Tony Yianni, new managing director of Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, Hobart-based publisher of The Mercury
Tony Yianni has been named as the new managing director of Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, the Hobart-based company which publishes The Mercury, The Saturday Mercury Current managing director, Rex Gardner will return to the company in a role yet to be decided after taking an extended break. "Rex has done a terrific job in Hobart, modernising the company. We thank him for his hard work, and look forward to his return," says News Ltd CEO, John Hartigan, in announcing the appointment.
"I am incredibly proud of the team and our achievements during my 12 wonderful years in Tasmania," adds Gardner. "I look forward to some time out, and the new challenges ahead later in the year."
Hartigan says that Yianni, currently managing director of the Fiji Times, would bring great knowledge and experience to the role. "With over 30 years service, Tony brings a wealth of experience to the role. In particular, from his time as managing director of the Fiji Times in recent years, which included fighting for press freedom under potentially life-threatening circumstances."
Commenting about his new appointment, Yianni says, "I am sad to be leaving Fiji, as the turmoil at the moment is one of the most exciting times to be in newspapers and the staff are so wonderful to work with. I am as equally excited to be moving to Hobart, not just for the personal challenge but also the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and talented team under Rex’s direction over the past 12 years."
Yianni began his career with News Limited in 1976 as an advertising representative on The Australian, after which he took on various sales positions with the paper. In 1990 he moved to Papua New Guinea as advertising manager for the Post-Courier. In 1993 he returned to Australia, taking the same role at the Townsville Bulletin, being promoted to circulation manager and then national sales manager of parent North Queensland Newspaper Company in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
Yianni moved back to Papua New Guinea in 1997, with his appointment as deputy general manager of the Post-Courier. He became the paper’s managing director a year later. In 2001 he took the same role at Fiji Times Limited.
Yianni will be succeeded at Fiji Times by his current deputy, Evan Hannah.
