Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Under Investigation with Liz Hayes
Liz Hayes is stepping down from Nine to pursue new opportunities outside the network after 44 years.
Hayes career with Nine spans 9News, Today, 60 Minutes and Under Investigation with Liz Hayes. However, viewers can expect to see her on their screens on Nine for special stories and events.
Hayes said: “When I arrived at Nine I had little more than a notebook and a typewriter, but like my new and far more experienced colleagues, I carried with me an enormous passion for telling stories. I was blessed. I had found my tribe. Even Nine’s owner at the time, Kerry Packer, seemed to carry the same passionate story telling gene.
“Of course since then much has changed. The media world has evolved as have I. What hasn’t changed is the need for good stories to be told, and I will continue to tell them.
“I leave Nine grateful for the decades of experience, the wonderful friendships that have endured and deeply appreciative to the many people who trusted me to tell their stories.”
Radio veteran ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil is stepping away from Mornings on GOLD101.7 to chase his long-time passion – talk radio. He’s making the switch to Overnights on 2GB and 4BC, marking a new chapter in his four-decade career.
Phil’s voice has been a staple across Australia’s biggest networks, from hosting the Hot30 Countdown on Austereo to gigs at Nova 96.9, Triple M, 96FM, and Star 104.5. He’s also no stranger to talkback, with stints at 2UE, LBC London, Kerrang Radio, Kiss 100, XFM, and Planet Rock.
Tanya Denning-Orman joins this week’s Media Movers list
Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman, has been promoted to lead an elevated network-wide strategic approach to Indigenous content across all SBS channels and platforms as director, First Nations, for SBS.
In the role, she will lead strategies to further embed Indigenous cultural perspectives throughout the organisation. Denning-Orman will also lead enhancing organisational capability, supporting community engagement and partnerships, and driving the ongoing development of Indigenous staff and the employee experience.
“Indigenous content, cultures, and leadership holds an integral place in our network today, and in its future. We’re proud at SBS to have a strong record of championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and perspectives, and Tanya’s appointment as director, First Nations reflects our commitment to continuing to grow that legacy,” James Taylor, SBS managing director, said.
REA Group’s chief executive officer, Owen Wilson, has announced his retirement after over a decade with the company. The announcement coincides with the release of the company’s H1 FY25 results, highlighting significant revenue and profit growth.
On Thursday, Wilson informed the board of his intention to retire from “full-time executive roles” in the second half of 2025. Wilson first joined REA Group as chief financial officer before stepping into the role of CEO, leading the company for the past six years.
Wilson reflected on his tenure: “It has been a privilege to lead REA Group for the past six years, and I am proud of all our team has accomplished.
“The business is in excellent shape as evidenced by the results we have announced today. We have an exciting strategy and a talented and committed team to deliver it. I want to thank them wholeheartedly for all the tremendous support I have received over the years.
Owen Wilson
Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) CEO Danny Celoni is stepping down just a week after Great Northern was forced to scrap its Outdoors for a Cause campaign following a fierce backlash from outdoor enthusiasts who slammed it as “woke.”
The campaign, designed to support national parks by funding land purchases for conservation, backfired. Critics, particularly in the four-wheel-driving and camping communities, saw it as a threat to public access, fearing it would lead to more restrictions on state forests and lock them out of their favourite spots. Social media outrage quickly escalated into calls for a boycott, forcing Great Northern to halt the initiative and rethink its donation strategy.
Jordan Bissell joins the Clout PR & Content as public relations manager. She joins after four years as Seven News Brisbane’s crime reporter
Larissa Ozard has announced her departure from Seven, stepping down as marketing director after three-and-a-half years in the role.
Ozard resigned from the company late last year but has only now revealed her movements. Instead of a traditional press release, Ozard announced her decision via a post on her personal LinkedIn page, which began with the words: “Going out with a bang”.
The post continued: “What a way to end nearly three and a half years as Marketing Director at Seven Network. Australian Idol launched last night to over 2 million Australians, Seven’s biggest Idol ever and the biggest new season launch for any show in 18 months.
“Big shout out to my incredible team who consistently go above and beyond. I’ll wrap up at Seven mid-Feb and couldn’t think of a better time to drop the mic and handover to the amazing Marni Crutchley”.
Kate Ritchie posted a heartfelt statement on her Instagram page.
Kate Ritchie has announced she will be taking a break from her Nova 96.9 breakfast show to deal with ‘mental health issues’. It comes after an online publication printed invasive paparazzi photos of the radio announcer showing her looking distressed.
Ritchie, who was absent from her breakfast show this morning, posted a heartfelt statement on her Instagram page in which she wrote: “I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined.”
The Herald Sun’s Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson retires after more than four decades in journalism. He stepped into the role in 2012, replacing Mike Sheahan.
Nine has tapped Julia Edwards as its new director of programmatic sales, tasking her with driving growth across BVOD, audio, and publishing.
Edwards joins from Uber Advertising, where she led Strategic Verticals and CPG, and will now oversee Nine’s programmatic team, focusing on sales strategy, revenue growth, and market expansion across 9Now and the network’s digital assets.
She reports to Nick Young, who is the commercial director – digital. Of Edwards’ appointment, Young said: “I am thrilled to welcome Julia to Nine. With her depth of experience across the media industry and expertise in the programmatic space, she will be pivotal in driving our business forward across 9Now, Publishing and Audio.”
Belinda Willis is now the State Political Editor for The Advertiser. She takes on the role after joining the paper as a Senior Reporter last year. Belinda previously worked as a reporter across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Michael Best and Hugh Nailon join the Media Movers list
There’s been another top-level shake-up for Nine’s TV news department. In an email sent out to staff, Nine’s Director of News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, announced the appointments of several key roles. Among the changes include the appointment of Michael Best to the position of Sydney news director.
Margie McLew, who has been acting in the role for several months, will then move into the position of deputy news director. The network will also welcome a new US bureau chief, with Today Show Ep Kendall Bora to take on the role. She’s set to head over there in March, with her appointment to soon be confirmed.
Hugh Nailon will take on the role of National TV News Director, a responsibility he will toggle with his current Melbourne TV News Director role.
Rhiannon Soliman-Marron has commenced her role as a newsreader/producer at ABC Radio Sydney. She joins after five years with 2GB and two years with Nine.
Think HQ has appointed Isabel Zhang as head of cross-cultural research. Zhang joins the agency’s growing team based at its South Melbourne campus and brings over 20 years of research experience across the Asia-Pacific region.
She has been championed multiculturalism and cross-cultural in-depth understanding that amplifies the voices of multicultural communities in Australia and across borders.
Clint Bauer joins the Media Movers list
CX Lavender has appointed Clint Bauer as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Adam Washington, who departs to pursue new opportunities.
Bauer has been instrumental in shaping the full-service customer experience agency’s data-led, technology-driven solutions, heading up the agency’s advisory, data and technology division and its software arm, CXTX. His track record of leveraging cutting-edge strategy, technology, data, and AI to drive client value has earned him multiple industry accolades and widespread respect among peers and clients.
“Clint is a rare talent,” said Will Lavender, executive chairman of CX Lavender. “His depth of expertise in emerging technologies, his strategic foresight, and his commitment to people-centred leadership make him perfectly placed to steer our agency through its next stage of growth.”
Independent brand creative agency Fuller has named Kate Fuller as managing director, Sydney. The newly appointed MD will drive the agency’s growth in the Sydney market while contributing to the broader national strategy of the second-generation-led agency founded in Adelaide 30 years ago.
She will continue to work across brand strategy and creative campaigns, guiding Fuller’s team to deliver the outstanding work and client service it is known for on a national scale.
Nick Calacouras has been promoted to Senior Audience Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously an audience editor for the publication and the deputy weekend editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald.
Brett Elliott on the Media Movers list
Dentsu has appointed Brett Elliott to the newly created role of chief operating officer – media with a focus on supercharging operational efficiencies and client success across Dentsu’s media agency brands Carat, iProspect and dentsuX.
Elliott brings to dentsu decades of experience, including time spent as investment head and lead at MediaCom, where he drove success and transitioned into general manager, and more recently leading the charge as the managing director at UM, leading the Australian Federal Government media account.
Based in Melbourne, Elliott will lead dentsu’s media agency focus on future operational excellence, bringing the best technology and humans to light and supporting client excellence across the three brands.
Demi Huang joins 7NEWS Sydney as a National Reporter, covering major news stories across the country. She was a previously digital journalist at SBS.
MiQ has appointed Erin Koedam as its new NSW group account director. Koedam brings almost 12 years of media and commercial experience to the global programmatic media partner, which specialises in ad-tech, digital out-of-home and programmatic.
In the role, she will leverage her extensive programmatic experience to develop new client relationships while also leading the NSW sales team and operations.
Ben Cousins and Pete and Kymba on Mix 94.5
AFL premiership player Ben Cousins is making his radio role official, joining Pete Curulli and Kymba Cahill as a regular on Mix94.5 Breakfast in 2025.
After winning over listeners with his ‘Bensday Wednesday’ segments, Cousins has become a fan favourite, making the move from guest to permanent team member. Since retiring from footy, the 46-year-old has carved out a media career, delivering AFL insights on radio and now fronting sports for Seven News Perth.
Foxtel Media has appointed Ben Sumpter as Melbourne business development manager, marking his return after 15 years with the company in senior roles, including client engagement director and general manager Melbourne.
With experience across Seven Network and Network 10, Sumpter steps into the newly created role to expand Foxtel Media’s presence in Victoria, drive new partnerships, and unlock targeted ad opportunities for brands.
His focus? Tapping into the fast-growing independent agency and direct advertiser market, leveraging Foxtel Media’s premium audiences with geo-targeted delivery at scale.