Nine opts for in-house CEO, Matt Stanton

Matt Stanton, who joined Nine in 2022, was the only genuine internal candidate for the CEO role. However, it is understood external applicants were interviewed.

Nine Entertainment’s new chief executive Matt Stanton. Picture: Channel 9

Matt Stanton has been appointed chief executive officer of Nine Entertainment, having served as the media company’s interim boss for the past five-and-a-half months.

The 55-year-old officially replaces Mike Sneesby, who left Nine last September after months of internal turmoil at the media giant, which culminated in the release of a damning report into the company’s workplace culture.

Mr Stanton, who joined Nine as chief strategy officer in 2022, was the only genuine internal candidate for the CEO role, however, it’s understood some external applicants for the position were also interviewed by the board.

Mr Stanton has had a busy time during his interim stewardship of Nine. He has overseen the fallout from the so-called Intersection report, which highlighted endemic bullying an harassment within the organisation; he has begun the process of cost-cutting amid a persistently weak advertising market; and, he is dealing with the surprise full-scale takeover bid for Nine’s most valuable asset, Domain.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Stanton said it was an “honour” to be appointed to the position of Nine CEO.

“Nine is a great Australian company that plays a vital role in the national conversation,” he said.

“We have moved at pace in recent months to strengthen the group, and I’ve been buoyed by the buy-in from people across the company as we progress our ambitious plans to reset and grow the business.”

Nine chair Catherine West said: “Following a thorough and competitive recruitment process, Matt was clearly the best credentialled leader to maintain the momentum on our strategic and cultural transformation. He has done an outstanding job as acting CEO.

“After developing the group strategy, Matt has a deep understanding of Nine, our priorities, culture and people and has earned the respect of the senior leadership, the broader workforce, the market and the board.”

As at 12.30pm Thursday, Nine’s share price was unmoved from Wednesday’s close at $1.62.