Grant Blackley is stepping down as CEO of broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
He is being replaced by chief operating officer (COO) John Kelly from July
Blackley has not revealed his next move but has agreed to extend his contractual post-employment restraint period to nine months from six.
Kelly and the board of directors will, during the coming transitional period, review the structure of the executive team and reporting lines.
At this stage, it is not intended that a new COO will be appointed.
Kelly brings extensive strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience from 25 years working for Australian media and sporting organisations.
He spent 16 years in executive roles at the Ten Network, including eight years as group CFO, and then three years as COO at Football Federation Australia, before joining SCA as COO in 2016.
In his current role, Kelly oversees SCA’s general management teams, strategy, research and insights, and digital audio, as well as facilitating SCA’s key sporting rights, television affiliations, and digital audio partnerships.
SCA chair Rob Murray said Blackley has made a significant contribution to SCA since joining in June 2015.
"Under his leadership, SCA has become a truly national media business," said Murray.
“The board has appreciated Grant’s leadership over his term and particularly through the challenges presented by the lockdowns and uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is also a credit to Grant that he embraced and led constructive cultural change, along with a robust succession planning process throughout his tenure. This has given the Board confidence in appointing John Kelly as Grant’s successor.
“The board is delighted to confirm John’s appointment as Managing Director and CEO. John has an intimate understanding of SCA’s radio, television, and digital audio portfolio of assets, and he has been pivotal in leading the digital transformation of the group’s business model to position SCA for future growth."
“John is universally respected around the business for his balanced and engaging leadership style, his ability to build effective and accountable teams, and for his strong networks in the wider media industry. The board is confident he will hit the ground running in leading SCA’s next stage of growth.”
Blackley said during his eight years at SCA, he has been privileged to design and lead a highly collaborative and talented team of dedicated people located across the length and breadth of Australia.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to hand the baton to a natural successor in John Kelly," said Blackley.
"Having worked with John for over 20 years, both at SCA and previously at the Ten Network, I know he is the right person to lead the next growth phase at SCA.
"I look forward to supporting John through his transition and then to watching SCA’s future success under John’s leadership.”
Kelly said he is honoured, energised, and excited by the opportunity to take on the role as MD and CEO of SCA.
“Despite ongoing challenges in advertising media markets, the changes we have made in recent years have positioned SCA to take advantage of emerging and accelerating digital trends," said Kelly.
"SCA has unparalleled national reach supported by market-leading research and insights and a team of creative and passionate people focused on delivering sustainable value to our advertisers, audiences, communities, and shareholders."
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