Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany has announced a replacement for the departing executive director – group communications, Jacqui Abbott (pictured above).
It was in mid-December that Delany first revealed to staff Abbott’s move:
Our colleague and friend Jacqui Abbott let me know of her intention to resign. After three incredible years with the business, Jacqui has decided it is time to spend some more time with her two young kids, go travelling, and then pursue new career opportunities.
In that staff memo, Delany also noted:
I want to thank Jacqui for everything she has done. She will be greatly missed by everyone at the Foxtel Group.
I’m pleased that Jacqui remains with us until the end of March 2024 as we still have plenty of work to do together, including the launch of Hubbl.
Foxtel’s Adrian Christie and Vida Scott
Foxtel Group’s new signing
The new executive director – group communications for Foxtel Group will be Adrian Christie who is joining the business from the end of March.
For the last six years Christie has held the role of Communications Director for Aldi Stores Australia, overseeing all corporate affairs, government relations, internal communications and consumer PR for their nearly 600 stores across Australia and 16,000+ workforce.
Christie brings two decades of experience in communications and marketing across a variety of sectors, with speciality in youth communications, consumer technology, social media, content development, issues management and corporate strategy.
Prior to Aldi, Adrian held senior roles at PayPal, Sony PlayStation and in large agencies both in Australia and the US including Edelman and Ogilvy PR. Christie and Abbott previously worked together at Ogilvy.
Abbott will finish Thursday 28 March before the Easter break and she and Adrian will have a week handover period before that.
Christie will be attending the Hubbl launch on 21 February prior to his official start.
The Foxtel PR team was strengthened during 2023 with the arrival of Vida Scott in the role of director of corporate affairs. Scott previously worked in comms for Network 10, ARN and before that at News Corp.
Nova’s Helen Johnson and Stan’s Victoria Richards
Foxtel PR army on the move
The switcheroo at the top of the Foxtel comms team is just one involving current and former team members.
Just this week former Foxtel publicity manager Helen Johnson started her role as the new head of communications for Nova Entertainment.
Another former Foxtel comms soldier is Victoria Richards. She is a relatively new addition to the PR team at Stan where she takes on the role of senior publicist.
See also: Foxtel appoints new group publicity boss, taking over from Jamie Campbell