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<\/a><\/p>\nQMS financials<\/p>\n
Nine told the market it has \u201cidentified clear opportunities for operational efficiency\u201d and expects to deliver $20m of annual
pre-tax cost synergies by 2029. \u201cThese synergies will be driven by the consolidation of back-office functions, technology infrastructure, procurement efficiencies and the switching of marketing spend into QMS.\u201d<\/p>\n
The wider Nine group \u201cexpects to benefit from incremental revenue growth opportunities\u201d relating to the increase in digital inventory, greater localised targeting and broader advertising briefs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe acquisition of this high-growth digital outdoor media company, QMS, further diversifies Nine\u2019s revenue streams and adds scale to our advertiser and agency relationships,\u201d Stanton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with our existing media assets, the acquisition will allow Nine to offer customers a broader advertising solution and the use of tools such as Nine Ad Manager for more targeted and localised messaging across a wider set of customers. We also see the opportunity to promote and drive subscriptions for our publishing mastheads and Stan through leveraging any excess QMS inventory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe QMS network will provide Nine with a branded platform to support key national news and sporting moments and serve as a public service utility for governments at all levels in times of emergency or community need. We are excited about the potential in this space.<\/p>\n
\u201cQMS is a highly complementary media platform, offering Nine the opportunity to drive significant value by leveraging our premium content on QMS screens and creating an unparalleled advertising proposition that spans from \u2018Sofa to Street\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stanton elaborated on this further during an investor call on Friday morning, shortly after the market opened. He described out-of-home as \u201cmore resilient to the impact of global digital platforms\u201d, and said QMS was \u201chighly complementary\u201d to Nine.<\/p>\n
Stanton confirmed in September 2025 that he had fielded \u201ca number of unsolicited inquiries about our radio business\u201d.<\/p>\n Singleton was the early front-runner, with a reported bid<\/a> of between $20-$30m.\u00a0 He previously held a 32.2% stake in Macquarie Media, which he sold to Nine in 2019 for $80m.<\/p>\n Australian Digital Holdings, which James Packer has a financial interest in, reportedly made a bid in November that valued Nine\u2019s radio arm at $42m, while SEN boss Craig Hutchison, and Global Traffic Network, which shares a chair with Nine Entertainment \u2013 Peter Tonagh, reportedly teamed up to lob a bid.<\/p>\n Nine said that the Laundy family is \u201cexpected to remain a long-term partner of Nine, with plans to utilise 9News journalists on radio, showcase Stan Sport through Laundy venues, provide promotion and ad sales collaboration, as well as increased ad spend by Laundy on Nine properties.\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur Laundy son Craig, said in a statement issued by Nine that the family\u00a0is \u201cbacking management and all employees to work with us over the coming years to grow this business. We want you to help us continue the important role the stations play in the life of every-day Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cWe see strong similarities between hotels and talk back radio. Patrons in our venues are at the centre of everything we do and we will have that same ethos with our listeners.<\/p>\n \u201cIn public bars, we chat with our customers about the issues of the day. A lot of the time, the thoughts in the minds of our customers are shaped by what is said on the radio. Many of our patrons call the open lines and there are no better arbiters of what passes the pub test.\u201d<\/p>\n 2025 was a transitional year for Nine\u2019s radio division.<\/p>\n In January, Nine split<\/a> into three consumer-focused divisions: streaming and broadcast; publishing; and marketplaces. Nine Radio falls under the streaming and broadcasting arm, led by former Foxtel executive Amanda Laing.<\/p>\n Nine\u2019s director of audio sales Ashley Earnshaw announced in May<\/a> he would be stepping down at the end of June, after making the \u201ctough decision to leave a business that is primed for growth\u201d. He joined Nova <\/a> as the network\u2019s new group commercial director.<\/p>\n In July, Nine reshaped its sales operation within audio, with Brian Gallagher, former chair of Boomtown and chief sales officer at Southern Cross Austereo, joining <\/a>as Nine\u2019s commercial director of audio.<\/p>\n Bolster\u2019s head of media Jonathan Mandel (previously head of digital at SCA\u2019s Listnr) joined Nine Audio as national head of digital sales in late September. Rick Lenarcic, former national head of direct sales, moved into head of sales operations.<\/p>\n<\/a>Arthur Laundy and the Laundy Family Office emerged on Thursday evening as a surprise front-runner for Nine Radio, after months of rumours suggesting up to a dozen suitors.<\/a> The hotel baron is one of the country\u2019s richest men, with a reported net value of about $1.75b, and control of over 40 hotels across the country. In 2004, Laundy received an Order of Australia.<\/p>\n