Being a Murdoch carries some heavy burdens, but some exceptional opportunities. The announcement of James Murdoch getting promoted to deputy chief operating officer could be a game-changer for the group that has struggled to get online right. Long before the MySpace fiasco, News Corp had a long history of failed projects to dominate different digital categories, and that’s why appointing a digital native as the successor to the Murdoch throne is so smart and long overdue. More about the ‘collaborations with senior leaders to develop new strategies’ at News Corp…
James Murdoch is moving from London to New York to become deputy chief operating officer of News Corporation. He will report to Chase Carey, who is number two at the media conglomerate run by his father, Rupert.
Murdoch Jr will also become chairman and chief executive of News Corp’s international businesses, retaining his responsibilities for Europe and Asia.
The move confirms that the youngest of Rupert Murdoch’s three children from his second marriage is being lined up as an eventual replacement for the News Corp founder, who is the company’s chairman and chief executive.
Murdoch Jr has been based in London since November 2003, first as chief executive of BSkyB, the pay-TV company in which News Corp is the largest shareholder and of which it is attempting to take full control. In December 2007 he was promoted to BSkyB chairman and chief executive of News Corp in Europe and Asia.
In this role he oversaw businesses including the Times, Sunday Times, Sun and News of the World publisher News International, and News Corp’s satellite TV businesses in Germany, Italy and Asia.
The deputy chief operating officer job is the same post his older brother Lachlan occupied until he resigned in July 2005.
Murdoch said: “I feel extremely fortunate to continue to support News Corporation’s international growth and also be given the chance to contribute to important initiatives across the company. Most of all, I am delighted to work even more closely with Chase Carey, whose extraordinary leadership is felt in every part of the business.”
Carey, News Corp’s deputy chairman, president and chief operating officer, added: “As we become increasingly global and consumer focused, we believe there are real opportunities to add new dimensions to our core businesses. We are confident that James’ deep knowledge of international markets, his proven leadership, and his passionate focus on building consumer relationships make him the ideal person to help us realise these opportunities across all our companies.”