Former Nine boss named ABC managing director

The Treasurer has defended the appointment of Hugh Marks as the ABC’s managing director after his controversial departure from Nine Entertainment.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has announced former Nine Entertainment boss Hugh Marks as its new managing director.

Mr Marks was previously Nine Entertainment chief executive, a role he held for five years from 2015 to 2020. He left the company following intense media scrutiny over his office relationship with then managing director of commercial Alexi Baker.

The announcement comes four months after former managing director David Anderson resigned from the position, only a year into his roleafter being reappointed for a second five-year term.

Former Nine boss Hugh Marks will be the ABC’s new managing director.

Following an “extensive” domestic and international search for a replacement, the ABC board voted unanimously to usher Mr Marks into the role, with ABC chair Kim Williams AM calling Mr Marks’ experience “rare” and “critical” for the broadcaster’s future.

Mr Williams became the broadcaster’s chair in March, succeeding Ita Buttrose, and has not been shy about his feelings towards the ABC’s editorial standards, signalling a wave of changes to revitalise the national broadcaster.

However on Tuesday, Jim Chalmers was forced to defend Mr Marks’ appointment, given his eyebrow-raising departure from Nine.

Asked whether Mr Marks was a “good appointment”, the Treasurer said the decision was made by the ABC board and not the government.

“It is made as an appointment by the ABC board and we support the independence of the board,” he said.

“This is one of the tasks we entrust the ABC board with and they came to this view unanimously, considered a range of candidates and determined he is the best available candidate and I will not second-guess that.”

The ABC chair previously said the broadcaster required better impartiality and needed to do “a better job of getting informed voices”.

“A bit more policy, a lot less politics, and really illuminating issues rather than debating the extremes,” Mr Williams said per the ABC.

Mr Marks said his first move would be refocusing the broadcaster’s priorities rather than spreading itself thin.

“We should just focus (on) what is it that we can do well? How can we do it well?” he told the ABC.

“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 former Nine Entertainment boss has three decades of media experience. Picture: NewsWire/Joel Carrett

As part of his role, Mr Marks will serve as the ABC editor-in-chief for all editorial content with responsibility to the ABC board.

He has been appointment for a five-year term and will begin his role on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Mr Williams said Mr Marks’ appointment would breathe new life into the broadcaster, thanks to his three-decade experience in the media industry.

“Hugh is a highly successful media executive, with more than 30 years’ experience in Australia and internationally in content production, programming and distribution, working across all platforms from television, radio, and online publishing and with extensive news experience,” Mr Williams said on Tuesday.

“This breadth of experience is rare and will be critical to the ABC as we look to further strengthen our reach and engagement with the Australian community.

“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.”

Mr Marks said he was honoured to take on the role at the ABC, which he described as an “iconic and formidable media organisation”.

“It is an amazing time to be working in media,” he said.

“There are so many opportunities to deliver quality news and entertainment to Australians, but choices to make in what we prioritise in doing so. Making the right choices is what will determine our success into the future.

“I look forward to working with everyone at the ABC as it continues to host and guide discussion on the issues of importance to Australia and lead in the delivery of quality, truthful and engaging news and premium content,” he said.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland congratulated Mr Marks on his appointment and thanked Mr Anderson for his “dedicated leadership”.

“I congratulate Mr Marks on his appointment and look forward to seeing his strong contribution working with the ABC Board, senior executive team and staff as managing director,” she said.