Chris Janz is leaving Nine Entertainment.
Filling his role will be two people -- the current executive editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, James Chessell, and Alex Parsons who returns to Nine as chief digital officer.
Janz steps down from his position as chief digital and publishing officer after four years leading the metropolitan publishing business under Fairfax Media and then Nine.
In an email to staff, Janz wrote: “It's been an absolute honour to lead our mastheads over the past four years and the broader digital, publishing and technology business since the merger.
“I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made, particularly at the Herald, The Age and the Financial Review. Those mastheads not only produce the country's most important journalism, they’re now among the world's strongest news businesses. It's been wonderful to prove the doubters wrong.”
Chessell has been promoted to managing director of publishing, taking on management responsibility for all mastheads including The Australian Financial Review.
Parsons, who was appointed CarAdvice CEO in 2019, takes on the position of chief digital officer.
Parsons has previously worked across Nine, leading the Nine Digital business through the launch of 9Now, the transition of the Ninemsn business to Nine Digital, the sale of Fairfax events, and most recently overseeing Drive as the business integrated operations with CarAdvice. His responsibilities now include overseeing Nine’s digital businesses including product and technology across Nine and he will remain on the board of Drive.
Nine CEO Mike Sneesby: “James and Alex are two exceptional media executives and I have every confidence that they will be more than equipped to help evolve our publishing and digital product to the next level as we continue to drive Nine’s growth."
Janz recently ran Nine’s recent negotiations with Facebook and Google following the passing of the news media bargaining code law.
“Chris Janz has made the decision to leave our business,” Sneesby says.
“He goes with our very best wishes and much gratitude for his significant contribution over many years, for the service and guidance he has provided during his tenure with us, both at Fairfax and since the merger with Nine.
“I have worked alongside Chris for many years and personally want to thank him and congratulate him on the work he has done.”
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