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Merged media group upbeat despite CEO tapping out
- On Monday, February 23, 2026, Southern Cross Media Group announced Jeff Howard, Chief Executive and Managing Director , stepped down effective immediately less than 18 hours before its half‑year results.
- As the board accelerates strategy implementation, it said it moved to appoint new leadership amid weak television advertising conditions and missed guidance, following Ashes matches in Perth and Melbourne.
- John Kelly, Interim Chief Executive Officer — TV and Audio , will step in as interim head and front the earnings call tomorrow, while Toby Potter becomes Chief Transformation Officer and Scott Butterworth is named Chief Financial Officer.
- Mackay-Cruise will assume an expanded operational role as business unit leaders and corporate services now report directly to him, and the board has launched a global CEO search with an appointed executive search firm.
- The leadership reset follows missed guidance and weak ad markets, and Southern Cross Media Group faces integration challenges after $100 million was wiped off its value since the merger, leaving a $316 million market capitalisation on Monday.
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14 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left, 37% Right
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources lean Right
38% Left
L 38%
C 25%
R 37%
Factuality
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