HOYTS Names Stephanie Mills as New Managing Director

Australian cinema operator HOYTS announced on 16 July 2026 that Stephanie Mills will assume the newly created role of Managing Director, effective immediately.

Mills brings more than two decades of experience in the Australian film‑exhibition and entertainment sector. Prior to her promotion she served as Director of Sales, Marketing & Content for the group, where she oversaw the company’s sales, marketing, movie‑programming and corporate‑solutions functions. In that capacity she developed integrated commercial and content strategies that have driven business growth, strengthened customer engagement and enhanced the cinema experience across Australia and New Zealand.

Before joining HOYTS, Mills held senior leadership positions within the company, including General Manager of Marketing & Content and General Manager of Marketing. Her earlier career included a decade at Reading Entertainment Australia, where she progressed through a range of commercial‑leadership roles.

HOYTS Group President and CEO Damian Keogh said the appointment reflects Mills’ “outstanding leadership credentials and deep understanding of the exhibition industry.” He added that Mills has been a “stand‑out performer in HOYTS’ ascendancy in recent years to the number one exhibitor in Australia” and that the new role will focus on bringing together areas of the business into a more cohesive team to deliver the best possible customer experience in the chain’s cinemas.

Mills, who also serves as a Director of Creative Content Australia and a Director of Cinema Association Australasia, said she was “thrilled to be taking on the role of Managing Director at such an exciting time for the industry.” She added that cinema remains “one of the most powerful and engaging entertainment experiences” and that she looks forward to working with internal teams, industry partners and stakeholders to build on HOYTS’ strengths and drive the next phase of growth.

HOYTS is Australia’s leading cinema chain and the country’s number one exhibitor by market share. The group, which operates 46 multiplexes with 412 screens, is owned by China‑based Wanda Group. In 2026 the chain recorded its strongest trading weekend following the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, topping the Australian box office and reinforcing its market position.

Mills’ appointment comes at a time when the exhibition sector is navigating a post‑pandemic recovery, increased competition from streaming services, and evolving consumer expectations for premium in‑theatre experiences. Her background in sales, marketing and content positions her to steer HOYTS through these challenges while maintaining its leadership in the Australian market.

Industry observers note that Mills’ track record of integrating commercial and content strategies aligns with HOYTS’ recent initiatives to enhance customer engagement through loyalty programs, premium seating options and curated programming. Her experience on the boards of Creative Content Australia and Cinema Association Australasia also gives her a broad perspective on industry‑wide trends and regulatory developments.

The appointment is the first executive change at HOYTS in the past year. The company has continued to expand its digital advertising platform, Val Morgan, and has entered a partnership with Vinyl Group in March 2026 to cross‑sell outdoor and cinema advertising opportunities.

HOYTS’ leadership team will continue to oversee the group’s operations across Australia and New Zealand, with Mills now responsible for aligning the company’s commercial, marketing, content and corporate‑solutions functions under a unified strategy.

The announcement was issued through a press release distributed to industry media outlets and posted on the HOYTS website. No additional details regarding compensation or term of appointment were disclosed.

As HOYTS moves forward under Mills’ leadership, the company will likely focus on sustaining its market‑share advantage, enhancing the in‑theatre experience, and leveraging its content and marketing expertise to drive revenue growth in a competitive entertainment landscape.