Seven names Sean Power to lead integrated news strategy

The Seven Network has elevated 7NEWS Sydney director Sean Power to the newly created role of Director of News Integration and Strategy, as part of a broader reshuffle across its news division.

Power, who joined Seven seven years ago, will take on the national leadership post from Monday. The position has been designed to unify Seven’s nightly news content across all platforms, including television, 7NEWS.com.au, 7plus, The Nightly and social media to ensure consistent coverage and stronger amplification of exclusive and investigative journalism.

In addition to driving integration, Power will oversee the network’s major news events in partnership with national news desk director and foreign editor Hugh Whitfeld. He will also serve as a central point of coordination between Seven’s programming, communications and marketing teams.

Ray Kuka, Seven’s director of news and current affairs, said the new role was critical to the future of Seven’s newsroom.

“This critical role will mean 7NEWS has a clear plan to make our first-class journalism sing not just on broadcast but also online,” he said. “So much of our incredible news gathering ends up on the cutting room floor. Sean will enhance our delivery of news and make sure our audiences everywhere know about our exclusive and investigative content."

Kuka said Power will also be charged with working with Sales and partnerships to fund new programs as 7NEWS invests in the solid future of television.

Power will relocate to his hometown of Melbourne to take on the role, where he will also begin work on a new national program to be broadcast from Seven Melbourne’s recently opened, state-of-the-art studios.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside Australia’s sharpest journalists,” Power said. “We’re building on the best of 7NEWS – sharpening our storytelling, growing our audience, and driving the next chapter with purpose and pace.”

Power previously served as executive producer of Sunrise, helping deliver strong ratings and boosting audience trust in the morning timeslot.

Geoff Dunn, a 20-year veteran of the Sydney newsroom, will take on Power’s current role as 7NEWS Sydney executive producer in an acting capacity while a broader restructure is finalised.

“He knows the heartbeat of both the newsroom and Sydney,” Kuka said. “With the respect of his colleagues and a clear understanding of the team’s strengths and challenges, [Dunn] is uniquely placed to lead this interim phase.”

As part of the announcement, Seven also confirmed the departure of Gemma Acton, director of news operations, who is relocating to Dubai with her family to pursue a new career opportunity.

“We want to thank Gemma for her outstanding contribution over the past seven years – both in front of and behind the camera,” said Kuka. “Her dedication, professionalism and mentorship have had a lasting impact on so many, and she leaves with our warmest thanks and very best wishes for this exciting new chapter for her and her family.

“Gemma’s held onto this news for a while now, so I appreciate her taking the time to hand over parts of her role while preparing for her overseas move in two weeks.”

The leadership updates come as Seven continues to evolve its multiplatform strategy and look for new ways to scale its news operation across both digital and linear platforms.