Guthrie Exits STAR

HONG KONG, January 12:
Michelle Guthrie has resigned as CEO of News Corporation’s Asian arm, STAR,
with Paul Aiello, currently president of the company, tapped to succeed her,
effective March 1.

No reason was given for
Guthrie’s exit. She has headed up STAR since 2003, taking over from James
Murdoch when he was tapped as CEO of BSkyB. At the time, she was executive VP
of regional distribution and business development. When her appointment was
announced, News Corp.’s chairman and CEO, Rupert Murdoch, described her as
"one of a handful of people in Asia with over a decade of truly in-depth
pay-television experience."

Guthrie said in a
statement today: “It has been an incredible six years at STAR and I am really
proud of the business and the management team we have built over the years. I
particularly want to acknowledge the tremendous effort of the STAR team working
fervently every day to deliver world-class programming to viewers across Asia.
I have great respect for Paul’s ability and have every confidence that STAR
will continue to prosper and succeed under his leadership.”

Murdoch said of Guthrie’s
tenure: “Michelle has overseen an important stage of growth at STAR, as it
fortified its position as Asia’s leading media company. STAR’s distribution
footprint as well as the depth of its content brands are unmatched among other
major regional players in the industry.”

Aiello joined STAR in June
2006 and has been responsible for developing strategic and business directions
for the company and overseeing its overall corporate functions. Prior to
joining STAR, Aiello worked for Morgan Stanley where he was in charge of its
Telecom, Media and Technology Group in the Asia Pacific region.

Murdoch noted, “Paul has
done an exceptional job at STAR since joining the company, leading its
corporate team and overseeing its overall growth strategy. Paul’s business
acumen, strong leadership and financial skills as well as in-depth knowledge of
the diverse and complex media and telecommunications industries in Asia make
him the ideal candidate to steer the long-term growth and success of the
company.”