In a surprise move, the Ten Network announced that Lachlan Murdoch has been elected chairman, with Brian Long, Ten’s existing chairman, becoming deputy chairman and lead independent director.
Business / Players
Drugs, sex and deception from Mr Apple
Old FBI documents about Steve Jobs, recently posted online, dredge up juicy details of the Apple co-founder’s life — including pointed observations of his personality and ethics and his use of psychedelic drugs, writes Dan Lyons.
The spin doctor who’ll go where others refuse
Toby Ralph has no office, no job title and no qualms about spinning for the forces of darkness. “I’ll work for anyone who pays me,” Liberal campaign veteran Ralph tells Matthew Knott< .
The irresponsibility of ‘responsible investing’
Responsible Investing – despite what the appellation ‘responsible’ might suggest – is not about investing morally. Investors commonly view ethical concerns as a values-based distraction from the primary task of making money, writes NAJ Taylor.
Bitter Rinehart feud goes public
Crikey media wrap: A bitter family dispute between mining-magnate-turned-media-mogul Gina Rinehart and three of her four children has become public after a supression order was lifted yesterday.
Can Zuckerberg keep his Facebook baby afloat?
Reading Mark Zuckerberg’s letter to investors in the Facebook prospectus, which was released this morning, you get the distinct impression that taking the business public is really the last thing he wants to do, given the choice.
With $20b in the bank, Gina could become the world’s richest
Yesterday Gina Rinehart’s fortune doubled to $20 billion — and there appears to be plenty of room left to grow. Could she become the world’s richest person?
Pratts protect their fortune — but at an ugly cost
Money might not bring happiness, but it does allow you to make problems go away.
GST push on overseas purchases least of retail’s woes
The push by some Australian retailers for the government to apply GST on overseas retail purchases continues in earnest, despite the cost of the proposals.
Joye: why lower risks mean lower bank returns
Despite much public interest in, and debate around, the major banks’ purported “gouging” and taxpayer-guaranteed status, some very fundamental questions remain unanswered, says Christopher Joye on Property Observer.
Schwab’s ’11 biz: backflips, Saints, Malibu mansions, hypocrisy and massages
Just who is the Egalitarian of the Year? Who performed the biggest backflip? Who’s a saint, who’s a sinner, and most importantly, who gave the best massage?
A Christmas message from Rupert Murdoch (really)
Wow! What a year of events, good and bad, marvels Rupert Murdoch. (This is real.)
The 2011 Crikeys: who went boom and bust in business
After another year of remarkable volatility caused by the unpredictable news flow coming out of the European debt crisis, Australian investors have every reason to be sitting on their hands. So who did capitalise?
Start-up lessons for 2012
While many people have already written off 2011 in a haze of sunshine, relatives and a well-deserved Christmas drink, start-up entrepreneurs are afforded no such luxury. Oliver Millman presents five tasks to tick off in preparation for 2012.
Our Harto and soul: tributes from News staff to departing chief
When John Hartigan quit News Limited to start his new life, dutiful employees presented him with a special memento. Crikey has the special edition newspaper.
ASIC boss rubs shoulders with the business elites
John Symond last week held his traditional end-of-year soiree at his Point Piper mansion, an event that featured the usual roll call of elite business figures.
Murdoch, Baillieu and Morgan: a story of old Melbourne families
Melbourne marked an interesting milestone last week.
Gina Rinehart still on top of end-of-year rich list
Falling iron ore prices have failed to prevent Gina Rinehart from retaining top spot on SmartCompany’s special end-of-year rich list.
Smart Company’s end-of-year rich list
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart remains Australia’s richest person, with a fortune of around $8.5 billion. Ivan Glasenberg comes in on the Rich List at second and Anthony Pratt at third, reports James Thomson.
The boss of Seven, Kerry Stokes
Kerry Stokes is one of our last old-style media moguls, but he’s no Lord Copper. But even though he controls Channel Seven, Pacific Magazines and The West Australian, he tells Paul Barry that he doesn’t wield any power.
David Leckie: he may not own it, but he runs the place
David Leckie would be a wonderful media mogul if he owned his own TV network. The man who made Channel Nine No. 1 for the Packers and Seven No. 1 for Kerry Stokes is loud, colourful, rude, aggressive, and ideal for the role, says Paul Barry.
Eight of the best power grabs of 2011
The past year has provided a smorgasbord of power snatching opportunities for those looking to increase their influence. Tom Cowie examines the eight most important ones in Australia.
The Power Index Media maestro Morry Schwartz
His Quarterly Essay and The Monthly magazine are the most powerful left-wing voices in Australia. Paul Barry profiles publisher — and property tycoon — Morry Schwartz.
The most powerful lobbyist in Australia
Kos Sclavos is the hot-headed chemist from Brisbane who leads the most feared and effective lobby group in the nation: the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Matthew Knott profiles Australia’s most power lobbyist.
Heather Ridout: the saintly lobbyist
By sheer force of personality and bloody hard work, media-friendly lobbyist Heather Ridout became the voice of business in Canberra. Politicians respect her and her fellow lobbyists talk about her as if she’s a saint, writes Matthew Knott.
