Seven boss David Leckie: Story of my move is nonsense
Seven boss David Leckie today issued a robust all-staff email responding to claims that he is set to step down to make way for commercial boss James Warburton.
His note describes the story on page 2 of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph as “a nonsense piece” and says that owner Kerry Stokes has asked him to set the record straight.
The memo:
From: Leckie, David
Sent: Thursday, 18 November 2010 11:32 AM
To: All 7 Network
Subject: Today’s paper
Good morning,
I’m a little disappointed.
I can’t believe the Royal engagement knocked me off page 1.
Our Chairman has asked me to write to you and set the record straight.
Page 2 of today’s Daily Telegraph carries a story that is incorrect.
When approached by the paper last night for comment, I refused to get involved with a nonsense piece.
Perhaps, with the benefit of hindsight, I should have pulled out the sledgehammer I keep in the bottom drawer to deal with matters like this.
Meanwhile, be reassured on a couple of points.
Seven is No 1 for the year.
This is no accident.
Tim Worner and the whole of the Programming team continue to dominate – their results are simply brilliant.
James Warburton and the Sales force continue to set industry standards and deliver a commercial result that is the envy of all our competitors.
Seven News and Public Affairs under the guidance of Peter Meakin, are the most successful and most trusted news source by more viewers than any other news service.
We have all worked hard to deliver great results this year – personally I have loved and enjoyed every minute.
The planning for 2011 began months ago – I can’t wait to get it underway.
Thank you for all your support and passion for our business – we are in it together and we will continue to have fun while at the same time delivering commercial success.
Many thanks all,
David
Minutes later, he folowed up with a second all staff email:
From: Leckie, David
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 11:38 AM
To: All 7 Network
Subject: RE: Today’s paper
P.S. I’m 59 not 58
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large. He returned to Mumbrella as Publisher in January 2025
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nowhere in that email does he explicity state that he’s not stepping down though?
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hahahahahaha I love his sense of humour!
Especially the first part about the Royal engagement and the part about his age. He sounds like a fun guy!
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A classic non-denial denial.
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that’s pretty poor spin. He’s gone.
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At least he didn’t say he had the “…full support of the Board.” That’s the death knell right there when those words are put in print.
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@Dan: I have to disagree. He stated clearly that the central thesis of the story, that he was stepping down, is incorrect.
As an internal Mar/Comms practitioner, the email and the selected tone was brilliant, well structured, and likely to be read by most if not all of their staff – who will all walk away knowing the story is complete BS.
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He doesn’t say which part of the story was incorrect – his age perhaps? He doesn’t say that the story is “completely incorrect”.
A touch ambiguous.
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Sarah L – Go back to play in your sandbox. Your comments are extremely irritating and naive.
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2011 will be interesting in media land.
Leckie needs somewhere else to go play before he gives up control at Seven … he’ll never head quietly off into the sunset.
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PS:
Michael H,
As we’ve seen for decades in political life and in the media, a denial – whether vague or explicit – is the start of a very interesting journey that usually ends in the issue being denied coming true… approximately a month later.
God help those who “have the full support” of their Board / Party / Senior management.
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@Anon333 get your head out of your arse. I agree with Sarah, he does sound funny.
@Dan, you’re right, the email does not mention anything about anyone stepping down. He does not say he is staying.
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The fact that it was a lead story in the Daily Terrorgraph is enough to know that the story is complete BS. The busiest person in their editorial team is the ‘Apologies’ writer.
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Anyone from MEC there???
Just checking to see if they have the time to make it to these events instead of meeting publishers for business meetings….??
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Leckie never like to play these games with the press. His dismissal of them is enough to knock this on the head for anyone who actually knows him. He plays the press for shits ‘n giggles.
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@ANON333 – I’m sorry you have a small mind and you’re having a bad day that has to resort in making judgemental, nasty comments on the internet.
Each to their own.
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This is best take I’ve read on the Leckie / Warburton story: http://bit.ly/9HLGdF
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