Mark Scott (businessman)

Mark Walter Scott, AO (born 9 October 1962) is the Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, since 2006.^[1] Prior to commencing at the ABC, Scott had previously held a senior role at Fairfax Media, responsible for the editorial content of the group's major newspapers including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age.

Early career and background

Educated at Knox Grammar School, Scott worked for the New South Wales Greiner Liberal government, as chief of staff to the Education Minister, Virginia Chadwick, and as a senior adviser to education minister, Terry Metherell.^[2]

In 2010 he was appointed to a second five-year term as the ABC's Managing Director.^[3] His time at the ABC has been marked by extensive change, including the creation of ABC3, a digital TV channel for children, and the 24-hour news channel ABC News 24, as well as a major expansion into digital and on-line technology and an expansion of quality drama.^[4][5] Scott has been a strong defender of the value of social media in journalism^[6] and skeptical on the capacity of news organisations to charge for content they have previously provided free of charge.^[7]

Awards and honours

On 13 June 2011, Scott was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to media and communications, and to the community through advisory and governance roles with a range of social justice and educational bodies.^[8]

Personal life

Scott is married to Briony Scott, the principal of Wenona School, a private day and boarding school for girls.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Education and a Master of Arts from the University of Sydney; and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.^[9]

Scott appeared on Series 3, Episode 6 of Good Game: Spawn Point as himself, speaking to the co-presenter, robot DARREN.

References