Network Ten hands Herd COO role

Australia’s Network Ten has appointed director of corporate and regulatory affairs Annabelle Herd as its chief operating officer.

Annabelle Herd

Herd has been named COO effective immediately and will report to the broadcaster’s CEO Paul Anderson.

Herd joined Ten, which was acquired by CBS Corp in the US last month, in July 2004 after an extensive career in policy, regulatory affairs and government relations in both the commercial and public sectors.

“Annabelle has been responsible for leading Ten’s corporate position in a complex media landscape. She is a strong and trusted leader and has the qualities for this position, both now and into the future,” said Anderson.

Australia’s government and screen producers responded enthusiastically when it emerged that CBS had agreed to buy the struggling Ten earlier this year.

The deal ushered in a new era for the loss-making network after months of uncertainty and saw its accumulated losses of more than A$1.6bn (US$1.2bn) wiped out, leaving it debt-free.