Slight improve by Leckie

Seven boss David Leckie has made “a tiny improvement” over the weekend, but remains in intensive care in hospital.

His condition, caused by an infection and ongoing injury with his hand, stabilised on Friday, and hospital spokesman David Faktor said “he remains in a serious but stable condition. He remains in intensive care but all the signs show he is improving.”

Mr Leckie is in an induced coma while doctors work to help his body fight the infection.

Meanwhile, chairman, Kerry Stokes has been preoccupied campaigning for two seats on the board of West Australian Newspaper Holdings. The difficult week for Seven ended with Nine winning the ratings week.

So far this year Seven has won four ratings weeks while Nine has three and there is one tie.

Media buyer Harold Mitchell believes Seven is still well positioned to cope with the current challenges and illness of its CEO. Mitchell says contrary to appearances Leckie’s management style is inclusive. Chief financial officer Peter Lewis, sales director James Warburton and programming director Tim Worner are some of the execs who will hold the fort in Leckie’s absence, which could take up to a month of recovery.

Source: The Australian, The Age