Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson, the co-founders and directors of Ludo Studio, have been named the winners of the first-ever Variety Australia Entertainment 50 award, presented during the Mediaweek 100 event in Sydney last week.
The new Variety Australia category celebrates excellence in producing innovative and original content, recognising trailblazers across production, direction, writing, executive roles, and beyond.
Ludo Studio, the creative powerhouse behind Bluey, one of the most beloved children’s shows globally, earned the accolade following a standout year. Earlier in the week, the Bluey team added another feather to its cap, winning an ARIA Award for Best Children’s Album with Dance Mode!
Aspinwall and Pearson triumphed over competition from industry heavyweights including Endemol Shine Australia, Live Nation, Amazon Studios, and Screen Australia to take home the inaugural award.
The Mediaweek 100, presented by Variety Australia, celebrates Australia’s media leaders driving success, innovation, and results. Held on November 22, 2024, at the Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney, this year’s event was supported by major partners Vevo, News Corp Australia, and Foxtel Media.
The lunchtime event welcomed industry leaders, including SCA CEO John Kelly, Foxtel Media CEO Mark Frain, Are Media CEO Jane Huxley, and GroupM CEO Aimee Buchanan, as well as a host of media and entertainment power players.
Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australia, claimed the top spot on the Mediaweek 100 list, edging out Melanie Silva, managing director and VP of Google Australia and New Zealand. Lou Barrett, News Corp’s managing director of client partnerships, was honoured with the Mediaweek 100 Icon Award for her outstanding contributions to the media industry. Aimee Buchanan, CEO of GroupM ANZ, was recognised as the top media agency executive on the Mediaweek Agency 50 list.
Lars Brandle, head of content at The Brag Media, publisher of Variety AU/NZ, said: “The Mediaweek 100 is an established jewel in Australia’s awards season, and this year’s show lived up to expectations. Variety AU/NZ is thrilled to be a part of it with the inaugural Variety Australia Entertainment 50, which salutes the game-changers in our industry. Congratulations to all the star performers who made the cut, and, of course, the first-ever winners – Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson, co-founders and directors of Ludo Studio. Bring on next year’s event!”
For the full Mediaweek 100 list, click here.