Tech
More details revealed from White House Signal chat leak
A high-level security breach is making waves in Washington after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared details of a planned military strike on the app Signal, a non-government group chat.
As Michael Koziol writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, the messages revealed by The Atlantic included specific timings and weapon types well before the operation began.
The thread, sent by Hegseth to a group including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, laid out exact strike times, drone deployments, and missile launches on Houthi targets in Yemen.
X takes on eSafety over fine, claiming Twitter no longer exists
X Corp is doubling down on its legal fight with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, pushing to have a $610,500 fine thrown out on the grounds that it was issued to a company that technically no longer exists.
As Jared Lynch reports in The Australian, the platform, formerly known as Twitter, missed a 2023 deadline to explain how it tackles child exploitation content, triggering the penalty.
Elon Musk’s rebrand of Twitter to X in mid-2023 is now central to the company’s argument.
Agencies
Clemenger BBDO secures Kmart’s creative account
Clemenger BBDO has been appointed the new creative agency of record for Kmart Australia, marking a major win for the newly merged entity following its integration with CHEP Network and activation agency Traffik earlier this month.
The appointment, confirmed following a competitive pitch that began in November, sees Clemenger BBDO take the reins from incumbent Dentsu Creative, which opted not to re-pitch after holding the account intermittently over the past 14 years.
Led by CEO Lee Leggett, Clemenger BBDO will now lead brand and key retail campaigns for Wesfarmers-owned Kmart, one of Australia’s largest and most recognised department store chains.
Social Media
Federal Government flew in influencers to cover Budget
Labor has quietly covered travel costs for select social media influencers to attend the federal budget lock-up
As Olivia Ireland writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, finance influencers, feminist commentators and brand ambassadors were among the invitees, with everyone posting budget-related content to their audiences.
While no one was paid for posts or opinions, a Labor spokesperson confirmed to the publication that “logistical support” was provided to help creators attend.
Recession vibes are trending, and brands are paying attention
From Lady Gaga’s comeback to the rise of “tradwife” content, TikTok users are piecing together their own unofficial recession indicators, and it’s not great news for marketers.
As Lauren Ironmonger writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, online, everything from lipstick sales to nostalgic music drops is being framed as proof that a downturn isn’t coming, it’s already here.
Forget the budget spin. Social media is shaping consumer sentiment through meme-driven economics, where vibes matter more than data.
Papua New Guinea blocks Facebook in alarming move
Papua New Guinea has abruptly blocked Facebook, calling it a “test” to shield citizens from harmful content.
As news.com.au reports, citing anti-terrorism laws, the government said the move was necessary to assess its ability to curb misinformation, hate speech and exploitation online, but offered no timeline for the ban’s end.
With 1.3 million users cut off overnight, the blackout has triggered backlash and confusion, particularly from PNG’s own communications regulator, which wasn’t consulted.
Television
Lynne McGranger wraps up Home & Away role
After nearly 33 years as Irene Roberts, Lynne McGranger has filmed her final scene on Home & Away, marking the end of an era not just for fans, but for one of Australia’s most enduring TV exports.
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, her final day was capped off with flowers, a hamburger phone, and plenty of tears from cast and crew at Seven’s Eveleigh Studios.
McGranger’s departure signals more than just a plot twist, it’s a moment of transition for the show’s brand value.
Brands
Coles to shelve Vintage Cellars and First Choice in Liquorland brand revamp
Coles is streamlining its liquor business, retiring the Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor Market brands in favour of a unified Liquorland banner.
As Carrie LaFrenz writes in The Australian Financial Review, following a successful trial, the retail giant will rebrand 160 stores this year as Liquorland Cellars and Liquorland Warehouse, expanding the Liquorland footprint by 25%.
The shift marks the biggest branding overhaul in Coles’ liquor operations since it first entered the space in 1981.
Jeanswest to shut 90 stores as cost-of-living crunch hits retail hard
Jeanswest is the latest casualty of Australia’s retail squeeze, with the denim chain set to close more than 90 stores and cut hundreds of jobs in the coming months.
The brand, which was rescued from collapse in 2020, has again entered administration after years of battling weak consumer spending.
Administrators from Pitcher Partners cited the cost-of-living crisis and declining foot traffic as key reasons behind the decision, confirming that clearance sales will begin soon.