- Former Nine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby to take up role on May 1
- Barnett to join Central European Media Enterprises in Prague
DUBAI: Sam Barnett is stepping down as CEO of MBC Group after more than two decades with the company.
He will be replaced by Mike Sneesby, former CEO of Australian media network Nine Entertainment.
Barnett will join Central European Media Enterprises as CEO, based in Prague and overseeing the company's 46 TV channels and streaming platform Voyo.
Both men will assume their new duties on May 1.
“Sam Barnett has played a key role in building our group into a regional market leader in the competitive media and entertainment industry,” said MBC Group Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim.
“Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for growth and expansion, and I am confident that Mike Sneesby, together with our stellar team, will take the group to new heights.”
Before heading Nine Entertainment, which operates several TV channels, websites and newspapers, Sneesby was CEO of its streaming subsidiary Stan, which he also founded.
Sneesby said his goal is to continue MBC's growth “with increased global impact” through “innovation, creativity, digital transformation and our ongoing commitment to producing world-leading content with fresh and compelling storytelling.”
