The Daily Telegraph has taken down an article by gossip columnist Annette Sharp about Nine CEO Hugh Marks following legal threats.
Early last week, outgoing chief exec Marks called in defamation lawyer Mark O’Brien over an article published in Saturday’s The Daily Telegraph about the nature of his relationship with current partner and ex-Nine managing director of commercial, Alexi Baker.
O’Brien requested the article be taken down, and an apology from the News Corp-owned paper.
As reported in the AFR, Marks’ lawyer is continuing to ask for a published apology from Sharp.
O’Brien told the AFR: “We are pleased the story has been taken down and will now press for publication of an unreserved apology, failing which Mr Marks will commence defamation proceedings in the Federal Court”.
Meanwhile, the hunt for Marks’ replacement continues, with Nine hiring the help of recruitment company Spencer Stuart and Associates.
According to the Herald, Spencer Stuart and Associates has already been in touch with potential candidates in the last week.
Nine has said it will look both internally and externally for a replacement.
