Alex Cullen’s departure from Nine’s Today Show has shocked industry observers and angered fans, but legendary PR man Max Markson said it could be a blessing in disguise.
Cullen, 44, parted ways with the Nine network amid continuing fallout over his accepting $50,000 from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli for tagging the flamboyant businessman with his self-proclaimed ‘McClaren Man’ nickname on air.
Sydney PR king Max Markson, who has negotiated some of the biggest deals in Australian media, said Cullen “will bounce back”.
“He’s already had a great career and will keep going,” Markson told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.
“He’s a great talent.”
Markson said he wasn’t surprised by the sudden departure Karl Stefanovic announced Friday morning.
“As most of you know, our colleague Alex Cullen was not on air with us last week,” a solemn Stefanovic told viewers.
‘There have been many reports about the circumstances surrounding this, what I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would end the network.
Nine Today show presenter and reporter Alex Cullen (pictured left with Australian Olympics breakdancer Racheal Gunn) has made a shock exit from the network.
‘Alex, of course, has been part of the Today family for five years, he is always ready with a smile and a laugh and without hesitation speaking for all of us here, we can say that he is going to be dearly missed, that’s for sure.
“Alex is a fantastic guy, what you see is what you get and he has been a great partner to us all over the years and we wish Alex, his wife Bonnie and their beautiful children all the best for the future.”
Markson said he could not remember any recent case in which a media personality was fired for accepting payment not approved by his employer.
When asked where Cullen could work next, Markson said there was no shortage of options.
“He’s talented, he’ll get another job and it won’t be a problem,” Mr. Markson said.
Another media pundit suggested Portelli might even offer Cullen a job.

Veteran agent and media marketer Max Markson (pictured right with Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg) said Cullen should have no problem finding new television work.

Cullen has parted ways with the Nine network amid continuing fallout from his acceptance of $50,000 from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. (Pictured: Today co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo)
The saga began last week. Portelli posted on social media that he had grown tired of his long-standing nickname, “Lambo Guy,” and offered the cash reward to the first person to use his new nickname on air.
Cullen, reporting from the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, did so on the Today Show on Friday.
Portelli then posted what appeared to be a $50,000 bank transfer to the presenter, prompting Nine to announce that Cullen had been suspended from broadcasting and that the money was being returned.
Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence and misusing a journalism position for personal gain are violations of the journalism code of ethics as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union.

The Today host, 44, received 50,000 after being the first media personality to use Portelli’s self-applied nickname of ‘McLaren Man’ on air. Pictured: Cullen

Adrian Portelli said he had grown tired of his long-standing nickname ‘Mr. Lambo’ and offered the cash reward to the first person to use his new nickname on air, and Cullen accepted it on the Today Show on Friday.
Cullen’s departure from the Today Show took place despite Portelli’s claim that Cullen intended for the money to be paid to charities from the beginning, and published details of $25,000 payments made on his behalf both to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA.
“Alex Cullen… on behalf of you my friend, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,” Portelli wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve stayed pretty quiet about what happened with Alex, but before I even heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money.
“That says a lot about his character. Alex, you are an absolute gentleman.
‘If Ch9 lets you go (although I really hope they don’t!), I’d be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. Real class, mate!’
Portelli first received the unwanted nickname ‘Mr. Lambo’ after showing up at a 2022 auction on the popular home renovation show The Block with a yellow Lamborghini.

On Tuesday, Portelli also defended Cullen and claimed he intended the money to be paid to charities, publishing details of two $25,000 payments made to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA.
Many Australians were outraged by Cullen’s departure.
‘Wow, that was a crazy move on Nine’s part. “Alex was a breath of fresh air,” said one.
“Alex was the only one on the morning show who was natural and didn’t spend the entire time talking to someone, giggling like little school kids,” added a second.
‘Channel Nine has lost the plot. I doubt for a second that Alex would ever keep that money – he’s not an idiot! I hope they catch him very quickly.
A third said: “Alex is a lovely family man who works hard to provide for his family.” Alex is a great asset to the Today show and Channel Nine.
A fourth added: “I hope Alex appears on Sunrise – that’s what I’ll be watching now.”