Backlash against Mamamia's new CEO shut down by Leigh Sales

In classic case of backlash to the backlash, Leigh Sales has had to shut down negative commentary about the appointment of Luca Lavigne as CEO of Mamamia.

Sales and Mamamia co-founder Mia Freedman have been friends for years. Lavigne is Freedman's eldest son.

When it was announced this week that Lavigne will be the media company's new CEO, the decision was widely scrutinised by the public and media insiders.

While many have observed that Mamamia - which is an advocate for women - should not be led by a man, accusations of nepotism have emerged as the basis for most of the complaints.

(As if the media industry in Australia is not founded on nepotism - such as the Packers and Murdochs.)

The Facebook page for popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3, hosted by Sales and Annabel Crabb, became a place of outrage, as listeners vented their criticism.

With many of the comments bordering on nasty, Sales herself entered the chat (pun intended).

In response to one person questioning the hate, Sales wrote:

“I heartily agree – a million male-run family businesses end up with sons or daughters running them and it passes barely remarked.” 

The veteran journalist later added, "As Crabb and I are friends with Mia and have known Luca since he was a child, I’m going to not allow commenting on this.” 

But one person countered this: "I really respectfully want to be able to talk about how we can have a Facebook chat group whereby we are encouraged to post and have open conversations, but get shut down when moderators are friends with the subjects? 

"Isn’t that exactly the point of the original post? I’m really trying to understand this.” 

Sales double-downed.

“What some people are looking for is an excuse to pile onto Mia Freedman in an open forum and I’m not here for it," she responded. 

“Closing down comments here too.”

Luca Lavigne and Nat Harvey. Image: Mamamia

Mamamia appoints Luca Lavigne as CEO following Nat Harvey exit

Earlier this week, Mediaweek reported that Mamamia has appointed Lavigne as CEO, following outgoing chief executive Nat Harvey's decision to join Southern Cross Media Group (SCA) as its inaugural Chief Revenue Officer.

Harvey will remain with the business for several weeks before departing in early September to support the leadership transition.

Lavigne assumes the CEO position after serving as Mamamia's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer for the past two years. He has worked across the business for more than a decade.

Over the past four years, Lavigne has led Mamamia's transition to a dual advertising and subscriber model, including expanding the business beyond media offerings. He has also overseen the growth of the company's podcast network and its shift to a video-first strategy.