Alex Cullen's departure from Nine's Today Show has shocked industrial viewers and angry fans, but the legendary PR -Man Max Markson said it could be a disguised blessing.
Cullen, 44, said goodbye to the nine network in the midst of the constant fall-out of his $ 50,000 acceptance from the block billionaire Adrian Portelli for labeling the flashy entrepreneur by his self-proclaimed nickname 'McClaren Man' on Air.
Markson, who has negotiated some of the largest deals in Australian media, said that Cullen will “go back”.
“He has already had a great career and will continue it,” Markson told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.
“He is a great talent.”
Markson said he was not shocked by the sudden departure that Karl Stefanovic announced on Friday morning.
“As most of you are well informed, our colleague Alex Cullen did not have been in the broadcast last week,” a solemn Stefanovic told viewers.
'There is widespread report on the circumstances surrounding this, what I can say is that Alex and Nine agreed that he would end up with the network.
Nine Today Show presenter and reporter Alex Cullen (depicted at the Australian Olympic breakdancer Racheal Gunn) has made a shock room of the network
'Alex has been part of the today -family for five years now, he is always ready with a smile and a smile and without hesitation for all of us here, we can say that we will miss him terribly, that's for sure.
“Alex is a great guy, what you see is what you get and he has been a great partner for all of us in these years and we wish Alex, his wife Bonnie and his beautiful children the very best for the future.”
Markson stated that he could not remember recent cases in which a media personality was fired for accepting a payment that was not approved by their employer.
Asked for where Cullen might work, Markson said there was no shortage of options.
“He is talented, he will get another job, it won't be a problem,” he said.
Another media insider suggested that Portelli Cullen could even offer a job.
Veteran Media Wheeler and dealer Max Markson (directly depicted with Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg) said that Cullen should not have a problem to find a new TV performance
Cullen separated roads with the nine network in the midst of the constant consequences of his $ 50,000 acceptance from the Block Billionair Adrian Portelli. (Shown: today co-host of Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo)
The Saga started Portelli on social media last week, he had become tired of his long used nickname the 'Lambo Guy' and offered the money remuneration to the first person to use his new name in the air.
Cullen, who reported from the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, mandatory at the Today Show on Friday.
Portelli then placed what a bank transfer of $ 50,000 seemed to be to the presenter who led nine to announce that they had suspended from broadcasts and that the money was sent back.
Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence and to use a journalistic position for personal gain wrongly, are breaches of the ethical code of journalism as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Union.
The current presenter, 44, got 50,000 after he was the first media personality to use Portelli's own nickname 'McLaren Man' live in the air. Shown: cullen
Adrian Portelli said that he had become tired of his long used nickname 'Mr Lambo' and offered the money remuneration to the first person to use his new name in the air
Cullen's departure continued, despite the statement of Portelli that Cullen the money was meant that it should always be paid to charity and the details of $ 25,000 payments on his behalf to both the Salvation Army and the RSPCA posted.
“Alex Cullen … on behalf of you, size, $ 25,000 to the Salvation Army and $ 25,000 at the RSPCA,” Portelli wrote on Instagram.
'I kept quite silent about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he had heard from CH9, we had a conversation in which he expressed his desire to donate the money.
“That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you are an absolute gentleman.
'If CH9 lets you go (although I really hope they don't do that!), I would be more than happy to work with you somewhere. Real class, size! '
For the first time, Portelli received the unwanted nickname 'Mr Lambo' after living up to a 2022 auction of the popular house make -over the block in a yellow Lamborghini.
On Tuesday Portelli also defended Cullen and claimed that he intended that the money had to be paid to the charity, where he had posted details of two $ 25,000 payments to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA
Many Aussies unleashed Cullen's departure.
'Wow, that was a crazy movement of nine. Alex was a relief, “they said.
“Alex was the only one in the morning show that was natural and did not spent all the time talking about someone, giggling as small school children,” a second added.
'Kanaal Nine have lost the plot. I doubt a second that Alex would ever keep that money – he is not an idiot! I hope he will be arrested very quickly. '
A third said: 'Alex is a sweet family man who just works hard to maintain his family. Alex is such an asset to the Today Show and Channel Nine. '
A Add to it: “Hope Alex will appear on dawn – that's what I am looking at now.”
