The Center East’s MBC Group has employed former 9 Community boss Mike Sneesby as CEO, with long-serving incumbent Sam Barnett stepping down.
A notice posted right this moment introduced the information, with Sneesby becoming a member of on Could 1. He exited his publish as 9 CEO after a harmful yr after a report into the Australian community’s work tradition revealed allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to former information chief Darren Wick.
MBC’s board had accepted Barnett’s resignation, saying it “extends its honest thanks and appreciation… for his efforts and achievements throughout his tenure and desires him continued success in his future endeavors.
Barnett had joined the Saudi Arabia-based MBC in 2002 and rose to CEO by 2011. He led on offers with the Hollywood studios and led the push into high-end unique manufacturing via MBC Studios. Barnett additionally oversaw the launch of streamer Shahid, and through a yr out launched a Rwandan manufacturing firm, Zacu Leisure, which he bought to Canal+.
The broadcaster has a powerful maintain over the native market and launched buzzy exhibits reminiscent of Rashash and Rise of the Witches together with characteristic movies. Nonetheless, MBC’s big-budget characteristic epic Desert Warrior was stricken by manufacturing issues, as we documented final yr, and continues to be to launch, 4 years after it was introduced.
MBC referred to as Sneesby an “skilled media govt with deep international expertise.” In addition to main 9 Leisure, he was the founder and CEO of Stan, the 9-backed Aussie streamer, and led e-commerce platform Cudo as Chief Exec.
He “has demonstrated success in making use of international know-how tendencies to native markets, with a powerful concentrate on digital innovation, media progress, and strategic partnerships,” it added. “He has led large-scale business, studio, and sports activities rights offers.”
Final yr, MBC named Samar Akrouk as Managing Director of MBC Studios following the departure of Christina Wayne, information we first revealed in Could 2024.
