OFF THE VINE: The world waits to find out what just Wendy will do next

<p>The abrupt departure of former chairman and chief executive Gareth </p><p>Chang has created something of a leadership vacuum at Star TV these </p><p>days. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While everyone is wondering who will replace Mr Chang and why he really </p><p>left, the focus has again fallen on the family members of Star head </p><p>honcho Rupert Murdoch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Sparking an intriguing set of rumours was the recent appearance of Mr </p><p>Murdoch's wife, Wendy Deng, at the high-profile News Corp conference </p><p>announcing the joint venture with Renren.com. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The industry is now abuzz with speculation that the new Mrs Murdoch </p><p>could take the helm of the network eventually. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A mainland China native, who made a most dramatic career move from the </p><p>catwalk industry to show business, Mrs Murdoch has been spotted quite </p><p>often in Hong Kong and China in recent days. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Married to Mr Murdoch a year ago in her early 30s, Wendy moved to Hong </p><p>Kong a few years before, landed a job at Star TV as a junior executive, </p><p>met Rupert ... and the rest is, as they say, history. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Vine can't help but think that putting her in charge of Star's </p><p>operations in China would be a very good thing indeed - after all, if </p><p>she can expand the Murdoch empire in the mainland as rapidly as her love </p><p>affair with her husband blossomed, it can surely only mean good things </p><p>for all concerned. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

by | 03/31/2000