The Seven Network on Friday announced the appointment of Gemma Acton to the newly created national role of Director of News Operations, bolstering its News and Current Affairs leadership team.
Reporting to Seven Network Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, Ms Acton will work closely with Mr De Ceglie, the metropolitan and regional news directors, executive producers and other senior news leaders to drive culture and innovation across newsrooms nationally.
She will also be responsible for leading and implementing the division’s new digital-first strategy as well as overseeing budgets.
Currently Seven’s Network Finance Editor, Ms Acton is one of Australia’s leading broadcast and business executives, with over 20 years’ media, television and banking experience here and abroad.
Before joining Seven’s Sydney newsroom in 2017, Ms Acton spent several years working in Europe, the US and the Middle East as an investment banker and wealth manager at firms including Goldman Sachs, before becoming a correspondent and anchor at CNBC.
She holds an MBA/MA from Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania, is a CFA charter holder and has a wealth of experience in leading and managing large teams.
Mr De Ceglie, said:
“Gemma is taking on a crucial role as a leader for our News and Current Affairs teams at a pivotal moment in our business.
“I’m really excited and confident about how she will help shape the path forward for Seven. Her background and her experience mean she will hit the ground running. She is also extremely well-regarded and respected by her peers.
“Gemma’s appointment is part of a plan to ensure the news leadership team is wellpositioned to seize every future opportunity.”
Ms Acton said:
“As Seven’s News and Current Affairs division leans into the incredible opportunities that the digital media world offers, I’m excited to work with Anthony and the executive leadership team on empowering our exceptional news teams to carry out their best work.
“Our newsrooms will be underpinned by a respectful and forward-focused culture where talent, innovation and ideas are given all the tools they need to flourish.”
Ms Acton will be reducing her on-air commitments as she takes on the new role immediately, but will continue to regularly appear across the screens of Seven.
Wow, a well educated female leader… I wonder how some of the filthy old boys club will enjoy working at Seven now‽ 😂
Given Ms Acton’s qualifications and experience in business and finance, will that translate into better financial and economic content on the Seven Network?
In other words in working for financial institutions helping clients getting wealthy, will the viewers learn about getting wealthier?
The financial information on the Seven Network is woeful when little explanation for the few stocks’ prices getting mentioned in the news bulletins.
All this information about saving from coupons, shop-a-dockets and flyby points helps at the margins but has not helped one’s increase in income.
Neither has advice on side hustles on sites such as ebay or uber driving helped to feed, clothe and shelter a family in abundance.
With Ms Acton’s knowledge gained from one of the most prestigious business colleges in the world, Wharton, a financial education consisting of not only improving income streams but also risk profiles all investments.
If people are struggling to make ends meet, then it is a no brainer for a market in programs about better financial advice, that is in Ms Acton’s specialty.
Content on coupon codes, budgeting and flybys is not sufficient.
Thanks
Hi Anthony – it’s a National News Operations role, not one specifically focused on “wealth creation”, so I wouldn’t hold your breath.
7 Executives must be crossing their fingers and praying that “Dancing with the Stars” is a ratings hit .
Otherwise what do they do with Dr Chris Brown who they signed up for a $Million + a year contract.
After his ” Dream Home ” is a flop also 7 took the leap of faith commissioning a new Deam Home next year
Even before the current series aired .
Getting the accountant in to run news ops? Well, there goes the budgets