Kerry Stokes

Meet the China lobby

19 May 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Meet the China lobby

Australia and China have arrived at a moment in their relationship that might be likened to a marriage in which two partners who’ve taken each other for granted realise life has become a whole lot more complicated.

ConsMedia blocks trade sweet option for UBS

10 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 28 | ConsMedia blocks trade sweet option for UBS

News Ltd should be considered front runner for James Packer’s $900 million Consolidated Media stake, but should it and other trade buyers turn down the asset institutional investors might be interested.

A surplus of scepticism and GST gripes reigns

10 May 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 10 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | A surplus of scepticism and gripes

It seems these days that no West Australian business event is complete without someone dropping the S word: secession.

Packer rethinks Foxtel prospects

07 May 2012 | Ben Holgate

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Packer rethinks Foxtel prospects

James Packer has proved himself a trader of assets with the financial acumen of his late father over the years.

Packer to farewell family media empire

03 May 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Packer to exit media business

James Packer is seeking up to $1.1 billion for his half share in Consolidated Media Holdings, owner of a quarter stake in Foxtel, in a move that would see him offload his family’s last major media asset.

Costs now key for Seven West

30 April 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 30 April 2012 | PAGE 56 | Costs now key for Seven West

The affidavit James Warburton prepared for the court battle prompted by his defection from Seven West Media to run Ten Network Holdings in the middle of last year was widely reported at the time.

Telstra media plays in ACCC’s sights

27 April 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | ACCC warns Telstra over pay TV expansion

ACCC chairman Rod Sims has signalled any attempt by ­Telstra to expand its media interests will be subject to critical scrutiny, including a potential move for Consolidated Media Holdings.

Deal or no deal: it’s Leckie’s call

23 April 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 44 | Deal or no deal: it’s Leckie’s call

David Leckie has begun negotiations on a new contract with the board of Seven West Media, a move that is expected to see him stay in the top job for at least another year.

High stakes in a sale of ConsMedia

20 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony MacDonald

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | High stakes in a sale of ConsMedia

All the attention is on James Packer’s $900 million Consolidated Media Holdings stake, but it is worth considering what Consolidated Media’s other owners would do should Packer head for the exit.

ConsMedia in Telstra’s sights

20 April 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | ConsMedia in Telstra’s sights

So many chief executives are expert at obfuscating that it sometimes comes as a shock when a plain question gets a straight answer.

Libs win no hang-up for Telstra

19 April 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Libs win no hang-up for Telstra

Telstra chief David Thodey has declared that a change in government would not affect the telco’s growth under the NBN or its ability to make large digital media acquisitions such as Consolidated Media ­Holdings.

Company briefs

17 April 2012 |

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 22 |

Kerry Stokes-controlled Iron Ore Holdings has awarded initial contracts worth more than $3 million for a pre-feasibility study on its Bungaroo South iron ore project in the western part of the Pilbara region.

Aussies turn to US bond market

11 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | Aussies turn to US bond market

Predictions that more Australian companies would turn to the US private placement market for funding have proved correct with at least four local borrowers in the midst of offshore debt raisings.

TV merger will have to play ball

11 April 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 56 | TV merger will have to play ball

While he has been amicable with Foxtel’s bid for Austar, Rod Sims warns he will not be a pushover when it comes to exclusive sporting rights.

Elphinstone follows the Cat, and his heart, to the cream

05 April 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | Collector follows the Cat, and his heart, to the cream

Dale Elphinstone’s investment strategy is driven by his affinity with US mining and construction equipment giant Caterpillar.

Leckie: Seven ate Nine and Ten

02 April 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 02 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Leckie: Seven ate Nine and Ten

According to David Leckie the fourth season of MasterChef Australia will be a flop and Seven will continue a record-breaking ratings performance in 2012.

Chips down in high-stakes game

29 March 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 29 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Chips down in high-stakes game

Echo Entertainment chairman John Story and his arch rival James Packer are sharpening their knives ahead of what could be one of the year’s most intriguing corporate takeover battles.

Gina Rinehart battle over reporting sources delayed

28 March 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 51 | Rinehart sources bid delayed

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s legal bid to make the West Australian Newspaper reveal its sources in reporting on a bitter family battle has been postponed until next week.

Fear and loathing on the mogul trail

26 March 2012 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 51 | Fear and loathing on the mogul trail

For a journalist tasked with (clumsily) trying to glean the media moguls’ every move, twitch and strategic master plan, venturing your opinion on same can be a hair-raising experience.

Rinehart assurance called for

26 March 2012 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 44 | Rinehart assurance called for

One of Fairfax Media’s biggest shareholders has called on Gina Rinehart to assure investors she will not try to influence editorial content if given a seat on the board.

Paper to fight Gina’s subpoena

24 March 2012 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Paper to fight Gina subpoena

The editor of The West Australian has promised to do everything in his power to block a move by Gina Rinehart to force the paper to reveal sources.

Rinehart acts to reveal sources

23 March 2012 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Rinehart acts to reveal sources

Gina Rinehart, the major shareholder in Fairfax Media, has taken legal action to force the Kerry-Stokes controlled West Australian Newspaper to reveal its sources in the bitter battle with her children.

Ten may dial into DMG Radio if it sells Eye Corp

21 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 16 | Ten may dial into DMG if it sells Eye

Street Talk | Should Ten Network successfully sell its outdoor advertising division Eye Corp, there will be no shortage of places for it to park the cash.

ConsMedia court win a blow to ATO

21 March 2012 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 13 | ConsMedia court win a blow to ATO

James Packer’s and Kerry Stokes’s media conglomerate, Consolidated Media Holdings, has defeated the tax man in a long battle over the treatment of a $1 billion dollar share buyback undertaken a decade ago.

Has Rupert pulled off another coup?

16 March 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 17 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Murdoch pulls off $5bn coup

When someone like Rupert Murdoch sells a business he has owned for about 20 years, it inevitably leads to questions about his motivations.

Thodey can find channel for cash

15 March 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 72 | Thodey can find channel for cash

Telstra CEO David Thodey will find himself in some elevated company if he gains control of Foxtel through a $2 billion bid for James Packer’s CMH.

Nine’s only-for-show teaser document

15 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 28 | Nine’s only-for-show teaser

Private equity shops across town welcomed the delivery of a special document from UBS and Nine Entertainment Co yesterday, hopeful that it meant they might be able to pick up a bargain from a financially distressed seller.

Risky business of casino trades

03 March 2012 | Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 21 | Risky business of casino trades

When James Packer’s casino owner Crown revealed a 10 per cent interest in rival Echo Entertainment Group via an equity derivative, it didn’t take long for Deutsche Bank to be linked to the deal.

WesTrac plays down China expectations

01 March 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 31 | WesTrac plays down China expectations

WesTrac chief executive Jim Walker has backed away from projections that the company’s Chinese business could soon surpass its Australian business in size.

NBN pieces finally falling into place

28 February 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 33 | NBN pieces finally falling into place

David Thodey could be forgiven for enjoying a glass or two of sangria as Telstra’s lucrative agreements with the NBN finally fall into place.

Packer punts on the human factor

27 February 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 56 | Packer punts on the human factor

James Packer’s decision to spend $256.6 million upping his stake in Echo Entertainment is all about increasing Crown’s exposure to the Asian VIP market.

Echo hits back at Packer tilt

27 February 2012 | Nabila Ahmed

PRINT: 27 February 2012 | PAGE 15 | Echo hits back at Packer tilt

Echo chairman John Story has vowed he will not allow James Packer to win control of the company cheaply as the NSW state government backed the billionaire’s plans for a new casino development in Sydney.

Wall St gains on hopes for US labour market

24 February 2012 | Bianca hartge-Hazelman

Before the Bell | The local sharemarket is set to open slightly higher after US stocks gained almost half a per cent after a labour market report suggesting that the US economy is slowly recovering ■ S&P 500 up 0.4pc ■ SPI up 13pts ■ $A up half a cent.

Stokes sits tight on rising Iron Ore Holdings stake

24 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 24 | Stokes sits tight on rising Iron Ore Holdings stake

What will Perth billionaire Kerry Stokes do with Iron Ore Holdings? It is a question many shareholders are asking.

Leckie hopeful on ad outlook

22 February 2012 |

PRINT: 22 February 2012 | PAGE 23 | Leckie hopeful on ad outlook

Seven West CEO David Leckie has predicted the advertising market is poised for an upturn as the television-to-newspapers business met analysts expectations with its inaugural interim results.

Optus pays $280m for broadband supplier

21 February 2012 | John McDuling

PRINT: 21 February 2012 | PAGE 39 | Optus gets vivid in spectrum grab

Optus will fork out up to $280 million to acquire broadband provider vividwireless from Kerry Stokes’s Seven Group Holdings, in a land grab for spectrum needed for super-fast mobile services.

Schools report head stays true to form

21 February 2012 | Andrew White

PRINT: 21 February 2012 | PAGE 53 | Schools report head stays true to form

David Gonski, a man with an abiding interest in education, will need all his skills, experience, contacts and diplomacy to get the findings of his review of school funding adopted.

Deals whet IOH’s appetite

17 February 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 42 | Deluge of deals whets IOH’s appetite for more

Under the leadership of iron ore veteran Alwyn Vorster, Iron Ore Holdings has shifted its strategy. This week it struck what could be its biggest deal to date:

No telling where Teck’s tactics lead

14 February 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 14 February 2012 | PAGE 19 | No telling where Teck’s tactics lead

Is it a simple bet on the iron ore price or part of a broader plan that could lead to a merger in the future?

$600 million dangling for TV networks

06 February 2012 | Paul McIntyre

PRINT: 06 February 2012 | PAGE 18 | $600m dangling for TV ads

Television network executives are chasing a record $600 million pool of uncommitted TV advertising funds this year following the completion of their annual rate and revenue share negotiations.

Seven faces Olympic tax fight over IOC payments

06 February 2012 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 03 February 2012 | PAGE 9 | Seven escalates Olympics tax fight

Kerry Stokes’s Seven Network has elevated a brawl over the taxation of almost $100 million it paid to the International Olympic Committee, taking it to the Federal Court.

Rinehart tops rich list as Harvey drops

02 February 2012 |

Australia's richest person, billionaire Gina Rinehart, is also the richest woman in Asia and on the way to becoming the richest woman in the world, according to Forbes' latest rich list.

Rinehart poised to snare 15pc of Fairfax

01 February 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 01 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rinehart’s $200m Fairfax raid

Updated | Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart is on her way to securing almost 15 per cent of Fairfax Media in a move that could trigger a boardroom stoush at the newspaper, digital media and radio group.

Not just a board seat but an ethos at stake

01 February 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 01 February 2012 | PAGE 16 | Not just a board seat but an ethos at stake

The Fairfax board faces a test: ensure that Gina Rinehart’s growing power and influence does not interfere with a 171-year-old tradition of journalistic independence.

Stokes sells newly bought shares in Ten

30 January 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 30 January 2012 | PAGE 12 | Stokes sells newly bought shares in Ten

Seven Group chairman Kerry Stokes appears to have taken the unusual move of selling his 2 per cent holding in Ten Network Holdings just two months after his investment became public.

Back door swings wide open

27 January 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 28 January 2012 | PAGE 64 | Back door swings wide open

The long-term hibernation of the IPO market in Australia is likely to lead to greater use of back-door listings as well as increased complexity in the structuring of M&A deals.

WesTrac keeps cool on Bucyrus deal

23 January 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 23 January 2012 | PAGE 15 | WesTrac keeps cool on Bucyrus deal

The boss of Kerry Stokes’ mining equipment business, WesTrac, says the company is not rushing to complete a potentially lucrative deal to sell Bucyrus machinery in Australia and China.

Companies briefs

19 January 2012 |

PRINT: 19 January 2012 | PAGE 33 |

The Kerry Stokes-controlled Iron Ore Holdings has named ex-Wesfarmers executive Christian Johnstone its chief financial officer, while former FerrAus and Rio Tinto executive Brett Hazelden becomes general manager for project development.

Macquarie St Capitol

18 January 2012 |

PRINT: 18 January 2012 | PAGE 52 | Macquarie St Capitol

Hacks and flacks walking the corridors of the NSW Parliament last Friday would be forgiven for thinking they had been mysteriously relocated to the US Capitol.

Lachlan has recipe for success

09 January 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 09 January 2012 | PAGE 48 | Lachlan has recipe for success

It may be tempting for Lachlan Murdoch to take his foot off the gas now he has a CEO at Ten Network but he can’t afford to take it easy.

Ten not sport shy

04 January 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 04 January 2012 | PAGE 16 | Ten’s Warburton not shy on sporting bids

The new chief executive of Ten Network holdings, James Warburton, has said the media group has not turned its back on bidding for sporting broadcast rights.

MHz sale could be a mega-problem

03 January 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 03 January 2012 | PAGE 48 | MHz sale could be mega-problem

The move by Stephen Conroy to play hardball with Telstra and Vodafone over the sale of mobile spectrum is a risky strategy.

CEOs stay put for holidays

22 December 2011 | Lisa Allen

PRINT: 22 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | CEOs at home for holidays

For some chief executives it will be a White Christmas. For others, and for federal politicians, it will probably be grey skies and humidity at home.

Misers miss out

17 December 2011 |

PRINT: 17 December 2011 | PAGE 57 | Misers miss out

More japes and jollies at Kerry Stokes’s Seven West Media.

Media moguls pick their pals

17 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 17 December 2011 | PAGE 51 | Media moguls pick their pals

Just when you thought you knew where the alliances of the media barons lay, they may all be about to change.

Media reforms have bets running hot

16 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 16 December 2011 | PAGE 4 | Draft reforms have bets running hot

Prime Media Group and Southern Cross Media are expected to be the first participants in any shake-up of the media sector triggered by the convergence review.

Media sector ends 2011 with a bang

15 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Anyone who thought the media industry would enter a quiet period in the run-up to Christmas does not know the media industry.

Packer not keen on free-to-air

15 December 2011 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 40 | Packer not keen on free-to-air

The dominance of Kerry Stokes’ Channel Seven network has spooked James Packer from ploughing more money into free-to-air television, including the debt-laden Nine television network his family once owned.

Worthy effort to kill anachronistic law

15 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 6 | Worthy effort to kill anachronistic law

The communications convergence review is a clear-headed and rational attempt to clean up the spaghetti of media regulation.

Radical plan to remake media laws

15 December 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 15 December 2011 | PAGE 1 | Radical plan to remake media laws

The Gillard government’s convergence review is proposing a radical overhaul of media ownership rules that could lead to greater regulation of internet companies and clear the way for another wave of industry consolidation.

Deals galore making the news

12 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 37 | Deals galore and many heads roll

The need to reduce debt, cut costs and get bigger in an ever-fragmenting industry sparked a flurry of mergers and acquisitions in the media sector this year.

Successes, fiascos, 2011 has seen a fistful

12 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 36 | Successes, fiascos, 2011 has seen a fistful

It was quite a year in the media and marketing sectors and so (drum roll please), we present this year’s awards.

No rush to taste Agincourt dim sum before first deal

12 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 20 | No rush to taste Agincourt dim sum before first deal

Bonds issued in Hong Kong but denominated in yuan are standard fare in the Chinese territory, and now property fund manager Agincourt Capital is looking for Australian properties to invest in.

Stokes’s Ten purchase nets some big bragging rights

12 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 12 December 2011 | PAGE 20 | Stokes’s Ten purchase nets some big bragging rights

Trying to fathom the inner workings of Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes’s mind is never easy.

Shops shelve online tax hope

10 December 2011 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 64 | Shops shelve online tax hope

Retailers should not be surprised the government has refused to play Santa and cut the tax-free threshold for goods bought overseas.

Seven’s top job still up for grabs

10 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 10 December 2011 | PAGE 17 | Seven’s top job still up for grabs

After months of speculation, Kerry Stokes’s Seven West Media announced Tim Worner is the new CEO of its TV network.

Stokes snares 2pc of Ten, Rinehart joins board

09 December 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Updated | Kerry Stokes’ investment in Ten has been confirmed by sources close to the latter, although it is smaller than first believed. Lachlan Murdoch says Ten was “stuffed” before recent changes.

Stocks slide after Draghi disappoints

09 December 2011 | joanna heath

Before the Bell | The ASX is set to fall about 1.5pc after the ECB said it wasn’t looking to significantly increase its buying of EU sovereign debts ■ S&P 500 falls 2.2pc ■ $A down US1¢ ■ Broker Watch: CSL, ANZ, WPL.

Stokes hovers in Lachlan’s shadow

09 December 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 09 December 2011 | PAGE 24 | Stokes hovers in Lachlan’s shadow

Lachlan Murdoch will front his first – and last – Ten Network annual shareholders’ meeting as chief executive on Friday.

Media regulation not the answer

07 December 2011 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 07 December 2011 | PAGE 5 | Media regulation ‘not the answer’

Some of Kerry Stokes’ most senior executives have cautioned that government funding to regulate the media would lead to political interference and endanger Australia’s democracy.

Elphinstone digs in till 11th hour

06 December 2011 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 06 December 2011 | PAGE 39 | Elphinstone digs in till 11th hour

Tasmania’s richest man, Dale Elphinstone, has waited until the eleventh hour to accept Kerry Stokes’s offer for his 21.8 per cent stake in equipment hire group National Hire.

Southerly bluster but wins in the west

02 December 2011 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 02 December 2011 | PAGE 63 | Southerly bluster but wins in the west

Sept 30, 2012 . . . it’s the date when the “new money” mining powerhouse of Perth will supplant the “old money” business community in Melbourne.

Wall Street gains on EU optimism

29 November 2011 | Joanna Heath

Before the Bell | The ASX is set to open higher after US stocks closed up more than 2pc ■ Fitch cuts US outlook to negative ■ SPI up 26pts ■ Broker Watch: Qantas, Rio Tinto, Tabcorp.

Leckie upbeat on the TV ad market

29 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 29 November 2011 | PAGE 37 | Leckie upbeat on the TV ad market

Seven West Media chief executive David Leckie believes the $3 billion capital-city free-to-air television advertising market will start to pick up from March next year.

Eyes on Coates as refinancing looms

29 November 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 29 November 2011 | PAGE 22 | Eyes on Coates as refinancing looms

While Kerry Stokes tries to consolidate ownership of National Hire, the other major holder of Coates Hire, The Carlyle Group, is exploring its own bit of repositioning.

Seven will blitz its rivals, says Leckie

28 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 28 November 2011 | PAGE 1 | Seven to blitz rivals: Leckie

Seven West Media chief David Leckie has taken a swipe at his TV rivals’ ratings and revenue ambitions, predicting that Seven will dominate next year.

Three to bid on mobile spectrum

26 November 2011 | David Crowe

PRINT: 26 November 2011 | PAGE 5 | Three to bid on spectrum

The government has settled a row with the three big mobile phone operators over spectrum licences worth about $4 billion, in a crucial step towards launching the next generation of consumer services and balancing the budget.

Shareholder finds bid hard to digest

25 November 2011 | Jonathan Barrett

PRINT: 25 November 2011 | PAGE 50 | Investor finds bid hard to digest

Tasmania’s richest man Dale Elphinstone has given the strongest indication yet that he will withstand efforts by Kerry Stokes to buy him out of National Hire.

Kerry not stoked about being grilled

18 November 2011 |

PRINT: 18 November 2011 | PAGE 38 | Kerry not stoked about being grilled

It might be the season to be jolly, but media mogul Kerry Stokes wasn’t looking so merry back in his hometown of Perth yesterday.

Stokes sidesteps tough questions

17 November 2011 | Jonathan Barrett

The goodwill afforded to media mogul Kerry Stokes among shareholders in his home town of Perth started to fragment on Thursday, as shareholders raised concerns over the large losses they had suffered in their Seven West Media share portfolios.

Ad slide to hurt Seven West bottom line

17 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 18 November 2011 | PAGE 44 | Ad slide to hurt Seven West bottom line

Updated | Kerry Stokes’s Seven West Media television, magazine, newspaper and internet group has warned its earnings will slide about 9 per cent.

Media sector’s impairment losses mount

17 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Impairment charges Rupert Murdoch’s Australian company News Ltd booked in its 2010-11 accounts lifted the media sector’s total impairment and restructuring costs during the year to about $2.5 billion.

Gotta love it – Seven tops the ratings

16 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 16 November 2011 | PAGE 16 | Gotta love it – Seven tops the ratings

The 2011 television ratings season does not end until November 26, but that has not stopped the TV division of Seven West Media from claiming the number one spot.

Twiggy digs deep for charity

14 November 2011 | Jonathan Barrett

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest can be revealed as the philanthropist behind an anonymous $1 million gift at last month’s Channel 7 Telethon in Perth.

Seven hits industrial strength

14 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 14 November 2011 | PAGE 45 | Seven hits industrial strength

Kerry Stokes’s Seven Group Holdings now calls itself an industrial services company with its core businesses in two growing sectors.

BlueScope gives scope for shareholder dissent

14 November 2011 | Andrew White

PRINT: 14 November 2011 | PAGE 17 | BlueScope gives scope for shareholder dissent

Pay reports for manufacturer BlueScope Steel are among those likely to come under scrutiny this week as shareholders gather for annual meetings under the government’s new two-strikes rule.

National briefs

14 November 2011 |

PRINT: 14 November 2011 | PAGE 10 |

Brisbane dam to be lowered, Andrew Forrest gives away money, and Kevin Rudd goes to India.

A relentless drive to win

12 November 2011 | Jonathan Barrett

PRINT: 12 November 2011 | PAGE 51 | A relentless drive to win

From television to heavy machinery, no one knows how to get his way quite like Seven’s Kerry Stokes. Meet the master tactician.

End of an era in media shake-up

12 November 2011 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 12 November 2011 | PAGE 18 | End of an era in media shake-up

The key pressure points in Australia’s media sector have been on full display in the past week.

WesTrac key to profit at Seven

10 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 10 November 2011 | PAGE 20 | WesTrac key to profit at Seven

Strong revenue growth from its WesTrac mining equipment distributors in Australia and China will boost profits at Kerry Stokes’ Seven Group Holdings this year.

Nine to be owned by bank within year: Stokes

09 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 09 November 2011 | PAGE 20 | Stokes laments Nine’s crisis

Updated | Nine Entertainment Co will be owned by its bank within 12 months, according to Seven Group Holdings executive chairman Kerry Stokes.

WesTrac claws in profit growth at Seven

09 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Kerry Stokes’ Seven Group Holdings has indicated net profit growth of at least 9 per cent in the December 2011 half, driven by strong revenue gains at its WesTrac mining equipment distributors in Australia and China.

Investor frustration at executive pay

07 November 2011 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 07 November 2011 | PAGE 16 | investors grow more frustrated at big executive pay packages

The level of shareholder protests over excessive executive pay is expected to reach record levels this week as investors target leading companies.

Stokes increases his stake in Seven West

01 November 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 01 November 2011 | PAGE 18 | Stokes gets more of Seven West

Kerry Stokes has used one of his favourite corporate devices – the creep provision of the Corporations Act – to increase his stake in Seven West Media.

Seven West grooms successors

31 October 2011 | James Chessell

PRINT: 31 October 2011 | PAGE 40 | Seven West grooms successors

Kerry Stokes’s Seven West Media has stepped up its succession planning, sending TV director Tim Worner on a management course in the United States.

V8 Supercars chase TV rights boost

24 October 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 24 October 2011 | PAGE 14 | V8 Supercars chase TV rights boost

V8 Supercars has started its push to secure a large increase in the value of its media rights.

Library caught out at auction

20 October 2011 | Terry Ingram

PRINT: 20 October 2011 | PAGE 32 | Library caught out in bid

The State Library of NSW will have to rethink its strategy of trying to pre-empt private collectors bidding against it at auction.

Caterpillar men head-to-head over plant business

20 October 2011 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 22 October 2011 | PAGE 22 | Caterpillar men head-to-head over plant business

Dale Elphinstone, Caterpillar mining equipment magnate and Tasmania’s richest man, has a history of flexing his muscle. Now he is standing up to billionaire Kerry Stokes .

Stokes stuck for Hire authority

19 October 2011 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 19 October 2011 | PAGE 47 | Stokes stuck for Hire authority

Kerry Stokes’ bid to buy out the minorities in National Hire has hit a major stumbling block in the form of the company’s second-largest shareholder.

Seven West Media refinances $1.95bn debt

18 October 2011 | Paulina Duran

PRINT: 19 October 2011 | PAGE 18 | Media group refinances $1.95bn debt

Kerry Stokes-controlled company Seven West Media has announced it is finalising $1.95 billion in bilateral loans with 12 banks to refinance existing credit facilities.

Stokes faces ribbing over fall

18 October 2011 | Jason Clout

PRINT: 18 October 2011 | PAGE 40 | Stokes faces ribbing over fall

It’s been a generous, if bumpy, few days in the west.

NSW State Library pays $2m for colonial works

18 October 2011 | Terry Ingram

PRINT: 18 October 2011 | PAGE 5 | State Library pays $2m

The Mitchell Library of the State Library of NSW has been successful in its bid to secure a rare Australian art find that turned up in Canada.

MinRes buys Iron Ore tenements for $43m

14 October 2011 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 14 October 2011 | PAGE 48 | MinRes in

Mineral Resources picked up three tenements from Iron Ore Holdings yesterday as the scramble to build iron ore resources in the Pilbara continues.

Fortescue fortifies and stokes Stokes

13 October 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 13 October 2011 | PAGE 30 | Fortescue fortifies and stokes Stokes

Media mogul Kerry Stokes finds himself in the right place at the right time – it’s just that most investors wouldn’t expect it to be on the edge of the Hamersley Ranges.

Companies briefs

12 October 2011 |

PRINT: 12 October 2011 | PAGE 48 |

Kagara Mining produced 17,790 tonnes of zinc at US72¢ a pound and a 5739 tonnes of copper at a cash cost of $US1.74 a pound from its north Queensland operations.

Burke and Gammell star on media pay list

06 October 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Village Roadshow’s managing director Graham Burke topped this year’s list of the highest paid executives in the media and entertainment industries.

Hot-selling Selleny shows colonials can still cut it

06 October 2011 | Terry Ingram

PRINT: 06 October 2011 | PAGE 44 | Hot-selling Selleny shows colonials can still cut it

The colonial art market is thriving, as shown by the sale of an Illawarra District painting by, of all people, a Bavarian court painter.

Bain to advise Fairfax on plan

05 October 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 05 October 2011 | PAGE 44 | Bain to advise Fairfax on plan

Fairfax Media has recruited management consultancy Bain & Co to return to the company to advise on the implementation of its five-year strategic plan.

Seven calls in the cost cutters

04 October 2011 | James Chessell

PRINT: 04 October 2011 | PAGE 18 | Seven calls in the cost cutters

Seven West Media has enlisted the help of management consultants to help cut costs as the Kerry Stokes-controlled group looks to maintain profit margins.

Let the TV rights game begin

03 October 2011 | Angus Grigg

PRINT: 03 October 2011 | PAGE 53 | Let the TV rights game begin

NRL chief executive David Gallop is poised to start negotiating the most important television and online rights deal in the code’s history.

Stoking a WA art record

29 September 2011 | Terry Ingram

PRINT: 29 September 2011 | PAGE 41 | Stoking a WA record

A collection of watercolours painted on a voyage of the Beagle, mainly by the colonial artist Conrad Martens, seems set to stay put in Western Australia.

Koodaideri South deal disproves infrastructure myth

27 September 2011 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 28 September 2011 | PAGE 47 | Koodaideri south deal dispels infrastructure myth

Rio Tinto has purchased the Koodaideri South tenement from Kerry Stokes-backed junior Iron Ore Holdings for $32 million cash plus a 2 per cent royalty.

Seven Group’s investments take hit

27 September 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 27 September 2011 | PAGE 19 | Seven Group’s investments smashed

The sick state of stockmarkets over the past three months chopped the value of the listed investments held by Seven Group Holdings by more than $350 million.

Seven West lifts the lid on Leckie

24 September 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 24 September 2011 | PAGE 15 | Seven West lifts the lid on Leckie’s bankable status

David Leckie collected more than $700,000 for his first 2½ months as chief executive of Seven West Media, the company formed after WAN’s $4.1 billion takeover of Kerry Stokes’s Seven Media Group.

Seven Group (SVW)

23 September 2011 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 26 September 2011 | PAGE 25 |

Shares in Seven Group have fallen 7.7 per cent since it announced an off-market takeover offer for the 33.8 per cent of National Hire it doesn’t already own.

Wall Street drops as Fed sees grim outlook

22 September 2011 | claire stewart

Before the Bell | While the US Fed will buy more long-term debt, as hoped, it also says the US economic outlook remains grim ■ Dow Jones falls 2.49pc ■ S&P 500 sheds 2.95pc ■ SPI futures down 98pts ■ $A slides toward parity ■ Broker Watch: Foster’s, Rio Tinto

Coates deal would be a steal for Stokes

22 September 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 22 September 2011 | PAGE 28 | Coates deal would be a steal for Stokes

It wasn’t the $110 million in acquisitions Coates Hire nailed over the last year that caught the eyes of a few bankers yesterday, it was its $421 million in earnings.

Coates Hire triples earnings to $48m

21 September 2011 | Paulina Duran

Australia’s largest general equipment leasing company Coates Hire more than tripled its earnings in financial 2011 to $48 million on revenue of $1.06 billion.

Investors bet on Fed’s helping hand

21 September 2011 | claire stewart

Before the Bell | The local sharemarket is set to open firmer on Wednesday after strong gains in Europe and a flat close on Wall Street ■ Fed begins two-day meeting ■ SPI up 33 pts ■ $A up half a cent ■ Broker Watch: Metcash, MAp Group, Ramsay Health Care.

Brockman in line for next train

21 September 2011 | Ayesha De Kretser

PRINT: 21 September 2011 | PAGE 21 | Brockman in line for next train

Investors in Brockman Resources might be feeling a little bit miffed that they missed out on the massive premiums Atlas Iron has served up to other juniors in the Pilbara.

Float of Coates may be end game for Stokes

21 September 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 21 September 2011 | PAGE 20 | Float of Coates may be the end game for Stokes

It didn’t take the market long to start speculating what Seven Group boss Kerry Stokes might be up to when he launched his apparently generous offer for National Hire.

Stokes makes strong bid for National Hire

21 September 2011 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 21 September 2011 | PAGE 17 | Stokes strong on National Hire

Billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes has offered what appears to be a healthy premium to buy out the minority shareholders in equipment rental group National Hire.

Dow futures, $A drop after S&P cuts Italy ratings

20 September 2011 | claire stewart

Before the Bell | The local sharemarket is likely to open weaker on Tuesday after Dow futures dropped 0.8 per cent following S&P's downgrade on Italian debt ■ Dow pares losses into close ■ S&P cuts Italian debt ratings ■ Broker Watch: Seek, Tabcorp.

Hire hiatus as Stokes plans mop up

20 September 2011 | Sarah Thompson, Christine Lacy and Stephen Shore

PRINT: 20 September 2011 | PAGE 26 | Hire hiatus as Stokes plans mop up

National Hire Group is in trading halt pending the announcement of “a potential transaction which is material for NHR and its shareholders”.

Paper tiger dodges a legal bullet

17 September 2011 |

PRINT: 17 September 2011 | PAGE 22 | Paper tiger dodges a legal bullet

Kerry Stokes’ West Australian Newspapers has been ruffling a few newsagency feathers..

Famous Bond-era home on market

15 September 2011 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 15 September 2011 | PAGE 50 | Famous Bond-era house on market

One of Western Australia’s most famous luxury properties is back on the market.

Publishers call inquiry a witch hunt, a waste of time

15 September 2011 | Dominic White

PRINT: 15 September 2011 | PAGE 13 | A witch hunt, a waste of time

News Limited branded Senator Conroy’s probe a “dressed up” attack on the organisation, which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch.

Investors play it safe ahead of Bernanke

26 August 2011 | John McDuling

Before the Bell | Local shares set to fall ahead of Bernanke speech ■ SPI down 49pts ■ Fairfax to float Trade Me ■ ASX appoints Funke Kupper ■ Alesco warns ■ Broker Watch: Woolworths, Metcash, Toll Holdings.

Heavy movers dish the dirt

26 August 2011 |

PRINT: 26 August 2011 | PAGE 38 | Heavy movers dish the dirt

Kerry Stokes was at Seven West Media’s Sydney head office yesterday, but he decided against going to the 2010-11 results presentation for Seven Group Holdings.

Promised synergies can’t offset Seven’s baggage

25 August 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 25 August 2011 | PAGE 19 | Promised synergies can’t offset Seven’s baggage

When Kerry Stokes revealed the $4 billion merger of West Australian Newspapers and Seven Media Group, lieutenants talked about $15 million of “synergies”.

Seven West hits guidance, cuts costs

24 August 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media has reported its first results since it was set up in April, meeting its guidance of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of between $610 million and $620 million.

Foxtel offer will proceed: Cons Media

24 August 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 24 August 2011 | PAGE 20 | Foxtel offer will proceed: Cons Media

Foxtel’s $1.9 billion takeover of its regional counterpart Austar United Communications “will and should proceed”, according to Consolidated Media Holdings.

Young innovator wins top indigenous art prize

13 August 2011 | Brook Turner

PRINT: 13 August 2011 | PAGE 5 | Young innovator wins top indigenous art prize

The innovative young Arnhem Land artist Gunybi Ganambarr has taken out the country’s richest indigenous award.

Rich listers lose $2.6bn

09 August 2011 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 09 August 2011 | PAGE 1 | Rich listers lose $2.6bn

The rich have not been spared from the market meltdown. Ten of Australia’s richest individuals have lost more than $2.6 billion in the past five trading days.

Pluto could be one lucky pup

06 August 2011 |

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 22 | Pluto could

The Prince admires long-range planning. For lovers of the classics: think the 100 Years War or the Roman siege of Masada.

Company briefs

06 August 2011 |

PRINT: 06 August 2011 | PAGE 14 | superbriefs

Lindsay Phillips, managing director of Lazard Australia Private Equity, has joined Hastie Group’s board as a non-executive director.

Leckie on move in new Seven line-up

05 August 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 05 August 2011 | PAGE 1 | Leckie on move in new Seven line-up

Seven West Media chief David Leckie will celebrate his 21st anniversary as a television network boss later this month but he’s unlikely to be in an executive role for much beyond the August 28 anniversary.

WA online ad site targets News

03 August 2011 | Ben Hurley

PRINT: 03 August 2011 | PAGE 57 | WA online ad site targets News

Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media has partnered with WA’s real estate industry body to launch an online real estate advertising portal.

Sale of IOH assets inches closer

03 August 2011 | Sarah Thompson and Khia Mercer

PRINT: 03 August 2011 | PAGE 20 | Sale of IOH assets inches closer

Final bids for the sales process for the six assets of Kerry Stokes’ creatively-named mining company minnow Iron Ore Holdings are due this month.

Kerry stokes the coals on carbon

30 July 2011 |

PRINT: 30 July 2011 | PAGE 22 | Kerry stokes the coals on carbon

Kerry Stokes has always been quite the pioneer. He thinks outside the box.

Going for broke in WA’s big boom

26 July 2011 | Peter Kerr

PRINT: 26 July 2011 | PAGE 1 | Going for broke in WA’s big boom

The west played host to a string of dramatic downfalls in the 1980s. Is history about to repeat?

Seven West tunes in to radio

14 July 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 14 July 2011 | PAGE 17 | Seven West tunes into radio

Seven West Media is looking at adding to its TV, newspaper and net businesses and is understood to be considering expanding into the capital-city radio sector.

Miners need to watch prices: Stokes

12 July 2011 |

Australian miners should be careful not to price themselves out of the Chinese market, which could turn its attention to Africa and South America, magnate Kerry Stokes warns.

He who hosts last laughs loudest

12 July 2011 |

PRINT: 12 July 2011 | PAGE 42 | He who hosts last laughs loudest

With some of the heaviest hitters in Australian-Chinese relations in Perth, Western Australia’s moguls were keen to be heard above the din.

Seven’s got talent for winning ratings

11 July 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 11 July 2011 | PAGE 47 | Seven’s got talent for winning ratings

The 2011 television ratings season reached its halfway point on Saturday night, confirming Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media as the clear winner in the networks battle.

V8 revs up for media talks

11 July 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 11 July 2011 | PAGE 44 | V8 revs up for media talks

V8 Supercars is pushing for a hefty price rise in its talks with Kerry Stokes’s Seven West Media and other companies over its next five-year media deals.

Group buying gets crowded

04 July 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 04 July 2011 | PAGE 39 | Group buying gets crowded

It has grown from nothing to a $400 million retail market in 18 months, drawing in James Packer, Kerry Stokes and Andrew Basset among others, and its supporters are confident it is heading for $1 billion.

Naked emperors exposed

25 June 2011 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 25 June 2011 | PAGE 64 | Naked emperors exposed

Every so often in financial markets someone comes along and blows the whistle on a company that for all intents and purposes is sound.

Break-up in the air for Fairfax radio

20 June 2011 | Sarah Thompson

PRINT: 20 June 2011 | PAGE 20 | Break-up in the air for Fairfax radio

As Fairfax Media’s potential sale of its radio division rolls on, industry types are chattering about the identity of the potential trade buyers sniffing around the assets.

Still free to make a profit

18 June 2011 | Neil Shoebridge

PRINT: 18 June 2011 | PAGE 55 | Still free to make a profit

The rising fortunes of TV was highlighted last year, when James Packer ended his four-year absence from free-to-air television and bought part of Ten Network.