Former News Corp Australia’s head of sales – NSW independent agencies and major direct, Michael Desiere has been appointed to a newly created partnerships role at Nine, working with its ad platform, Nine Ad Manager.
Desiere left News Corp in early June after 22 years with the business. He confirmed to Mediaweek that his exit was not connected to the wider editorial restructure that also happened during that time.
Posting on LinkedIn, Desiere wrote to thank Michael Stephenson and Nick Young for “entrusting me with this fantastic opportunity.”
Writing to his followers, he said: “I’m eager to connect with each of you in the coming weeks to showcase how Nine Ad Manager can propel your brands and businesses onto the big screen and into the heart of the family home.
“Day 1 has been a blast, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds with this amazing team!”
Desiere’s appointment comes as Nine reported its 2024 Paris Olympics coverage had a national total television reach of 19.5 million across Nine, 9Gem, and 9Now.
Week 1 of Nine’s coverage delivered a national total television reach of 17.5 million – the highest weekly reach in VOZ history. Week 2 delivered a national total television reach of 16.6 million, making it the second-highest weekly reach in VOZ history.
Since the Opening Ceremony on 27 July, the Olympics contributed to a daily average national total TV reach of 9.9 million viewers across Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now.
In the first week, Nine also attracted the highest daily share in VOZ history in the 16-39s demo, and a weekly national total TV reach for this demographic of more than 4.8 million. Across the entire duration of the Games, 5.6 million viewers aged 16-39 tuned into the broadcast.
9Now achieved a 16% incremental reach, with 2.7 million viewers tuning in exclusively to the Olympics through 9Now out of an overall national reach of 7.5 million.
See also: Sneesby: Nine’s Olympic ad revenue lifts above $140m