Rupert Murdoch - H 2015
AP Images/InvisionRupert Murdoch will lose his chief of staff, the latest in a series of moves at 21st Century Fox over the past week, insiders confirmed Thursday.
Natalie Ravitz is stepping down soon, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter, and she is seeking a leadership role at the media conglomerate or with another firm.
Ravitz was a communications director with the New York City Department of Education before accepting a job more than three years ago as Murdoch’s chief of staff, helping him not only in his role as CEO of 21st Century Fox and executive chairman of News Corp but also in his personal affairs.
A spokesman for 21st Century Fox had no comment, but Capital New York obtained a copy of an internal memo from Murdoch that said, in part: “I cannot say enough about the exceptional job Natalie has done for me, giving valued support across many functions … She is immensely talented and able, and has greatly benefited me and our companies.”
Murdoch said a week ago that he would step down from CEO of 21st Century Fox on July 1 and that his son James Murdoch would take over while son Lachlan Murdoch would become executive chairman.
At the same time, the company said Chase Carey would relinquish his role as COO and become executive vice chairman, then presumably leave 21st Century Fox in about a year.
Other changes since Murdoch’s announcement include David Hill stepping down from his executive role at 21st Century Fox and instead creating a TV production banner backed by the conglomerate; Roger Ailes inking a new three-year contract to remain CEO of Fox News, Fox Business Network and chairman of Fox Television Stations and report jointly to Rupert, James and Lachlan Murdoch; and Fox Networks Group hiring former Sky Deutschland CEO Brian Sullivan as its new president of digital.
