Not many executives at Seven West Media would be extolling the wonderful craft of journalism at the moment.
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Kerry Stokes surprises journalists
Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes takes part in a half-year results call dominated by questions about CEO Tim Worner and ex-employee Amber Harrison.
Its ex journo boss, Tim Worner, will be getting another lesson in what it's like to be the focus of the Fourth Estate when former lover Amber Harrison battles against Seven's gag order in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday over the fallout from their affair.
But things are obviously a lot calmer at the offices of Harrison's former boss at Seven West – Bauer Media's new chief, Nick Chan.
![Seven West Media is still grappling with the relationship between CEO Tim Worner and Amber Harrison.](/web/20170223000038im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/f/i/8/g/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gugkba.png/1487659458451.jpg)
"In my opinion, journalism is a calling, a passion. And whether or not you agree with individual journalists, I've always admired their commitment, beliefs and craft," said a very relaxed Chan in a recent interview with Mumbrella.
"This is changing – technology has made it easier to be a writer/blogger/influencer which is often mistaken with the discipline, training and ethics of 'traditional' journalism."
Let's not get into the great "craft" they practice with such rigour at some of the titles under his care – like Woman's Day.
We don't suppose Chan – who spent most of his time at Seven West heading up its magazine publications – is ready to roll up his sleeves on behalf of his editorial team and put in a call to his former executive assistant.
![Nick Whitlam (left) and Malcolm Turnbull, who is standing on a phone book, in 1988.](/web/20170223000038im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/w/h/4/6/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gugkba.png/1487574535462.jpg)
Isn't it time maybe for a tell-all spread in one of the publications in his stable?
Or maybe his editors are holding until the smoke clears on Tuesday's court battle and it becomes clearer whether Chan's name will be dragged into the fray.
![Illustration: John Shakespeare.](/web/20170223000038im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/h/7/l/2/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gugkba.png/1487574535462.jpg)
It was Chan's promotion to the role of chief operating officer at Seven West in 2014 that saw him move to Pyrmont HQ – and put his assistant, Harrison, in direct proximity to Worner – which led to the implosion of the affair.
Davos Man
With reference to Monday's column, Nicholas (son of Gough) Whitlam rightly pointed out to your columnist that his trips to Davos Forum came compliments of his chairmanship of NRMA Insurance, not NRMA the motoring group.
It's all a bit confusing since he was chair of the former, and president of the latter, in the lead-up to the demutualisation that saw the insurance group listed on the ASX.
"NRMA Insurance Group (now IAG), not the motoring mutual, was a member of the World Economic Forum when I chaired that company," he told CBD via email.
"As a member of the WEF, NRMA Insurance was entitled to send representatives to the annual Davos event; spouses are encouraged to attend and are recognised as full participants. I attended two of the annual meetings, one with my wife. All travel was approved by the NRMA Insurance board."
Thanks to some digging by New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin, we have some idea of what all this means. And costs.
In 2011, Sorkin reported how the exclusive honour of being a Davos man, or woman, was not really that exclusive – it was just a matter of coughing up enough cash.
If you want to go to Davos, you have to be a member.
That year, a basic membership – which would entitle you to one ticket to the event – would have set you back 50,000 Swiss francs. Then you could buy your ticket. Which would have been another 18,000 francs.
And remember that just gets you in the front door with all the other wealthy commoners.
Bringing along a colleague raises the cost to an eye-watering 300,000 francs. There was no indication if WAGS got a discount. Nick couldn't help CBD out either.
And keep in mind that this does not include the planes, hotels and other costs of attending this event.
According to Fairfax Media reports at the time, Nick and his wife flew first class, which would account for the $30,000 bill.
Follow CBD on Twitter. Got a tip? ckruger@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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