Staging the Nine Upfront was going to be a challenge this year. The promotion of how the television, audio and publishing business would better service advertisers and viewers has to be held toward the end of the year. In previous years, Nine was often the first broadcaster out of the blocks in September.
This year, there were reasons that couldn’t happen. Some out of its control, some self-inflicted. September wasn’t ideal this year because of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
The latter didn’t wrap until September 8. The self-inflicted dramas were the departure of chief executive Mike Sneesby at the end of September. Then there was the culture review that Sneesby and the board ordered which was released just days before the Upfront event.
It wasn’t just the date that was very different about the Nine event this year. The Upfront was a sit-down lunch for 1200. There was no talent onstage, although many were scattered amongst the audience.
The stars of the show were the commercial heads...
and the acting chief executive. The content – well it was mentioned here and there. But it was chiefly highlighted in a 10-minute reel at the end of the two-and-a-half-hour presentation.
A timespan that included lengthy breaks to eat and network. Nine’s new content for 2025 The interim CEO was never going to please everybody with his opening four-minute introduction. There was much conjecture about how he might address the culture review and its aftermath.
He kept it brief and .