Elisabeth Murdoch to Leave Shine Group CEO Post to Alex Mahon

LONDON -- Shine Group, founded by Rupert Murdoch daughter Elisabeth Murdoch, has promoted Alex Mahon to the role of CEO.

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Murdoch will give up that title and focus on her chairman role of the production firm that her father's News Corp. acquired last year.

Mahon will assume full responsibility for day-to-day management.

The change takes effect in September.

Mahon joined Shine Group in 2006 when she started a managing director of Shine TV.

“As Shine further diversifies across genres, geographies and platforms, I believe that the continued growth of the company requires the chairman and CEO roles to be distinct and separate," said Elisabeth Murdoch. "Alex has earned this new leadership position in recognition of her substantial contribution to Shine’s growth from a single U.K.-based production company a decade ago to the global business we run today."

She added: "The division of duties will focus Alex’s attention on managing the operational business, whilst allowing me to concentrate on identifying future strategic opportunities and remaining the custodian of Shine’s unique culture of creative excellence."

Said Mahon: "I am delighted to take on the chief executive office at Shine Group. It is a privilege to be given such an opportunity by Liz and our creative leaders."

A couple of Wall Street observers suggested that Murdoch's decision to drop the CEO title could also open her up for a broader role at News Corp. or its entertainment business once that splits from the publishing assets.

But a News Corp. spokeswoman said: "This is really about her being able to spend more time on the creative aspects of Shine."

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai