Meet the CEO with David Kirk

18 September 2007

While textbook analysis has its place, a natural intuition plays a strong role in developing shrewd business capabilities, according to David Kirk, Managing Director and CEO of Fairfax Media Limited, speaking recently at the second Australian School of Business Meet the CEO event for 2007.

Mr Kirk discussed Fairfax’s ambitious acquisitions worth $4.5b since his takeover as CEO two years ago, saying business success resulted from sound economic judgement, strategic management and a focus on making money.

According to Mr Kirk, information providers need to recognise changes in the media landscape, particularly growth in Internet usage, increasing supply of news worldwide and increasing fragmentation in demand. These changes have influenced Fairfax’s recent strategic deals and diversification of its portfolio of businesses including acquisition of an online bidding enterprise in New Zealand.

“Strategy comes from being exposed to business and understanding the details of customer and consumer behaviour. You can’t learn unless you’re interested ”he added.

Mr Kirk’s career has been interesting and varied. After he graduated with a medical degree from Otago University, he captained New Zealand’s All Blacks Rugby team to victory in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

A Rhodes Scholar, Mr Kirk studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. In the 1980’s he worked as a consultant at McKinsey and Co.

Mr Kirk said his switch from medicine to business was not a conscious career decision, instead a natural progression towards fulfilling intellectual ambitions.

Prior to his role at Fairfax, Mr Kirk was CEO and Managing Director of Australian publishing company PMP Limited, and Regional President of global paper manufacturer Norske Skog. He has also worked as Chief Policy Advisor to Hon. Jim Bolger during his term as Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The Meet the CEO series is a professional development and networking opportunity for Australian School of Business alumni, allowing access to contemporary business leaders whose innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership alter the way business is conducted.