Earlier this year Mediaweek reported Peter Zavecz, News Corp managing director for Victoria and Tasmania Publishing, shared news of his departure with colleagues and friends:
“After 50 years in the media business, I have decided to pull up stumps to spend more time with my family and enjoy some overseas travel later this year.”
In a short message, Zavecz also said:
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to finish my media career at H&WT and I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition of my role. My last day with News Corp will be July 1, 2024.”
It’s only fitting that the career sales specialist and former Pacific Magazines chief executive should end as a financial year closes. Zavecz was one of the best at cleverly crafting ad revenue packages, and making them fit into financial years that worked for the clients and the publishers he represented. In his case – News Corp Australia or ACP over many years.
With Peter Zavecz’s departure only hours away, staff at News Victoria (aka The Herald & Weekly Times) gathered for a celebration on Thursday of his years with the company.
Chairman of the Herald and Weekly Times, Penny Folwer led the staff as they celebrated Zav’s life and times.
Farewell for Peter Zavecz. The out-going Managing Director of Vic and Tas Publishing with Penny Fowler. Pictures: David Caird
Fowler told Mediaweek: “Peter Zavecz, or Zav as he is best known, has had a stellar 50-year media career, and we have been very lucky to have him return to News four times, holding various roles including Managing Director of HWT and Tas publishing for the past eight years. Zav has been instrumental in many pivotal moments including the launch of the Herald Sun in 1990 and most recently supporting our teams through the pandemic, where he showed such care and compassion, exemplifying what an extraordinary leader he is.
“Zav makes strong connections wherever he goes, building lasting relationships, with authenticity and trust at their heart. His loyalty is legendary. It was such a pleasure to see him inducted into the Melbourne Media Hall of Fame last year, he is one of the industry’s greats. I have really enjoyed working with him, and will miss his calm counsel and support. Zav deserves to now enjoy retirement, and reflect on his many achievements and successes over 50 years.”
It was a huge turnout inside the News Corp Southbank offices. Helping farewell the legend were News Corp national executive editor Peter Blunden and Herald Sun editor Sam Weir.
Just part of the overflow crowd at Southbank. People hadn’t seen this many in the office on a Thursday for some time. Alongside Zavecz in the front row are Peter Blunden, Penny Fowler and Sam Weir.