Peter Wiltshire departs Nine, Michael Stephenson appointed chief sales officer
Peter Wiltshire, Nine’s chief revenue officer, is leaving the Nine Network after 10 years.
Nine this morning promoted director of sales Michael Stephenson to the role of chief sales officer.
CEO of NEC, Hugh Marks said, in a statement: “I want to personally thank Peter for his leadership of the NEC sales team and his broader contribution to the executive team over the past ten years.
“Peter’s enthusiasm, professionalism and detailed market knowledge drove an improvement in NEC’s revenue performance over that period and have set the sales team well down the path to transform the way we in which we trade into the future. I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Wiltshire is well regarded across the industry and has previously held sales roles across Ten and what was then Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Peter Wiltshire said, in a statement: ‘These 10 years at NEC have been a privileged experience for me as we navigated the rebuild of the business from our challenging times, to where we find ourselves today.
“There have been some extraordinary corporate challenges, and significant changes in the consumer and media landscape, and I believe we have positioned NEC to be ready to tackle the next phase of the journey.
“I’ve worked with some inspiring people along the way, and I’m really proud of the team I’ve had the opportunity to lead over the years.
“It’s time for me to enjoy a break after 27 years of tenure in an industry I remain deeply passionate about.”
Wiltshire’s exit is the latest senior departure from Nine following the change of CEO from David Gyngell to Hugh Marks last year.
CFO Simon Kelly departed a few weeks ago, while Amanda Laing has been promoted to managing director of Nine.
Michael Stephenson has held key sales roles at Nine since 2011 and prior to that was director of sales for Ninemsn.
“It’s an exciting time to be at NEC as we focus on using creativity, data and technology to build more meaningful connections for advertisers across all of our broadcast and digital assets,” said Stephenson.
Nic Christensen
The announcement:
Nine CEO Hugh Marks today announced the appointment of Michael Stephenson to the role of Chief Sales Officer following the decision by Peter Wiltshire to stand down from NEC.
Hugh Marks said “I want to personally thank Peter for his leadership of the NEC sales team and his broader contribution to the Executive Team over the past ten years. Peter’s enthusiasm, professionalism and detailed market knowledge drove an improvement in NEC’s revenue performance over that period and have set the sales team well down the path to transform the way we in which we trade into the future. I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Peter Wiltshire said ‘These 10 years at NEC have been a privileged experience for me as we navigated the rebuild of the business from our challenging times, to where we find ourselves today. There have been some extraordinary corporate challenges, and significant changes in the consumer and media landscape, and I believe we have positioned NEC to be ready to tackle the next phase of the journey. I’ve worked with some inspiring people along the way, and I’m really proud of the team I’ve had the opportunity to lead over the years. It’s time for me to enjoy a break after 27 years of tenure in an industry I remain deeply passionate about.
Michael Stephenson has been the Director of Sales for the Nine Network since 2011 and most recently the Director of Sales for the Nine Entertainment Co.. Prior to Nine, Michael was the Director of Sales for ninemsn and has held various roles at Seven and TEN during his 20 years in broadcast and digital sales.
Hugh Marks said “Michael is perfectly placed to pick up the reins from Peter and lead the Nine Sales team as we evolve our business model in response to an ever changing market. Michael is a highly respected member of the current NEC Executive Team. I know he will step up to this role with vigour and energy and inject a renewed focus on NEC’s revenue performance, driving innovative and productive collaborations with our clients.”
Michael Stephenson said “It’s a huge honour to lead our Sales team and to continue the great work we have started under Peter’s leadership and guidance. We are well progressed on the development of new technology which will fundamentally change the way we connect brands with our audiences through our content. It’s an exciting time to be at NEC as we focus on using creativity, data and technology to build more meaningful connections for advertisers across all of our Broadcast and Digital assets.”
This is Hugh Marks stamping his authority across the business. There is more to come.
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Two very strong, accomplished and seasoned sales executive, the end of a great partnership.
Congratulations on a wonderful career at 9 Peter, you’ve been a pleasure to work with, and Michael congratulations on the promotion, a great opportunity well deserved.
Ed
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OK so for too long now I’ve sat back and not commented as this so called “Mi9 Insider” makes unfounded and inaccurate statements each time Mumbrella announces an NEC staff departure. Well no more! I challenge the gutless insider to either put a name to their commentary or shut up. I’m bored of these destabilising rants. Get a life and perhaps a new job working somewhere else as clearly you ain’t happy to be a part of the organisation. OK that’s my rant done. 🙂
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With colleagues like nec insider I see why they want to remain anonymous, also nameless nec insider. To be fair, Mi9 insider has hit the mark every time with their commentary so their anonymity doesn’t invalidate their review of the situation.
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I notice that the spineless Just Saying isn’t prepared to admit his identity in his criticism of the unmasked NEC Insider. Gutless! Mi9Insider clearly has the inside track on NEC Insider. Just Saying. In cider.
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Pete is a good man and will be missed. Whilst it may be the end of an ERA for NEC, Michael Stephenson has some genuine pedigree, and had experience a the helm of a Digital sales team as well as TV sales. Good luck to both.
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A decade of underperformance is being praised…..its just lost on me
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If NEC insider or mi9 insider reveals intimate knowledge of 9, why should-would he or she have to share their identity.
Leaks tend to emanate from unhappy work places. Go figure!
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For Peter to go and to be replaced by his deputy dog indicates that 9 share of the pie revenue audited every month, is not what Hugh Marks thinks it should be. 7 still have a handy lead and 10 are fighting out of their weight division with the MCN guys doing very well I hear, All that said Peter is a gentleman and for 10 years as top sales dog he has done a very sound job in not the greatest of circumstances with sell outs and buy ins. Think it significant that DG goes and a key executive leaves not long after. There has only been 1 DG and there a lot of sad people at 9 he is gone.
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I think the assertions by NEC Insider about Mi9 Insider makes the comments by Just Saying, that have prompted a riposte by In Cider with Rosie, understandable and have led to a reflection by 15 that is worth dwelling on.
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It seems like the Mi9Insider is on the money every time. The reason the Mi9Insider is clearly posting anonymously is because of people like the NECInsider. My question for the NECInsider is – shouldn’t you go back to your executive team and ask “why are so many people leaving and why is morale so low?”
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Precisely the point. NEC vitriol is exactly why people post anonymously which speaks to the degradation and harmfulness of the culture.
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Screw accuracy. The Mi9Insider is far more entertaining than the poster defending a business that is supposedly in the entertainment game.
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If you look at the announced revenue pie splits on February, 9 down over 4% and 7 and 10 both grabbed it from them leaving 9 with 35% share not where management would like to be.
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bring back vance…
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Too funny. This comments thread has made my day.
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Thank you Critic-At-Large. NEC Insider just hates that they don’t have control of the message. Mi9 is an unhappy place. They’ve fired everyone but the person who needs to go and it wouldn’t surprise me if the person commenting here is that person! I just hope one day Mi9 returns to being a company that provides great online content that complements what we offer on television. Remember when NineMSN was one of Australia’s top news sites? Now it’s dying a death faster than the T-Rex!
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I wonder if ‘ol Pete’s mates in programming may soon also decide to suddenly leave…
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Mi9Insider is spot on. Post the Dec 13 NEC float/final take over from MSFT the business died a slow death. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Ninemsn/Mi9 brands disappear after Nine moves into to its new offices.
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