In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 36, our guest is TVNZ CEO, Jodi O’Donnell. 

She took over as the CEO of TVNZ just a few months before having to front the announcement of the company’s disastrous financial result, a process that ultimately led to a restructuring programme that included the loss of loved TV shows such as Fair Go and Sunday.

Despite her baptism of fire, Jodi O’Donnell is remarkably open about discussing those early days in the job she has now occupied for a little over a year. And she seems comfortable in taking on the challenge ahead.

And so she should be. O’Donnell has been at the flagship state owned television company for almost her entire career, twenty five years in total. Refreshingly, she comes from the sales and marketing side of the TV business, a commercial upbringing that sees her unapologetically focussed on the customers, both advertisers and viewers.

During the Leaders Getting Coffee podcast Jodi covers topics such as the government ownership model, the importance of winning trust from viewers and the recent merger talks with Radio New Zealand. And she talks about the challenges to the 6pm news hour, the dearth of international news coverage, and the challenge of getting the balance right.

And she is remarkably frank about her early days in the role and those decisions to cut top ten programmes in order to ensure that the business was set up as a media business fit for the rapidly changing future.

Jodi O’Donnell is the leader of a business that is, perhaps, the most influential in the land, and one which is critical to the effective functioning of our democracy. Her story will leave you certain that she is up to the task.

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 36, our guest is TVNZ CEO, Jodi O&rsquo;Donnell.&nbsp;
She took over as the CEO of TVNZ just a few months before having to front the announcement of the company&rsquo;s disastrous financial result, a process that ultimately led to a restructuring programme that included the loss of loved TV shows such as Fair Go and Sunday.
Despite her baptism of fire, Jodi O&rsquo;Donnell is remarkably open about discussing those early days in the job she has now occupied for a little over a year. And she seems comfortable in taking on the challenge ahead.
And so she should be. O&rsquo;Donnell has been at the flagship state owned television company for almost her entire career, twenty five years in total. Refreshingly, she comes from the sales and marketing side of the TV business, a commercial upbringing that sees her unapologetically focussed on the customers, both advertisers and viewers.
During the Leaders Getting Coffee podcast Jodi covers topics such as the government ownership model, the importance of winning trust from viewers and the recent merger talks with Radio New Zealand. And she talks about the challenges to the 6pm news hour, the dearth of international news coverage, and the challenge of getting the balance right.
And she is remarkably frank about her early days in the role and those decisions to cut top ten programmes in order to ensure that the business was set up as a media business fit for the rapidly changing future.
Jodi O&rsquo;Donnell is the leader of a business that is, perhaps, the most influential in the land, and one which is critical to the effective functioning of our democracy. Her story will leave you certain that she is up to the task.

Kiwis seem to be debating the big issues more than ever before. Whether it’s house prices, the state of the economy, or the performance of our political leaders, most of us aren’t lacking for an opinion.

One of the things we don’t talk about that much is the need for good leadership. And it’s not just the politicians that need to take note. Whether you are running a sports team, a small business, a big business, or even a school, good leadership will see goals achieved and better outcomes generated.

Join company director and business adviser Bruce Cotterill as he talks to leaders about leadership. 

Kiwis seem to be debating the big issues more than ever before. Whether it’s house prices, the state of the economy, or the performance of our political leaders, most of us aren’t lacking for an opinion.
One of the things we don’t talk about that much is the need for good leadership. And it’s not just the politicians that need to take note. Whether you are running a sports team, a small business, a big business, or even a school, good leadership will see goals achieved and better outcomes generated.
Join company director and business adviser Bruce Cotterill as he talks to leaders about leadership.