Ellis takes back reins at TVNZ

Rick Ellis intends to be "visible to staff". Picture / Martin Sykes

In a Back to the Future move, TVNZ has appointed its former chief executive Rick Ellis as its new CEO.

TVNZ said yesterday that Mr Ellis - who led TVNZ from 1998 to 2002 - would replace Ian Fraser, who had replaced Mr Ellis in 2002.

At a press conference, Mr Ellis said he was honoured to be back and played down the perception that he was more focused on making money than on the public broadcasting remit of its charter.

He was initially appointed in 1998 to prepare TVNZ for sale. The privatisation plans were dropped after Jenny Shipley took over as Prime Minister from Jim Bolger, but Mr Ellis was broadly considered a commercial beast.

He said his departure in 2002 was a "mutual" decision between himself and TVNZ, as it restructured to introduce the charter and a less commercial environment.

Mr Ellis left soon after the Labour Government changed TVNZ from a state-owned enterprise to a Crown-owned company and he was believed to be dissatisfied with the new model and the failure of his attempt to set up digital television.

He said yesterday that his roles as chairman of the Television Local Content Group and director of Radio NZ had given him a greater sense of the industry than he had had in his first stint as chief executive.

"I feel a deep sense of privilege to be invited back to TVNZ for a second tour of duty.

"Clearly you wouldn't step into this role unless you did have a sense of public service and commitment to it."

He said part of his reason for returning to TVNZ was the rekindled plans and Government interest in digital television.

"I arrived at a place where I felt I could make a difference, where the various stakeholders of the organisation would support me. Where we are today, I see digital as being real."

A strong proponent of digital technology, Mr Ellis drove TVNZ's first attempt at going digital, describing analogue as a dead duck and saying TVNZ's bottom line would be hugely affected if it did not move.

However, the plans were killed off in 2001 partly because a joint venture with TelstraSaturn fell through and because of lack of Government support.

He said yesterday that TVNZ had faced a battering in recent months and he hoped he could bring some stability and strong leadership.

His first priority was "to be visible to staff and get up to speed as quickly as possible on what the issues are".

Board chairman Sir John Anderson said Mr Ellis was the standout choice because of his experience with digital television and in public broadcasting.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey also welcomed Mr Ellis back.

"I'm looking forward to his leadership of TVNZ as it moves into a new era that will be characterised by the move to digital and increasing diversity in the media landscape," he said.

Mr Fraser resigned last November and is about to enter mediation with TVNZ after it suspended him from duties during his notice period.

A report on his case from Parliament's privileges committee and the future of an inquiry into TVNZ by the finance and expenditure committee are also pending.

Since 2002 Mr Ellis has been managing director of the information technology services company EDS New Zealand.

He has held a number of senior executive positions in the IT and airline industries, including chief executive of Ansett New Zealand and the computing firm Wang.

Mr Ellis came under fire for signing off John Hawkesby's $750,000- a-year contract in 1998 just days after starting the job.

TVNZ sacked Hawkesby just 24 days into his job. He took the case to arbitration and was awarded more than $6.5 million, including GST and interest. Mr Ellis later expressed regret for signing off the deal and said it was TVNZ executive Neil Roberts' decision to employ Hawkesby.

Rosanne Meo resigned as TVNZ chairwoman after Government criticism over lack of accountability for the decision.

Mr Ellis was also chief executive under chairman Dr Ross Armstrong, who instigated a drive to lower the salaries paid to presenters after Prime Minister Helen Clark expressed concern at a "culture of extravagance".

The Television Local Content Group of which Mr Ellis has been chairman negotiates voluntary quotas of local content for the networks.

RICK ELLIS

* Aged 52, married with three children.

* Salary $500,000 to $550,000.

* Chief executive of TVNZ from 1998 to 2002.

* Left during transition from commercially driven state-owned enterprise to less commercial Crown-owned company with charter.

* CEO during fallout from John Hawkesby's sacking and damages award that cost the network $6.5 million including GST and interest.

* Served under board heads Rosanne Meo and Ross Armstrong, both of whom were forced to resign.

* 2002 to present: Managing director of IT services firm EDS.

* 1995 to 1998: Senior executive and chief of Ansett NZ.