TVNZ CEO Rick Ellis resigns

Friday 18 Nov 2011
TVNZ’s CEO Rick Ellis has resigned, the company’s chairman Sir John Anderson announced today.

Mr Ellis will be joining Telstra in Australia in January where he will be leading a new division called Telstra Digital Media.

Telstra CEO David Thodey said today he is “delighted” to have Mr Ellis on board and said he will be leading Telstra’s media strategy.

He said Mr Ellis is “a media executive with vast experience and strong networks”.

“Rick has led a complex media organisation, established digital businesses and cultivated strong relationships with content generators, integrators and distributors around the world.”

Sir John acknowledged Mr Ellis’ cumulative 10 years of service as TVNZ CEO, during which time TV ONE and TV2 consolidated their leadership position in the New Zealand free-to-air television market.

He said the company had also diversified into digital media areas including online, pay-TV channels, and new digital free-to-air channels.

In his new position, Mr Ellis will be Group Managing Director – Digital Media, with responsibility for Telstra’s Sensis, Bigpond, Trading Post and IPTV businesses, and Telstra’s partnership with Foxtel.