The Foxtel Group has this week announced a major organisational restructure in preparation for their upcoming streaming aggregation product launch, known as ‘Project Magneto’.
The shift comes on the heels of the company recording impressive subscriber figures with 60% of the group’s paying customers now accessing Foxtel services via streaming
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Patrick Delany, the company will partition key personnel to head four distinct divisions, thus fostering growth while managing costs effectively. The chosen executives are Hilary Perchard, Julian Ogrin, Amanda Laing, and Les Wigan.
Hilary Perchard will lead the Subscription TV, Infrastructure and Strategy Division, tasked with running Foxtel’s retail, wholesale, and commercial businesses. This division will also be responsible for strategising the Group’s future growth. Delany praised Perchard’s team for significantly improving customer Net Promoter Score (NPS) and reducing customer churn, making this division the “heart and soul” of Foxtel’s operations.
Julian Ogrin will head the Streaming Sports and Advertising Division, which includes Foxtel Media and Kayo Sports. This division will pioneer growth in subscription and digital advertising. Ogrin’s team, coupled with their extensive knowledge of digital customer acquisition and retention using data and AI, will spearhead the development of Foxtel’s digital advertising capabilities.
The Entertainment Division, under the leadership of Amanda Laing, will focus on entertainment streaming, content strategy, acquisitions, and commissions that support Foxtel’s entertainment offerings. This division will also manage all third-party content partnerships. Laing will leverage content from long-term deals with leading studios and production partners to grow subscribers and drive revenue.
Les Wigan will lead the Streaming Aggregation Division, responsible for the tech-heavy build and launch phase of ‘Project Magneto’. This division will focus on expanding Foxtel’s reach, building more revenue streams and driving growth for their streaming businesses. Wigan will also oversee streaming technology development and marketing/data development for the Group.
Steve Crawley will continue to lead FOX Sports Production, Australia’s largest sports production company, while Rebecca McCloy will manage Sports Commercial and Acquisitions. The Transformation Office, crucial in Foxtel’s next era of growth, will be led by Sally Connell.
‘Project Magneto’, inspired by the Sky Glass smart TV, aims to offer viewers a streamlined interface for all shows and films and bundle multiple services into one bill.
Patrick Delany emphasised Foxtel Group’s commitment to disruption and innovation in his memo to staff, stating,
“We are a proven disrupter and have cemented our place in more than half of Australian homes.”
