News Corp. names Fite info chief
Exec to o'see all information technology
Fite will start in the new post Jan. 15, overseeing all information technology for the media conglom's $36 billion global operations while handling tech research and development.
He will also head internal and external communications systems and will create a communications network for the company's employees, setting worldwide standards for all hardware and software to be used within the company. In addition, Fite will be charged with responsibility for identifying e-commerce opportunities through which to link up with consumers.
He will report to News Corp.'s Lachlan Murdoch, senior exec VP, and Roger Fishman, exec marketing veep.
Fite was most recently chief information officer of Australian-based Westpac Banking Corp.
Before that, Fite ran his own consulting firm, Fite and Associates. He also has been VP and manager at Bank of America and senior VP of consumer systems at Wells Fargo.
"Loran brings to News Corp. vast skills in creating and running information technology systems for multibillion-dollar corporations," Murdoch said. "For some time now, News Corp. has focused significant resources on improving operating efficiency by integrating communications systems among its global divisions. With Loran's appointment, we are redoubling those efforts."
