Election 2025
SMH editor’s surprise holiday during election sparks newsroom chatter
As the countdown to polling day intensifies, editors across the country are jockeying for audience attention and advertiser dollars, doubling down on digital coverage, exclusive scoops and premium subscriber growth.
As James Madden writes in The Australian, but at The Sydney Morning Herald, the final leg of the federal election campaign will roll out without its editor at the helm.
In a move that’s raised eyebrows internally, Bevan Shields is taking nearly two weeks off for an overseas holiday, smack bang in the middle of what’s typically a high-impact, high-engagement news cycle.
Leadership shake-up and ad silence as GetUp! fades from campaign trail
Progressive campaign group GetUp! has quietly entered the federal election season without a CEO and with barely a footprint in the digital ad market.
As Cam Wilson reports in Crikey, former chief Larissa Baldwin-Roberts resigned last month, just as political advertising hit its peak, and the group’s spending hit a low.
Since February, GetUp! has spent just $3,615 on Meta platforms and nothing on Google, a sharp contrast to its previous six-figure digital blitzes.
Spender campaign shuts out Sky News Australia amid influencer controversy
Teal MP Allegra Spender’s decision to block Sky News Australia from a community forum in her Wentworth electorate has put her campaign’s transparency under the spotlight.
As Oscar Godsell writes on Sky News Australia, despite promoting the “Vote Like You Mean It” event as a political and mental health discussion, only one form of media will be present: a paid influencer who has publicly backed Spender and been central to a “cash for content” controversy.
Ryan backtracks on influencer ad stance after initial stumble
Independent MP Monique Ryan has revised her stance on paid political influencer content, backing clearer disclosure days after telling ABC Insiders she had “no opinion” on the matter.
As Alison Xiao and Evelyn Manfield write on ABC News, the shift follows growing scrutiny of fellow independent Allegra Spender, whose campaign paid a content creator to post authorised but unlabelled endorsements.
Ryan now says she supports the AEC’s call for proper labelling of sponsored content, stating she was unaware of the specifics when first asked.
Tech
Roblox under fire as brand safety concerns rise
A new investigation has reignited concern over Roblox’s safety standards, revealing how easily young users can encounter harmful content and interact with adults unsupervised.
As Libby Brooks and Jedidajah Otte write in The Guardian Australia, the report, by digital behaviour specialists Revealing Reality, highlights the platform’s growing disconnect between its child-friendly image and the real risks facing underage users.
With over 85 million daily users and roughly 40% under 13, Roblox remains a high-traffic platform for advertisers aiming to reach younger audiences.
Social media
Meta faces breakup threat as Instagram ad dollars hang in the balance
Meta is heading to court in Washington this week in a blockbuster antitrust trial that could force the tech giant to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.
As Johana Bhuiyan writes in The Guardian, at stake isn’t just platform ownership, it’s the foundation of Meta’s ad empire, with Instagram alone projected to drive over 50% of the company’s US ad revenue in 2025.
The US Federal Trade Commission claims Meta’s acquisitions were designed to neutralise future competition, and is pushing to unwind deals made more than a decade ago.
Television
Meet the full cast of Survivor: Australia v The World
Ten is upping the ante with its latest iteration of Australian Survivor, unveiling Australia v The World.
The high-stakes international showdown will bring together elite players from across the globe in what promises to be one of the most competitive and compelling seasons yet.
This globally flavoured format sees Survivor alumni from Australia, the US, South Africa, Québec, New Zealand and Finland facing off in Samoa for the title of Sole Survivor and a $250,000 prize.
Myles Kuah wins Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn II
In a season packed with blindsides and big plays, it was pole-dancing advocate and self-described “bisexual, biracial, bi-tribal” underdog Myles Kuah who walked away with the Australian Survivor crown, and near-unanimous jury support.
As Meg Watson writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, Kuah, who was dubbed the “Jungle Rat,” defied odds and outlasted a season stacked against him, becoming a breakout personality with crossover potential beyond reality TV.
Companies
McDonald’s Australia appoints new CMO
McDonald’s Australia has announced a senior marketing shake-up, with Chris Brown set to depart his role as chief marketing officer after four and a half years with the business. Brown will leave the Golden Arches in May to pursue new opportunities.
Stepping into the role is Annabel Fribence, who returns to McDonald’s Australia to lead the brand’s marketing function.
“It’s been one hell of a ride,” said Brown. “We’ve achieved significant success and launched new platforms and capabilities. The plan is strong, the future is bright, and it’s the right time for me to move on to the next challenge.”
‘Lambo Guy’ Adrian Portelli eyes partial sale of LMCT+
Adrian Portelli, better known to fans as ‘Lambo Guy’, is exploring a potential sale of part of his booming giveaway business LMCT+, with Macquarie Capital quietly advising on next steps.
As Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport write in The Australian Financial Review, the move comes as Portelli looks to shift gears from influencer-frontman to strategic seller, after building a cult-like following and a valuable subscription model around aspirational prizes.
Podcasts
Meghan Markle’s ‘Female Founder’ podcast a flop
Meghan Markle’s return to podcasting hasn’t mirrored the chart-topping success of Archetypes, with her new Spotify series Confessions of a Female Founder debuting well below expectations.
As Nika Shakhnazarova writes on news.com.au, despite featuring Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd in the premiere episode, the show failed to break into the top five, landing at number 10 in the US.
The podcast’s early reviews haven’t helped either, with UK media describing the content as ‘sycophantic’ and ‘vapid,’ and criticising Markle for pivoting conversations back to herself.