Mark Britt to depart Mi9
B&T can now confirm that Mi9 CEO Mark Britt will depart The Nine Entertainment Company as CEO of Mi9.
Nine CEO David Gyngell met with staff at 11.30 this morning to announce the new managing director of digital for the merged company would be Alex Parsons, who re-joins the company from his current role of CEO RateCity.
B&T has been told by several sources close to Britt that he had been offered the role of MD digital, but had declined the offer.
Britt will be moving to Kuala Lumpur to head up Catcha Group, an international investment group that controls numerous companies involved in media, new media, online classified and e-commerce.
Since taking on the CEO role in 2011 – at what was then known as ninemsn – Britt spearheaded the expansion of the business to incorporate a range of new investments and advertising technologies. He then drove the corporate rebrand of Mi9.
Britt has a wealth of executive and commercial experience in online, advertising and consumer technology fields and the Australian, European and Asia-Pacific markets.
In the internal email from NEC, a source said that the new appointment to the head of digital was “surprising” and “not what had been canvassed”.
The release from NEC is below:
David Gyngell, Chief Executive Officer of Nine Entertainment Co. today announced changes in the management structure at Mi9 which respond to an ever-developing environment within the company.
“As the media industry evolves, it is important that Nine Entertainment Co. continues to adapt its operational approach. Most recently, we have combined our free-to-air and digital sales teams recognising the increasing integration of television and digital, and we continue to move towards integrating key support functions. Given the market leading positions and our 100% ownership of the Nine Network and Mi9, we are now uniquely positioned to seamlessly align these businesses and we will continue to work towards further operational integration.” Mr Gyngell said.
In light of this changed structure of the Mi9 business, Mark Britt, Mi9 CEO, has elected to pursue other opportunities across Asia while remaining connected with NEC in a strategic capacity. Mark played an invaluable role by independently leading the Mi9 business when it was a joint venture with Microsoft and has led the successful integration of the business into the NEC Group since NEC’s move to full ownership late last year.
Mark will remain involved with the NEC Group in a part time strategic advisory capacity with this term extending to 31 March 2016 – enabling NEC to continue to tap into his depth of digital expertise and strategic capability.
“Mark is well regarded as one of the pre-eminent thought leaders in the digital space, so I am pleased that we have been able to retain his insights and guidance into the future.” Mr Gyngell said.
“I would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Mr Gyngell said the next phase of the development of the Mi9 business would provide many new opportunities and announced the appointment of Alex Parsons as Managing Director, Nine Digital, who re-joins the company from his current role of CEO RateCity.
Alex will progressively transition into his new role, bringing his senior leadership experience and knowledge of the business to continue the growth and development of Mi9’s market leading team. “I’m pleased to have Alex return to the digital business. He has been a part of our company for many years and I’m confident the transition to the new management structure will proceed smoothly,” Mr Gyngell said.
Mark Britt said: “I have had a fantastic three years leading Mi9/ninemsn. The business has come through huge change, moving from business a successful joint venture to a fully integrated part of NEC with a really bright future on the horizon. I’ve been presented with a rare opportunity to start a new business that only comes along once in a lifetime.
I’d like to thank David for his support in allowing me to pursue this, while staying on with Nine in an advisory capacity at least until 2016. I look forward to working with Alex Parsons as Mi9 continues to evolve as a key part of the best positioned media company in the country”.
Alex Parsons said: ‘Having worked with Nine Entertainment Co. for a number of years, most recently running their RateCity joint venture, I am very excited about taking Nine’s broader digital media assets into the future.’
Mr Gyngell said StreamCo, NEC’s newly formed SVOD business headed by Mike Sneesby, was moving rapidly from a technology business into a creative content business as it approaches a launch later in the current financial year. As this business moves into a pre-launch phase Mike will report directly to Mr Gyngell.
Broader NEC strategic digital responsibilities would be assumed by the NEC Group Strategy team under Melanie Kansil who has a background of hands-on experience across a range of digital businesses.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau Audience brand expression Branding by Air SurveyMonkey Surveys WIMLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.