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rupert murdoch

September 3, 2013

Rupert Murdoch made much of his fortune through the sensationalism sold in his tabloid newspapers, but now it is the media mogul himself whose life is being dramatised in a new Australian play.

Created by one of Australia’s most well known playwrights, David Williamson, the cabaret-style show features Murdoch tap-dancing his way through his first acquisitions and sharing a flamenco dance with Britain’s former Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher.

Murdoch moves into winemaking business

August 29, 2013

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, chairman of NewsCorp and 21st Century Fox, is moving into the business of winemaking, with the purchase of a $29 million (€22 million) property in the Californian suburb of Bel Air in the US.

The 13-acre property, Moraga Vineyards, produces about 1,500 cases of wine a year and includes staff quarters, a tasting room and wine cave. The sale includes $4 million of wine inventory.

Family Business Roundup: America Movil, 21st Century Fox, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hutchinson Whampoa

August 22, 2013

America Movil secures funding for KPN, Rupert Murdoch invests in alternative media group, Boehringer Ingelheim breaks ground on animal pharmaceuticals plant in China, and Hutcinson Whampoa receives preliminary bids for supermarket chain.

America Movil
America Movil said it had secured funding for a €7.2 billion bid to further its stake in Dutch telecom company Royal KPN.

Murdoch reveals Lachlan, not James, could succeed him

July 4, 2013

A secretly taped recording of News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch has revealed who might succeed the octogenarian as head of the family media empire.

Speaking at a meeting at the Sun newspaper, Murdoch said either his son Lachlan or News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson would likely take the helm should anything happen to him.

News Corp shareholders have previously urged Murdoch – whose family trust owns around 40% of the company’s voting shares – to name his successor.

Murdoch divorce – experts warn of difficulties for family business

June 19, 2013

Lawyers and family business experts suggest a divorce like the one Rupert Murdoch is facing could be a big distraction for a company boss, particularly at a time when the business faces challenges – as the Murdoch empire might following its recent split into two firms.

Senior partner and co-founder of Banyan Family Business Advisors Henry Foley said divorce increases tension within the family business, and multiple divorces compound these impacts. Murdoch, 82, filed for divorce from Wendi Deng last week – he has already been through two other divorces.

Family Business Roundup: News Corp to delist; Suntory files for IPO; Fiat plans Chrysler purchase

May 31, 2013

News Corp to delist in London when it splits its business activities; Japanese drinks firm Suntory plans $4.7 billion IPO; and Fiat wants to buy the remaining stake in Chrysler.

News Corp

News Corp has announced it will delist from the London Stock Exchange when it splits its publishing and entertainment activities next month.

Murdoch to keep control as News Corporation prepares to split activities

May 28, 2013

News Corporation's board of directors has approved plans to separate out its publishing and entertainment activities in to two distinct companies, with a poisoned pill strategy in place to protect the new companies from a hostile takeover.

The publishing division will retain the name News Corporation, while the broadcasting and entertainment business will be named 21st Century Fox – an updated name for Twentieth Century Fox, the film company Murdoch bought in 1985. The split, which will be completed by 28 June, was first tabled a year ago.

News Corp settles shareholder's lawsuit for $139 million

April 25, 2013

News Corporation's board of directors, including Rupert Murdoch, has agreed a $139 million (€106.8 million) settlement of a lawsuit brought by investors.

News Corporation's board of directors, including chief executive and chairman Rupert Murdoch, has agreed a $139 million (€106.8 million) settlement of a lawsuit brought by investors, which claimed directors had turned a blind eye to illegal practices and mismanagement at News Corp that damaged share prices.

The shareholders sued the directors on behalf of News Corp; the money – which will be covered by the board's insurance – will be paid to News Corp itself rather than to shareholders directly.

News Corp considers splitting family business into two

June 26, 2012

Media conglomerate News Corporation, controlled by the Murdoch family, confirmed today (26 June) that it is considering splitting its business – a move that will separate its film and television operations from its publishing division.

Packer family considering selling media business to News Corp

June 20, 2012

Australian billionaire James Packer, majority owner of Consolidated Media Holdings, is looking to cut his ties with the media business, founded by his great-grandfather, by selling his shares to fellow family-run News Corporation.

Following an offer of AUS$3.50 (€2.81) per share by News Corp, CMH said on 20 June that it will “engage constructively” with Murdoch family-controlled media conglomerate.