“I have appreciated the opportunity to lead a business that is committed to the
sustainability and support of independent public interest journalism,” Shepherd said.
“I am proud of the progress made this year and have full confidence Erik Jensen will
continue to increase the positive impact Schwartz Media and its brands have on
Australian readers and listeners. He has been an exemplary editor and journalist for
over a decade and will make an equally strong chief executive.”

Jensen has worked as part of Schwartz Media’s senior leadership team for the past 12
years, as founding editor of both The Saturday Paper and the daily news podcast 7am
and as editor-in-chief across the group. He will work closely with proprietor Morry
Schwartz to build the next phase of the company’s growth.

Morry Schwartz said: “Erik and I started talking about him taking over as chief executive
when we began looking to fill the role last year. He has a natural feel for the company
and intimately understands what makes it a success. He brings to business the same
qualities he brings to journalism: huge drive and ambition, immense clarity in dealing
with complex problems, and the ability to cut through to the centre of an issue. I thank
Ben for his work with the company and look forward to working with Erik as we steward
Schwartz Media to even greater heights.”

Erik Jensen said: “Schwartz Media produces some of the strongest journalism in this
country. It is an honour to run the company that supports that journalism. I’ve worked in
newspapers and magazines since I was 15 and I’ve seen good decisions and bad ones.
I’m firm in the belief that strong journalism needs to be backed by a strong business –
and that the success of a company such as Schwartz Media lies in its commitment to
quality.”

Schwartz Media is Australia’s leading independent media company, publishing The
Monthly, The Saturday Paper, 7am and Australian Foreign Affairs. Erik Jensen will
continue as editor-in-chief as well as taking on the chief executive role.

Biography:
Erik Jensen is an award-winning journalist, biographer, screenwriter and poet. He is the
founding editor of The Saturday Paper and 7am and editor-in-chief of Schwartz Media.
He is the author of several books, including Acute Misfortune: The Life and Death of
Adam Cullen, On Kate Jennings and a collection of political writing titled Angry at
Breakfast. His writing has won the Nib Prize for Literature, the Walkley Award for Young
Print Journalist of the Year and the Keith Dunstan Quill for Commentary.

Press contact:
Monica Zen
Growth Lead
0459 605 916
[email protected]