MediaWorks chief executive Cam Wallace to step down
Monday, 27 February 2023
MediaWorks says chief executive Cam Wallace will step down in “the coming weeks”.
There has been speculation that Wallace has aspired to an advisory role in politics.
However, Qantas has announced that Wallace – who has more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry – would be joining the airline as chief executive of its international business on July 1.
MediaWorks said in statement that Wendy Palmer, who has worked for MediaWorks and rival NZME, had been appointed interim chief executive and would support directors in identifying a new permanent chief executive in the coming months.
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MediaWorks announced in January that it would cut up to 90 roles within the business, of which about 50 are actual jobs and the remainder unfilled vacancies, in a bid to cut costs ahead of an expected recession this year.
The details of the proposed restructure were criticised by one staffer who said MediaWorks was proposing to cut the profitable parts of its business while largely sparing its weaker performing news and talkback radio channel Today FM.
The staffer believed Wallace’ interest in politics had influenced the company’s approach to cutbacks, but his claims were not accepted by the company whose then head of communications, Anna Cross, said it was important for a network radio business to have an effective competitor in the “talk” segment.