KEY POINTS:
The sign on the desk in a Sydney television centre put it plainly: "To err is human. To forgive is not my style". Behind it sat New Zealander Sam Chisholm, 66, arguably the most successful broadcasting industry figure New Zealand has produced. During a stellar career he made
millions for Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer and shared spoils on the way.
After having a double lung transplant in 2003, life has slowed down. A board member of Prime New Zealand until it was bought by Sky, Mr Chisholm was the late Mr Packer's choice as interim manager of the Nine Network when main man David Gyngell suddenly resigned, but relinquished the role earlier this year with the appointment of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? host Eddie Maguire as chief executive. These days, his only television connection is chairman of Sky News in Sydney.
He devotes board time to two major charities in the heart and organ donation fields, . . "after all, I am a recipient", says Mr Chisholm.
He also owns a large sheep station in New South Wales. Despite that, Mr Chisholm regards himself as retired but during his tenure he put the fear of God about the place, fired some, cut costs.
The middle and sole survivor of three sons, Mr Chisholm grew up in Remuera. His father died young so he was brought up by his mother.
He went to King's College, and when he left joined UEB as a packaging salesman before trying his luck in Australia.
Mr Chisholm lived by his "street smarts", then decided TV was his path to the good life.
Former Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand CEO Nigel Dick, then heading the Melbourne end of an Australian network, gave him his first media job.
"He was recommended to me by one of our sales staff," said Mr Dick. "Half an hour later he had a job selling to direct clients - used car yards and retailers - the hardest job in the industry. He spiralled up from there."
Once he was tempted to return home. When NZBC-TV split to become TV1 and South Pacific Television, Mr Chisholm was offered the role of director of sales and marketing at SPTV's Auckland headquarters. He accepted - but never left Sydney. Former SPTV director-general Allan Martin said that Mr Packer simply bought him back. "I warned him Packer would never forget he was prepared to jump ship, but nothing ever eventuated."
Mr Chisholm's "take no prisoners" management style is legendary, not least in Hong Kong to where he was dispatched from England by Mr Murdoch over a decade ago to oversee his newly acquired Star TV operation.
A newly arrived acting chief executive, Mr Chisholm mustered the troops, mostly Chinese and a handful of expats, for a motivational speech. "With my good looks and your personality, we're going to the top," he said.
Then he spelled out some home truths ... and oversaw a burst of firing, including all the expats.
Comalco ex-chairman Charles Bidwill remembers Mr Chisholm from the social scene in Auckland in the late 1950s.
"He could lift your spirits with his banter but pulled no punches when he gave his opinions."
Russ Becker, head of worldwide Becker Entertainment, recalled from Sydney how Mr Chisholm gave his early career a boost in the 1970s with his instinct for business.
"I walked in off the street with a National Geographic series, played him a tape and he knew right away it would attract advertising."
It was one of Mr Becker's best sales in a long career.