StW: Hugh Marks and Matt Stanton firm up for ABC and Nine; Plus our 2024 verdict, and 2025 predictions

Welcome to an audio-led edition of Unmade. Today: Hugh Marks firms up for the ABC as Matt Stanton makes an inside run on Nine; Plus, what we learned this year, and what we’re expecting in 2025.This is the perfect time to upgrade your Unmade membership* A complimentary ticket to all of Unmade’s events, including HumAIn, REmade, Unlock, and Compass, all returning in 2025;* Members-only content and our paywalled archives;* Your own copy of Media Unmade.Do it before the end of next week, and we’ll give you a $50 gift voucher of your choice too. Upgrade today.Hugh Marks for the ABC?; Matt Stanton tightens grip on Nine; James Manning returns; and our 2025 predictionsThe Australian seems confident Hugh Marks is about to be named managing director of the ABC. As its Media Diary column puts it today: “Here’s one rumour that just won’t go away, and we reckon it’s true: Hugh Marks will be the new managing director of the ABC. As far as media rumours go, we’re almost certain it’s rolled, gold, wheat.”Marks was a transformational boss for Nine, overseeing its evolution from a TV network to Australia’s largest media company via the takeover of Fairfax Media. In the podcast we discuss whether there’s room in the ABC management for both Kim Williams as chair and Marks as MD.Also today: we discuss acting Nine CEO Matt Stanton’s tightening grip on the role, and the return of former Mediaweek owner James Manning to media after a long absence of 17 days.We look back on a year of AI ubiquity and a media downturn. And in our predictions we talk about taming the platforms, the return of jingles, and the rise of AI agents.Today’s episode features Tim Burrowes, Abe Udy and Cat McGinnEditing was courtesy of Abe’s Audio, the people to talk to about voiceovers, sound design, and podcast production. The cicadas were not their fault.Time to leave you to start your week. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.Toodlepip…Tim BurrowesPublisher - [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmade.substack.com