Morgan brings web skills to Fairfax board

The appointment of Sam Morgan to the Fairfax board is an inspired choice.

Mr Morgan is best known as the founder of TradeMe, New Zealand’s largest online auction site, which he sold to Fairfax in 2006 for more than NZ$750 million.

It will be interesting to hear his views on payment for online content. Read more

Fairfax appoints three new directors

Fairfax Media has appointed three new directors: Sandra McPhee, Linda Nicholls and Sam Morgan.

Ms McPhee, from Sydney, is a director of AGL Energy, Kathmandu Holdings Limited, Tourism Australia, St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney, The Art Gallery of New South Wales and a member of the advisory boards of JP Morgan and MMC.

Her previous directorships include Australia Post, Coles Group Limited and Perpetual Limited. Before becoming a professional director Ms McPhee had an extensive career in the aviation industry holding senior executive positions in sales and marketing, most recently with Qantas Airways Limited. Read more

Fairfax and APN in joint venture

Fairfax Media and APN have agreed to combine the Fairfax Media classified brands, Drive.com.au, Domain.com.au and MyCareer.com.au, with the APN print classified sections in more than 90 publications through regional Queensland.

The new alliance will extend the reach of APN’s classifieds customers to a national online audience, while increasing exposure to the client base and sales force in Queensland and Northern New South Wales for the Fairfax online classified sites. Read more

Fairfax turmoil unhealthy

It’s nearly a month since I’ve found time to write here. In the past week the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald has departed and Fairfax chief executive David Kirk has been knifed.

There is no polite way to describe Kirk’s treatment. He was addressing staff in Melbourne while his board colleagues held an audit committee meeting in Sydney. That became a full board meeting and Kirk’s resignation followed.

Fairfax shares have fallen below $1.30 in recent times, which The Australian likes to remind everyone is the cover price of the SMH. Read more