Stan boss Martin Kugeler exits amid Nine Entertainment overhaul; ex-Foxtel executive Amanda Laing to lead new division

Joining Nine before the end of the financial year, Laing will lead the new division bringing together the broadcast operations, free digital streaming platform 9Now, Stan and the radio division, housing stations such as 2GB and 3AW.

Michael Healy, head of television, and radio boss Tom Malone will report to Laing rather than the CEO. Chief marketing officer Liana Dubois will exit the company.

It is a return to Nine for Laing, previously the company’s managing director until 2017. She left her post at Foxtel last year, where she was chief content officer and boss of entertainment streamer Binge.

Following Kugeler’s departure, Stan’s chief financial and strategy officer, Dan Taylor, will lead the streamer and report to Laing. The Stan business has recently moved into Nine’s headquarters in North Sydney.

Stanton thanked Kugeler for his “professionalism and dedication” to Stan since its launch 10 years ago.

Stanton said the restructure was the first outcome of a structural review titled Nine2028, which has a focus on simplifying the operating model, leveraging the portfolio of premier media assets and introducing greater accountability.

Each of the divisions will be supported by a sales division, product, technology and data capabilities at a group level, Stanton said.

“We’re acutely aware of the silos that exist, resulting in a duplication of efforts and a platform-led mindset. This means for many parts of the business, the power of the Nine Group isn’t being leveraged and our cost base is being impacted. This shift begins today and will ultimately make it easier for you to do your jobs,” he told staff.

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The changes mark the next step for Nine in its biggest overhaul since a merger brought it and Fairfax Media together in 2019. The move is an acknowledgement of the depreciating value of the once-crown jewel, broadcast television, which continues to experience a decline in revenue and profits in a more fragmented market, alongside the rise of premium streaming platforms.

In 2024, Nine’s executive team was gutted. Chief executive Mike Sneesby left the company following a string of negative headlines, including over Nine’s handling of historical complaints made against former broadcast news boss Darren Wick, who left in March.

The allegations against Wick prompted Nine to launch a comprehensive review of its workplace, revealing a culture of widespread bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment at the organisation.

Chair Peter Costello also abruptly left, after a run-in with a News Corp journalist at Canberra Airport.

Former Foxtel and News Corp chief executive Peter Tonagh was announced as a new board director this week, having left his post as deputy ABC chair on Christmas Eve.

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