The new managing director of the ABC, Hugh Marks, has been described as “an unusually good fit” for the national broadcaster by its chair Kim Williams.

Marks, former chief executive of Nine, was announced on Tuesday morning as the person to replace current MD David Anderson.

Williams noted Marks’ history “with the only organisation [Nine Entertainment] comparable in range and depth to the ABC”, per the ABC.

Williams said the new managing director has “a strong history of innovation in online delivery”. 

Anderson revealed in August that he would step down from the role – a year into his second five-year contract – once his replacement had been appointed.

The ABC quoted Marks as saying he was “energised” about leading the ABC when he gets his feet under the desk in March, given its “unique position” in Australia’s media landscape.

“All Australians, when they want to know the truth, or the facts, or at least the different perspectives on an issue so that they’re informed, know that they can come to the ABC and trust that it’s that place that they’re going to get [that],” he said.

Marks said the ABC should focus on its areas of excellence and not attempt to be all things to everyone.

“Just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean you should do it,” he said. “We should just focus [on]: What is it that we can do well? How can we do it well?

“Focusing on those things and making choices to prioritise on the things that you can do well, I think, is a discussion we’re all going to have to have. Where there are so many choices for audiences to engage with content … you have to be excellent, you have to stand out.”

Marks said the media had “tended to fall into a pattern of choosing extreme voices from two sides of a debate … I think we need to do a better job of getting informed voices. A bit more policy, a lot less politics, and really illuminating issues rather than debating the extremes.”