Hugh Marks appointed Managing Director of the ABC – ABC Chair Kim Williams AM today announced media and production industry executive Hugh Marks as the new Managing Director of the ABC.
Mr Marks was appointed by the ABC Board unanimously following an extensive domestic and international search.
“Hugh is a highly successful media executive, with more than 30 years’ experience in Australia and internationally in content production, programming, and distribution, working across all platforms from television, radio, and online publishing and with extensive news experience,”
– Mr Williams said.
“This breadth of experience is rare and will be critical to the ABC as we look to further strengthen our reach and engagement with the Australian community.
“Hugh is unusually well qualified to lead the ABC’s editorial and creative production teams online and in audio and video across the spectrum of ABC delivery responsibility in news, children’s education, documentary, international and diverse drama for Australian citizens as viewers, listeners and readers across every major delivery platform available.
“Hugh was a stand-out candidate, not only for his experience across every facet of the media, but for his strong track record of leading media organisations and driving substantial and sustained audience engagement. He is the right person to lead the ABC as we plan right now for renewal and investment.”
Mr Marks comes to the ABC after nearly three years at Dreamchaser – a contemporary Australian content studio he co-founded and co-led, which partners with Australia’s leading creators to develop, finance, produce, and distribute premium content across all genres for the global film and television market.
He was previously CEO of Nine Entertainment which grew from an $800 million television network into a more than $5 billion predominantly digital, modern media business in a declining advertising market under his nearly six-year leadership.
During that time, he oversaw the merger of Nine and Fairfax Media – the largest media transaction in Australia over the past 30 years, which reshaped the media landscape – and a major renegotiation of sporting rights and many other realignments in the settings for news, information and entertainment media to Australians.
Mr Marks said he was honoured to lead the ABC and excited for the opportunities ahead.
“I appreciate the confidence Kim Williams and the Board have placed in me with this appointment.
“It is an amazing time to be working in media. There are so many opportunities to deliver quality news and entertainment to Australians, but choices to make in what we prioritise in doing so. Making the right choices is what will determine our success into the future.
“I look forward to working with everyone at the ABC as it continues to host and guide discussion on the issues of importance to Australia and lead in the delivery of quality, truthful and engaging news, and premium content.
“The ABC is an iconic and formidable media organisation. No other institution has the reach and impact of the ABC, and it is a privilege to lead the ABC workforce as we confront the many technology and programming opportunities before us.”
Mr Marks has been appointed for a five-year term, in accordance with the ABC Act, and will serve as Editor-in-Chief with the ultimate responsibility for all editorial content with responsibility to the ABC Board.
His appointment is effective from Monday 10 March 2025.
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Hugh Marks appointed Managing Director of the ABC
