• ViacomCBS restructures leadership down under in wake of Paul Anderson’s resignation
  • New management structure introduced; CEO not replaced
  • “Network 10 and ViacomCBS is a real game-changer in the Australian market,” says Anderson

Paul Anderson ViacomCBS (bandt)

ViacomCBS: Restructures leadership after Paul Anderson’s resignation

Source: B&T

ViacomCBS has introduced a new management structure across its businesses in Australia and New Zealand, after boss Paul Anderson’s resignation from Network Ten. 

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) said the resignation of Paul Anderson, who had been chief executive of Network Ten and executive vice president of its operations in Australia and New Zealand, would be effective immediately.

The executive was promoted to his current position earlier this year, will remain during the transition to the new structure – Anderson’s resignation comes after nearly two decades at the company.

He said: “Thanks to the hard work, passion and professionalism of everyone at Network 10, and now as part of ViacomCBS, the business is extremely well placed for the future.

“The combination of Network 10 and ViacomCBS is a real game-changer in the Australian market, creating a unique and powerful media group that owns some of the most innovative entertainment and media brands locally and globally.”

ViacomCBS will introduce a new management structure, confirming that it will not seek to appoint a new chief executive but will introduce co-leads to oversee both its Australian and New Zealand operations.

Beverley McGarvey, currently chief content officer at Network 10, has been promoted to the new role of chief content officer and executive vice president, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand with “responsibility for all content and creative activities related to the company’s networks and digital properties” in the countries.

ViacomCBS will also recruit a co-lead with oversight of the combined company’s commercial activities and operations in those markets.

The two will both report to Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks International’s operations in Australia and the UK.

In a statement, Kyriacou said: “I would like to thank Paul for his leadership of Network 10; it is a credit to him and his team that the business has continued to compete and evolve despite the inevitable distractions that have come with recent changes in ownership. I’m grateful for the ongoing support he has offered me to help the business transition to a new management team and structure.”

Network 10’s has performed very well this year. Kyriacou explained with 11 consecutive weeks of audience share growth.

She added: “We want to build on that momentum, while at the same time leveraging the powerful ViacomCBS brands and assets from both a content and revenue perspective.

“Beverley is an experienced creative leader with a great track record of serving local audiences. She shares my excitement about the extra dimension that ViacomCBS’s ownership can bring to our business in Australia and I’m looking forward to working with her, Henriette and the rest of the senior leadership team to realise those benefits.”

ViacomCBS has also appointed Henriette Rothschild, a partner at the advisory and investment firm KordaMentha, as interim chief transformation officer. Her appointment “reflects the work we are undertaking to ensure the merged Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand businesses are well positioned for the future,” said Kyriacou.