That’s why I call defying gravity.
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Definitely be the number 1 network this year.
James Warburton direction on seven and its programming strategy is now very questionable. Sevens tent pole shows that have kept it number 1 are now under fire.
Absolutely, and they’re just not making enough content, and arguably not enough good content.
They seem to have a very misguided idea of who their audience is and what they want to watch. Case in point, Stranded on Honeymoon Island.
Having a spine of stable programs (News, Sport, H&A, BHG etc) as they always refer to will only get you so far.
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The only thing keeping Seven afloat is AFL. Their tent pole shows have failed to fire for years.
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AFL and Perth.
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Well, Nine did win a couple of nights in Perth this week (thanks to Married) and Nine News Perth was fairly close last night (thanks to AFL on 7mate at same time as news due to current aedt time zone).
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Channel Seven’s The Latest has their new lead story!
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From Crikey (via Mediaweek)
Nine executives were grilled in an all-staff meeting on Wednesday after staff were given the opportunity to submit anonymous questions. Media Briefs has seen some of the submissions which highlight a degree of staff unrest.
One submission complained that feedback provided in an ostensibly anonymous employee survey was “recited back to (them)”, making them “nervous” about completing another.
Another asked: “How can Nine expect to retain employees when they pay well under minimum wage?”
Pedestrian Group promotes Spyros Asteriou to Head of Partnerships, NSW with Tess Lastra joining as Head of Partnerships, VIC
Pedestrian Group has announced Spyros Asteriou has been promoted to Head of Partnerships, NSW to lead the company’s sales team in Sydney, with Tess Lastra joining the organisation to lead the sales team based in Melbourne.
Spyros Asteriou is a respected commercial operator who has been with Pedestrian Group for over six years and has been fundamental to the growth of the business. He previously held the title of Head of Agency Partnerships, NSW and prior to joining Pedestrian Group, was with JCDecaux. Spyros is known for his exceptional leadership within the industry, with a strong history of leading high performing teams that create incredibly effective and award winning brand campaigns.
Tess Lastra joins Pedestrian Group with extensive experience in the Victorian media landscape, over a decade-plus career with leading Australian media organisations. Having a record of success in sales and leadership positions at News Corp, Australian Radio Network, JCDecaux, and most recently at the OOH start-up Wrappr, Tess brings a wealth of industry knowledge and insights to her new role. She is eager to energise the market about Pedestrian Group’s vast influence on young Australians.
Pedestrian Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, Rachel Tikey said, “As Pedestrian Group’s universe continues its evolution, I am delighted to appoint Spyros and Tess to these pivotal leadership roles. There are no two better leaders to mobilise our market-specific sales teams with Pedestrian Group’s vast offering. Both Spy and Tess epitomise excellence in our industry, have layered media sales experience, and extensive networks that trust and respect them. I know they will take the Pedestrian Group brands into their next era of commercial greatness.”
The senior sales appointments come as PEDESTRIAN TELEVISION on 9Now continues to surge in growth from 2 million minutes a month at launch, to a projected 16 million this April*.
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Nine’s Director of Sales for Total Television Richard Hunwick announces resignation
Richard Hunwick, Nine’s Director of Sales – Total Television, has announced he is stepping down from Nine as one of the industry’s most senior sales leaders.
Joining Nine in December 2010 as Director of Sales in Brisbane, Hunwick has forged an enviable reputation which saw him rise through the ranks to become national Director of Sales for Television and Radio through to his current role. He led his team to five consecutive years of being named the Media I National Sales Team of the Year.
“It’s been an amazing journey at Nine, and it’s been a privilege to lead the best sales team in the country to some incredible success, as we navigated a period of unheralded transformation from a stand alone TV business, to a digital first, multi-platform, content company,” said Hunwick.
“Over the last six months I’ve been thinking about all we’ve achieved, my own future and what opportunities lie ahead. Whilst it was a tough decision to walk away from a business that’s primed for growth in an Olympic year, it’s also the most exciting time I can remember in the media industry.
“Data and technology are driving unprecedented change right across the media landscape and with change comes opportunity. I’m looking forward to exercising my skills and experience in some new arenas where I can add value.”
“The great thing I’ve learned over the years in this business is the role may change, but the friendships endure, and I wish Stepho [Nine’s Chief Sales Officer Michael Stephenson] and my amazing group of colleagues all the best moving forward.”
Michael Stephenson said: “Over the past 25 years I’ve had the pleasure of working with one of my best friends. Not many people get to do that. Rich has a passion that is infectious, he is an incredible leader of people and he cares more than anyone I know.”
“There has never been a more exciting time to be in television. The pace of change is accelerating and I have no doubt that Rich will continue to have a significant impact on our industry in his next challenge.”
Hunwick will finish up at Nine at the end of September to ensure a seamless transition occurs with his successor.
Nine Ad Manager named as principal sponsor of Commbank Smallbiz Week 2024
As small to medium businesses continue to evolve in an ever-changing environment, Nine’s SMB ad platform, Nine Ad Manager, has today announced it will be Principal Sponsor of the CommBank SmallBiz Week 2024.
To be held on May 29-30 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event will see Nine hosting workshops throughout both days of the expo. The sponsorship highlights the growing role Nine Ad Manager will play in SMBs marketing and advertising campaigns.
Now in its third year, CommBank SmallBiz Week brings together B2B suppliers from a diverse range of industries with small business owners and leaders. This year’s event will highlight emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation.
The expo features over 120 exhibitors, multiple SMB workshop programs along with 100 speakers on the CommBank Sessions mainstage. Becoming a Principal Sponsor of the CommBank SmallBiz Week event is a natural fit for Nine Ad Manager, as well as being sponsor of the ‘Excellence in Marketing’ and ‘Rising Star’ categories at the CommBank Young Hero Awards dinner on May 28.
“Nine Ad Manager’s objective is to support and champion SMBs and their business growth,” said Ben Campbell, Nine’s Director of Data and Advertising products, who will be a keynote speaker at the event.
“Utilising the power of one of Australia’s most recognisable Free To Air Broadcast Video On Demand platforms in 9Now, and Artificial Intelligence, Nine Ad Manager allows small businesses to reach highly targeted, local premium audiences at easily accessible rates. We are thrilled to be associated with the CommBank SmallBiz Week 2024.”
Entry is free. To find out more visit www.smallbizweek.com.au
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Nikki Rooke promoted to Nine’s Director of Sales – Total Television
Nine today announces that Nikki Rooke has been promoted to Director of Sales – Total Television, one of Australia’s most senior commercial roles.
Currently Director of Sales – Sydney, with commercial responsibility for Nine’s TV, streaming, audio and publishing assets, Rooke will lead Nine’s national total television sales team overseeing Metro TV, Regional TV and BVOD. She replaces Richard Hunwick who announced his resignation last week.
Working alongside Jo Clasby (Director of Sales – Total Publishing), Ashley Earnshaw (Director of Sales – Total Audio), Nick Young (Commercial Director – Digital) and Lisa Day (Director – Powered), she will report to Nine’s Chief Sales Officer Michael Stephenson.
Having joined Nine two years ago from SCA, Rooke’s extensive media experience, exceptional leadership skills and proven track record leading large teams will ensure that Nine continues to lead the way by creating cross platform solutions for our clients.
Michael Stephenson said: “Nikki is the ultimate professional. She is one of our industry’s most senior commercial leaders and her track record speaks for itself. She is passionate about our people and she has an in-depth understanding of what marketers need. There simply isn’t a more perfect or more qualified person to lead our Total TV team than Nikki Rooke”.
“Nikki joins Jo Clasby, Ash Earnshaw, Nick Young, Lisa Day and Warwick Sharp alongside Andrea Salmon, Bec Lawrie, Sean O’Brien, Clive Bingwa, Tim Rose and Matt Granger in our leadership team. The perfect team to help our clients leverage the power of Nine in our Olympic and Paralympic year.”
Nikki Rooke said: “I’m thrilled to be leading Nine’s Total TV team and fill the very big shoes left behind by Richard Hunwick. I can’t wait to work with all our advertisers who understand and embrace the power of television and the sustainable, profitable returns it delivers to their businesses both in the short and long term.
“I am also very excited to be working with such a talented sales team both market facing and those behind the scenes who work tirelessly every day to ensure our clients have the best experience possible.
“It is such a great time to be stepping into this role as we countdown to Paris 2024, which will deliver to advertisers of all sizes a viewing experience never seen before across FTA television and BVOD with unprecedented scale and addressability. This is only the beginning, with so much more content, more new product innovation and more new data opportunities to come. I can’t wait to get started.”
She will begin her new role on July 1. Her replacement as Director of Sales – Sydney will be announced in the coming days.
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Crikey understands dozens of jobs are slated to be lost.
A single sentence was all a Nine spokesperson would provide in response to Crikey’s questions about the plans: “As change occurs in the media industry, we are always evolving to best meet the needs of our business in order to remain the market leader.”
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Jo Barton has been promoted to Director of Sales - Sydney.
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News Corp putting the boot into Nine
Nine battered by storm of its own making
The crisis currently engulfing Nine is a disaster of the media company’s own making. And there is no quick fix.
In many ways, whether the board or senior management were aware of the extent of the alleged behavioural improprieties of longserving news boss Darren Wick towards female staff is not the main issue, as scandalous as it will be if it emerges there was a cover-up culture at the highest levels of the network.But the immediate priority for Nine is surviving the firestorm that could rip a fresh hole in its already anaemic advertising revenue stream, and alienate a massive chunk of its audience.
How many brands will now want to be associated with Nine?
How can a company sell itself as one of Australia’s biggest and most powerful media players if its name is synonymous with mistreatment of female staff?
And for Nine, the problem is more pressing, given that the Paris Olympics is just two months away. The company last year paid $305m in cash for the summer and winter Games through to Brisbane 2032, and Nine desperately needs to secure generous ad deals to justify the investment.
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News Ltd is reporting that NEC CEO Mike Sneesby is under pressure to hold onto his job after approving a near $1 mil psyout to Wicks.
The board apparently was not consulted and are deeply unhappy about the way the whole episode has been handled. Even The Age and SMH are not portraying Sneesby in a positive light either.
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The Australian
Nine boss Mike Sneesby ‘a dead man walking’
Nine Entertainment chair Peter Costello has refused to publicly back embattled chief executive Mike Sneesby, as the media group’s seven-person board prepares to meet for the first time since sexual harassment allegations against former news boss Darren Wick were revealed.
It’s understood that the majority of the board is deeply unhappy about the way Mr Sneesby and Mr Costello have handled the Wick matter, particularly the decision taken by the CEO to personally approve a near $1m payout to the former news boss, despite the fact a serious harassment allegation was hanging over his head.
Mr Costello and Mr Sneesby will both front for the board meeting, expected to be held in Sydney on Thursday, but the former treasurer’s refusal to come out in support of Mr Sneesby, whom he hand-picked to lead the media giant in 2021, gives further weight to speculation that the CEO is fighting to save his job.
Despite protestations by some of the board about the payout, it’s believed the decision to approve it fell within Mr Sneesby’s delegated authority.
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