Leckie was one of the biggest characters in the TV industry. Larger than life he also seemed to be a shy man around people he didn’t know.
David John Leckie was the Chief Executive Officer of Seven West Media until 2012, and prior to his appointed by Kerry Stokes to Seven, he was associated with the Nine Network for 23 years, climbing the ranks from sales executive, to Chief Executive Officer.
TV Blackbox’s, Rob McKnight, worked at Seven under his reign, and says;
“Leckie was one of the biggest characters in the TV industry. Larger than life he also seemed to be a shy man around people he didn’t know.
“His contribution to the TV industry cannot be overstated. He took over channel 7, which had always been second place, and turned it into a ratings powerhouse. He led the network to unprecedented victory and changed the television landscape.
“Often controversial, he had a passion for the business and drove people to be the best they can be.
“The industry has lost one of the greats today and we are all worse off for losing a brilliant mind who connected with audiences and understood television.”
Seven have issued the following statement:
Vale David Leckie
The Board, executives and staff of Seven West Media are greatly saddened by the passing of David Leckie and extend their deepest condolences to his wife Skye and his sons Tim, Harry and Ben.
Mr Leckie held several senior roles with the Seven group, including Chief Executive Officer of Seven Network, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seven Media Group and Seven West Media, and a Director of Seven Network Limited, Seven West Media and Seven Group Holdings.
Mr Leckie made an invaluable and enduring contribution to the Australian media sector.
As Chief Executive Officer of Nine Network from 1990 to 2001, he cemented its leading position in the television industry. He joined Seven Network in 2003 and led it to the #1 position in ratings and revenue with a powerful line-up of news, sport and entertainment content.
In addition to his remarkable expertise in sales, Mr Leckie had a strong understanding of what Australians wanted to watch on television, a long track record of mentoring media executives, and a lifetime passion for Rugby.
Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, said:
“I had a close association and friendship with David for more than 20 years and finally enticed him to Seven in 2003, when he started the difficult process in turning around the network’s fortunes.
“David achieved the turnaround quickly and effectively, building a winning team, financial and programming model, which delivered us leadership of the TV industry for many years.
“He had a magnificent grasp of television and what people wanted to enjoy, whether it be news and current affairs or light entertainment programming, and he achieved success in every aspect of his leadership of Seven. He leaves a great legacy and I pass on my sympathies to Skye, Harry, Ben and Tim and the rest of his family, who he loved very much.
“Vale my friend David.”
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said:
“David was a true legend of the Australian media industry and a loved part of the Seven family. Everyone at Seven will miss him enormously.
“Inspiring, engaging, loud, passionate and famously difficult at times, he was an extraordinary sales person and an intuitive TV programmer. Without a doubt he was the best TV executive this country has ever seen and an important influence and mentor for so many people and careers. He was once labelled the last of the rock star CEOs and I’d say that was a pretty good description.
“David was the reason I got into television and was a great friend. My heartfelt sympathies go to Skye and their boys. There will only ever be one David Leckie. It was a great privilege to have known and worked with him.”
The entertainment industry is reacting to the news of Leckie’s passing.
Mike Sneesby, CEO of Nine, issued a statement saying,
“David Leckie was a giant of television. He contributed enormously to the success we all shared with him here at Nine, his instincts and leadership heralded the golden era of Australian television.
“He adored his family and so many of us stayed in touch as a friend even after he left. He set the culture of excellence at Nine that still exists in our DNA today and we thank him for that. We extend our deepest sympathies to wife Skye and his two sons Harry and Ben Leckie.”
Tributes are flooding in on social media from former colleagues, and admirers.
His family have provided the following statement.
… knowing David, he probably didn’t want to stick around any longer and watch the mess that is being made of the 7 & 9 networks by his successors …