GMA Network’s Chairman and CEO, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, announced his retirement as CEO during his 84th birthday celebration held on Saturday night at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
Speaking before a star-studded crowd composed of GMA’s big stars and including government officials led by First Lady Liza Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former president and now Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Gozon shared that starting January 1, 2024, GMA President and COO, Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., will take over as the new CEO.
“The GMA Board of Directors has approved my retirement effective December 31, 2023. The board also approved my recommendation to elect Mr. Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. as the new Chief Executive Officer to replace me effective January 1, 2024,” said Atty. Gozon in his speech added that he will remain as the Chairman of the Board and Adviser to the corporation.
“I am very proud and gratified that over the years, GMA Network has provided the public with superior, quality, and innovative entertainment and public affairs programs,” he went on. “With the changes we are implementing, we are confident that GMA Network and GTV will not only continue to maintain the top rankings in ratings and superiority in revenues and net income in the ensuing years but also improve on them.”
In 1975, Gozon, along with Gilberto M. Duavit, Sr. and Menardo R. Jimenez, revived the struggling Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (RBS), the precursor of GMA. The triumvirate made various initiatives to make the company financially viable—restructured debt, upgraded equipment, and produced local shows.
Under the transformative leadership of Atty. Gozon, GMA Network underwent a remarkable journey from a distant No. 2 TV station to the top broadcast network in the Philippines. Since taking the helm in 2000, GMA achieved significant milestones, including being No. 1 in Mega Manila in 2004 and receiving the Asian Television’s Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award in 2005.
GMA’s growth continued with a successful Initial Public Offering in 2007, and by July 2011, the network claimed the No. 1 spot nationwide. Presently, GMA reaches over 73 million Filipinos through its 106 TV stations and 21 radio stations. Internationally, GMA International connects with millions in over 100 countries.
The network has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, and has been recognized as the most trusted news brand in the Philippines. GMA is committed to social responsibility through initiatives like the GMA Kapuso Foundation, addressing health, education, disaster relief, and values education.
In the digital age, GMA invested in signal improvement, launched digital terrestrial television channels, and created products for wider accessibility. This commitment to quality content and coverage aligns with GMA’s status as the first Filipino media company to sign the United Nations Global Compact.
Meanwhile, Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez was elected as the new Chairman of the Network’s Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2024.
Jimenez, son of Menardo R. Jimenez, one of GMA’s founders, is the President & CEO of Menarco Holdings, and the Chief Executive Officer of Alta Productions Group, Inc. He is a Director of RGMA Network, Inc., Executive Committee Chairman and Director of GMA New Media, Inc., Scenarios, Inc., GMA Worldwide, Inc., Citynet Network Marketing and Productions, Inc., Malayan Savings and Mortgage Bank, and Nuvoland Philippines. He is also a Trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Major in International Marketing. He earned his Masters in Management from the Asian Institute of Management.