Former Optus Sport leader Howard Rees joins Nine as chief strategy officer

Nathan Jolly

August 26, 2025 11:18

Nine has appointed former head of Optus Sport Howard Rees as its chief strategy officer for streaming and broadcast.

Amanda Laing, managing director of Nine’s streaming and broadcast division, revealed the hiring in an internal email to staff seen by Mumbrella.

Laing said she is “confident Howard’s leadership skills will complement this group and our whole division”.

“In an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing industry, Howard has a unique skillset that makes him the perfect fit for this newly created position, and we are incredibly fortunate to have his expertise at Nine,” she said.

Rees joined Optus Sport in December 2022, and oversaw a successful period that saw the streamer reach its highest-ever viewing figures, during the Matildas’ 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign.

Howard Rees

Prior to this he spent five years as director of strategy at Foxtel Group, where he oversaw the company’s shift to streaming.

According to Laing’s note, Rees will be responsible for Nine’s strategic development and business planning, including content strategy and innovation, monetisation of streaming and broadcasting, and market intelligence and insights.

Nine recently struck a deal with Optus Sport to buy the broadcast rights for the English Premier League and the FA Cup.

Rees will work closely with the Nine group strategy division, and officially starts tomorrow, Wednesday, August 27.