Media Movers: Melissa Hey joins GroupM, Initiative, Sydney Morning Herald, 2GB, PHD

Mediaweek - Media Movers

Media Movers takes a look at the recent moves announced across the industry during the week of 13/02/23

Media Movers across the industry include:

GroupM has announced the appointment of Melissa Hey as chief investment officer in Australia & New Zealand. Hey replaces Seb Rennie whose departure from the company was announced last week.

See also: GroupM appoints Melissa Hey as chief investment officer replacing Seb Rennie

Melbourne Press Club appoints Nick Richardson as CEO. He was a former News Corp reporter, editor, and training manager.

Sophie Scott will depart the ABC as national medical reporter. She will focus on work in the mental health and communication space in addition to maintaining her duties as adjunct associate professor at the University of Notre Dame medical school.

Jacob Pittolo begins as executive producer for Nights with John Stanley on 2GB after wrapping up as producer on 2GB Afternoons.
 
Capital Radio Networks welcomes
Brent Ford as the news director, commencing on February 20.

Conor Reynolds takes over as 2GB Afternoons, he was previously assistant producer of Docker Media.

News.com.au welcomes its new afternoon homepage editor Bella Fowler. She joined the publication in 2019 as an entertainment reporter.

Julie-Anne Sprague will begin her stint as the new host of 6PR Afternoons on April 17th.

Forbes Australia appoints Samuel Hussey as head of news and life. He was previously editor in chief of 7News.com.au.

Joel Werner is set to join the Science Vs podcast as supervising producer after wrapping up as the audio lead for ABC Science and executive producer for a range of ABC podcasts.

Zenith has announced the appointment of Harrison Bland to the newly created role of E-commerce director.

See also: Zenith appoints Harrison Bland to the newly created role of E-commerce director

Samantha Healy moves into her new role at News Corp Australia as regional real estate editor for Queensland and the Northern Territory. She was previously the regional real estate editor.

Genevra Leek starts as content director for Qantas and Travel Insider.

HR Leader welcomes its new editor Emma Musgrave (née Ryan), she will lead the brand’s editorial content strategy which includes titles such as Lawyers Weekly and Accountants Daily.

Gemma Wilson starts her four-month contract as associate producer for 10’s Location, Location, Location.

Initiative has appointed its first chief of staff, promoting long-term employee Renae Joseph to the newly created role. 

Joseph’s remit at the media agency will see her act as a liaison between staff, senior executives and the CEO, acting as a sounding board for decision-making, a senior strategic partner and the driving force for the implementation of key organisational priorities.

See also: Initiative appoints Renae Joseph as its first chief of staff

Lara Hyams wraps up her stint as news presenter at ABC News. She will continue work as an ambassador for cope.org.au.

Former NRL and Rugby Union player Mat Rogers joins Sportsday on Sports Entertainment Network as a presenter commencing February 27.

Richard Crabtree steps into the new role of producer for Statewide Mornings at ABC Local Radio Victoria. He will then return to his role as reporter for ABC Gippsland in June. 

Australian Meat News promotes Stephanie Flynn as editor. She was previously a contributor to the publication. 

Tobias Venus completes his time at finder.com.au as audience manager for technology. He will freelance as a videographer and consultant. 

Ellie Grounds wraps up her stint as a report for Triple J’s Hack, a role she has been in since January 2022.

April Ford has entered 2023 by doubling down on its commercial focus by appointing Gemma Graye as chief investment officer.

See also: April Ford takes investment fund approach and appoints Gemma Graye as chief investment officer

The Brag promotes Conor Lochrie as online music editor. He will oversee the music coverage at Rolling Stone Australia, Rolling Stone New Zealand and Tone Deaf. 

Nine appoints Sarah Norris as head of food at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday. She will oversee an ambitious plan to supercharge the Good Food brand in the marketplace to drive subscriber growth.

Brian Carlton joins 2CC’s floating line-up and will fill in for Stephen Cenatiempo on the Breakfast Show.

10 News First promotes Josh Holt as meteorologist/climate specialist/weather presenter appearing across Sydney, Queensland and Perth bulletins. 

Yahoo News Australia welcomes Sophie Coghill as a news reporter. She was previously a freelance digital writer across ELLE Australia and marie claire Australia. 

Girish Sawlani has changed roles at the ABC and will now file stories across online, TV and radio as a reporter and producer based in Melbourne. He was previously a supervising producer and presenter for The World and was also Canberra correspondent for ABC Radio Australia.

Eliza Reilly begins as sports writer at CODE. She was previously a sports reporter for The West Australian and the Gold Coast Bulletin.

SafeHouse Tech has appointed Aimee Amiga as head of product market and communications. She was previously social media editor at The Age and was a presenter and producer on the ABC.

Convo Ink has appointed Emma Yexley as sales director and promoted Bianca Hafford to the newly created role of creative and implementation director.

See also: Convo Ink welcomes Emma Yexley and promotes Bianca Hafford

Vogue Australia welcomes Sophia Morrison as a video producer. She was previously the video producer for The Oz. 

Body+Soul welcomes its new editorial coordinator Klaudia Hecimovic. She was previously a marketing assistant at Ginger & Smart.

Secret Media Network appoints Nik Adams as managing editor (APAC), a global publication that gives city guides from an insider’s perspective. He was previously branded content manager for Concrete Playground.

*PS Media welcomes Petula Bowa as a reporter. She was previously an editorial trainee at the Bendigo Advertiser.

SBS World News appoints Nick Ludlam as international editor. He was previously foreign editor for Nine and held editorial roles at Sky News. 

Fox Sports News welcomes James Preston as new anchor. He is also a weather presenter at Sky News Australia.

Bianca Stone is leaving her role as Queensland correspondent for Sunrise and journalism after more than 20 years, 18 of which she spend at Seven. She now seeks new job opportunities.

The Age has promoted Broede Carmody to the role of state political reporter, covering Victorian state politics.

Olivia Ireland joins The Sydney Morning Herald as a breaking news reporter. She was previously a report for The Canberra Times.

Miriam Webber takes over as politics and public sector reporter at The Canberra Times. She was previously city reporter at the publication.

SBS News welcomes Alex Anyfantis as a news and current affairs journalist. He moves from SBS Greek where he was a freelancer.

PHD has announced the promotion of two members of Brittany Crowley and Emma Wood to newly created roles of co-head of investment (Sydney) roles, while Chris Androulidakis has stepped into the role of operations director.

See also: PHD announces promotions in investment team and welcomes Chris Androulidakis

Today welcomes Taylor Haynes as social media reporter. She has been with the breakfast program since 2019 as a producer. 

Jake Challenor will step away from his role as executive editor of The Music Network and Variety Australia at the end of February. He will continue as consultant for Rolling Stone Australia and Rolling Stone New Zealand, as well as oversee communications for the publisher. 

Cait Emma Burke has been promoted as editor of Fashion Journal from digital editor.

Maggie Zhou moves from Fashion Journal to Refinery 29 as its new living and wellness writer.

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