Former Nine Entertainment CEO Hugh Marks has been appointed ABC’s new chief executive.
ABC chairman Kim Williams described Marks as “an unusually good fit” for the national broadcaster.
Marks will take up the role in March when current managing director David Anderson hands over the reins.
“All Australians, if they want to know the truth, or the facts, or at least the different perspectives on an issue, so that they are informed, know that they can come to the ABC and trust that it is that place where they are. going to get [that]Marks said.
‘We just have to concentrate [on]: What are we good at? How can we do it right?
“Focusing on those things and making choices to prioritize the things you can do well, I think, is a discussion we’re all going to have to have.”
Williams said Marks would bring “a strong history of innovation in online delivery.”
“Hugh was a standout candidate not only because of his experience in every facet of media, but also because of his strong track record of leading media organizations and driving substantive and sustained audience engagement,” he said.
Former Nine Entertainment CEO Hugh Marks has been appointed ABC’s new chief executive
“He is the right person to lead the ABC as we plan for renewal and investment.”
Williams said the ABC board was unanimous in voting to appoint Marks to the five-year term.
As CEO of Nine, Marks oversaw the television network’s merger with Fairfax Media’s newspaper and radio platforms in 2018 to create Australia’s largest media company.
He also won praise for negotiating the Covid period without major job losses, something many other major media companies could not boast.
“The security that people feel in their work, and therefore their ability to concentrate on the work, while not having to worry about the environment you are working in, allows you to concentrate on your work,” Marks told the Australian Financial Review in 2021.
“When I walk around the company now, whatever level I stop at, and talk to anyone in publishing or television or operations or sports or radio or wherever, they all feel that certainty.”
After the collapse of his marriage, Marks was dogged by rumors that he was dating his executive assistant Jane Routledge.
This led to an unusual caustic spray from Marks.
Outgoing ABC boss David Anderson was seen as a steady hand who guided the national public broadcaster towards a digital future
“There’s a lot of gossip and a lot of that gossip has gotten out of hand… and that shocks me a little bit that everyone is interested and people can make things up,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2020.
He later resigned after revealing he was in a relationship with former Nine director of commercial Alexi Baker, who reported directly to Marks and had left the company just weeks before.
Marks said he left Nine so the pair could continue their relationship “unhindered.”
Marks said: “It’s a great time to be working in media. There are so many opportunities to provide Australians with quality news and entertainment, but choices need to be made about what we prioritize. Making the right choices is what will determine our success in the future.
“I look forward to working with everyone at the ABC as it continues to organize and guide discussion on the issues important to Australia and leads the way in delivering quality, truthful and compelling news and premium content.”
Anderson resigned just one year into his second five-year term at the helm of the national public broadcaster.
He was seen as a steady hand at the helm after the tumultuous reign of Michelle Guthrie, who was fired by the board and settled an unfair dismissal case against the ABC out of court.
During his tenure, the ABC continued to expand its digital services and moved much of its Sydney workforce from the CBD to the city’s west.
However, Anderson leaves with the organization dissatisfied with the axing of popular radio presenters Sarah Macdonald, Simon Marnie and Robbie Buck.
The credibility of ABC News has also taken a hit after it was revealed that audio of additional gunshots had been added to footage of former Special Forces commando Heston Russell, who previously successfully sued the ABC over war crimes allegations.