News Corp. Chief Digital Officer Jon Miller to Depart
Jon Miller, News Corp.'s three-year chief digital officer, is stepping down from his post at the end of September as the media giant splits into two entities, the company announced Thursday.
Miller will stay on as an advisor to CEO Rupert Murdoch, COO Chase Carey and deputy COO James Murdoch for a year after his departure.
News Corp. hired Miller -- a longtime internet executive who previously ran investment firm Fuse Capital co-founded with former Yahoo interim CEO Ross Levinsohn -- three years ago to bolster its digital strategy.
Also read: News Corp. to Split Entertainment, Publishing Arms Into 2 Separate Companies
But with the sale of MySpace a year ago Miller has not had a lot to do at News Corp. and speculation has been rife within the technology world that he would be lured away to a more challenging assignment.
News Corp. acquired MySpace in July 2005 for $580 million and sold it in 2011 for $35 million as the social network became an also-ran to the Facebook behemoth.
The move leaves News Corp. without a clear digital leader at a time when the company is set to split into an entertainment unit and a news and publishing one.
Miller gave News Corp. access and credibility into the technology world and oversaw a number of key investments in the U.S. and abroad, most recently stakes taken in Roku and Bona Film Group.
Miller also represented News Corporation on the Hulu board of directors, and was known as a strong proponent of the streaming service, which Fox and other partners sought to sell last year.
Miller was CEO of AOL from 2002 to 2006 and he helped found Velocity Interactive Group, a firm that focused on digital media.
His name frequently surfaces during executive searches for content and technology companies, most recently around the search for a new CEO at Yahoo.
Here is the full news release:
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today announced that Jonathan Miller, the Company's Chief Digital Officer since 2009, will leave his post at the end of September as the Company moves towards its proposed separation into two distinct companies.
Mr. Miller will serve as an outside advisor to News Corporation on digital issues through fall 2013.
During his tenure, Mr. Miller revamped News Corporation's digital strategy as the Company transitioned away from standalone owned-and-operated web properties and refocused on digital content distribution and the monetization of its existing brands on emerging platforms. He was instrumental in strengthening News Corporation's relationships within the technology industry and also oversaw a number of key investments in the U.S. and abroad, most recently stakes taken in Roku and Bona Film Group. Mr. Miller also represented News Corporation on the Hulu Board of Directors.
Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corporation, commented: "Jon Miller is a visionary in the digital media industry, and his commitment to News Corporation over the last three years has driven us to truly evolve the way millions of people use new platforms to consume news and entertainment. As we prepare for our proposed Company separation, I respect Jon's desire to return to an operational, entrepreneurial role with a standalone company. He will be missed and I can't thank him enough for his efforts and many valued contributions."
Chase Carey, President and COO of News Corporation, commented: "Jon is a seasoned technology veteran and we've benefited enormously from his insights and deep relationships in Silicon Valley and beyond. We wish him the best of luck on his new ventures."
Jonathan Miller commented: "This has been a fantastic three years and we've made real progress across a number of fronts. I am grateful to Chase, Rupert and James for the opportunity to work across such a great canvas of businesses at a time of real industry change and transformation. While my time spent has been productive, it feels like the right time to exit. I look forward to pursuing new ventures that will lead me back into an operational role." News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today announced that Jonathan Miller, the Company's Chief Digital Officer since 2009, will leave his post at the end of September as the Company moves towards its proposed separation into two distinct companies.
Mr. Miller will serve as an outside advisor to News Corporation on digital issues through fall 2013.
During his tenure, Mr. Miller revamped News Corporation's digital strategy as the Company transitioned away from standalone owned-and-operated web properties and refocused on digital content distribution and the monetization of its existing brands on emerging platforms. He was instrumental in strengthening News Corporation's relationships within the technology industry and also oversaw a number of key investments in the U.S. and abroad, most recently stakes taken in Roku and Bona Film Group. Mr. Miller also represented News Corporation on the Hulu Board of Directors.
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