Williams Leaves News Corp, Clarke Is Replacement

Only twenty months since he assumed the Chief Executive post at News Corp Australia, Kim Williams announced he is leaving the company. In his place, Rupert Murdoch, the owner of News Corp, has tasked Julian Clarke, who has worked in both The Herald and Weekly Times, to become the new chief.

In a statement, Mr. Murdoch thank Mr. Williams for his services, and also commended him for his loyalty and friendship. He said, “Kim has been a steady and courageous leader at a time when our businesses have faced unprecedented pressure and economic challenges.”

“I want to thank him for his unwavering commitment, and the blood, sweat and tears he has put into News Corp Australia.”

Mr. Murdoch also praised Julian Clarke as the new chief saying that, “He is an experienced executive with a unique understanding of our company’s culture, and the immense energy and clarity of vision necessary to drive our properties forward at this challenging time for all media in all countries.”

Last December 2011, Mr. Williams became the chief executive of the media company following a ten year stint as the CEO of Foxtel, which is also partly owned by News Corp.

News that his position was on the line surfaced last month after Col Allan, a well-known editor, arrived in Sydney to handle the company’s publications with “extra-editorial” leadership.

Another veteran of the company, Robert Thomson, who has worked for 20 years with News Corp, thinks that this is the right time for Mr. Williams to go. Mr. Thomson said that his colleague is going to leave a lasting legacy at News Corp and in Australia’s modern media.