Murtra Revitalizes Movistar+ Leadership to Push Rejected Prisa TV Project
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Telefónica Restructures Leadership Under Marc Murtra: A New Era Begins
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Important changes are underway at Telefónica,SpainS largest telecommunications group. Marc Murtra,recently appointed as president with executive functions,has swiftly initiated a extensive restructuring of the company’s leadership. These changes impact not only the executive team but also key divisions such as Movistar+, the company’s pay television service.
Leadership Changes at Telefónica
In a move that signals a departure from the previous leadership under José María Álvarez-Pallete, Javier de Paz has been appointed as the non-executive president of Movistar+, replacing Sergio Oslé.De Paz, a long-standing advisor to the company, has strong ties to the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party), notably with former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Sources familiar with the restructuring explain that despite Murtra’s statement in late February 2024, during the presentation of the company’s financial results, that “televisión en abierto no estaba sobre la mesa” (“free-to-air television was not on the table”), the situation changed following Grupo Prisa’s decision not to pursue a TDT (Digital Terrestrial Television) license. Murtra later clarified that “una vez que se ejecute el nuevo plan estratégico” (“once the new strategic plan is implemented”), things could evolve.
The appointment of De Paz, who served as Secretary-General of the Socialist Youth and a member of the PSOE’s Executive Committee from 1984 to 1993, is considered crucial for navigating this shift in strategy. as the new non-executive president of Movistar+, De Paz brings extensive knowledge of the television business, stemming from his position as an advisor at Telefónica Audiovisual Digital.
Supported by daniel Domenjó, who replaces Cristina Burzako as CEO of Movistar+ (though Burzako remains on the board of Telefónica Audiovisual Digital), and Rosauro Varo, the vice president and an entrepreneur close to Pedro Sánchez, De Paz is expected to play a key role in advancing the government’s plan to create a new television channel, which will be tendered in the coming weeks.
De Paz’s extensive career spans the business, political, and commercial sectors. With academic training in Journalism, Advertising, and Law, he has served on the boards of Telefónica brasil, Telefónica Audiovisual, and as an advisor to Telefónica España and Hispanoamérica. He has also held leadership positions at Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad and Telefónica Móviles in Argentina, pegaso PCS (Mexico), and Telefónica Móviles Mexico.
Government Contacts and Strategic Shifts
Sources indicate that the government of Pedro Sánchez contacted Movistar+ after Joseph Oughourlian, president of Prisa, declined to bid for the new Digital Terrestrial Television frequency. Following Prisa’s withdrawal from the television project, which also led to the departure of José Miguel Contreras and Carlos Núñez, the government moved swiftly to engage Telefónica, with Murtra now at the helm.
Further Executive Changes at Telefónica
Telefónica’s board also decided to bring in two senior executives from Indra. Borja Ochoa, formerly the General Director of
Telefónica Restructuring: Q&A on leadership Changes and Strategic shifts
Telefónica, Spain’s largest telecommunications group, is undergoing notable leadership restructuring under its president, Marc Murtra. These changes impact key divisions such as Movistar+ and signal a potential shift in the company’s strategic direction. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Key Leadership Changes at Telefónica
Q: Who is Marc Murtra and what changes is he implementing at telefónica?
A: Marc Murtra is the president