Seven West Media has appointed Chris Jones to the new role of director, network sport, effective immediately.
Jones was previously executive producer of Seven’s cricket coverage. Over the past 20 years, he has worked on AFL, cricket, summer and winter Olympics, US Masters, Australian Open tennis, Australian Open golf and more. In his new role, he will report to Seven’s chief content officer, Brook Hall.
In further appointments, Seven’s AFL executive producer, Gary O’Keeffe, has been elevated to the new role of head of AFL and sport innovation; horse racing executive producer Andrew Hore-Lacy has been named head of horse racing; motor sport executive producer Kirsty Bradmore becomes head of sport digital; and cricket and horse racing producer Joel Starcevic has been appointed head of cricket.
Hall said: “Sport is part of Seven’s DNA and a key reason why we are the most-watched television and digital network. We have a long and proud history of bringing the best local and international sport to all Australians for free. That continues today, with the AFL, the AFLW, the Brownlow Medal, Test cricket, the BBL, the WBBL, horse racing, Supercars, surfing, the NFL, golf, netball, hockey and much, much more.
“Chris has been an integral part of our sport team for many years, producing some amazing moments and iconic content. I can’t think of anyone better to lead our sport coverage.”
Jones joined Seven in 2000 as a junior reporter. After stints at Nine and Thrive PR, he returned to Seven as a senior sport producer in 2009. He was appointed an executive producer in 2018.
In his new role, Jones will lead a team that includes O’Keeffe; Hore-Lacy; Bradmore; Starcevic; executive producer, motor sport, Angela Rampal; head of sport production, Greg Smith; and head of sport production management, Lisa Peach.
Jones said: “We have assembled a trusted and energetic leadership team who love their sport and will continue to innovate.
“I feel privileged to have worked with and learnt from some of the best in the business and now alongside our entire 7Sport team, I can’t wait to evolve our coverage.
“We are on the eve of an exciting new era here at Seven with the addition of digital rights for both footy and cricket. This means every single Australian will have access to live and free coverage via 7plus and broadcast. Can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Jones’ appointment comes after Lucio Riberio announced his departure from Seven West Media, taking a voluntary redundancy for his role as director of digital marketing and innovation in a series of large-scale redundancies. Georgie Nichols, Seven’s national sales director, has also resigned from her post at the network. Nichols will remain to help with a handover before officially leaving in August.
Last week, Seven announced it would make up to 150 job redundancies, after cost-cutting measures were flagged in February by then-CFO Jeff Howard and former CEO James Warburton.
Howard assumed the role of CEO at Seven after Warburton’s departure on April 18.
Before the redundancies made on Tuesday, Seven lost three of its senior executives: chief revenue officer, Kurt Burnette, chief marketing officer, Melissa Hopkins, and head of sport and managing director of Seven Melbourne, Lewis Martin.
Seven confirmed these departures alongside a number of new appointments and a new operating model that will see SWM operate under three divisions: Television, Digital, and Western Australia.
See also: Seven West Media: New divisions and leadership roles in wake of redundancies
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Top image: Chris Jones