CEO IVAN MIRCEVSKI

LEADING the MEDIA and TELEVISION INDUSTRY for TRUTH and JUSTICE, CEO, IVAN MIRCEVSKI - TV KANAL 5 MACEDONIA

Interview by Jasmina Siderovski

In the lexicon of management, the CEO is the epitome of leadership. While CEOs are the ultimate power in their companies, they face challenges and constraints that few others recognize.

Running any company is a complex job. The scope of the organization’s managerial work is vast, encompassing functional agendas, business unit agendas, multiple organizational levels, and myriad external issues. It also involves a wide array of constituencies—shareholders, customers, employees, the board, the media, government, community organizations, and more.

Unlike any other executive, the CEO has to engage with them all. On top of that, the CEO must be the internal and external face of the organization through good times and bad.

CEOs, of course, have a great deal of help and resources at their disposal. However, they, more than anyone else in the organization, confront an acute scarcity of one resource. That resource is time. There is never enough time to do everything that a CEO is responsible for. Despite this, CEOs remain accountable for all the work of their organizations.

The way CEOs allocate their time and their presence—where they choose to personally participate—is crucial, not only to their own effectiveness but also to the performance of their companies. Where and how CEOs are involved determines what gets done and signals priorities for others. It also affects their legitimacy. A CEO who doesn’t spend enough time with colleagues will seem insular and out of touch, whereas one who spends too much time in direct decision making will risk being seen as a micromanager and erode employees’ initiative. A CEO’s schedule is a manifestation of how the leader leads and sends powerful messages to the rest of the organization.

Ivan Mircevski, CEO of Macedonia’s privately-owned Channel - Kanal 5, founded in 1998 with its main office in Skopje is known for his leadership for truth and justice and not being afraid to stand up to the daily challenges faced by the media. It is no secret the recent events that the Macedonian people have been through; a turmoil of uncertainty, public corruption and name change have left a sour feeling and sense of uneasiness and fear in the citizens and the future of their country.

While the leadership that signed the ‘Prespa Agreement’ remains an ongoing debate globally, a combination of political inability to bring itself to order, the constant public narratives used to divide its people – especially the party cards, an economy that has been mismanaged in a destructive alliance between parties, the ruling party and corrupt corporations and ultimately a devastating and unpredictable pandemic have created a perfect storm and silenced the people who live in fear.

Mircevski has the ability to forecast beyond the paradox and has a purpose to protect, encourage and stand up for the facts, truth and honour of his people. An ethical leader who places the best interest of his nation above ego, a leaf many can take out of Mircevski’s book. Mircevski was raised in a loving family and a cultural fusion of the Balkans have taught him that identity is about heritage, history, respect and our ancestors who have fought for freedom.

A representative for truth and honour, (known for his sharp tongue and fight of justice) Mircevski lives and works in Skopje and enjoys being the CEO of a privately owned television channel— Kanal 5. He is followed by 98% of the Macedonian population and reminds the media and television industry why we signed up for a career as the voice of the current events and interest while educating society of the important issues that matter.

I caught up with Ivan Mircevski and interviewed him about the importance of standing up for who you are, what you believe in and paying it forward as humanitarians and being a public figure. My instant observation was his passionate, easy-going and positive minded attributes that spoke volumes about his true character as someone who seeks to be the voice of the people for all the right reasons. A visionary for truth, pride, integrity and justice and not to mention well respected and followed by the Macedonian Diaspora worldwide. It’s, Mircevski’s, connection to his roots and heritage that are the essence of his vast creative talent and knowledge.

What was your life like growing up?

My father is Macedonian, from Prilep, and my mother, Montenegrin, is from Pristina, Serbia. So, you can imagine the lovely childhood I had. I spent half a month in Serbia (cities where my late grandmother and aunt were living, Pristina, Kraljevo, Chachak, Belgrade), and half a month in Prilep.

At home, stemming from parents who spoke two different languages, I spoke Macedonian to my father and Serbian to my mother. Lunchtime conversations were quite interesting as my brother, and I would listen to a simple statements such as when speaking to my late father— “Dodaj mi ja casata,” (give me the glass) and to my late mother— “Dodaj mi tanjir ne mnogu da ga dohvatim,” (give me the plate I can’t reach it) where my mind automatically changed from one language to another, something I am quite proud of.

My mother was Montenegrin born in Kosovo, Serbia, and worked as a history teacher at a High School in Skopje. She used to tell me-” I am Montenegrin, I am married here, gave birth to you and raised you here, and do not forget—you are Macedonian first, and then–you can be a Martian if you want.”

My lovely parents… RIP!

Ivan Mircevski

CEO TV KANAL 5

What did you do before becoming a CEO?

I have always seen myself as a computer engineer. In my school notebooks, I always wrote–Diploma Ing (Graduate Electrical Engineer).

When my grandmother (from my mother’s side) passed away, she left my mother, money to buy me whatever I want. I bought my first computer ZX Spectrum from famous UK innovator Clive Sinclair. I was 14-15 y/o when I became one of the most famous “hackers” in former Yugoslavia–hacking games and my hacks were published at prominent computer magazines in Ex-Yugoslavia. No one knew how young I was.

I studied at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. I soon realized that music and girls were much more interesting to me than the faculty. I left the faculty and worked at Macedonian Radio Television, MRT, a public broadcaster, as a video editor. Then they offered me to become the music TV host. In 2009 I transferred to another network - TV Kanal 5 as the Editor of the Entertainment Dept.

How did you become the CEO of a television station?

You should ask the owner of Kanal 5 TV, not me...One day he invited me into his office, and asked me if I was ready to become the CEO of Kanal 5 although I had only been there for six months? I said, why not? There is no faculty to become a CEO, so no one was born a CEO ...

I will tell you a “secret” of mine. I have never changed my office of previous position–Head of Entertainment Dept., I am still at that office, which I love. I have changed nothing except the chair I sit on...because of superstitious reasons.

What are the challenges you face daily in media?

The major challenge is fighting for the truth. Yes, you read well, fighting! Since there are plenty of TV networks and websites which are inclined toward the left or right political parties, and the viewers/readers cannot get the truth, non-biased and non-partisan information. Kanal 5 is strictly balanced and we, and I, often “slap political faces” both to the ruling SDSM and opposition VMRODPMNE coalition.

I will tell you, both parties dislike that position of ours, to be balanced and to fight for Macedonia, and I have, daily, a lot of complaints, even threats of our TV news articles. Only the Truth/ Interview are my TV creation, and both TV formats brought me huge ratings and headaches at the same time...But I do not care at all. The truth, the viewers, Macedonia and Macedonians along with my employees are most important to me.

As a professional in media, are you governed by censorship? What are your views on freedom of speech?

As mentioned in the previous question, since I have been dealing with constant complaints and threats, I have built a “firewall”. I spend at least one hour at the News Dept. at Kanal 5, to encourage and support the reporters, journalists, editors...saying—WE ARE KANAL 5! When someone calls you and try to interfere in your article, always say—please call Ivan. He will talk to you ...and they never call me, since they know my “sharp tongue” and my temper.

Name some prominent leaders that captured your attention and what made them stand out as a Leader—either through TV KANAL 5 or other?

The first leader is myself and thus, of Kanal 5, my family who always supports me, even if they are afraid of the consequences because of my “sharp as a knife” tongue.

If you ask me about political leaders in Macedonia, all of them in the past 30 years should be ashamed of themselves...we have spent 30 years in so-called “transition” from a communist society to transfer into modern European society – but we are still locked in the middle of that process, due to our Balkans mindset only!

What are the key attributes of great leadership?

The first and last key – to be honest and transparent! A leader who hides his /her agenda has hidden political ideas will finish as all previous Macedonian PMs. To be cursed by plenty of Macedonians around the globe.

Pride—if you are a leader of a small grocery, you should be the pride of your business, just like I pride myself on the results and work of Kanal 5 TV. But if you are the first political figure, you must show up the real meaning of the word Pride—pride at home, pride abroad, pride everywhere, since you, as a leader, it is the highest honour to be a leader of a Biblical nation–Macedonians.

What are some of your proudest achievements?

To give hope to all Macedonians around the globe, that we have been, and will be always–Macedonians. That says a lot. And that hope I always try to reduplicate into Kanal 5 TV programme... since I cannot wake up in the morning, to go to the bathroom and to look myself in the mirror, if I didn’t do any good thing in the past days, for any person on this earth. At least be able to give a glass of water to someone who desperately needs it.

Describe who is IVAN MIRCEVSKI in 3 words?

Me, Myself and I!

What are the secrets to your success in media?

First, even it is far from modest to say good words about myself, I am a creative person and a quick learner. When I become CEO, I studied all-important laws, so I am privy to domestic laws, especially the Media Laws, the Law for Copyright and Related Rights, the Act of Criminal Code, etc. I love creating original TV formats, which are non-biased. I love advising all hosts at Kanal 5, and we work together to achieve this media success. I am not the CEO who sits in the office and gives orders only... I spend at least 7-8 hours at work, and I pass at least 4-5 kilometres per day during work time. Therefore, you could imagine, I am “buzzing” all up and down the building.

How do you define success?

Success is something I always compared to the army of Alexander the Macedonian. He was a great leader and one of the equal warriors. No pain, no gain. No happy employees, no success. Success is one big chain with plenty of links, and if you have a problem with any weak link, you will fail! I am not that kind of person to be a “dreamer”, I am a real lifestyle man. As a professor of philosophy.

What are your ideals?

I am not the kind of person to be a 'dreamer', I am a real lifestyle man. As a Professor of Philosophy.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I hope in the EU parliament.

Do you support any humanitarian causes and how?

Always! Most of them are not publicly known, meaning I support any employee at Kanal 5 and the members of their families, I support plenty of Macedonian families “behind the cameras” since I do not want to expose poor people to gain media points. Even my pressure on authorities regarding the UEFA issue with our nationality, is in some way a humanitarian cause as well and help our identity not to be forgotten.

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to pursue a media career?

We, media workers, are not any kind of “ordinary people”. We have, as I say— “a scratch into our heads.” So, media workers do not know what the holidays are, Christmas Eve, normal summer vacations, since TV works 24hrs a day. And the most important thing is to have are “butterflies in your stomach”, just like when you fall in love. I still have those butterflies, and they lead me forward.

What are 3 things that annoy you?

Sloppiness–if you work, do your work

Dishonest and hypocrisy

Disloyalty

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy walking, driving around our beautiful Macedonia and sleeping...do not forget, I have Montenegrin roots as well.

Who inspires you?

No one, I try to inspire the others!

What are the five things on your bucket list of things to do?

Buy a small house by some lake/sea.

Meet some aliens, since I do believe–we are not alone.

Enter EU parliament.

Go back in time and correct a few huge mistakes I did in the past...

The fifth is for your reader :)

What is your favourite food and beverage?

Because of health reasons, I lost 33 kg over 14 months, the food is something I do not care about. Last year I was 116 kgs, and I ate a lot. I can tell you that spinach and yogurt were my favourite food and beverage. Now I adore peanut butter and beetroot juice mixed with carrots and apples.

What are your ideals?

I am not that kind of person to be a “dreamer”, I am a real lifestyle man. As a professor of philosophy.