Michael Ebeid AM is an Australian business executive. He was CEO and managing director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) between June 2011 and October 2018.[1][2][3] Ebeid has nearly three decades of experience in media, technology and telecommunications, having held senior roles at IBM, Optus Communications, Two Way Limited, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Career

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Ebeid worked with IBM[4] for nine years in various roles across finance, sales and marketing, and worked in Tokyo and other Asian countries.[5]

In 1995, he moved to Optus Communications,[6] where he was Director of Commercial Operations for the Consumer Division, with revenues of $1.8b and a staff of over 3000 supplying a range of services telephony, internet and pay television interests. He was on the Board of the subscription television industry body, ASTRA, from 2001 to 2005.[7]

In 2005, Ebeid joined Two Way Limited, an interactive TV, mobile and online entertainment media business as COO and then as CEO. He took the company into Asia (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India and NZ) establishing new business opportunities for the company.

Ebeid became the executive director of corporate strategy and marketing at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)[8] holding position until 2011 when he became CEO of SBS in 2011.[9]

Ebeid was appointed CEO and managing director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) in June 2011 and he resigned on 1 October 2018.[10]

Telstra

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As part of a new structure, Australian telecommunications company Telstra appointed Ebeid as Head of its Enterprise Division, on 8 October 2018.[11] This appointment is part of the Telstra Group Executive team.[12] Ebeid was Telstra Group Executive – Enterprise from 2018 to 2020.[13]

Honours and recognition

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Ebeid was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours for "significant service to the broadcast media and multicultural affairs as an executive, innovator and business leader".[14]

Ebeid was named CEO Magazine's 'CEO of the year' at the 2017 Executive Of The Year Awards, while CEO and managing director at SBS. Ebeid was a judge for the same award in 2018,[15] as part of an eleven person panel.

Personal life

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Ebeid was born in Cairo, Egypt, and moved to Sydney, Australia, with his family when he was three.[16]

Ebeid, who came out as gay in the 1990s, has been described as, "without doubt one of Australia's most powerful media figures".[17][18] Ebeid was married in November 2018

References

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  1. ^ Sydney Morning Herald: Aspiring to be small, but perfectly funded
  2. ^ Sydney Morning Herald: SBS poaches ABC executive for top job
  3. ^ SBS website: SBS appoints new Managing Director
  4. ^ "Michael Ebeid". Business News. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Former SBS reporter Scott McIntyre arrested in Japan, reportedly over search for his children". the Guardian. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ^ "SBS boss stands down days after World Cup ratings success". www.abc.net.au. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ "SBS Corporate". SBS Corporate. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  8. ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation website: Our leadership - Michael Ebeid bio
  9. ^ "Outgoing SBS CEO Michael Ebeid to join Telstra". SBS News. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  10. ^ TV Tonight website: Michael Ebeid resigns as SBS managing director
  11. ^ "Former SBS boss Ebeid joins Telstra". The West Australian. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  12. ^ "New organisational structure and leadership team for Telstra". www.telstra.com.au. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Ex-SBS boss Michael Ebeid exits Telstra amid executive shake-up". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  14. ^ "EBEID, Michael". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Michael Ebeid AM". Executive of the Year Awards. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Departing SBS chief Michael Ebeid shows ABC how it's done". Australian Financial Review. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  17. ^ Fitzsimmons, Whitney (6 May 2015). "The importance of gay business leaders being out and proud". News Ltd. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  18. ^ Jahshan, Elias (2 August 2015). "Beating the odds". Star Observer. Retrieved 21 October 2015.