Update from Nine
Nine appoints Matt James as Chief Sales Officer
Nine today announces Matt James has been appointed Chief Sales Officer, one of the most senior commercial roles in Australian media.
Reporting to Nine’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton, Mr James has extensive global media experience and will be responsible for growing the revenue of Nine’s Total Television, Total Publishing and Total Audio assets.
Appointed Acting Chief Sales Officer in December 2024, Mr James holds 35 years of experience and has previously been CEO of global media agency Zenith Media based in London, the inaugural Group CEO of Publicis Media, and CEO of Zenith Australia and New Zealand.
His appointment as Chief Sales Officer amid a wide field of candidates signals a new era for Nine Sales, with Mr James set to sharpen a reinvigorated digital video strategy to ensure the company can compete with the global platforms, and to drive collaboration within the streaming and broadcast industry.
Early in his career, Mr James held senior roles at Nine including Managing Director of the company’s then-digital media division Mi9, and after his global role at Zenith, Mr James returned to Nine in 2020 as Managing Director of Nine Melbourne.
In that role, he oversaw major operations including Channel 9, 3AW, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review, as well as flagship productions which contributed significantly to strengthening Nine’s position in the Melbourne market.
Since November last year, Mr James has held a senior strategy role across the Nine Group as part of the company’s Transformation team focusing on initiatives to drive growth and innovation, including a renewed vision to accelerate an advanced digital strategy that will cement Nine’s leadership position over the next five years.
Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, Matt James, said: “I’m excited to lead one of the most talented sales teams in Australia. We have spent the last several months re-arming and re-organising ourselves to be able to execute an advanced digital strategy across TV, Publishing and Audio, and Nine is well-placed for a strong future. We are now at a pivotal point where Nine is ready to be a leader in the digital video market. With clients and brands at the centre of everything we do, our move to accelerate our VOD strategy and to drive a new era of collaboration within the TV industry, will ensure Nine positions itself as a market leader.”
Nine’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton, said: “Matt James is a high-calibre media executive with impressive global experience who has a strong vision for Nine. With experience on both the media and agency sides, a strong background in digital, and extensive knowledge of Nine, I can’t think of a better person to re-invigorate Nine’s strategy to be the leader in the digital video market.”
Mediaweek’s headline/excerpt reads that it’s a new appointment, rather than confirmation of his permanent appointment to the role given he’s been acting in it since Dec last year.
A key element of JAECOO’s entry to the market is a commercial partnership with Nine encompassing the Drive and Good Food platforms, and a significant media campaign developed by UM, across Nine’s television, publishing and audio assets.
Jaecoo, a sub-brand of Chinese carmaker Chery, will launch at Sydney’s Centennial Homestead on Tuesday (May 6) at 6pm AEST. The launch will be livestreamed on FB and YouTube via Drive and Jaecoo’s official channels.
Nine Entertainment reported total TV advertising revenue increased by almost 8% in the March quarter but sees uncertainty ahead.
The company said growth in Nine’s free-to-air revenue share and BVOD revenues more than offset a free-to-air market which is estimated to have been marginally down.
CEO Matt Stanton, speaking today at the Macquarie conference, outlined further cost cutting.
Nine expects “cost efficiencies” to the end of the 2027 financial year of more than $100 million, of which $10 million to $20 million is expected to be realised this financial year, on top of the previous guidance of $50 million.
Nine’s Director of Sales – Total Audio Ashley Earnshaw steps down
Nine today announced that Ashley Earnshaw, who has served as Director of Sales – Total Audio since 2021, is stepping down. During his tenure as a key commercial leader within Nine’s audio division, Ash has been instrumental in guiding Nine’s audio team through a period of positive evolution and growth.
“My time at Nine has been a truly valuable experience, and I’m incredibly proud of what the Total Audio team has accomplished as the audio landscape has continued its rapid digital transformation,” said Earnshaw.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided the time is right to pursue new professional opportunities. While it’s a tough decision to leave a business that is primed for growth, I’m also excited by the prospect of applying my skills and experience in new areas to drive value.
“I’m fully committed to ensuring a smooth and effective handover and will be working closely with the team in the coming months as they transition to the new operational framework. I’m grateful for the professional relationships and friendships I’ve built here and extend my best wishes to Nine Radio Managing Director, Tom Malone, Chief Sales Officer Matt James, and all my colleagues at Nine.”
Tom Malone, Managing Director – Nine Radio, said: “Ash has provided steady and effective leadership to our Total Audio sales division during a time of considerable change. His dedication to the business and his team has been clear, and we appreciate his commitment to supporting a seamless transition to a new structure.”
Earnshaw will remain with Nine to the end of June to facilitate a smooth transition to the new operating model for the Total Audio sales team. The process for identifying his successor is currently underway, and further details will be communicated in due course.
WIN now has voting power over 20% of the shares. I would expect a further 3% over the next two six-month periods, and possibly more.
Nine Entertainment is restructuring its trade marketing, the unit looking after B2B, AdNews can reveal.
As part of the changes, Jamie Gilbert-Smith, the director of trade marketing, is leaving the company.
#BREAKING: Ben Roberts -Smith has lost his appeal against a federal court civil finding that he was complicit in the murder of unarmed prisoners in Afghanistan. The Victoria Cross recipient must pay costs to the Nine Newspapers.@10NewsFirst
— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) May 16, 2025
Summary of judgement
For those interested in the Ben Roberts-Smith case, here is the summary judgement of the Full Bench of the Federal Court dismissing his appeal, with costs. pic.twitter.com/UXOELr8qNU
— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) May 16, 2025
Concludes:
The full Federal Court judgment has also been published online.
That’s good.
Sharri Markson will have a meltdown about this. She’s been cheerleading for BRS nearly nightly on her stupid show. He’s a pathetic human being and deserves this disgrace.
Edit: I note he’s now going to the high court. What a waste of resources. Clearly someone is funding this for him.
should be noted you can’t just go to the high court, you need to seek leave to appeal and the court can turn it down (as they do with most petitions for leave)
I’m intrigued - what now happens in relation to Nick McKenzie’s comments, where he openly admitted to ethical issues in regards to the newsgathering on this one?