Sales exec changes at Nine

Nine’s Director of Sales – Total Television, Richard Hunwick has resigned after 14 years with the business.

“It’s been an amazing journey at Nine, and it’s been a privilege to lead the best sales team in the country to some incredible success, as we navigated a period of unheralded transformation from a stand alone TV business, to a digital first, multi-platform, content company,” he said.

“Over the last six months, I’ve been thinking about all we’ve achieved, my own future and what opportunities lie ahead. Whilst it was a tough decision to walk away from a business that’s primed for growth in an Olympic year, it’s also the most exciting time I can remember in the media industry.”

Hunwick (pictured) will finish at Nine at the end of September.

Nine’s Chief Sales Officer Michael Stephenson said: “Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with one of my best friends. Not many people get to do that. Rich has a passion that is infectious, he is an incredible leader of people, and he cares more than anyone I know.”

Nikki Rooke, currently Director of Sales – Sydney, is promoted to Director of Sales – Total Television from July 1. She joined Nine two years ago.

Michael Stephenson said: “Nikki is the ultimate professional. She is one of our industry’s most senior commercial leaders and her track record speaks for itself. She is passionate about our people and she has an in-depth understanding of what marketers need. There simply isn’t a more perfect or more qualified person to lead our Total TV team than Nikki Rooke”.

“Nikki joins Jo Clasby, Ash Earnshaw, Nick Young, Lisa Day and Warwick Sharp alongside Andrea Salmon, Bec Lawrie, Sean O’Brien, Clive Bingwa, Tim Rose and Matt Granger in our leadership team. The perfect team to help our clients leverage the power of Nine in our Olympic and Paralympic year.”

Nikki Rooke said: “I’m thrilled to be leading Nine’s Total TV team and fill the very big shoes left behind by Richard Hunwick. I can’t wait to work with all our advertisers who understand and embrace the power of television and the sustainable, profitable returns it delivers to their businesses both in the short and long term.

“I am also very excited to be working with such a talented sales team both market facing and those behind the scenes who work tirelessly every day to ensure our clients have the best experience possible.

“It is such a great time to be stepping into this role as we countdown to Paris 2024, which will deliver to advertisers of all sizes a viewing experience never seen before across FTA television and BVOD with unprecedented scale and addressability. This is only the beginning, with so much more content, more new product innovation and more new data opportunities to come. I can’t wait to get started.”

Her replacement as Director of Sales – Sydney will be announced in the coming days.

Source: Mediaweek