Tony Kendall, Nick Chan and Robert Whitehead join Australian Community Media
Australian Community Media has made a series of appointments, which executive chairman Antony Catalano says demonstrates it is transforming its business model to become a powerful voice in Australia’s media landscape.
Former chief revenue officer of Here, There and Everywhere (HT&E), Tony Kendall, is taking up the same role at ACM. In addition, former CEO of Bauer Media, Nick Chan, and former Fairfax Media executive, Robert Whitehead, are coming on board to help with ACM’s strategy and transformation.
In addition, former Domain commercial strategy director, Paul Tyrrell, will oversee trade and consumer marketing, and former group sales director for News Corp, Anna Hosking, will become commercial director for ACM in Victoria.
The series of appointments come as Catalano looks to make his mark with the regional media network. ACM’s 160-plus titles had been owned by Fairfax Media, and were inherited by Nine during its takeover of the legacy media company. Catalano succeeded in his $115m takeover bid of ACM in April, with the deal finalising through in July.
He has since declared ACM is “open for business”, acquired the Bendigo Weekly, and successfully blocked Seven’s merger with regional media outlet Prime.
He is now looking to position ACM as a total advertising solution for clients and make its offering more compelling to local readers, he said.
Catalano is building his regional media empire
“These new appointments cap off what has been a fantastic and transformative first six months for ACM,” Catalano said.
“Restructures in our sales and editorial teams, the merger with the Bendigo Weekly, re-establishing our Canberra Parliament House bureau, the launch of the new Explore travel magazine in our 14 daily newspapers and the investment in Prime are among the many changes that have happened in the short amount of time since we took control of ACM on July 1.
“These moves are aimed at providing a total advertising solution for clients while strengthening ACM’s editorial offering to better engage readers.
“The changes augur well for an exciting 2020.”
Kendall echoed Catalano’s enthusiastic sentiment.
“I am excited to be joining the team at ACM at what is a dynamic time for our business as we look to expand our revenue streams, build a world-class sales team and provide the best solutions for our customers,” he said.
Kendall was News Corp’s director of sales, before he left and became sales boss at Bauer Media.
More recently, Kendall was CEO of Australian Radio Network (ARN), before being promoted to chief revenue officer of parent company HT&E. He departed in January this year as HT&E attempted to streamline its management structure following the sale of street furniture business to Ooh Media.
In August, Kendall was contracted by ACM to conduct a review of its sales operations. He now takes up the permanent CRO role.
Chan has been CEO of both Bauer Media and Pacific Magazines. He led Pacific for nine years, and had a stint as chief operating officer for Seven West Media. He joined Bauer in April 2016, and left in mid 2017.
Whitehead was editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and also held a number of executive roles at its then-owner, Fairfax Media including director of group publishing, group operations and head of marketing. He is now a director of McPherson Media Group, a regional publisher based in Goulburn Valley.
dinosaurums…
How’s that investment going for Alex W !
…..The Cat will be a dominant force in 2020!
The only difference between eccentricity and madness is money.
Hhmmm,
This is a compelling line up of talent. Experience, media talent and exceptional contacts. Great choices made by Catalano here – this business will be a big player in media across 2020 and beyond – exciting!
He’s coming after Nine and News ! Look out Domain and REA!