Fairfax Media has unveiled an organisational restructure that will see the company split into nine operating businesses, with the creation of a new unit called Australian Metro Media.
The new division will see the print editions of mastheads including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times almalgamated with the online sites smh.com.au, WAtoday.com.au, theage.com.au and brisbanetimes.com.au. A new chief executive will be appointed to lead the Australian Metro Media business.
Fairfax Media chief executive Brian McCarthy told an investor briefing this morning that the company was conducting an internal and external search for the right person for the role, adding that it was important for online and print to report to the same person.
The restructure was undertaken following a company review by management consultants Bain & Co, which was brought in following a decision by the board that the company lacked a clear vision for the future.
Other new roles include a metro commercial director to run an integrated national sales team, a new national editor to oversee the integrated national sections editorial team, and a new classifieds head to provide common leadership for the metro classifieds businesses.
In addition, each of the five Australian media businesses - Australian Metro Media, Australian Regional Media, Agricultural Publishing, Financial Review Group and Radio, will have their own dedicated specialised multi-platform sales force.
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