James Warburton (businessman)
James Warburton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 (age 53–54) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Businessman |
James Warburton (born 1970)[1] is an Australian businessman. He was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seven West Media from 2019 to 2024.
Career
[edit]Television executive
[edit]Warburton had early executive roles at McCann-Erickson, DDB Worldwide and Hyundai Motor Company in the 1980s and 1990s. Warburton became Managing Director of Universal McCann in 2000, winning and retaining multiple significant government and corporate contracts over the following three years.[1]
In 2003, Warburton took on his first role in the television industry, becoming sales director of the Seven Network.[1] In 2011, Warburton was poached by Acting CEO Lachlan Murdoch to become CEO of the Ten Network.[2] Seven launched a legal challenge to the defection and the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled that Warburton could not start at Ten until 1 January 2012, five months later than scheduled.[1][3] After less than 14 months in the role, Warburton was sacked and replaced by Hamish McLennan.[4]
Motorsports
[edit]In May 2013, Warburton was announced as CEO of V8 Supercars and remained in the role until 2017, in which time Warburton was credited with stabilising the business and signing long-term television and title sponsorship deals for the sport.[5][6] Warburton later continued his association with motorsport, taking on a non-executive director role in 2019 with the Australian Racing Group, promoters of series including TCR Australia Touring Car Series and the Australian S5000 Championship.[7]
APN Outdoor
[edit]After leaving the renamed Supercars Championship in 2017, Warburton joined APN Outdoor as CEO in January 2018. He left the company after it was taken over by JCDecaux ten months later.[8] In 2019, Warburton launched a consultancy business and took a stake in the Shopper Media Group, joining its board.[9][10]
Return to Seven West Media
[edit]Warburton returned to Seven in 2019 as Managing Director and CEO of Seven West Media, replacing Tim Worner.[11] Soon after, Warburton launched a significant restructure of the business.[12] In 2023 it was announced that Warburton would be stepping down as managing director and CEO of Seven West Media, and chief financial officer Jeff Howard had been appointed as his replacement.[13] He left Seven West Media in April 2024.[14]
Tinybeans
[edit]In July 2024, Warburton joined the board of photo sharing app company Tinybeans as a non-executive director.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Warburton is married to Nikki Warburton, the chief customer and marketing officer of Audi Australia.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Hemphill, Brooke (10 December 2012). "Mr Ambitious - Has CEO James Warburton got what it takes to turn around Ten?". Mumbrella. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (10 March 2011). "Seven pursues legal action on James Warburton contract | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (12 May 2011). "James Warburton to start at TEN on January 1 | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (22 February 2013). "Ten board sacks Warburton as chief". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Megan (13 May 2013). "James Warburton confirmed CEO of V8 Supercars". Mumbrella. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Isaacs, Lewis (30 November 2017). "Supercars: James Warburton's legacy as CEO". Fox Sports (Australian TV network). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "FORMER SUPERCARS CEO JOINS ARG". Auto Action. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Mason, Max (18 October 2018). "APN Outdoor boss James Warburton to exit after $1.2b JCDecaux takeover". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ McDonnell, Josh (16 August 2019). "James Warburton named CEO of Seven West Media". AdNews. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ McDonnell, Josh (31 July 2019). "James Warburton returns to OOH with Shopper Media Group". AdNews. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ Duke, Jennifer (15 August 2019). "Seven West Media's Tim Worner quits as James Warburton named new CEO". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (2 October 2019). "Seven restructures under CEO James Warburton, Sunday Night axed. | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "James Warburton stepping down as Seven CEO". Mumbrella. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b Connery, Tess (2 July 2024). "James Warburton confirms new role after leaving Seven". Mediaweek. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Nikki Warburton named Chief Customer & Marketing Officer at Audi Australia". Mediaweek (Australia). 23 August 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.