Former Disney Exec Arthur Bochner Joins the Murdochs News Corp as Communications Chief

May 2024 · 5 minute read

News Corp announced Arthur Bochner, a communications veteran who spent nearly a decade at Disney before exiting in 2022, will become chief communications officer and executive VP.

Bochner takes over the role from Jim Kennedy, who joined the company in 2013 and is set to retire later this year. Bochner is moving from Los Angeles to New York with his family and will be based at News Corp’s headquarters at 1211 Avenue of the Americas.

At Disney, Bochner most recently oversaw strategic communications and served as chief of staff in the office of then-CEO Bob Chapek. Bochner departed Disney in November 2022 following Chapek’s ouster and Bob Iger’s return as CEO. Previously, Bochner held key communications roles at the company’s consumer products and theme park segments. Prior to Disney, Bochner held communications positions at Bloomberg, Citigroup and FD Public Affairs.

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“Arthur has vast and valuable experience at the highest levels of business and government, which will enable him to play a vital role in News Corp’s continuing growth,” News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said in a statement. “With a strategic sensibility, savvy messaging skills, and a collaborative character, Arthur is a worthy successor to our friend and colleague, Jim Kennedy, as he transitions to a well-deserved retirement this year.”

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Kennedy’s decision to retire was announced last October. He was the first chief communications officer for the “new” News Corp following its separation from 21st Century Fox. His five-decade career included serving as a spokesman and speechwriter in Washington, Hollywood and New York, where he worked for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in the White House, and headed communications for Senators Hillary Clinton and Joe Lieberman, the Clinton Foundation, Sony Pictures and Sony Corporation of America.

News Corp is the parent of Dow Jones & Co. and the Wall Street Journal among other properties. “News Corp is home to some of the most iconic brands in media, and I am thrilled to join the company’s leadership team at this exciting time of transformation,” Bochner said in a statement provided by News Corp. “Few companies can match the reach and impact of News Corp, and it is an honor to help tell the company’s story. Jim has left big shoes to fill, and I am looking forward to collaborating with him during this transition.”

Bochner has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Pennsylvania, and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He has co-authored several books, including a business book for children, which led to guest appearances on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Kennedy, commenting on his coming retirement, noted that his post at News Corp was the longest he has spent in one job in one place. “I deeply appreciate having had the chance to serve Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch and my beneficent boss, Robert Thomson,” Kennedy said in a statement. “My small-but-mighty team and I are excited to partner with Arthur in the months ahead, and I know he will do a great job in spreading the news about News Corp far and wide.”

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