Nine has appointed Matt James as Chief Sales Officer. Matt has been acting in the role since Michael Stephenson‘s departure in December 2024.

Reporting to Nine’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Stanton, Matt James comes with 35 years of experience having previously held roles as CEO of global media agency Zenith Media based in London, inaugural Group CEO of Publicis Media, and CEO of Zenith Australia and New Zealand. He returned to Nine in 2020 as Managing Director of Nine Melbourne.

This appointment will see Matt reinvigorate digital video strategy to ensure the company can compete with the global platforms, and to drive collaboration within the streaming and broadcast industry.

He said:

“I’m excited to lead one of the most talented sales teams in Australia. We have spent the last several months re-arming and re-organising ourselves to be able to execute an advanced digital strategy across TV, Publishing and Audio, and Nine is well-placed for a strong future. We are now at a pivotal point where Nine is ready to be a leader in the digital video market. With clients and brands at the centre of everything we do, our move to accelerate our VOD strategy and to drive a new era of collaboration within the TV industry, will ensure Nine positions itself as a market leader.”

Nine’s CEO Matt Stanton said:

“Matt James is a high-calibre media executive with impressive global experience who has a strong vision for Nine. With experience on both the media and agency sides, a strong background in digital, and extensive knowledge of Nine, I can’t think of a better person to re-invigorate Nine’s strategy to be the leader in the digital video market.”