Interesting to see the public gnashing of teeth by here and here Fairfax over Fred Hilmer’s book about his time as CEO of the publisher. While these attempts to control history may be important to the players, they weaken the public perception of Fairfax which ought only focus on today’s proposition and not yesterday’s opportunities.
Newsagents today are missing opportunities as Hilmer did in his time as CEO of Fairfax. While there is considerable activity impacting the core products on which newsagents rely, they (we) are not sufficiently engaged about their future. Opportunities abound for bright lateral thinkers to reinvent the newsagent offering. This is one reason I thing newsagent businesses will continue to sell – to those who will drive consolidation and evolution.