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murdoch family

FB Roundup: Comcast, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, and Versace

September 27, 2018

Comcast takes stake in Sky, Louis Dreyfus Commodities sees shock leadership changes, and Versace family sells to Michael Kors.

Comcast wins bid for Murdoch empire’s prize asset
Second-generation media giant Comcast has won the battle to acquire the Murdoch family’s satellite broadcaster Sky with 21stCentury Fox (21CF) also agreeing to sell its remaining stake to Comcast.

The Roberts family own 33% of Comcast’s voting stock, and 1% of its common stock, while 21stCentury Fox (21CF) is controlled by the Murdoch family, who own 39% of the voting stock and 17% of the equity.

Ones to watch: family business appointments from the last year

January 11, 2016

Several next gens were appointed to the helm of their family businesses in 2015. From Michael Hill International in Australasia to France's Pernod Ricard, we look at whose been left in charge.

Emma Hill, Michael Hill International (New Zealand/Australia)
Promoted: November 2015

Lessons on family business succession from Rupert Murdoch

June 19, 2015

The Murdoch family likely had a considerable amount of discussion and debate about the succession of brothers James and Lachlan Murdoch to the helm of 21st Century Fox, a US family business expert says, and did well to keep those discussions contained.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Rupert Murdoch was standing back as chief executive of the movie and entertainment studio, appointing his sons to top positions within the company, with James becoming chief executive.

Murdoch’s succession plan becomes clearer with appointments for both sons

June 12, 2015

Rupert Murdoch, the second-gen head of media empires 21st Century Fox and News Corp, has stepped back as chief executive of the former so his son James can step into the spotlight.

Rupert Murdoch, the second-gen head of media empires 21st Century Fox and News Corp, has stepped back as chief executive of the former so his son James can step into the spotlight.

The US media tycoon will remain chairman of both companies. James has been working as co-chief operating officer at the movie studio since last year.

His brother, Lachlan, who was last year appointed non-executive co-chairman of 21st Century Fox, will now be an executive co-chairman. He will move from Sydney to Los Angeles to take up the role.

Alwaleed: News Corp’s reputation damaged, but support for Murdoch unwavering

May 9, 2012

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, one of News Corporation’s biggest shareholder, is “unwavering” in his support of Rupert Murdoch, but he also admits the phone-hacking scandal has damaged the family-controlled company’s reputation.

James Murdoch steps down, Lachlan is now in play

February 29, 2012

The news that James Murdoch has stepped down as head of News International will again raise the succession stakes at the Murdoch-controlled family business – and no doubt fuel the non-Murdoch-control media frenzy following on from the troubles at News Corp.

Phone-hacking scandal ‘divided the Murdoch family’

November 3, 2011

The phone-hacking scandal has reportedly driven a wedge between members of the Murdoch family, which controls News Corp, with Elisabeth blaming her brother James for allowing the situation “to spiral out of control”.

According to an article in Vanity Fair, Elisabeth approached her father Rupert Murdoch, the media conglomerate’s chief executive and chairman, as details emerged about phone-hacking practices at News International, the UK division of News Corp that James oversees.

News Corp attempts to defuse shareholder revolt

October 12, 2011

News Corp has called on its shareholders to ignore recommendations from a number of advisory groups and instead vote in favour of its board and Rupert Murdoch’s bonus.

In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the media conglomerate, which is controlled by the Murdoch family, said there has been a “disproportionate focus” on the phone-hacking scandal at the now defunct News of the World, adding that its board is “extremely strong”.

Non-family CEO likely at News Corp, expert

August 10, 2011

Murdoch family members are unlikely to fill News Corp’s top roles in the future, partly because of Rupert Murdoch’s failure to develop a succession plan, according to a leading family business expert.

“A non-family CEO is likely, but the question is when this will happen,” said Professor Randel S Carlock, who is the Berghmans Lhoist chaired professor in entrepreneurial leadership at INSEAD.

“Murdoch in one way is a classic family businessman – he doesn’t have a succession plan in place,” he said.

Family board members ‘need external and internal credibility’

August 8, 2011

Appointments of family members to boards are often more successful if they happen following a transparent nomination process and are based on a person’s ability, according to one leading family business commentator.

Professor Joachim Schwass from Swiss-based business school IMD said a family member’s success on a company board is dependent on their internal and external credibility, adding that all family board appointments should be assessed based on these factors.