Former Sun editor takes hot seat at Media Square
Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie was back at the helm of a UK media firm today – just a month after failing to rescue magazine publisher Highbury House from collapse.
Mr MacKenzie was appointed as non-executive chairman of Media Square which wanted to tap his expertise after growing ten-fold through a string of acquisitions since 2003.
Media Square, which is based in London and employs more than 1,700 staff, offers marketing services and online advertising to clients through businesses including Coutts UK.
It was transformed in November by a £55m (€80m) deal for the marketing services and specialist advertising business of rival Huntsworth, including many trading under the Citigate brand.
Chief executive Jeremy Middleton said: “Kelvin’s expertise in and knowledge of the media sector, plus his ability to successfully manage large and complex organisations, will be of great benefit to the group.”
Mr MacKenzie, 59, stepped down as executive chairman of Highbury House before Christmas after his efforts to restructure debts of £27m (€39m) were unsuccessful.
Administrators began the break-up of Highbury at the end of last week by selling off its entertainment titles and special interest magazines.
Mr MacKenzie ran radio broadcaster The Wireless Group until May when a buyout plan was scrapped in the wake of a £98.2m (€143m) takeover offer from Ulster TV.
Media Square serves 2,500 customers in seven countries and the deal with Huntsworth has given it an annual turnover of around £200m (€291m).
