Three senior executives, including chief marketing officer Melissa Hopkins, have reportedly been let go amidst a mass clear-out at Seven West Media.
According to the AFR, Hopkins, as well as chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette and Seven Melbourne’s sport and managing director Lewis Martin are some of the reported 150 cuts at the network, with Martin quoted as saying: “I have loved everything about my time at Seven and in the media, primarily the wonderful people I have worked with, and competed against.”
Hopkins joined Seven in December 2022 from Optus, while Burnette and Martin joined the network in 1990 and 1994 respectively.
The mass redundancies were reported earlier this week, with the media giant believed to be dealing with the end of its multi-million dollar deal with Meta and the current advertising landscape.
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It’s reported that the cuts were first discussed in February by then-CEO James Warburton and his successor and then-CFO, Jeff Howard.
In a parliamentary inquiry into social media just last week, Howard said the funding from Seven’s Meta deal “has been used to fund the entire news operation and investment in platforms and content” and that he would be looking “across the board” once the deal expires.
Speaking to Mumbrella on Wednesday morning, Stephen Wright, global media business director of TrinityP3, said: “It’s no secret that television is facing headwinds, both cyclical and structural, and Seven is responding to those market conditions sensibly by seeking to reduce cost.
“With Meta withdrawing from the news media bargaining code and an increasingly competitive streaming landscape radical medicine is needed to treat the patient.
“The challenge for Seven will be that Kurt, Mel and Lewis are all well regarded veterans of the industry who each held key relationships for Seven and trust throughout the market. Marketers will be seeking reassurance about the audience strategy and Seven’s ability to deliver for brands in the wake of these senior departures.”
The news comes after a string of controversies that Seven has endured in recent times, including an expenses scandal investigation and a former Spotlight producer claiming the media giant paid for drugs, sex workers and more to secure an interview with Bruce Lehrmann.
Last Friday, Seven’s crime reporter and occasional newsreader Robert Ovadia confirmed he was sacked after over 23 years following allegations of “inappropriate conduct”.
As well as emails exchanged with a former female employee four years ago, Ovadia reportedly sent an image of a penis to a male colleague who asked the newsroom for “dick pics”, relating to coverage of child sex charges made against former Australian swim coach, Dick Caine.
Ovadia has recruited high profile lawyer John Laxon to defend the sacking.
Mumbrella has contacted Seven for further comment.
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