John Campbell made for mayoralty, job adviser suggests

Other paths the career coach suggested John Campbell could explore included celebrity speaking, media relations, lecturing. Photo / Greg Bowker

John Campbell has officially left the building.

The embattled broadcaster has finally reached a settlement with TV3, taking with him the show's executive producer Pip Keane and reporter Ali Ikram.

Campbell Live's final broadcast on Friday night received the show's highest ratings ever.
It was watched by 484,000 viewers live and a further 48,000 on TV3 + 1.

The show beat TV1's Seven Sharp, which had 411,580 viewers in the 7pm time slot, and was TV3's biggest rating show of the year.

In an interview with the Sunday Star Times, Ikram said the past month had been some of the best and worst weeks for the show.

"Everything has happened so quickly. Six days ago we found out the show was not going to be continued. From that point we had to make our decisions."

That decision for Ikram meant departing TV3 alongside Campbell, with both men saying they planned to spend time with their families.

"TV3 is like a home. It's a great place to make television because everyone is very passionate about what we do," he said.

As the show drew to an end, Campbell said: "Thank you for being with us."

Campbell said the team had produced nearly 2500 programmes.

He said he often felt really "blessed" to have done the show, and he also thanked viewers.

"Your trust in us is something we will never forget."

Mayor Campbell

So where to now for the broadcaster? John Campbell for mayor perhaps?

Two days out of his job at TV3 hosting the now-defunct Campbell Live, and one career adviser says he has the qualities to launch a tilt at the Auckland mayoralty.

Career and life coach Allison Fisher said the 51-year-old's job options were vast, including having the potential to look after the interests of Auckland's population of 1.4 million.

"A mayor needs to be well rounded. It's all very well being good with the people, but do they understand a balance sheet and the economics of running a city?"

His early working life as a share trader showed he was someone with "a good analytical mind", she said. "I think he'd have the skills for a politician."

Other paths included diplomacy, celebrity speaking, media relations, lecturing or leading an organisation that needed someone with "presence and influence" at the helm.

Whatever he decided, there was no rush, she said.

"He's got a good profile and amazing experience.

"Where he's at, it doesn't matter if he takes a break."

Find My Forte director Frances Harre said there were "so many doors that could open for John" that he should step back and think about what he wanted to do.

That could include working for another broadcaster or widening his options based on his interests, including his love of music, she said.

He also had the skills and connections to work for a non-governmental organisation, to become a columnist or find a job at the United Nations, Harre said.

"This is his life, his career, his future. He's obviously a courageous and brave individual and he can use those skills to move on and think about what's important."