Ten sales boss Mike Morrison suddenly departs
Ten’s sales boss Mike Morrison has dramatically left the company, less than six months into the role.
The unexpected departure raises major questions over the reshaping of the network by CEO James Warburton, with the leftfield appointment of Morrison one of his most major hirings.
There were few clues in an official statement from Ten on the nature of Morrison’s exit.
The statement:
“Mike Morrison has resigned as Chief Sales Officer of Network Ten, effective immediately.
“In the interim, Network Ten Chief Executive James Warburton will assume overall responsibility for the Sales department.
“Network Ten National Sales Manager Kylie Rogers will lead the Sales department on a day-to- day basis until a successor for Mr Morrison is appointed.”
Morrison’s appointment at the beginning of the year had surprised the market becase of his lack of TV network sales experience. Most of his industry career was spent in strategy roles within Y&R Brands. He then did a very brief stint at Sapient Nitro as national strategy director before the Ten job came up.
Today’s announcement puts Warburton – at least temporarily – back on the sales frontline. He previously led the commercial operation at Seven.
As an impartial observer it does make one curious that during a period of disappointing ratings the turnover in organisations like this seems to be more focussed on those doing the selling than those making the programs. Why would that be?
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Ten never seemed a comfortable fit for Mike’s character.
Interesting to see where he pops up next.
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Surprise appointment
Expected departure
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not a good look for the Warbler … His other big hire, Neil Shoebridge, must earning his pay cheque handling this one. No doubt making notes for his book on crossing to the dark-side.
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Nice picture too!
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James should bring back Grant Blackley to run sales again!!!
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Possibly the most off centre appointment in TV Sales history, followed by a few months of interesting annecdotes with the expected result announced.
TEN needs ratings before anyone regardless of pedigree and experience can move the Sales Department forward.
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Interesting times for the Warburton Wunderkind.
Tanking revenues, share price, ratings and lots of unhappy campers.
To say nothing of the ludicrous Lara Bingle.
Methinks Morrow won’t be the only one to jump ship.
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