Southern Star boss quits
Rory Callaghan, CEO of one of Australia's leading independent production houses, has resigned to pursue new opportunities.
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In a surprising industry move, Southern Star chief executive officer Rory Callaghan has resigned to pursue new, but undisclosed, opportunities.
Callaghan joined the production company as Director of Programs in 2006 and became CEO when Endemol bought Southern Star in 2009. He previously had senior roles at Granada Australia and the Nine Network.
Southern Star is one of Australia’s leading independent production houses, producing dramas, reality, children’s and entertainment formats including Offspring, Rush, Tangle, Wild Boys, Spirited, Rescue, Paper Giants, Puberty Blues, Beaconsfield, Deal or No Deal, Blue Water High, Love My Way, Blue Heelers, Howzat! The Kerry Packer Story and Big Brother.
Callaghan said: “I feel incredibly privileged to have worked at Australia’s number one TV producer surrounded by so many talented people. I will be leaving behind a company with a phenomenal line up for 2012 including the return of Big Brother, the 11th season of Deal or No Deal, groundbreaking dramas such as Puberty Blues and World Series Cricket, a second series of Bananas in Pyjamas and the all new In Your Dreams from Noel Price; to name just a few.”
Martha Brass, managing director, international operations at Endemol Group said: “During his time with Endemol Rory has overseen a period of sustained success at Southern Star and has been a valued member of our Global Creative Team and International Board. He has nurtured an outstanding team who have set Southern Star on course for yet another year as one of Australia’s top ranking producers. We are extremely grateful for the contribution he has made and wish him every success for the future.”
Callaghan told The Australian, “A new opportunity has come my way.
“They are drawing up a list of replacements and I’m sure they will hire someone good.”
FremantleMedia Australia’s Tim Clucas is already being rumoured as a possible replacement.
Southern Star producer John Edwards said of Callaghan in a statement: “It’s a great legacy. He’ll be greatly missed. He’s a good guy.
“Drama has flourished under his time here. I think there has been about six Southern Star shows on air per year for the last three years.
“I’m sure one of the reasons [for his resignation] is so that Rory can do a little bit more of what I do.”
A departure date is yet to be announced.
Source: Encore
5 Responses
What can i say… tv programas are that. And thats part of life really. Reality… series… drama… shows… and what not.
But i rekond australian television should change just alittle… Theres a issue here. It means that its allways been the more american reality series and drama and so on american programing in australia then what australia would actually have to offer or made… Very little stuff made in australia but notice when something returns back on tv regards to big brother.. or its a knock out or what not.. it allways seems to fail aventually and that the good quality stuff is allways a big ratings when it comes to a show made in the usa instead.
The quality tv programe in australia isn’t fully improved it.. and most tv shows we see made in australia is some how a copy-cat style programe allready exsist in the usa.. for example channel ten the (circle) theres a show in the usa exactly the same but slightly different name senario.. but the circle only fails quickly and only the circle programe on ch10 is mainly succese but thats because you have wifes and such staying home caring thier childs… Not like the whole family be watching it. But yes that is after all television in the making..
I would love to see one old classic 70s show of america call: You can’t do that on teleivision… Actually SBS TV put the old classic full shows each day every afternoon in the late 90s a american show of the 70s was air on sbs classic kids show and i quite enjoy that.
@ Graeme. Possibly – if Shine want to make some inroads into the Southern Star/Screentime drama supplier duopoly what better way than to appoint Rory?
It will be a while, due to contracts.
My bet – Shine Reveille
Wonder where he is going? Back into a network? Does anyone have the inside running? It’s fun to watch these musical chairs at the beginning of each year!