SBS fights to stop cost cutter’s switch to ABC
Corbett – expert at finding savings
Australia’s two public service broadcasters have gone to court over the move of an executive who specialises in cost cutting.
Andrew Corbett, SBS’s head of operations excellence, has accepted a job at the ABC, today’s Australian Financial Review reports.
But according to the AFR, SBS alleges Corbett has a year left to run on his fixed term contract and is subject to restraint of trade clauses. SBS asked the NSW Supreme Court to prevent the move.
Corbett’s LinkedIn profile says: “Andrew has specialised in becoming a trusted advisor to organisations looking to become more efficient in their day to day operational performance. In his current role, Andrew is responsible for heading up the Operations Excellence division to identify and implement initiatives that generate savings for SBS Media and establish a culture of continuous improvement across the workforce.”
The move by the former Deloitte management consultant comes at a vital time for the broadcasters, which are in a state of limbo until they learn how they will fare in next month’s budget.
Last week, outgoing ABC boss Mark Scott warned that the organisation’s news budget faced 10% cuts if funding was not renewed.
The AFR reports that the court case will continue in just over a week, on April 11.
Arguably the dumbest thing since the ABC stole soccer rights from SBS. These clowns need their bottoms spanked. There is no justification for merging the two, but this will fuel that flame. As I have previously argued, the government should create a third party organisation to take over the distribution of all their combined channels and leave each of them to create, acquire and schedule programs.
For those wondering, the SBS website defines SBS Media as:
“the team responsible for advertising sales at SBS. The team is comprised of Television and Digital Sales, Radio Sales, Brand Partnerships, Sales Operations and In-Language Sales (Translations & Production).
“The team maximise advertising opportunities for clients through our TV, digital, radio, mobile and In Language services. The SBS media team work closely with clients to develop and deliver tailored advertising solutions across all of these platforms.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, this is Andrew Corbett’s role as Head of Operations Excellence at SBS:
“By applying a combination of transformational methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, he works with and coaches each department to generate savings which can then be re-invested in purchasing distinctive content to grow the organisation’s reach, revenue and reputation.”
But Operations Excellence is not a division. According to the SBS’s Annual Report for 2015, it is a team within the Technology Group, which is part of the Technology & Distribution Division. Andrew Corbett has held the position since December 2012.
Andy actually just used to go round sacking people
Sounds like his departure would create a worthwhile budget reduction for SBS .
The title of “operations excellence” is ridiculous. Every department Andy and his cohorts went through was left so bereft of funds and manpower that achieving excellence was impossible, hence SBS’s dire predicament today.
SBS has been slowly deteriorating for a few years now since the management teams of broadcasters were systematically replaced by Consultants looking to use their non-media experience to secure full time work through the GFC. Good ridence. Perhaps now SBS can be left to broadcast and not spend all its resources chasing the consultants tails! Let him go to the ABC, God knows they could use someone internally questioning their overspend!
Corbett was known as ‘Andy the Axe’ around SBS. Seemingly accountable to no one and responsible for the un-justified, unexplained dismantling of a number of productive, efficient departments. he seemed more interested in flirting with the office secretary than providing reasons for his lauded cost-cutting initiatives.
How is this good use of Tax payers money?
Simple cost cutting solution…get rid of the dozens of staff who are bludging & sucking the corporation dry (& have been for many years)…Bsolutely no effect on the business output/day to day operation.
Some bitter comments no doubt from axed employees whose axing made SBS more efficient.
ABC and SBS going to court… now that’s efficient!
what a waste of time, surprised that this is making news. cost savings by this guy are overstated. no real savings just aligning outcomes to suit internal politics
Sounds like comment no. 10 was filed by either Andy himself, an SBS apparatchik, or one of the self-obsessed, directionally-confused members of the upper management.
Mike needs to start hiring real people with broadcast background not just anyone who want to make their mark during 3 year (or less)contract period!
Management needs to start hiring real people with broadcast background not just anyone who wants to make their mark during 3 year (or less)contract period!