Bauer Media NZ CEO Paul Dykzeul will replace Nick Chan who has quit after the Rebel Wilson defamation case. Photo / Richard Robinson
A Kiwi boss will replace the chief executive of Bauer Media, who announced his resignation in the wake of the Rebel Wilson defamation case.
Paul Dykzeul, Bauer Media's New Zealand head, will replace Nick Chan as CEO after Hollywood star Rebel Wilson successfully sued the publisher for defamation.
The resignation of Chan, who has been CEO for the company for over a year, was revealed on Wednesday.
Dykzeul will eventually relocate to Sydney, according to a Bauer press release.
"I want to thank Nick for the work he has done in helping to position the business for future growth and wish him the best in his future endeavours," executive board member Andreas Schoo said.
Dykzeul was appointed publishing director of Pacific Magazines with responsibility for NZ and international licensing in 2006, before returning to Bauer Media as NZ CEO in 2008.
A Hollywood agent is expected to give evidence about how Australian actor Rebel Wilson lost millions in earnings because of a series of defamatory articles in magazines, according to AAP.
The Hollywood star is applying for special damages in a bid to reap millions in lost earnings after winning her defamation case against gossip magazine publisher Bauer Media last week.
Lawyers for the 37-year-old maintain she's owed millions because she lost roles in Kung Fu Panda 3 and Trolls after the series of defamatory articles were published.
Agent and producer Peter Principato is expected to give evidence via video link when a hearing resumes on Wednesday.
Principato believes Wilson would have received $5 million to $6 million a film, following on from the success of her movie Pitch Perfect 2, if not for the articles.
On Monday counsel for Bauer tried to have Principato's evidence about Wilson's claimed losses excluded.
Barrister Georgina Schoff QC said Principato's evidence was mere speculation and should be deemed inadmissible.
But Justice John Dixon refused Bauer's application to exclude Principato's evidence after Wilson's lawyers said his evidence was relevant given he could not identify any other factor, apart from the published articles, to explain her loss of career trajectory.
- Additional reporting by AAP
The event is described as a series of aggressive sales pitches.