Georgie Gardner missing from Nine Upfronts event after horror week for broadcaster

Channel 9 pushed ahead with a key annual event, despite a horror week for the broadcaster. But there was one key star missing on the night.

Sophie Monk, Amber Sherlock, Sam Armytage and Ben Fordham at the NIne Upfronts.

Many within the industry struggled to believe Nine would go ahead with its ‘Upfronts’ this week following the result of its damning culture review.

But it seems the show had to go on, albeit an icy show.

Just one week after the investigation results were revealed, Nine hosted a lavish event in Sydney on Thursday where it showcased its 2025 program slate for advertisers.

While the elephant in the room was briefly discussed, with acting chief executive officer Matt Stanton - who was appointed to the role after Mike Sneesby stood down in September - opening formalities by stating it had been “a significant year of change and disruption”.

While all of Nine’s major players, including Karl Stefanovic, Sophie Monk, Allison Langdon, Sylvia Jeffreys and newcomer Samantha Armytage, were in attendance, there was one star who was notably absent.

“Georgie Gardner wasn’t there and no one was told why,” one attendee said.

“This is telling.”

Samantha Armytage: Picture: Matrix

Amber Sherlock. Picture: Matrix

The upfronts come as it is believed recently appointed Director of News & Current Affairs at Nine, Fiona Dear has taken leave.

Nine would not comment yesterday but it is believed the leave has been “planned for a long time”.

Dear has been critical of her employer, recently stating in an interview tied to the release of the Women in Media 2024 report that she stepped into the role during a tumultuous period for the newsroom.

“I was angry myself. I worked in the newsroom in that period. I was angry. I was angry as a woman who worked in that environment at that time. I was angry that I was given this opportunity and had to clean up someone else’s shit,” she said.

The theme of the Upfronts night was that if advertisers spend money with the network, they will reach 22 million Australians.

“Everyone agreed it wasn’t great timing, but the event was locked in at Carriageworks prior to the results coming out, it had to go ahead,” one insider said.

Nine stars at the upfronts.

And while the red carpet event is usually an up-beat and glitzy affair, many who attended the event claim the room was icy, matching Nine’s blue logo.

“Many attendees did not RSVP, as they felt it was so insensitive considering last week’s report that the event went ahead,” one insider said.

“Lots of senior advertising executives who would normally be there, did not turn up. Therefore many Nine staff were called on to be seat warmers to fill the room.”

“Talent were furious that it went ahead, not wanting to attend but of course having to, feeling even more disrespected after many have spoken up with the mistreatment they’ve endured at the network.

Deborah Knight. Picture: Matrix

Ben Fordham. Picture: Matrix

“Many said it was the worst Nine Upfront they’d ever been to and showcased the lack of strategy and direction of the business. The announcements felt outdated compared to where the rest of the market is heading.”

While many would usually stay back and party into the night, the majority reportedly left as soon as the event wrapped up.

“Usually it is one of the hottest tickets in town for those in the media,” another insider said.

“Nine lacked to keep a crowd around for a drink and to spend time with the team which would normally happen after a Nine Upfront.

Sylvia Jeffreys. Picture: Matrix

Sophie Monk. Picture: Matrix

“The question on everyone’s lips was not only will the advertisers be walking away from Nine but no doubt the investors as well.”

Others said there was very little acknowledgment of the Intersection report and the mess that Nine really needs to mop up.

“Acting CEO Matt Stanton touched on this briefly, but his overarching message landed in the room as “Olympics was great, we’re sorry, but spend with us in 2025,” another in the room said.

Also noted was the lack of social media posts from talent who normally would be proudly posting today.