Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.
Tony Armstrong has announced he will leave ABC News Breakfast in October after three years on the show.
Armstrong, a proud Gamilaroi man, will continue to work with ABC, hosting a new show to be announced later this year and begin airing in 2025.
Caroline Wilson’s colleague at 3AW and on Footy Classified, Matthew Lloyd, confirmed tonight he’s “bitterly disappointed” Wilson has decided to make a bombshell move to Channel 7.
He was speaking on 3AW’s Wide World of Sports. “I’m bitterly disappointed but no one is bigger than the show,” he said on 3AW.
As first flagged on 3AW’s Rumour File on Monday morning, Matthew Lloyd has confirmed Wilson will make the shock TV switch.
Malcom Connor will depart UM Australia after 20 years as part of the agency’s structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands.
Anathea Ruys, CEO of UM Australia, explained that the structural alignment is part of the centralisation of operations at an IPG Mediabrands level as the Group continues to work more closely together and as tools, processes and operations across the Group become more standardised to enable agencies to effectively and efficiently scale their business.
Nine has announced the appointment of Gareth Parker, currently 9News Perth’s director of news, to the newly created role of network news content director.
Reporting to the 9Network’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, this position will see Parker relocate to Sydney and work from the Network’s headquarters, where he will oversee and help coordinate critical news coverage to Channel 9’s state-based newsrooms.
Jessica Honeychurch
SBS has appointed Jessica Honeychurch as Victorian digital sales manager for the hybrid-funded national broadcaster.
The new role sees Honeychurch drive ongoing growth of leading BVOD service SBS On Demand. She steps into the role after spending the past two and half years as SBS’s NSW digital sales manager
Before joining SBS, she held sales roles at Paramount and MCN. She also held digital planner and buyer roles at media agency Wavemaker, in Adelaide.
Are Media has announced a new partnership with Ariarna Bartulovic, founder and director of Media by Ariarna, as its representative for the Western Australia market, effective 7 October.
A memorable 2024 AFL season is set for a spectacular finish, with legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney to return home to Seven’s AFL coverage for this weekend’s two preliminary finals and then the premiership decider on Saturday, 28 September.
McAvaney will join AFL football’s FTA commentary team in a key hosting role across the final epic three games of the season.
Bruce McAvaney said: “The 2024 season has turned out to be unpredictable and thrilling. To have the opportunity to be part of it is a privilege and I’m incredibly excited to be joining my colleagues in broadcasting the finals on Seven.”
Bruce McAveney has joined 7AFL’s coverage of the finals series.
Broad Radio is a new radio station that started broadcasting loud, clear and fiercely this morning.
Spearheading the new broadcast offering is former Fox FM breakfast star Jo Stanley. Stanley was #1 in Melbourne FM breakfast radio for six years alongside Matt Tilley on The Matt & Jo Show on Fox FM. She then later teamed with Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann with The Jo & Lehmo Show on Gold 104.3.
The arrival of Stanley back open the airwaves is another challenge for Kyle and Jackie O who are jostling with all the other talented breakfast teams to secure a Melbourne audience.
The departure of Foxtel executives Les Wigan and Amanda Laing has led to another restructure of the Foxtel Group executive team.
Julian Ogrin’s title has changed to chief executive officer, Streaming and Advertising, and Hilary Perchard’s title changed to chief executive officer, Foxtel Retail and Hubbl. Perchard’s responsibilities also extend to non-sport content acquisitions and group strategy.
Danielle St. George and Phil Benedictus
As part of a major restructure, B Corp independent media agency Benedictus Media has appointed Danielle St. George as managing director.
St. George will take over leadership of the agency with a focus on driving the next stage of Benedictus Media’s evolution.
With St. George’s arrival, Phil Benedictus is stepping down as CEO to focus on business development, while continuing to drive forward the agency’s focus on reducing environmental impact and championing sustainability in advertising.
Deepend Group has appointed Chris Rollings to the newly created role of head of product innovation.
The group comprises boutique consultancy Deepend, History Will Be Kind communications agency and innovation agency How To Impact.
In the role, Rollings will drive the group’s efforts to create and launch groundbreaking products, platforms, and movements that align with the evolving needs of the market. He will work closely with clients to help identify white space, create and test new concepts, and track performance.
History Will Be Kind (HWBK) has revealed three new hires and three internal promotions. Helen Little has joined HWBK as senior account director. Her previous experience includes work across a range of global media, consumer and third-sector brands including Guardian News & Media, UK child protection charity the NSPCC, as well as Disney and Universal Pictures.
Rinca Capewell steps into the role of account coordinator. Prior to joining HWBK, she worked at Blackmores Group as event and marketing coordinator where she supported execution at major pharmacy and allied health events, along with strategy development.
Tayla Appleby, a graduate in public relations, communications and commerce, also joins HWBK as account coordinator. Tayla previously interned at Pet Circle, where she supported media relations, influencer marketing and partnership projects.
Rinca Capewell, account coordinator, Tayla Appleby, account coordinator, Helen Little, senior account director
Alongside these new hires, Georgie Wilson has stepped into the role of senior account director, Sam Hayes is now account director and Sophie Moudawar has been promoted to integrated account executive.
Today the Brave has appointed Cyndall McInerney as senior copywriter, partnering with art director, Kate Idle.
McInerney joins from The Monkeys, Part of Accenture Song, bringing her quirky tone has earned her a range of international awards from her time working in both Sydney and London with both large networks and small independent agencies.