Foxtel high-flyer to take on Nine Entertainment’s TV arm after damning workplace review

Former Foxtel high-flyer Amanda Laing has been parachuted in to fix Nine Entertainment’s broadcasting division as part of a revamp that sees the departure of streaming service Stan’s chief executive.

The changes have simplified Nine’s management and organised the $2 billion group around three divisions that acting boss Matt Stanton says will give senior executives more responsibility for growing their businesses.

Ms Laing, previously Foxtel’s chief commercial and content officer, takes the helm of a new streaming and broadcast division that combines Channel 9 with Stan, 9Now and a national radio business that includes Perth’s 6PR.

Stan boss Martin Kugeler will leave Nine as a result of the management reshuffle.

The publishing division led by Tory Maguire will be expanded to include nine.com.au alongside the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers.

Nine’s new operating model is completed with the creation of Marketplaces division to hold its interests in the Domain and Drive websites.

Mr Stanton has been running Nine since Mike Sneesby quit as chief executive in September after commissioning an independent review that later found the TV broadcasting arm was at the centre of a toxic workplace culture marked by bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment.

“The appointment of Amanda, one of the top media executives in the country, will add extraordinary industry expertise and energy to Nine’s experienced executive team,” Mr Stanton said.

The simplified management structure will reduce the number of executives reporting directly to Mr Stanton to eight from 14.

He said the changes aimed to help Nine navigate a tough environment, notably falling free-to-air TV revenues and a weak share price.

The company’s shares have more than halved over the past four years, closing up a half cent on Wednesday at $1.30.