Matt Stanton has taken the reins as the nine managing director and CEO he has served in interim capacity since October.
Stanton joined the company as Chief Strategy Officer in late 2022, serving as CEO of Barumba Organics, Chief Transformation Officer for Woolworths, and CEO of Bauer Media (now Media).
He stepped into the acting CEO role at the age of nine following the resignation of Mike Sneeby. He set out ahead of the release of a cultural review that found the company to have power and authority, bullying, discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment abuse and systemic problems.
Stanton has since oversaw the reset of nine operating models, with an updated team of executives spreading across streaming and broadcasting, publishing and markets.
The nine committee confirmed Stanton’s appointment after a comprehensive international search process that includes the highly-calibrated field of candidates.
“The board is pleased to confirm Matt as nine CEOs,” said nine chairman Katherine West.
“Following the thorough and competitive recruitment process, Matt was clearly the best trustworthy leader in maintaining our strategic and cultural transformation momentum. He did an outstanding job as acting CEO.
“Matt’s combination of strategic and commercial insight, transformation and media experience, strong values and an open and collaborative approach to leadership makes him the right person to lead the nine. After developing the group strategy, Matt has a deep understanding of the nine priorities, culture and people, and has earned the respect of senior leaders, the wider workforce, markets and the board.”
Stanton said it was “honor and privilege” to assume the role of leadership.
“Nine is a great Australian company that plays an important role in national conversation,” he said.
“We have an exciting future supported by the best people and assets in the media sector. We have been working at PACE to strengthen our group in the last few months, but as we proceed with our ambitious plans to reset and grow our business, I have been supported by full-scale buy-in. I am committed to continuing and strengthening our reforms for the benefit of all our shareholders and our people.
