Former chief executive of Nine Entertainment Hugh Marks has been appointed managing director of the ABC.
Australia’s national broadcaster confirmed this morning that Marks would start on 10 March next year, replacing David Anderson.
The outgoing managing director announced this year that he would be stepping down from the role, 12 months after being reappointed for a second five-year term.
The ABC said its board unanimously appointed Marks for a five-year term after an “extensive domestic and international search”.
Marks resigned abruptly from Nine in 2020, saying the time was right for him to “begin the process of moving on”, but he stayed in the role until 2021 while Nine searched for a replacement.
During his five years at the helm he oversaw the $4bn merger with Fairfax Media and the Macquarie Media radio network.
Since then, Marks has spent nearly three years at film and television content studio that he co-founded and co-led, Dreamchaser.
In a statement to the ABC, Marks said his priorities were to focus on areas of excellence and for the broadcaster to not spread itself too thinly.
“All Australians, when they want to know the truth, or the facts, or at least the different perspectives on an issue so that they’re informed, know that they can come to the ABC and trust that it’s that place that they’re going to get [that],” he said.
“Just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean you should do it. We should just focus [on]: What is it that we can do well? How can we do it well? Focusing on those things and making choices to prioritise on the things that you can do well, I think, is a discussion we’re all going to have to have.”
The ABC chair, Kim Williams, described Marks as a “high successful media executive” with more than 30 years’ experience.
“Hugh is unusually well qualified to lead the ABC’s editorial and creative production teams online and in audio and video across the spectrum of ABC delivery responsibility in news, children’s education, documentary, international and diverse drama for Australian citizens as viewers, listeners and readers across every major delivery platform available,” he said.
“Hugh was a standout candidate, not only for his experience across every facet of the media, but for his strong track record of leading media organisations and driving substantial and sustained audience engagement. He is the right person to lead the ABC as we plan right now for renewal and investment.”
Nine had an “annus horribilis” this year, with a report released in October describing issues with bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment.
In November, the acting chief executive, Matt Stanton, said “there will be change at Nine and individuals will be held to account”.
The media behemoth has also culled 200 jobs and faces cuts of $100m over the next two years.
There was also a string of high-profile departures including CEO Mike Sneesby.
In an email to staff on Tuesday morning, Williams thanked Anderson for his tenure.
“David is a special individual, and the ABC has been a better place for his commitment and his leadership,” he wrote.
“David and Hugh will have an extended handover as determined between them – I don’t need to tell you all how multi-faceted this place is and how much knowledge is needed to be an effective leader of all that makes the ABC so central to Australian thought and life.”
Williams said Marks’ engagement with editorial matters, and with government policy, would be “invaluable to the ABC”.
