Seven West Media Faces Shareholder Revolt Over Remuneration
At its annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday, Seven West Media, led by Kerry Stokes, confronted a notable shareholder backlash. Over 35% of shareholders opposed the company’s 2025 remuneration report.
This protest emerged even though the company withheld executive bonuses after failing to meet financial targets in the previous year.
Company Background and Challenges
Seven West Media is a prominent Australian media company with a portfolio spanning television, publishing, and digital platforms. Kerry Stokes, who may be chairing his final AGM pending a potential Southern Cross Media acquisition, addressed shareholder concerns directly.
“The company had faced considerable challenges due to competition from very large international companies stealing all our revenue.”
Stokes acknowledged that the tough operating environment significantly affected the company’s financial results.
Shareholder Concerns
One shareholder expressed sharp disappointment over the dramatic fall in their investment value, which had plummeted from $1 million to $27,000. They urged the board to consider restoring dividend payments to shareholders.
Shareholder Demand
- Reassessment of executive remuneration
- Renewal of dividend payouts
- Address ongoing competitive pressures
Current Status
As the company navigates financial and competitive challenges, the shareholder revolt signals significant dissatisfaction with remuneration policies and financial performance.
“Very large international companies stealing all our revenue” – Kerry Stokes on market challenges.
Author’s summary: Seven West Media faces intense shareholder opposition over pay policies amid financial struggles and fierce international competition challenging its revenue streams.