MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch's hardman at News Corp's Asian operations is moving back to the US. President and COO Bruce Churchill leaves the Star Group today to join the team overseeing News Corp’s 34 per cent acquisition and future operation of DirecTV parent Hughes Electronics.
A company statement says that as a member of the Hughes transition team -- and, subsequent to the completion of the acquisition, in a senior executive capacity -- Churchill will be responsible for a variety of initiatives, including the creation and implementation of a long-term business plan for News Corp's Latin American operations.
Churchill was appointed president and COO of Star in May 2000. He was deputy CEO of Star since joining in April 1996 responsible for operations across the entire company and driving Star's development strategy. Churchill joined Star from Fox Television in Los Angeles, where he was senior V-P, finance. At Fox he managed the overall financial, corporate development and administrative functions for Fox Broadcasting, Fox Television Stations, FX cable networks and Twentieth Television domestic syndication.
What was left unsaid was that James Murdoch, who has been chairman and chief executive of Star since May 2000, is now ready and able to take full and singular charge. The grooming period is over and it will be his vision that leads Star's future growth in Asia.
There is no word as to who could be replacing Churchill.