Martin Kugeler has been appointed as CEO of Stan by his predecessor and Nine CEO Mike Sneesby.
Kugeler stepped into the position immediately after he became the streaming service’s acting chief executive officer since April 2021 after Sneesby’s moved from the position to become Nine’s CEO last year.
Prior to his career at Stan, Kugeler was chief financial officer and head of strategy in various businesses of the global media company Bertelsmann based in Europe, as well as a leading strategy consultant across a variety of industries including media and digital entertainment in Australia.
Sneesby said of the appointment: “As part of the team that planned, built and launched Stan back in 2015, Martin has been instrumental in developing the company’s strategy and shaping the business we have today.”
“Under his leadership, Stan has continued to grow and develop its unique position in the market. The team at Stan have a significant opportunity in front of them as they continue to pioneer the future of the Australian television landscape, and I’m glad to be able to confirm Martin as the CEO to lead the team on that journey,” he added.
For the past seven years, Kugeler was Stan’s chief financial officer and director of strategy, sport, business development and product.
Kugeler said: “Stan is the business I love and that I’ve built together with Mike and the team for over seven years. The people who bring Stan to life are outstanding and extremely passionate. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to lead the team through our next phase of growth”.
“I want to thank Mike for all his support and guidance over the time we’ve worked together. It has been a fantastic journey to create and establish the leading local SVOD service in Australia,” he added.
Over the past year, Stan has been heavily promoting its sport content following the launch of Stan Sport – a $10 per month addition to the basic $10 entertainment plan on the streaming service.
Earlier this month, Stan Sport announced they will be entering an exclusive multi-year partnership with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
PFL is a fast growing and innovative MMA organisation, featuring household names such as former UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Fabricio Werdrum. This partnership is the first time PFL will be present in Australia after it was founded in 2018.
Stan also unveiled the trailer for the brand new Stan Original Documentary Series Show Me The Money about AFL and confirmed the three-part series will premiere on Thursday 10 March.
Stan noted the footy documentary, produced by Eddie Maguires JamTV production company, highlights its growing investment in locally produced original content and is the first of many sports documentary series to come.
Stan is owned Nine Entertainment Co.