Early Life
James Douglas Packer was born on September 8, 1967, in Sydney, Australia, to media mogul Kerry Packer and Roslyn Packer. His grandfather was Sir Frank Packer, a media proprietor. James was educated at Cranbrook School in Sydney. He chose not to attend university, instead working as a jackeroo on his father’s cattle station.
Rise to Success
Packer inherited control of the family company, Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, and investments in Crown Resorts and other companies. He served as the executive chairman of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) and Consolidated Media Holdings, which owned media interests across various platforms. He expanded into the entertainment and gaming sectors, notably with Crown Resorts. Packer made early investments in online classified sites SEEK and Carsales.com. After the dot-com crash, he acquired stakes in these companies and later sold most of his SEEK stake for a significant profit.
Key Business Strategies
Packer's primary business strategy revolved around building a global gambling empire, focusing on integrated resorts and casinos. He expanded Crown Resorts, which operates casinos in Australia and London. He also made significant investments in real estate and technology companies after selling his Crown Resorts stake. Packer's approach included diversifying investments to manage risk and capitalizing on opportunities in the entertainment and gaming sectors.
Philanthropy
James Packer is involved in various philanthropic initiatives. He is the founder of the Packer Family Foundation and the Crown Resorts Foundation. In 2014, these foundations launched a A$200 million National Philanthropic Fund. In 2023, the Packer Family Foundation donated $7 million to UNSW Sydney for mental health research, with a focus on mood disorders. Packer supports Indigenous education and the arts and culture.