From The Block to the Games: Carly Bellette’s role in shaping Network Sponsorships at Nine 

In the intricate world of sponsorship management, Carly Bellette plays a pivotal role at Nine. Carly rejoined Nine in 2015 and today works as the Network Sponsorship Manager under Broadcast Traffic Operations. Along with her team, Carly forms the backbone behind the seamless integration of commercial content in some of Australia’s most beloved TV programs, including The Block and Married at First Sight (MAFS).

The Role: More than just ads

Carly’s role isn’t just about placing ads. It’s a complex, multifaceted job that requires a deep understanding of the content and the commercial objectives. Carly describes her role as being the “go-between”sales, programming, and production, ensuring that every piece of sponsored content is perfectly aligned with the programming. Whether integrating McCafé into The Block or ensuring that Toyota ads play during critical moments of Olympic coverage, Carly’s team makes sure everything looks “nice and seamless” on screen.

The role demands a range of skills that Carly has honed over the years, including meticulous attention to detail, strategic thinking, and adaptability. However, her recent experience working on the Olympics has offered incredible new learning opportunities and challenges.

The Olympics: A career-defining challenge

One of the most rewarding aspects of Carly’s role is the continuous learning and career development it offers. The Olympics, in particular, allowed Carly to step out of her usual routine, work more closely with production teams, and see firsthand how TV goes to air. “This experience has opened my eyes to many other areas within the business and where I might want to take my career next,” Carly shares.

Carly’s journey at Nine started almost a decade ago, and her role has evolved significantly since then. Originally hired as a Traffic Manager, Carly’s experience in sponsorship management quickly became invaluable. She was instrumental in co-creating her current role, recognising a gap in the business, and helping to grow the function as the demand for premium sponsorships increased.

Thriving in a dynamic environment

Carly’s passion for her work is evident. “I absolutely love it, sponsorships is my jam,” she says, reflecting on how the role has grown over the years. From managing a $10 million sponsorship budget for The Block when she started, to overseeing a $30 million budget today, Carly’s contributions have been nothing short of transformative.

Despite the sometimes chaotic nature of her job, Carly wouldn’t have it any other way. She thrives in the dynamic environment and relishes the thrill of working in an industry she’s been passionate about since childhood. 

Carly’s adaptability, curiosity, and openness to new experiences have been crucial to her success in this fast-paced role. While most viewers at home might not realise the complexities of aligning ad breaks and commercials, Carly is at the forefront, ensuring everything runs smoothly for a seamless viewing experience.