Former New Zealand stock exchange boss Mark Weldon is taking over as group chief executive of Mediaworks, the company which owns TV3, Four and controls half of the country's commercial radio market.
Weldon replaces Sussan Turner who resigned unexpectedly on July 2 amid expectation of significant change at the company after it was rescued from receivership in November last year.
Weldon's move back into the corporate world comes as a surprise after his passion as a vintner through his ownership of the Terra Sanctra Winery in Central Otago.
Weldon has no background in media and the appointment suggests that TV producer director Julie Christie will continue to provide intelligence on the sector.
MediaWorks Chairman - Australian Rod McGeoch said the company had emerged from receivership sooner and in better shape than initially anticipated.