Peter Jackson stepping down

[Blinkybill 276]

9 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Ryan was promoted late last year and here is the club release http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-15/jackson-promotes-from-within-club

Ryan has worked at MFC since he was 18 in marketing activites.  He is now 30, highly regarded and clearly going places. 

From my experience, a CEO needs a breadth of experience in different aspects of a business  and across business types.  In our industry exposure to the vagaries and network at AFL house is essential.

Of our current staff George de Crespigny would be the most likely to fit the bill as he has wide ranging experience http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-08-21/dees-appoint-chief-commercial-officer  He has worked at the Bumbies in Canberra and spent 8 years in the AFL.

I trust the club and PJ will make a good decision but if I had to guess an internal successor it would be de Crespigny. 

Yes, a very good candidate. 

What I don’t want to see is an external candidate come in and completely restructure the club. Jackson has done this and I think most would agree that the club, as a business, is functioning better than ever.

[Lucifers Hero 38,865]

34 minutes ago, Blinkybill said:

Yes, a very good candidate. 

What I don’t want to see is an external candidate come in and completely restructure the club. Jackson has done this and I think most would agree that the club, as a business, is functioning better than ever.

I sense he/she won't be external (unless someone from AFL House or at another club ready to step up).

And, we aren't solid/successful enough yet for the AFL to not want to have a big say in who succeeds PJ.  They don't want to see us go backwards either.

PJ talked of succession planning for himself last October.  Highly suggestive of an internal person.  Imhv our other senior managers don't have enough breadth of experience nor AFL House exposure to succeed Jackson.

I recall PJ mentioning George de Crespigny had worked on the Sheioak sale so he would be on the same page as the club and the board on the big decisions before us.  He is a known quantity, would have AFL's blessing and can continue in 'business as usual' mode and continue to build on what he and PJ have been doing in recent years. 

It would be a good thing for our sponsors, especially those that have recently signed up, to have a known quantity as CEO.  As Commercial Manager, George de Crespigny would have been involved in those negotiations.

Edited May 9, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,642]

Glen Bartlett now has to make the most important decision of his presidency. Of course, for all we know, that decision has already been made, even if the next CEO doesn't know it yet. Given that succession planning is clearly a model PJ appreciates, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the choice for the next CEO has already been made.

It's always a tough job to follow on from someone who has been very successful, but I hope our next CEO is up to the task and given the support he or she will need by the Board, the club employees and the members. And Demonlanders.

And thankyou, PJ.

 

[beelzebub 23,168]

Its like the draft....best available.

That might be already within the club...or new prospects may emerge.

DeC might be that person. I suspect Mahoney hasnt the broad experience.

Sometimes fresh eyes can reap dvidends.

Is going to be interesting to say the least.

[Guest]

'He walked into a football club that was about everything but football.'

This wasn't a quote about PJ's experience per se. In fact it was about Mark Neeld (and was attributed to Mick Malthouse). But it did highlight one of the huge problems he confronted when coming to the club.

Examples of this included:

*Marketing gimmicks and superficial cobblers taking precedence over actual results on the field.

*Boys clubs taking hold within the club and members of cliques from years gone by got jobs for their mates regardless of their actual suitability for the job. Tanking, Energy Watch (after the loss of Hankook and a very angry Melbourne supporting Lawrie de la Rue as a sponsor), Schwab borrowing money from the club and Bailey's sacking show where this approach led to.

* Players more worried about where they would be spotted on the weekend rather than if they were the best in their chosen field. This at times led to what could be considered very bad PR for the club. 

* A constant focus on some magnificent future to come than the week to week process of winning games now. 

* Boards leaking worse than R. Kelly and Beamer's love child who could not see  what their main revenue stream really was.

Think about this...

At the end of 2008, the title of our annual report/yearbook was 'The Future'. Yet, not one current player graced the cover of that publication. Instead, Jimmy (may he rest in peace), Schwab, Connolly and Bailey (see what I wrote about Jimmy) had their photos on the front.

The future, if judged on that cover, had nothing to do with what was happening on the pitch. It all had to do with what was happening in the back offices.

We really never had a chance of that was our mindset.

When PJ had to do his early media blitz (as Neeld was not in the right space and had insufficient experience to handle that commitment and his successor, Neil Craig, had his hands full trying to stop the playing list from completely fracturing) when he first came on board), he stated the bleeding obvious: we wouldn't be a great football club again until we had a great football team. That we kept going back to favorite sons and people who 'bled red and blue' rather than bringing in the best from within the industry. That we were a football 'club' (in the sense of almost being a social club) where games on the weekend were almost coincidental to the being a member of the football team.

The great thing is that now the discussions we were having about the club in 2013 no longer happen. We as supporters differ. Some are bullish and some are pessimistic. But one thing we share in common is that our arguments on here these days revolve around actual football results and not the kind of garbage I listed in  my dot point list.

That to me is PJ'S biggest legacy. We can at last focus on what should have mattered all along.

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by Colin B. Flaubert

[DaveyDee 421]

35 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

'He walked into a football club that was about everything but football.'

This wasn't a quote about PJ's experience per se. In fact it was about Mark Neeld (and was attributed to Mick Malthouse). But it did highlight one of the huge problems he confronted when coming to the club.

Examples of this included:

*Marketing gimmicks and superficial cobblers taking precedence over actual results on the field.

*Boys clubs taking hold within the club and members of cliques from years gone by got jobs for their mates regardless of their actual suitability for the job. Tanking, Energy Watch (after the loss of Hankook and a very angry Melbourne supporting Lawrie de la Rue as a sponsor), Schwab borrowing money from the club and Bailey's sacking show where this approach led to.

* Players more worried about where they would be spotted on the weekend rather than if they were the best in their chosen field. This at times led to what could be considered very bad PR for the club. 

* A constant focus on some magnificent future to come than the week to week process of winning games now. 

* Boards leaking worse than R. Kelly and Beamer's love child who could not see  what their main revenue stream really was.

Think about this...

At the end of 2008, the title of our annual report/yearbook was 'The Future'. Yet, not one current player graced the cover of that publication. Instead, Jimmy (may he rest in peace), Schwab, Connolly and Bailey (see what I wrote about Jimmy) had their photos on the front.

The future, if judged on that cover, had nothing to do with what was happening on the pitch. It all had to do with what was happening in the back offices.

We really never had a chance of that was our mindset.

When PJ had to do his early media blitz (as Neeld was not in the right space and had insufficient experience to handle that commitment and his successor, Neil Craig, had his hands full trying to stop the playing list from completely fracturing) when he first came on board), he stated the bleeding obvious: we wouldn't be a great football club again until we had a great football team. That we kept going back to favorite sons and people who 'bled red and blue' rather than bringing in the best from within the industry. That we were a football 'club' (in the sense of almost being a social club) where games on the weekend were almost coincidental to the being a member of the football team.

The great thing is that now the discussions we were having about the club in 2013 no longer happen. We as supporters differ. Some are bullish and some are pessimistic. But one thing we share in common is that our arguments on here these days revolve around actual football results and not the kind of garbage I listed in  my dot point list.

That to me is PJ'S biggest legacy. We can at last focus on what should have mattered all along.

 

 

 

I’m not going to comment on individual bullet points but I do agree with the general sentiment. 

The business of AFL football is tough and highly competitive, you need experienced “street wise” business people to steer the club - not doctors, lawyers, media executives, politicians or social workers etc Such is life

I supported the last CEO, I supported this CEO I will support the next CEO - best of luck to whoever it may be. 

 

 

[Guest]

You have every reason to be supportive of the CEO @DaveyDee

Brendon Gale has delivered nearly 100k members and the premiership he said he would get all the way back in 2010. It's a record you should be proud of.

Your online trolling here not so much but you can be proud of Benny Gale.

 

[whatwhat say what 22,033]

7 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

You have every reason to be supportive of the CEO @DaveyDee

Brendon Gale has delivered nearly 100k members and the premiership he said he would get all the way back in 2010. It's a record you should be proud of.

Your online trolling here not so much but you can be proud of Benny Gale.

 

ben gale, peggy o'neal and neil balme...

which some of balme's golden touch had rubbed off on the dees circa 94-97...

maybe we suffered for (injury) sins so others could succeed?!??

[beelzebub 23,168]

Whoever coerced Balme back to Richmond....take a bow.

Its that kind of person we need at Melbourne.

[DEE fence 4,922]

2 hours ago, Blinkybill said:

Yes, a very good candidate. 

What I don’t want to see is an external candidate come in and completely restructure the club. Jackson has done this and I think most would agree that the club, as a business, is functioning better than ever.

Certainly my experience that externals feel the need to put their fingerprints on things for the sake of it. I don't think PJ has kept to many muppets at the club, it hasn't been riven by leaks, if the said any of the three names mentioned I would be willing to place trust in that. Although that said, 30 and only marketing experience makes me nervous.

Mahoney would be my choice, (which means not much-but I feel like he communicates effectively).

[Mach5 4,588]

4 hours ago, Blinkybill said:

Ryan Larkin. Look up the staff list. One of the General Managers and highly regarded.

Larkin? Not likely.

Geez, Garry clutching at straws. Clearly has no idea. Chip or De Crespigny are my picks.

Mahoney maybe, impressive operator, but lacks experience outside of the footy side.

[Demon Disciple 11,601]

Mahoney is doing a great job as GM of Football, but is unknown as a potential CEO. Why get rid of one certainty and replace it with 2 question marks?

[Clintosaurus 7,536]

3 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Of our current staff George de Crespigny would be the most likely to fit the bill as he has wide ranging experience http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-08-21/dees-appoint-chief-commercial-officer  He has worked at the Bumbies in Canberra and spent 8 years in the AFL.

I trust the club and PJ will make a good decision but if I had to guess an internal successor it would be de Crespigny. 

I could not think of his name but he seems the best fit if an internal appointment is going to happen. Would certainly have good relationships with the major and other sponsors and be well connected at AFL House.

[Blinkybill 276]

4 minutes ago, Mach5 said:

Larkin? Not likely.

Geez, Garry clutching at straws. Clearly has no idea. Chip or De Crespigny are my picks.

Mahoney maybe, impressive operator, but lacks experience outside of the footy side.

Yeah, probably not ready for that step yet, but remember Gale has had no experience outside football and  he turned into a pretty decent CEO. Ryan Larkin is going places and it will be a pity if it’s outside the club.

[DaveyDee 421]

59 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

ben gale, peggy o'neal and neil balme...

Three top quality football people that understand the business of football - where the health and welfare of your players is everything. 

Three top quality listeners to “street wise” business people that support your club - football is a business where your costs are rising but on the whole incomes relatively stagnate without change. 

It’s easy for idiots to get online with no more knowledge that what they get out of newspapers - PJ & the AFL understand this. 

Well done to both. 

[DaveyDee 421]

11 minutes ago, Blinkybill said:

Yeah, probably not ready for that step yet, but remember Gale has had no experience outside football and  he turned into a pretty decent CEO. Ryan Larkin is going places and it will be a pity if it’s outside the club.

BG is an outstanding football person - destined for the top job at the AFL one day. 

[beelzebub 23,168]

9 minutes ago, Blinkybill said:

Yeah, probably not ready for that step yet, but remember Gale has had no experience outside football and  he turned into a pretty decent CEO. Ryan Larkin is going places and it will be a pity if it’s outside the club.

Gale most certainly has experience outside of football. Gale is a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Apparently sat on the Board of Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 2009-2013

He owns or is a Director of a number of hospitality businesses.

Mahoney ??? Footy...Footy...footy.

[Blinkybill 276]

9 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Gale most certainly has experience outside of football. Gale is a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Apparently sat on the Board of Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 2009-2013

He owns or is a Director of a number of hospitality businesses.

Mahoney ??? Footy...Footy...footy.

I don’t want to nit pick, but I’m pretty sure he got those directorships after he became Richmond CEO.

[DeleteUser 638]

14 minutes ago, Blinkybill said:

I don’t want to nit pick, but I’m pretty sure he got those directorships after he became Richmond CEO.

still exp outside footy

management, risk, governance, strategy

[DeeZone 8,908]

PJ has bought so much to this club of ours and will be remembered as one of our Saviors long into the future, he and his team have taken a broken and dispirited much loved club and provided us with the Potential to become great again. He filled me with confidence the moment that he came on board and I have loved every minute of the past 5 years. Big, Big Shoes to fill.

Thanks PJ.

[beelzebub 23,168]

6 minutes ago, timbo said:

still exp outside footy

management, risk, governance, strategy

He's a Lawyer as well. Experience in the Corporate world before returning to Football world.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,642]

2 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Whoever coerced Balme back to Richmond....take a bow.

Its that kind of person we need at Melbourne.

Didn't Balme go to Richmond as a direct result of Collingwood appointing Gubby Allan...which means that Eddie McGuire can take the credit for Balme going to Richmond...which means you want McGuire at Melbourne???

[Blinkybill 276]

33 minutes ago, timbo said:

still exp outside footy

management, risk, governance, strategy

I understand that. My point was that he didn’t have any real experience beyond football when he became CEO. Broader experience is probably desirable as CEO, but not necessarily mandatory. Having said that, GdC is probably a very good choice, particularly with his AFL and negotiating experience.

Edited May 10, 2018 by Blinkybill

[Guest]

36 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Didn't Balme go to Richmond as a direct result of Collingwood appointing Gubby Allan...which means that Eddie McGuire can take the credit for Balme going to Richmond...which means you want McGuire at Melbourne???

At least he could spend his time swanning around Toorak in his Rolls-Royce and not be a hypocrite about it if that were the case.

Edited May 10, 2018 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Mach5 4,588]

1 hour ago, Blinkybill said:

Yeah, probably not ready for that step yet, but remember Gale has had no experience outside football and  he turned into a pretty decent CEO. Ryan Larkin is going places and it will be a pity if it’s outside the club.

Not disputing that, but in the short term as a replacement for PJ, it's a bridge too far.