LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jonathan Miller, chief digital officer of News Corp., is leaving the company at the end of September as he seeks a more hands-on role with a standalone firm.
Thursday’s announcement comes as News Corp. prepares to split off its newspaper and publishing businesses into a separate company from its TV and movie assets.
Miller, formerly chief executive of AOL, joined News Corp. in April 2009. He oversaw the aborted relaunch of troubled social networking site Myspace, which was sold at a fire-sale price in June 2011.
Miller also oversaw News Corp.’s stake in Hulu, the online video site also part-owned by The Walt Disney Co., Comcast Corp. and Providence Equity Partners. He also sat on Hulu’s board.
Hulu was put up for sale but pulled off the market last year. Instead, Disney and News Corp. agreed to buy Providence’s 10 percent stake for $200 million.
Most recently Miller oversaw News Corp. taking equity stakes in Roku Inc. _ which makes set-top boxes for web video streaming _ and Bona Film Group Ltd., a Chinese film distributor.
News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch said in a statement, “I respect Jon’s desire to return to an operational, entrepreneurial role with a standalone company. He will be missed.”
Miller will continue to serve as an outside adviser to News Corp. through the fall of 2013.
News Corp. shares fell 21 cents to close at $23.47 amid a broad market decline.
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