Businessman and lawyer Felipe Gozon announced over the weekend his retirement as the chief executive of GMA Network Inc., the country’s leading multimedia network.
Gozon, who will continue to serve as chairman of GMA, will be replaced by GMA president and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit Jr. effective Jan. 1, 2024
Gozon, along with Gilberto Duavit Sr. and Menardo Jimenez, revived the struggling Republic Broadcasting System Inc. (RBS), the precursor of GMA, in 1975. The triumvirate made various initiatives to make the company financially viable, restructured its debt, upgraded its equipment and produced local shows.
GMA was a very distant No. 2 TV station for many years, but this changed when Gozon took the helm of the Network in 2000. With his transformational leadership, GMA rose to become the top broadcast network in the Philippines.
GMA’s programs were No. 1 in Mega Manila in 2004. 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 enthusiasm and resounding success. In July 2011, GMA was No. 1 in the entire Philippines.
GMA reaches over 73 million Filipinos across the country today. It expanded 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 also the number one radio stations in their respective categories in Mega Manila.
Duavit, the eldest son of Gilberto Duavit Sr., joined GMA’s board of directors in 1999 and has been the 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 the company’s 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 the vice chairman of GMA Ventures Inc.
He also serves as the president and a 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 Jimenez was elected as the new chairman of the network’s executive committee effective Jan. 1, 2024.