Lachlan Murdoch confidant Siobhan McKenna to depart News Corp
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: News Corp’s CEO of broadcasting Siobhan McKenna will step down from the company’s leadership at the end of the year after nearly a decade overseeing the company’s broadcasting operations.
The context: McKenna is widely considered the most influential executive at News Corp in Australia, and has long played a key role as a confidant to Lachlan Murdoch. Earlier this year, she played a key role in News Corp’s sale of Foxtel to DAZN.
The departure was announced by News Corp’s global chief executive Robert Thomson in an email to staff on Thursday morning. He noted that the decision to retire was her decision, and that she leaves a “luminous legacy”. She will work through to 31 December, he said.
McKenna’s retirement was earlier reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
What they said: “I am writing to inform you that our esteemed colleague, Siobhan McKenna, has decided to retire as CEO of Broadcasting. Her decision, and it is her decision, is essentially epochal as Siobhan has been a transformational force during her years with News Corp. She leaves a luminous legacy, and will be missed by me and by all those who have had the privilege of her presence. Siobhan will remain with us through the end of the calendar year, which will provide time to celebrate her achievements individually and institutionally,” Thomson wrote in the email, seen by Capital Brief.
“Under her leadership, both Sky News and Foxtel navigated with nous the treacherous tech landscape and emerged as global success stories, with cutting-edge streaming products and savvy social media strategies that are the envy of lesser competitors. The worth of Foxtel was instinctively appreciated by the global leader in sports streaming, DAZN, which recently acquired the company, and with whom we have an ongoing partnership. Sky was transformed from a traditional broadcaster to a digital powerhouse whose efficacious impact stretches far beyond the borders of Australia. The success of both companies marks a profound turning point for our company and a professional inflexion point for Siobhan.
“She has always been passionate and purposeful. The word “visionary” is often abused, but not in Siobhan’s case, as her ability to perceive the future from haze-shrouded shapes on the horizon is nonpareil. She is irreplaceable but will at least be in our midst until December 31. Even after her elegant exit, Siobhan’s positive influence will echo in the corridors and resonate resoundingly for many years to come.”
The source: News Corp internal staff email
