Nine staff want action on diversity

Nine is pledging to improve on its diversity, both behind and in front of the cameras.

Yesterday during a Nine Upfronts Q&A, several media buyers were asking where Nine stood on diversity. It follows considerable blowback over Nine’s vaccination campaign, which was criticised for a lack of representation.

Recently-installed CEO Mike Sneesby told media buyers, he had heard the message loud and clear, including from within Nine’s own ranks.

“We were very fortunate to have the opportunity as an executive group before a lot of the lockdowns started occur to spend a bit of time with all of our teams around Australia. We spent time talking about the things that were important in our business and discussing how we’d approach those,” he said.

“One of the themes that came through from the team, right across Australia, was diversity and how we approach that. I think from our point of view, in thinking about diversity in the way that’s reflected within our organisation, as well as on our screens, it has to come from within.

“I can tell you it is something that is at the heart of the people at Nine. As a result of that you’re going to see that naturally reflected more and more on our own screens.”