By Rachael Gavin
Ten Holdings has appointed Grant Blackley as chief executive officer, replacing Nick Falloon who resigned from the top job earlier this month.
Blackley will continue as CEO of Network Ten, a position he has held for the past five years.
In a statement, Ten Holdings Chairman Brian Long said, “Grant brings considerable leadership strength and a wealth of industry experience to the role as the most senior executive officer within the Ten Holdings group of companies”.
Falloon resigned in early-November, effective at the company's annual general meeting last week, after James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch were each offered board seats to reflect their new shareholding in the company. Ten said his resignation would assist in "the resolution of the outstanding issues between the company and Messrs Packer and Murdoch".
Blackley joined Network Ten in Sydney in 1987, becoming general sales manager, Victoria, in 1994 and, in 1996, becoming national sales manager. He was appointed general manager – network sales in 1997.
He is also a director of Free TV Australia and Freeview Australia, and is a former director of OzTAM, EYE Corp and chairman of Free TV Australia. He is a graduate of the 2004 London Business School Executive Program.
Gerry Thorley will continue in his role of chief executive of the company’s out-of-home advertising business, EYE Group.