Q&A with Seven CEO James Warburton: Where to from here?
Seven is facing a tough 2020 and needs to turn around its programming, financial position and the perception that it’s in serious trouble. Here, Seven West Media CEO and managing director James Warburton talks to Mumbrella about shaking up the Big Bash League, the network’s hunt for a new chief content officer, if ratings really matter, and if he has a Plan B should the Olympics be canned in the wake of the coronavirus.
INTERVIEW:
James Warburton, CEO and managing director, Seven West Media (JW)
Vivienne Kelly, editor, Mumbrella (VK)
Hannah Blackiston, senior media reporter, Mumbrella (HB)
VK: Are you guys considering whether there’s a Plan B should anything happen with the Olympics and coronavirus, or are you just confident that that’s going to go ahead as planned?
JW: Look, you know, I think we take information from the World Health Organisation , the IOC [International Olympic Committee] and the AOC [Australian Olympic Committee], and they’ve come out with a very strong position, which is there is no need to delay or cancel the Olympics in any way. So that’s the way that we’re preparing, and from that perspective. There’s obviously a lot of Olympic qualifier events and those types of things. They’ve had trials either in China or Japan or other areas – the marathon was cancelled this weekend or something.
Can’t believe he accidentally referred to The Chase as Deal Or No Deal!!
Hi James,
I transcribed this in such a flurry, that I didn’t even pick up on that slip.
To make sure, I have gone back and listened to the audio, and he did indeed accidentally refer to ‘Deal Or No Deal’. Must have been a slip on a very busy day.
Good pick up though,
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Still living in 90’s
I understand James’ hesitation in acknowledging the threat of the Olympics being postponed but as CEO of a listed business surely he needs to have a plan B, C and D in place?
It’s like Scott Morrison not having a plan in the event of an environmental disast….oh dear
If that is the strategy & he doesn’t know what is on air prior to the News…..I predict that within in 18 months he will be gone.
Sorry, but he’s not a content guy and it’s showing.
‘Pooch Perfect’ to commence the ‘turnaround’? Laughable.
How the Stokes family let SWM sink so low under previous management is beyond me…. poor decisions on sports rights, debt stubbornly high, late to divest print….. i would say Mr Market thinks this looks like a sick puppy…. James Good Luck