitment to SBS and the support they’ve shown me over the years,” Taylor said in the press release.
Ooh Media chair Tony Faure, said: “We are delighted to welcome James Taylor as our incoming managing director and CEO. James is a proven leader in the media industry with a strong track record of delivery and execution, and we are excited about the growth oriented vision and energy he brings to the company.”
Taylor said he looked forward to taking on the role: “I’m thrilled to be joining oOh! at such an exciting time for the business and the Out of Home sector, the fastest growing sector in the Australian media landscape. I look forward to bringing my experience working in diverse media organisations to oOh!, as well as working collaboratively with the Board and management team to supercharge the delivery of our strategy for the benefit of our customers, people and shareholders.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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