Broadcasting and digital media executive Michelle Guthrie will succeed Mark Scott as the managing director of the ABC in May next year.Guthrie, who has been based in Singapore over the past few years in a senior executive role with Google, will officially join the ABC in early April for a month-long handover with Scott.
ABC chairman James Spigelman today announced the appointment, stating it was made “following a thorough local and international search that produced an outstanding field of candidates”.
“Michelle is an exceptional media professional with strong content, operational and board experience within internationally respected media companies,” Spigelman commented.
“Michelle brings a unique local and global view to the role, having grown up in Sydney and worked at senior levels here and around the world. She brings to the ABC her business acumen, record in content-making across an array of platforms, a deep understanding of audience needs and corporate responsibility for promoting issues like diversity.”
Guthrie began her career as a media lawyer in Sydney, having worked with media companies in Australia and abroad, including Foxtel, BSkyB and the Asian-based STAR television network. She joined Google in 2011 and is currently its managing director for agencies in the Asia Pacific.
“Having grown up with the ABC and having been a professional observer of it over the last three decades, I have profound respect for the important role the national broadcaster plays throughout Australia and internationally,” Guthrie commented.
“I would also like to acknowledge the leadership provided by Mark Scott during his tenure as managing director. It is fortunate that I will be able to work closely with him during the handover next year.”
