Johannesburg, 2 December 2016 : Media industry stalwart and innovator, Trevor Ormerod, has announced his early retirement from the media and advertising industry as he aims to pursue his other passion, aviation.
Ormerod is currently the General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Times Media, and has been with the Group since 2011. TMG’s Managing Director, Andy Gill says, “We have been incredibly privileged to have had Trevor in our ranks, gaining the benefit of his experience in a media environment that is increasingly competitive and challenging. Trevor is one of the most respected individuals within the industry, with a commercial aptitude that has been generously shared with advertisers and colleagues alike. He is also one of the most liked gentlemen in the business.”
Ormerod has been in the media and entertainment industry for the past 30 years, and has led a number of high – profile media companies, holding positions as Chief Executive of sales and marketing at the SABC, Chief Operations Officer of CNBC Africa, and CEO of Primedia’s Cinema and Print Division, to name a few.
“Trevor’s experience and sharp leadership have delivered tremendous success in evolving our advertising sales approach to a rapidly changing media environment, where a 360 ̊ view is increasingly essential. The diagnostic sales skills that have been instilled across the sales and marketing teams, have allowed us to deliver great wins for our clients, and generated huge loyalty from advertisers,” says Gill. “Trevor gifts us with a very strong and motivated team, for which we are very grateful”.
The success of TMG’s Media Division under Ormerod’s leadership include being awarded as the leading newspaper media owner in South Africa for four consecutive years at the prestigious MOST Awards. The MOST Awards, which recognise media owners and agencies who display exceptional knowledge and deliver outstanding client service within the advertising industry also awarded Times Media as the Overall Media Owner in 2014 and 2015. Ormerod has also previously been the recipient of the MOST Media Legend Award.
“Working with, and having the support of Andrew Bonamour (CEO) and Andy Gill (MD) has been a privilege. The executive team’s forward thinking leadership in terms of adapting to, and adopting, international trends has positioned Times Media very well to lead the way as a multi-platform publisher. I firmly believe that under the professional guidance of the executive team, Times Media will continue to box above its weight to grow its advertising market share, and build audience appeal,” Ormerod says.
Of his decision to exit the media industry Ormerod says, “I’ve been fortunate to have been part of a very special industry for a very long time. I would like to say thanks for the incredible support received from the media industry, clients, and ad agency people that I have worked with over the years …and of course my staff. The industry is made up of superbly talented people and it’s been a privilege to work with them. ” Ormerod is a qualified helicopter pilot and says that leaving the industry, and Times Media in particular, was not a decision he took lightly. He says, “ there have been other interests I have put on the backburner for many years, and feel the time is now right for me to pursue my aviation dreams.”
“Needless to say everyone in the building will miss Trevor, and we wish him everything of the best,” says Gill.
Ormerod will be joining an aviation company in an executive position as from January 2017. A successor to Ormerod will be announced in due course.
-ends-
Times Media and BBEEE
The Times Media Group (TMG) is committed to transformation and the revised Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice which came into effect on 1 May 2015 “B-BBEE”). TMG achieved a level 3 contributor status on the revised B-BBEE codes, and has a B-BBEE ownership status of 58.47%. The Media (newspaper & digital) business has achieved the following demographics: Core media executive management team 66.6% BEE; Editors and Deputy Editors 72% BEE; Media Management including editorial and key departmental heads 62% BEE; Total staff 67% BEE. TMG is also active in the development of BEE and female talent to improve senior departmental level representation. TMG is considered an empowering supplier with a 110% procurement recognition level. (www.timesmedia.co.za)
Issued by: Samantha Pugh, Pugh Public Relations & Corporate Communications
e: sam@pughpr.co.za c: 071 874 5460
On behalf of: Andy Gill, Managing Director, Times Media