Seven appoints Brett McKeehan as head of digital news
Seven Network has recruited experienced publishing executive Brett McKeehan as its new head of digital news to oversee 7News.com.au.
McKeehan was most recently head of Asia at CNN, where he was based in Hong Kong and oversaw its APAC digital strategy, content development, planning and publishing for the site’s US and international readers.
He comes to Seven to replace Phil Goyen, who has resigned from his role as 7News digital head. Goyen told Mumbrella: “I made the difficult decision to leave Seven and will be taking up another opportunity. I love working at Seven and wish them nothing but the best.”
Brett McKeehan
McKeehan will be tasked with driving digital growth and managing 7News.com.au’s original reporting, digital articles, live news coverage, videos, podcasts and social content.
He will report to Seven director of news and public affairs, Craig McPherson, who said: “Since its inception, 7News.com.au has grown its audience at a phenomenal rate.
“The appointment of McKeehan will now take us to the next level as we extend our digital news delivery and offerings in line with Seven’s overarching digital strategy and Australia’s number 1 news service.”
McKeehan, who has also held senior roles at South China Morning Post, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and News Of The World, added: “I’m delighted to be returning home to Australia to join Seven Network, one of the country’s most iconic and important brands.
“Seven’s digital vision is ambitious, innovative and exciting, and I can’t wait to meet the team and get started.”
The change comes just over a month after Seven apologised for a social media post following the final of the Euro 2020 football tournament yesterday morning local time.
The post in question, linked to an article condemning the racial abuse of English players, after England lost the match to Italy, was laden with the caption: “Three Black players failed in the penalty shootout which England lost 3-2 against Italy.”
At the time Seven said the post contained a “regrettable mistake”.
This article has been updated to reflect the additional detail of Phil Goyen’s resignation from Seven.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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