Kuben Pillay new Primedia deputy CEO

Primedia announced this afternoon, Wednesday, 10 March 2009, that it has appointed 48-year-old Kuben Pillay as deputy CEO of the Primedia group. Pillay was previously CEO of the group's advertising division (Adco), which comprises all of Primedia's advertising brands - a position he had held since 2002.
Kuben Pillay, newly appointed deputy CEO of the Primedia group
Kuben Pillay, newly appointed deputy CEO of the Primedia group

Primedia CEO William Kirsh said, "I am delighted to make this most deserved appointment. Since joining the group as an executive in 2000, Kuben has played a central role in critical areas of the group, starting off in Corporate Affairs and Strategy (including the group's transformation programme) and then in the key position of CEO of the group's mainstay advertising businesses for many years.

“With the content businesses now falling under his responsibility as well, I am optimistic that the success he has had in managing the advertising businesses will be felt in the new businesses falling under his ambit".

Recent strategic decision

The appointment follows the group's recent strategic decision to centralise all operational responsibilities, as opposed to having operational responsibility split between the group's advertising and content-based business, which has been the case for the past seven years. The move is not only supposed to streamlined the cost base of Primedia, but should also create the opportunity for far greater cohesiveness, thus enabling group collaboration to become more manifest.

Before joining Primedia as an executive, Pillay was an executive and founding director of the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), the South African black-empowerment company and Primedia's largest shareholder. In 2007, Pillay was appointed non-executive chairman of MIC, a position he currently holds.

Commenting on his appointment, Pillay said, "I am truly excited and challenged about this opportunity as it in many respects crystallises the opportunity for Primedia to fully harness the strengths of its great assets and brands, as well as capitalise on the talents of its leading media practitioners."

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