News Corp. announced today that its chief digital officer Jonathan
Miller will be stepping down at the end of September as it splits into two companies.
Miller will, however, serve as an outside advisor to News
Corporation on digital issues through fall 2013.
"Jon Miller is a visionary in the digital media
industry, and his commitment to News Corporation over the last three years has
driven us to truly evolve the way millions of people use new platforms to
consume news and entertainment," Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News
Corporation noted in a statement. "As we prepare for our proposed Company
separation, I respect Jon's desire to return to an operational, entrepreneurial
role with a standalone company. He will be missed and I can't thank him enough
for his efforts and many valued contributions."
In his statement, Miller noted that he was looking "forward
to pursuing new ventures that will lead me back into an operational role."
During his tenure as the top digital executive since 2009,
Miller revamped News Corporation's digital strategy, moving the company away
from standalone owned-and-operated web properties and refocusing its efforts on
digital content distribution and boosting revenues from its existing brands on
emerging platforms.
Miller also oversaw a number of key investments in the U.S.
and abroad, most recently the stakes taken in Roku and Bona Film Group and he represented
News Corporation on the Hulu board of directors.
"Jon is a seasoned technology veteran and we've
benefited enormously from his insights and deep relationships in Silicon Valley
and beyond," Chase Carey, president and COO of News Corporation, noted in a
statement.
