Seven West Media, the Australian commercial broadcaster, has announced several leadership changes within its sports division.
Most notably, the company has named Chris Jones to the new role of director of network sport. He replaces Lewis Martin who was ousted by the company to cut costs.
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, and Australian Open golf.
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, motorsport 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. Chris has been an integral part of our sport team for many years, producing some amazing moments and iconic content.”
Jones initially joined Seven in 2000 and after stints at Nine Network 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 executive producer of motorsport, Angela Rampal, head of sport production, Greg Smith, and head of sport production management, Lisa Peach, as well as O’Keeffe, Hore-Lacy, Bradmore, and Starcevic.
Jones said: “We have assembled a trusted and energetic leadership team who love their sport and will continue to innovate.
“We are on the eve of an exciting new era here at Seven with the addition of digital rights for both football and cricket. This means every single Australian will have access to live and free coverage via 7plus and broadcast.”
Seven’s sports portfolio includes the AFL, the AFLW, test cricket, the BBL, the WBBL, horse racing, Supercars, surfing, the NFL, golf, netball, and hockey.
