Respected Channel Nine identity Matt Granger has died after a year-long battle with cancer.
He was the director of the network’s sports sales portfolio, including the commercial strategy for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Nine’s chief sales officer Matt James broke the news on Thursday, remembering his colleague as a ‘cornerstone’ of the team.
‘It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share some incredibly difficult news with you all,’ he wrote in a message to staff.
‘Our dear colleague, and friend, Matt Granger, passed away yesterday morning after bravely battling cancer over the past year.’
James continued: ‘As Director of Sales for Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Grange was a cornerstone of our business and team.’
Get The Spotlight newsletter
The stars you love, the drama you crave. Your unmissable daily showbiz update.
By signing up, you will receive our newsletter as well as marketing emails with news, offers and updates from the Daily Mail. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
Respected Channel Nine identity Matt Granger has died after a year-long battle with cancer
‘Over the last eight years, he made significant contributions to our success and was a guiding force within the sales leadership team.’
James added that, aside from being an integral member of the team, he was also a great friend to many at the network.
‘Matt was an extraordinary individual. He was a truly cherished colleague and a genuine friend to so many across the Nine family,’ he said.
‘His kindness, warmth, and spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.’
Prior to joining Nine in 2018 as its sport sales director, Granger had a distinguished career in the Australian media.
He joined the Australian Radio Network (ARN) as national agency sales director in 2011, before becoming ARN’s commercial director in 2017.
He began his media career in 1995 at Channel Seven as a sales executive, before being promoted to group sales manager in 2002—a position he held for five years.
Granger left that role in 2007 to become the NSW sales manager for Seven Affiliate Sales.
Nine’s chief sales officer Matt James broke the news on Thursday, remembering his colleague as a ‘cornerstone’ of the team
Seven West Media’s Sydney sport sales manager Stephen Johnson previously wrote a glowing recommendation for Granger.
‘Grange is one of the truly natural transformational leaders,’ he wrote.
‘Working with Grange was always fun, and in addition to highly recommending him as a business leader, his ability as a mentor and a coach are attributes I still benefit from today.’
Similarly, media consultant Jamie Wood, who had previously worked with Granger, praised him for his unwavering positivity.
‘Matt is one of the most positive and stress-resistant people I’ve ever met, often balancing multiple complex tasks while maintaining a sense of humour and pragmatic approach,’ he wrote.
Matt is survived by his wife Nellie and their three children.
