Scholtemeyer takes over from Glen Marques who has been appointed CEO of the US-based Mediazone, a Naspers company “focusing on the development of broadband video content services internationally”, a release states.
Media24 CEO Hein Brand told TheMediaOnline Scholtemeyer’s departure from the magazine division was not related to the recent magazine circulation scandal.
The company’s magazine division came under scrutiny after it was discovered 12 titles had inflated their circulation figures. Nine employees were found to have played a part in the overstatement of the figures, of which two were dismissed and five resigned.
Two of the affected magazines, InStyle and The Wisden Cricketer, have since been closed down, TheMediaOnline reported earlier.
Brand said the forensic auditors that investigated the irregularities had been briefed to, among other things, determine whether Scholtemeyer or himself had been negligent or involved. It had been found not to have been the case.
“It is definitely a promotion,” he said about Scholtemeyer’s new position.
Asked about the move from magazines to television, Scholtemeyer said, “Television is in many ways similar to magazines.
“TV channels have also niched dramatically as magazines have done.”
Scholtemeyer, chairperson of the Magazine Publishers Association (MPASA), said she would engage with the MPASA board “early next week” about the effect moving into television would have on her MPASA position.
She said it would be “highly unlikely” to represent the print industry while working in television.
John Relihan, publisher of Media24’s family magazines, will take Scholtemeyer’s place as CEO of Media24 Magazines.
■The announcement of the results of an independent audit of all Media24 magazines, ordered by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), are still being awaited. The audit has been completed.
