Fairfax Media VS News Corp - The directors cut

As you know, I have been looking at whether to invest in Fairfax Media. The elephant in the room, in regards to this decision, is the new News Corp. Would it be better to invest in that company instead?

One of the things I like to do is look at the directors...these are the guys who will be maximising shareholder returns (hopefully) so a pretty key part of analysing a business in my opinion.

In my opinion, it's great to see independent directors, but I also like to see some experience in the business they are looking after.

Fairfax Directors

Roger Corbett AO, Chairman - Management Experience: Retail - Other Hobbies: RBA, Walmart Director

Michael Anderson - Management Experience: Radio - Other Hobbies
Jack Cowin  - Management Experience: Fast Food - Other Hobbies: Director of TEN Media
Greg Hywood, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Sandra McPhee AM - Management Experience: Aviation. Other Hobbies: Professional Director
James Millar AM  - Management Experience: Accountancy. Other Hobbies: Professional Director
Sam Morgan - Management Experience: IT. Other Hobbies: Philanthropy
Linda Nicholls AO - Management Experience: Economics Other Hobbies. Professional Director
Peter Young AM - Management Experience: Investment Banking.

Not a lot of Media Experience in that lot (2 out of 9)....Also, not very diverse. (2 out of 9 are women) - 22%. 4 Countries represented though....

Contrast this with the international Flavour and media heavy that is the new News Corp

K. Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairperson -Management Experience - Media
Peter L. Barnes - Management Experience - Tobacco
José María Aznar - Management Experience - Spanish Public Service
Natalie Bancroft - Management Experience - None - Opera Singer
Elaine L. Chao - Management Experience - US Public Service
John Elkann - Management Experience - Italian Industry and Media
Joel I. Klein - Management Experience - US Public Service

James R. Murdoch - Management Experience - Media
Lachlan K. Murdoch - Management Experience - Media
Ana Paula Pessoa - Management Experience - South American Media
Masroor Siddiqui  - Management Experience - Investment Banking
Robert J. Thomson - CEO

6 directors have media experience. 3 have Government links. 5 countries represented. 3 out of 12 are women (25%)

Regardless of the fact that Rupert is executive chairperson, it looks like from a quality board perspective, News Corp might be a better buy.