Brands
Millers and Noni B to shut doors as Mosaic brands collapse
The final two chains under Mosaic Brands, Millers and Noni B, are set to disappear from Australian shopping strips, marking the end of the embattled retail group.
As Daniel Jeffrey reports in 9News, after failing to secure a buyer, 252 stores will close by April, with 933 jobs lost. The news follows last week’s announcement that men’s retailer Rivers would also shut down.
“Despite extensive efforts, we have been unable to achieve a sale of any Mosaic Brands chains,” said KPMG receiver David Hardy. “As a result, all remaining stores will close over the coming months, with final shutdowns expected by mid-April.”
Great Northern puts conservation campaign on ice after “woke” backlash
Great Northern has hit pause on a $200,000 land conservation initiative after backlash from sections of its customer base, particularly 4WD and outdoor enthusiasts.
As Michael Dahlstrom repots in Yahoo News, critics feared rezoning would limit off-roading, fishing, and hunting, while others opposed growing parklands altogether.
On Facebook, 4WD TV slammed the move as “disgraceful”, urging followers to switch beers and drawing parallels to the Bud Light boycott. The backlash gained traction, with customers accusing the brand of siding with “inner-city activists.”
Tech
China’s DeepSeek: AI Coup or Clever Con?
Chinese AI firm, DeepSeek, claims to have achieved parity with Silicon Valley giants using minimal resources. If true, this is a seismic shift in the global tech landscape, dwarfing even Trump’s ambitious AI plans.
As Ambrose Evans-Pritchard reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, the implications are immense. China could dominate the AI market, undercutting Western companies and establishing a new world order. But experts are skeptical.
Google Maps renames Gulf of Mexico in US following Trump order
Google Maps is making a controversial name swap, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America – but only for users in the United States.
The change follows an executive order from Donald Trump, with Google confirming the update aligns with its policy of applying official government naming changes. In Mexico, the name remains unchanged, while users outside both countries will see both names displayed.
As Dan Milmo reports in The Guardian, the rebrand doesn’t stop there – Alaska’s Denali, North America’s tallest peak, will revert to Mount McKinley on Google Maps in the US, also in line with Trump’s directive.
Television
NRL’s next broadcast Deal: High stakes, tough market
With two years left on its Foxtel and Nine deal, ARLC boss Peter V’landys wants the NRL’s next broadcast rights locked in by mid-year.
As Ben Talintyre reports in The Daily Telegraph, the league is in a strong position – record audiences, soaring revenues, and plans for expansion. But sealing the deal won’t be simple.
Traditional media is under pressure, with a shrinking ad market making negotiations tougher than ever. A looming government crackdown on gambling ads could hit broadcasters’ bottom lines even harder.
Theatre
Opera Australia CEO exits as leadership shake-up continues
Opera Australia’s top job is once again up for grabs, with CEO Fiona Allan calling it quits. Her departure adds to the growing list of executive exits shaking up the national opera company and the broader arts scene.
As Rosemary Neill reports in The Australian, Allan’s resignation follows the bombshell August 2024 exit of artistic director Jo Davies – OA’s first female artistic chief – who lasted less than a year in the role before parting ways with the company over creative and commercial differences.
The timing is telling. A Creative Australia review into OA’s leadership is set to report in March, while the company grapples with a $4.9 million operating loss from 2023.
$60m deal paves way for new Star Casino theatre precinct
A Broadway-style theatre, live music venue, and cabaret room are one step closer to reality in Pyrmont, thanks to a $60 million deal between Star Entertainment Group and theatre mogul Stephen Found.
As Linda Morris and Colin Kruger write in The Sydney Morning Herald, Found – who runs Foundation Theatres, owner of the Sydney Lyric and Capitol Theatre – has secured approval to transform The Star’s events centre into a two-level, 1550-seat proscenium arch theatre, plus a separate 1000-seat venue for music and comedy.
But while the deal is a win for Sydney’s live entertainment scene, it may not be enough to steady Star’s financial troubles.
Events
SXSW Sydney 2025 opens submissions for its biggest festival yet
SXSW Sydney is back, and the call is out for creators, innovators, and game-changers to now be part of the action.
From October 13-19, 2025, Sydney’s creative heart – Darling Harbour, Chippendale, and Broadway – will transform into a playground of ideas, music, film, tech, and culture.
After a record-breaking 300,000 attendees from 56 countries in 2024, the 2025 edition promises to go even bigger.
Pictured: Donald Trump