Nine has announced the appointment of Mike Sneesby as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2021, following the decision by the current CEO, Hugh Marks, to step down.

NEC Chairman Peter Costello made the announcement this morning at Nine’s HQ in North Sydney.

Costello said: “The board and I have every confidence that, under Mike’s leadership, Nine will be able to maintain the significant momentum it has built. Mike is well placed to continue to drive Nine’s transformation as a digitally led business which is actively adapting to meet the contemporary media consumption habits of Australians.

“I also want to pay tribute to the remarkable tenure of Hugh Marks, who in 2015, inherited a legacy television business with a market capitalisation of around $1.3bn.  Through the combined strength that came from the Nine-Fairfax merger, our current market capitalisation has grown to just over $5bn. This is a remarkable turn-around and Hugh has my sincere thanks and gratitude for his work.  His time as CEO has seen Nine make a number of key strategic decisions, which not only redefined Nine but changed the wider media landscape in Australia.” 

Sneesby said “I am honored to be entrusted with this important role, to be the custodian for many of Australia’s most important, valuable and iconic media brands.  I have worked alongside my colleagues at Nine for many years and I look forwarding to building our future together as we embrace the opportunities presented in the emerging and growing digital future.  The Nine family is made up of journalists, technicians, producers and so many dedicated to their craft, it will be the honor of a lifetime to lead them.”

Marks will finish his term as Chief Executive Officer on 31 March 2021 and will remain available to assist with a handover to Sneesby in the following months. 

Mike Sneesby Biography 

Sneesby is an experienced media executive with a depth of local and international experience. He has been the CEO of Stan Entertainment, since its inception. 

Sneesby was formerly the CEO of the Microsoft/Nine ecommerce joint venture, Cudo, up until its sale in 2013. Prior to that, Sneesby set up the invision IPTV service in Dubai as Vice President of IPTV for the Saudi Telecom/Astra Malaysia joint venture lntigral. Before joining lntigral, he headed Corporate Strategy and Business Development at ninemsn where he led the company’s corporate strategy function and established a portfolio of high growth digital media businesses including the start-up of MSN New Zealand and management of the EPG and listings business HWW. Prior to ninemsn, Sneesby led a company-wide program for Optus rolling out and launching their national ADSL broadband network. 

Sneesby spent his earlier career in leadership and consulting positions gaining broad experience in digital media, technology and telecommunications in Australia, Asia and the USA. He holds an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wollongong and an Masters of Business Administration from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Nine’s new Australian drama Amazing Grace launches this week. The series is the last from Playmaker Media under the guidance of co-founders David Maher and David Taylor, and it could also be one of the last series commissioned by Nine not done in partnership with its streaming service Stan.

See also: Hugh Marks on how Nine and Stan could commission Australian drama in the future.

Kate Jenkinson, Sigrid Thornton and Alex Dimitriades star in Amazing Grace with the series exploring life behind the doors of St Brigid’s birthing centre.

Steering the new series for Playmaker and Nine’s executive producer Andy Ryan is co-executive producer and director Shawn Seet. Seet is no stranger to primetime TV and working with Nine.

“I have had a long involvement with Playmaker on series like The Code and Love Child,” Seet told Mediaweek. “I was the setup director for Love Child and worked on the first and second series. It almost felt like getting the old team back together for this series also on Nine.”

Although Amazing Grace is the final production from David Taylor and David Maher at Playmaker, Seet said he will continue the collaboration, working with the producers on future projects. “We have had a very successful collaboration and I can’t see that finishing now.”

After the co-founders of Playmaker announced their departure in 2020, the production company’s parent Sony Pictures Television announced that Jo Porter would move across from Fremantle to be the new Playmaker managing director.

Seet said the production team on Amazing Grace made this Playmaker series feel different to the others. “We didn’t want to feel like we were repeating ourselves. But there is a certain warmth about Amazing Grace that is similar to the other shows and we wanted to keep that consistency. The series has a real heart, an emotional core to the piece, very much like Love Child had.”

Seet said the target audience is similar to Love Child. “This new series is something that would appeal to men too. Particularly men who have been involved with their partners giving birth. One of the things we strived for on Amazing Grace was a real-world veracity. We didn’t want to sanitise the birthday experiencing. We were careful not to make it look like a Hollywood birthing experience.”

Working alongside Seet on Amazing Grace and Love Child were production designer Tim Ferrier, the director of photography Bruce Young, costume designer Xanthe Heubel. The two series didn’t share any writers, with the exception of Sarah Smith, the series producer, who had also worked on Love Child.

Seet was involved in all the Amazing Grace casting and helped choose the Sydney Harbour location.

“Working on this series was wonderful for being able to work in Watsons Bay every day. It really set the tone for everyone to work in such a beautiful area. It was also a joy for everyone to go to work after eight months of Covid! When you work in a place with so much natural beauty it imbues the work. It puts you in a good mood from when you arrive on set and I think it comes across in the series.”

The Playmaker SFX team did a great job adding a multi-story hospital beside the birthing centre which is an unused conference centre in bushland near South Head.

As to how the production sector has adapted to working Covid-safe, Seet said he feels much more confident about the future after making Amazing Grace. “Before we started I was quite nervous about how all the protocols were going to work and whether it might be prohibitively slow. In fact we managed quite well. We had a Covid officer on set to make sure we were physically distanced. Everyone was committed to making it a very safe workplace so we could keep working.”

As Australia navigates its way out of Covid, there seems to be much TV being commissioned. “The second half of this year is looking very busy for TV production,” agreed Seet. “Everyone I am talking to is speaking about productions starting then and there is also the Marvel movie in Sydney which is providing lots of industry jobs.”

Juggling your schedule can be hard for production talent in demand. “In the past I have said ‘no’ to something big and come to regret it. But if I have already committed to a series, I feel obliged to do it and not change projects later on. But that’s part of the life of a freelancer. I have been fortunate to work on great recent projects like Amazing Grace, Hungry Ghosts and The Code.”

This new Playmaker drama is Seet’s first job after Hungry Ghosts wrapped. “I took three months off after that series for SBS and then Covid hit.” He was not at liberty to talk about what was next. All Seet could say was, “I will have a short break now and then get back into it.”

News Corp Australia has announced the launch of Travel + Luxury – a new travel brand led by The Australian and available as a quarterly gloss magazine and content vertical on theaustralian.com.au.

The glossy large format magazine will be inserted in The Australian with the first edition being published on Friday, March 26. 

The Australian editor-in-chief Christopher Dore said: “The Australian is delighted to launch Travel + Luxury, our latest high-quality magazine that will inspire readers who love travelling and dream of their next trip. Under Kerrie McCallum’s editorial guidance and category expertise, our renowned contributors and travel content will create the most premium travel product in the country.”

As part of the launch, Travel & Indulgence in The Weekend Australian will rebrand to Travel + Luxury Weekend. Travel sections in delicious., Vogue Australia and Vogue Living will also carry the Travel + Luxury branding to create the ultimate network for prestige travel.

Designed for a curious and affluent audience in search of unique experiences, travel news, inspiration, products and adventure, Travel + Luxury will feature a line-up of leading travel writers, photographers and luxury experts, along with international content from sister titles, The Times, WSJ Magazine and Conde Nast Traveller.

Editorial director of premium food and travel, Kerrie McCallum said Travel + Luxury will provide a platform to tell the most premium travel stories locally and globally.

“News Corp Australia has for many years, been the leading travel destination for Australians and we have an amazing audience of travel intenders,” said Ms McCallum.

“I’m thrilled to be expanding our travel portfolio with the launch of Travel + Luxury. The Australian and the News Prestige Network brands enable us to engage with a premium travel audience, helping them uncover unique experiences, make memories and celebrate life’s special moments.

“While the travel industry has faced unprecedented challenges in the past year, our desire to explore has only intensified. Travel for Australians is intrinsic to our culture and we’re gripped by wanderlust. At a time when prospective travel corridors are still emerging, high-tech hygiene practices are evolving, and a vaccine rollout is underway, we’re already thinking big. Travel + Luxury is dedicated to, and predicated on, keeping our travel dreams alive.”

Tourism Australia is the launch partner of Travel + Luxury.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said: “Tourism Australia is delighted to be the launch partner of Travel + Luxury. While many destinations around the world offer luxury holidays, Australia’s offering is rare and compelling, and is very much reflective of our world-class natural beauty, our exceptional food and wine offering, and our people.

“Our natural environment and propensity for outdoor living has seen the development of a unique collection of ‘barefoot’ and adventure luxury experiences that appeal to those who travel to seek knowledge as well as a genuine connection with people and place.” 

The inaugural issue of Travel + Luxury will showcase destinations such as New Zealand and Antarctica, and an impressionism exhibition in Melbourne to designer and hotelier Collette Dinnigan’s new bespoke experiences for a handful of guests.

The launch of Travel + Luxury is being supported by a multi-channel marketing campaign that will run across print, radio, DOOH, digital and social channels, along with a sampler magazine that will be inserted in delicious., Vogue Australia and Vogue Living in early March.

The Australian entertainment industry has been rocked by the news that the founder and executive chairman of Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski, has passed away suddenly at the age of 68.

Gudinski was last seen in public on January 30 at the Sounds Better Together concert in Mallacoota where he introduced Kylie Minogue, and attended the Australian Open in February, reports the Herald Sun’s Cameron Adams.

Also breaking the news this morning was Peter Ford on Seven and David Campbell on Nine. Campbell had spoken briefly to his father Jimmy Barnes who was very close to Gudinski. Campbell was also joined on air by Nine’s Richard Wilkins.

Made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006, Gudinski is survived by wife Sue and children Matt and Kate and two grandchildren.

His death comes as major shock as Gudinski had enjoyed one of the busiest years of his career, despite his touring business taking a major blow after COVID shut down the live music industry.

[Read more]

This statement from the Mushroom Group this morning:

The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne.

Michael’s family loved him immensely and Michael in turn adored his wife Sue, son Matt and partner Cara, daughter Kate and husband Andrew and their children Nina-Rose and Lulu. They meant everything to him, and he was immensely proud of them. Michael often referred to his 200+ staff as the Mushroom Family, with many having clocked decades in his employment.

Michael’s legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group – an enduring embodiment of decades of passion and determination from an incredible man.

The family respectfully ask for privacy in this incredibly difficult time and thank everyone for their support.

Please note there will be no further comment at this time.

See also: Michael Gudinski in his own words: TV dreams, breaking new talent + independence, Mediaweek’s James Manning speaks with Mushroom Group founder and executive chairman Michael Gudinski.

Hugh Marks, Nine chief executive officer, said on behalf on Nine:

“We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Michael Gudinski. A titan of the Australian music and entertainment scene, he forged a ground-breaking path and leaves an incredible legacy. So many of us at Nine have worked closely with him over many years, most recently through the pandemic. Joining forces with Michael to produce Music From the Home Front and Sounds Better Together concerts, his love, support and commitment to local musicians was centre stage. We send all our love and condolences to Michael’s wife Sue, children Kate and Matthew and grandchildren.”

The life of Michael Gudinski

Born to Russian immigrants in 1952, the future success of Michael Gudinski could probably have been predicted back in 1959. At the age of seven years Michael showed his entrepreneurial side on Caulfield Cup day when he charged race goers for parking spaces in a vacant block next to his home. From there he never looked back, promoting gigs at Melbourne halls for alternative acts such as Chain and The Aztecs and developing his first taste for what would be a lifelong love affair with the music industry.

In 1972 Michael and business partner Ray Evans staged, managed and booked all the entertainment at the legendary new Sunbury Festival. In the same year Michael simultaneously founded Mushroom Records – which was to eventually develop into the largest independent record label in Australian music – and Mushroom Music, which is today the principal independent publishing company in Australia.

At the same time, Michael developed his interest in the touring industry, promoting his first ever international tour – John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers – with Ray Evans to overwhelming success. Michael made more money out of one night’s show than he had ever dreamed possible – and all at the age of 20.

Michael was also managing a number of up-and-coming bands at this time, including Chain and Skyhooks. Both acts were to produce number one hits, but it was Skyhooks which went on to cement the future success of Mushroom Records. Their debut album, Living In The 70’s, spent 16 weeks at number one in Australia, selling 240,000 copies. No Australian album had sold more at that point in time.

In 1998 Michael sold Mushroom Records to Murdoch’s News Limited Group while retaining the Mushroom Group name. 1993 had seen the Murdoch Group become a shareholder in Mushroom Records and the company continued to move from strength to strength. Considerable successes with Kylie in Australia and the UK had set up Mushroom Records as a notable force in the recording industry, and UK artist signings with Ash and Garbage (four Grammy nominations) and Peter Andre’s #1 success with his Mysterious Girl single and the Natural album in the UK charts cemented the organisation’s expansion into the UK with Infectious Records. The eventual sale in 1998 coincided with the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records and more than 75,000 people helped celebrate the occasion with a spectacular concert at the MCG in Melbourne, starring more than 60 artists and lasting nine hours.

[Source: Mushroom Group]

Plus

The Sound: Michael Gudinski & Saul Shtein’s new primetime project

Matt Gudinski grows collective of labels within Mushroom Group

Nickelodeon International and Network 10, today announced their first-ever partnership with the greenlight of Taylor’s Island.

Produced by Fremantle, with major production investment from Screen Australia, the new original live-action series will premiere across Nickelodeon channels around the world, beginning early 2022. As part of the agreement, Nordic Entertainment Group is also a partner, premiering Taylor’s Island as an exclusive Viaplay Original on their Viaplay streaming service in the Nordic and Baltic markets.

The 20 x 22-minute comedy filmed in Queensland follows Taylor Young, a girl who is fascinated by the phenomena surrounding a mysterious island, ever since her uncle’s disappearance there.

With friends including Nori, a wisecracking local rebel; Meesha, a tough-as-nails thrill seeker; Ellis, a hypochondriac and born worrier; and Taylor’s stepsister Lila, an aspiring vlogger, Taylor is determined to get to the bottom of the secrets and inexplicable events of the island.

“This new partnership marks our first non-preschool Australian scripted live-action production for Nickelodeon channels around the world. As we continue to diversify our kids content pipeline, this is an exciting time for us to team up with ViacomCBS’s own Network 10 to bring new content to kids everywhere.” said Jules Borkent, executive vice president, kids & family, ViacomCBS Networks International.

Beverley McGarvey (pictured), chief content officer & EVP, ViacomCBS Australia & New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing our first partnership with Nickelodeon International to create Taylor’s Island. This new original live-action series further cements our commitment to premium children’s content. It will be a fantastic addition and complement our diverse, entertaining and accessible slate of children’s programming already available on Network 10’s free to air channel, 10 Shake.”

Screen Australia’s head of content Sally Caplan said, “We’re thrilled to support this compelling and imaginative children’s series from the experienced team at Fremantle and an exciting group of established and emerging Australian writers. With its playful storylines and diverse cast of characters, I’m confident it will engage young audiences here and around the world.”

This news follows Nickelodeon International’s recent production partnerships in markets like China with Deer Squad, a co-production with iQiyi; Israel with Spyders, Nickelodeon International’s first original co-production with Ananey Studios; and India with The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj, the brand’s first collaboration with Viacom18.

Taylor’s Island is produced by Fremantle Australia, executive produced by Chris Oliver-Taylor, produced by Tim Powell alongside co-producer Jonah Klein. Chris Rose, VP production & development for Nickelodeon International and VIS KIDS is overseeing the show with Rachel Davis serving as the executive in charge of production for Nickelodeon International in Australia. Additional executive producers include creators Matt Cooke and Vince Lund, and Michael Ford. Taylor’s Island has received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland, with production commencing in July 2021.

NOVA Entertainment and Fox Sports Australia today announced the launch of a strategic commercial relationship to amplify and extend the reach of their podcasting audiences.

The partnership will see the NOVA Entertainment Podcast Network and Fox Sports offer sports podcast content and scalable audio advertising solutions, allowing brands to target the highly sought-after NRL, AFL, NBA, Supercars and cricket code audiences.

Martin Medcraf, Foxtel Media sports sales and partnerships director said “NOVA Entertainment is a powerhouse in the audio entertainment industry and we are delighted to be collaborating with them to reach their wide listener network, provide dynamic sports content, and help brands engage even more deeply with Australia’s passionate sports audiences. 

“This partnership will allow devoted fans to engage with their favourite sports beyond live or streaming television broadcasts. These podcasts will be readily available at any time so that fans can choose when and how they listen – a factor that has become increasingly important to today’s audiences.”

The new partnership will create access to Fox Sports Australia’s audiences, via integration opportunities through host read and dynamic ad insertion.

Kane Reiken (pictured), NOVA Entertainment’s digital commercial director said, “We are proud to be working with Fox Sports, the undisputed home of sport in Australia. With audiences increasingly looking to extend the post-match commentary and conversation within the podcasting environment, we are excited to partner with FSA to allow brands to tap into this engaged community.

‘The partnership will see NOVA develop, package and commercialise Fox Sports Australia’s podcast audience, providing compelling brand integration opportunities. We know podcasting works for brands wanting to reach premium audiences in an intimate audio environment and this partnership solidifies our #1 position for sport podcast content in Australia, and kicks of an ambitious 2021.”

This new commercial relationship is part of NOVA Entertainment’s wider strategic partnership with News Corp Australia, which also includes Sky News Australia, which was formed in August 2019.

NOVA Entertainment is home to Australian and international podcast titles across business & technology, entertainment, news, sport, investigative journalism, health & wellness and lifestyle; including The Matty Johns Podcast, It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield, The Space with Casey Donovan, Fear & Greed, The Money Café, The Juggling Act and Brenda, Call Me! with Courtney Act and Vanity.

Stan, the home of RuPaul in Australia, today announced who will fill the prestigious third judge’s chair on the new Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – renowned Australian comedian, Rhys Nicholson.

Alongside RuPaul and Drag Race veteran judge Michelle Visage, Nicholson will bring his polished eye for style and sharp wit to the first ever local version of the most awarded reality competition show in history.

Premiering later this year, the 8-part Stan Original Series will see the most fabulous and fierce local drag queens compete to become the first ever Down Under Drag Race Superstar, by serving high fashion, competing in mini and maxi challenges, and performing ultimate lip-sync battles.

RuPaul, said: “Rhys Nicholson is the perfect addition to the Drag Race Down Under family. His quick wit, love of drag, and willingness to carry Michelle Visage’s heavy luggage have already made him indispensable. I know our audience is going to love him as much as we do.” 

Rhys Nicholson, said: “I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have been invited into the illustrious house of Drag Race. I genuinely still can’t bloody believe it. The first words RuPaul ever said to me were ‘Welcome to the family’ and that’s exactly what it feels like. A family. Ru and Michelle are my new mummies. I hope the editors took out the bits where I’m just staring at them wide eyed trying to comprehend sitting next to them.”

He added, “Being able to be a part of the show and help expose the world to our distinctive and particularly magnificent style of Down Under drag will forever be a highlight of my life and an honour. I hope I didn’t F**k. It. Up.” 

Stan will reveal all of the season’s competing queens this Saturday 6 March at the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. An official partner of Mardi Gras, Stan will also have a special parade float on the night to celebrate RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is a World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. International Production New Zealand for Stan and TVNZ. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers. Passion Distribution will distribute the series globally in line with Passion Distribution and WOW’s distribution strategy.

The Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will premiere 2021, only on Stan.

Once again, WandaVision enjoys top spot across all four charts. There is only one more episode left in the season (and the series), with Marvel Studios’ Assembled due to release its first episode on Disney+ a week after the finale of WandaVision. 

Assembled is a new documentary series that will be aired on Disney+, taking a behind-the-scenes look at the shows and films of the Marvel universe. The first documentary episode will focus on WandaVision, and will feature actors Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Teyonah Parris, and Kathryn Hahn, plus the show’s creative team.

After a long run, The Mandalorian has dropped from second to third place on the overall chart this week, replaced by Attack on Titan – a Japanese fantasy anime series adapted from the manga of the same name. 

The next addition to the Star Wars universe, The Book of Boba Fett, is due for release in December this year. 

Attack on Titan isn’t the only anime to hit the top ten this week. As well as anime Demon Slayer topping the box office, My Hero Academia hit the sixth spot on the overall chart following the release of the trailer for the fifth season. With the trailer came the announcement that season five would air on March 27th.

The series focuses on the schoolboy, Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero when he meets one of the world’s greatest heroes, All Might. All Might reveals his Quirk – something Izuku Midoriya lacks – and passes it down to Izuku to succeed him.

Outlander has found itself in the fifth overall position this week, following the announcement that season six had begun production. Outlander star Sam Heughan tweeted an image of the actors on set, and while there is no official trailer or release date at this stage, the confirmation that there will be a sixth season has resulted in the jump on the charts.

Primetime News
Seven News 918,000 (6 pm)/901,000 (6:30 pm)
Nine News is 864,000 (6 pm)/853,000 (6:30 pm)
ABC News 681,000
10 News First 305,000(5 pm)/209,000 (6pm)
SBS World News 148,000 (6:30 pm)/108,000 (7 pm)

Daily current affairs
A Current Affair 704,000
7:30 578,000
The Project 240,000 (6:30 pm)/431,000 (7 pm)
The Drum 174,000 

Breakfast TV
Sunrise 258,000
Today 190,000
News Breakfast 189,000

Late Night News
Nine News Late Edition 223,000
The Latest 119,000
ABC Late News 70,000
World News Late 50,000

Married at First Sight kicked off its confessions week with 944,000 viewers which helped Nine win its 23rd primary share in a row with 26.7% and to also be the #1 network with a 33.6% share.

The episode was down on last Tuesday’s 992,000 but was  #1 in all key demos last night as the couples had to rank the attractiveness of the other couples in the experiment, as well as write letters to each other saying something they have never told anyone before.

Following MAFS was the anticipated release of the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears which had 484,000 tune in.

On Seven, the top-rated non-news show was Home and Away with 543,000 which was followed at 7:30 by Highway Patrol with 310,000.

The Good Doctor had 327,000 which was up on last weeks 294,000, which was followed by The Resident with 181,000.

On 10, The Amazing Race Australia had 479,000 viewers as the teams travelled from the Sunny Coast to Brisbane, where The Bodybuilders were eliminated from the Race. This was up on last Tuesday’s 459,000.

The Project had 240,000 and 431,000 as the show covered the NSW police dropping the investigation into the Canberra sexual assault claims, and spoke to Australian musician G Flip.

On The ABC, 7:30 had 578,000 which was followed by Foreign Correspondant with 437,000 and then 268,000 tuned in for Catalyst. 

On SBS, the top rating show last was a repeat of Great Australian Railway Journey‘s which had 233,000 viewers along for the ride.