WAN may fit for Wharton

CHANNEL Seven Perth boss Chris Wharton is one of those characters who seems to thrive in the world of media management and, as the sector turns on its head, he could well be best positioned to take advantage of the industry's upheaval.

Outgoing and always going out seems to be an appropriate summary for Mr Wharton, who is understood to have worked closely and won the respect of Kerry Stokes, and whose name has emerged as the frontrunner to take up the soon-to-be-vacant WA Newspapers Holdings managing directorship.

The gregarious head of Seven Perth is certainly uniquely placed to take the role after the resignation of Ken Steinke and the ascension of Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes.

Not only has Mr Wharton successfully run the local TV station for the past eight years, no doubt closely watched by Mr Stokes, but he also has a newspaper background, with five years as CEO of Community Newspaper Group at the end of almost two decades of experience with Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.

Although he officially took over Seven Perth from former Bond Corp and WA Newspapers executive David Aspinall, who had temporarily run the station, Mr Wharton was really stepping into the shoes of long-serving Seven Perth chief Kevin Campbell, regarded by many as a doyen of the local industry.

"Kevin Campbell was Mr Television," said one observer.

"I reckon he [Mr Wharton] went reasonably quiet there for a while, he built up his knowledge and understanding of how the business works.

"Now you would say he is Mr Television."

Having last week seen off his boardroom rivals - Peter Mansell, Jenny Seabrook and Mel Ward - Mr Stokes may be seeking ways to get better cooperation between the operations of WAN and Seven as these traditional media businesses fight tumbling revenues and growing internet opposition.

Just how much the market wants Mr Stokes to take control is unknown. Mr Stokes owns about 40 per cent of Seven, which in turn owns about 22 per cent of WAN.

Most investors felt Mr Stokes deserved to be represented on the board after he failed to spill the WAN board in April, but few would have expected him to be in a position to influence who becomes managing director quite so soon.Mr Stokes and his key executive Peter Gammell were appointed to the board in September and were formally elected by shareholders in early November. Last week the three directors and Mr Steinke resigned.