Felipe L. Gozon over the weekend announced his retirement as chief executive at GMA Network Inc., the country’s leading multimedia network.
Gozon, which will continue to serve as GMA chairman, will be replaced by GMA president and chief operating officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. effective 1 January 2024
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 adopted various initiatives to make the company financially viable, such as restructuring debt, upgrading equipment, and producing local shows.
But for many years, GMA was a very distant No. 2 TV station. This changed when Gozon took over the helm of the Network in 2000. With his transformational leadership, GMA rose to become the top broadcast network in the Philippines.
In 2004, GMA programs were No. 1 in Mega Manila. In 2005, GMA bagged the coveted Asian Television’s Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award. Two years later, GMA’s initial public offering was met with much enthusiasm and resounding success. In July 2011, GMA was No. 1 in the entire Philippines.
Today, GMA reaches over 73 million Filipinos across the country. It has grown into a network of 106 TV stations and 21 radio stations nationwide.
Globally, GMA International connects with millions of Filipinos in over 100 countries. GMA Regional TV also continues to reach more Filipinos with its top-rating and award-winning local programs. The network’s flagship AM station, DZBB, and FM station, Barangay LS, are likewise the number one radio stations in their respective categories in Mega Manila.
Duavit, the eldest son of one of GMA’s founders, Gilberto M. Duavit, Sr., joined GMA’s board of directors in 1999 and has been chairman of the network’s executive committee since August 2000. He was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in November 2000 and was elected as company president in 2010.
Duavit is also the chairman of GMA Network Films and serves as president and chief executive of GMA Holdings, Inc., RGMA Marketing and Productions, Inc., and chairman, president, and CEO of Group Management and Development, Inc., and Dual Management and Investments, Inc. He is vice chairman of GMA Ventures, Inc.
He also serves as president and trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc., a trustee of the Guronasyon Foundation, Inc., and a board advisor of the HERO Foundation. Duavit holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez was elected as new chairman of the Network’s Executive Committee, effective 1 January 2024.
Jimenez, son of Menardo R. Jimenez, one of GMA’s founders, is president and 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.
