Top 7 sales boss Henry Tajer exits just six months in job
Seven is searching for a new head of sales following the exit of its chief commercial officer Henry Tajer after six months in the role.
Mr Tajer was appointed to Seven's most senior sales role in January following a radical restructure of Seven's corporate structure last year leading to the departure of seasoned Seven executives including advertising chief Kurt Burnette in June 2024.
On Monday Seven confirmed Mr Tajer will transition from his full-time role into a consulting arrangement from the end of the month.
Seven West Media managing director and CEO Jeff Howard praised Mr Tajer in Monday's announcement saying: 'Henry brought a new level of bold and innovative thinking to Seven's sales team. He drove significant change in his short time at Seven and on behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank him for his contribution. I look forward to continuing to work with Henry on opportunities to drive growth for SWM.'
Seven is searching for a new head of sales following the exit of Henry Tajer. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian
Seven West Media managing director and CEO Jeff Howard praised Mr Tajer. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Mr Tajer initially joined Seven as a consultant in August 2024 before becoming Seven's full-time CCO in January 2025, a role that saw him put on a lucrative contract at Seven.
His predecessor Mr Burnette had been on $1.25 million a year at the time of his departure.
Mr Tajer said of his departure from Seven that it would allow him to transition back to consulting work while allowing him to focus on the 'many exciting opportunities still ahead for Seven' as a consultant.
The Seven sales team will be jointly led by Mr Tajer's former direct reports, Katie Finney, Seven's national TV sales director and national digital sales director Jordan King while a search is conducted for Mr Tajer's replacement.
In May news.com.au reported Mr Tajer's appointment at Seven had been the result of a decade of lobbying for a top sales job in Australian television.
The Seven sales team will be led by Katie Finney until a replacement for Mr Tajer can be found. Picture: LinkedIn
Mr Tajer is said to have won over Ryan Stokes and his dad, Seven chairman Kerry Stokes. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.
Sources claimed he ultimately won over Seven chairman Kerry Stokes and son Ryan Stokes, non-executive director of Seven's board, leading to his appointment in January.
Mr Tajer's aggressive and at times unconventional style has drawn critics internally and externally in recent years.
He arrived at Seven following a string of short-lived roles.
Prior to consulting for Seven he was CEO of The Influence Group for a year until June 2023.
His previous role at marketing company Dentsu Aegis also lasted one year and saw Mr Tajer ruffle feathers.
He also made headlines in adland in 2017 after exiting his role as Global CEO of IPG Mediabrands – a role he relocated his family from Australia to New York two years earlier in 2015 to fill.
Mr Tajer's departure follows the recent exit of Seven's 'rookie' news boss Anthony De Ceglie after a controversial year at the broadcaster.
Originally published as Top 7 sales boss Henry Tajer exits after just six months in job
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