The seasoned executive has been unanimously appointed to the role by the ABC board following an “extensive and international search.” This also makes him Editor-in-Chief, ultimately responsible for the broadcaster’s output.Marks replaces David Anderson, who resigned in August, a year into his second five-year term. He will begin his term on March 10, 2025 after what ABC Chair Kim Williams told staff would be an “extended” handover period.Marks joins from Dreamcatcher, the next-gen studio he launched with Carl Fennessy in 2021. He is known as one of Australia’s top media execs, having previously led Southern Star Entertainment (now Endemol Shine Australia) and Nine Network, which has been embroiled in allegations of a bullying culture, sexual harassment and incidents of discrimination and several top-tier management exits in recent years. The fallout continues following the publication of a damning report.Marks exited Nine in 2020, before the allegations become public, though he told the Guardian Australia that watching events play out in the media would help him become “a better leader” at the ABC. During his tenure at the commercial broadcaster he held revenues grow from A$800M to over $5B, and oversaw the merger with publisher Fairfax Media, which was the largest of its kind in Australia in three decades.“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,” said Williams.“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.”Williams added that Marks was “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,” making him “a stand-out candidate.”“It is an amazing time to be working in media,” said Marks. “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.“The ABC is an iconic and formidable media organisation. No other institution has the reach and impact of the ABC, and it is a privilege to lead the ABC workforce as we confront the many technology and programming opportunities before us.”SPA CEO Matthew Deaner welcomed the hire. “We congratulate Hugh on his appointment to this critical position for our screen industry,” he said. “Hugh understands the challenges of running successful and sustainable screen businesses, which are essential for the ABC to deliver Australian content that audiences enjoy here and around the world.“Hugh has considerable experience in the content industry and a deep strategic understanding and knowledge of the critical relationships needed in our sector to navigate the challenges in making and delivering Australian content to audiences.“He also has deep experience of the range of policy levers available to governments to ensure Australians receive Australian stories on their screens. Our industry, its content businesses and its workforce are all interconnected, so the policy landscape, including the ABC’s role, must be thought of as part of an overall ecology that needs to be successfully balanced to ensure that we are positively advancing the industry.“It’s a very challenging time for many working to deliver Australian stories — and the ABC is one of the most important elements in ensuring our sector’s ongoing health and stability.
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