News Corp. Names Former Disney Exec Arthur Bochner Communications Chief As Jim Kennedy To Retire
11.01.2024 - 19:21
/ deadline.com
News Corp today announced that veteran communications executive Arthur Bochner is set to become chief communications officer and EVP at News Corp. when Jim Kennedy retires later this year.
Bochner spent nearly a decade at Disney, most recently overseeing strategic communications. He served as chief of staff in Bob Chapek’s Office of the CEO after holding communications roles at the consumer products and theme park segments. He left Disney in 2022 amid an exodus following Chapek’s exit and Bob Iger’s return.
Bochner previously held communications positions at Bloomberg, Citigroup and FD Public Affairs.
“Arthur has vast and valuable experience at the highest levels of business and government, which will enable him to play a vital role in News Corp’s continuing growth,” said News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson. “With a strategic sensibility, savvy messaging skills, and a collaborative character, Arthur is a worthy successor to our friend and colleague, Jim Kennedy, as he transitions to a well-deserved retirement this year.”
Bochner starts this month, working with Kennedy and his team during a transition. He will move from Los Angeles to New York with his family and be based at News Corp’s Avenue of the Americas headquarters.
“News Corp is home to some of the most iconic brands in media, and I am thrilled to join the company’s leadership team at this exciting time of transformation,” Bochner said.
Kennedy, who announced his retirement plans last fall, came to News Corp. in 2013 as the first communications chief after the company split from Fox. He’d previously worked in communications at Sony, Sony Pictures and Sony Corporation of America. Before that, he spent decades as a spokesman and speechwriter in Washington, Hollywood