Business of Media
Overwhelming Response to Fire Fight Australia benefit concert on day one
TEG Dainty and TEG Live are thrilled with the national response to Fire Fight Australia (#FireFightAustralia) with an astonishing 65,000+ tickets sold in under 5 hours. There are now limited tickets remaining for the concert via Ticketek.
Due to such overwhelming demand, the promoters are now working with the venue, ANZ Stadium, to release as many tickets as possible to drive total sales well over 70,000.
Read more: The first line-up of artists announced for Fire Fight Australia concert
Fire Fight Australia has generated unprecedented national interest with fans from all corners of the country securing tickets in a true sign of solidarity and support for the bush fire relief.
All concert ticket profits and all contributions through Ticketek will go towards key organisations providing vital “Rescue”, “Relief and Recovery” and “Rehabilitation”.
Internal investigation clears The Final Race of breaching ABC’s editorial guidelines
The ABC is standing by its controversial story on the horse racing industry after an internal investigation cleared The Final Race program of breaching the public broadcaster’s editorial guidelines, reports The Australian’s Lililly Vitorovich.
An ABC spokesman said its audience & consumer affairs department has concluded its investigation into Racing NSW’s complaint in November over The Final Race program on its television current affairs program 7.30 in October and “found no breach of ABC editorial standards in the report”.
“There was no substance to the Racing NSW complaint and it also contained inaccurate statements and erroneous claims,” he told The Australian.
News Brands
Princes William and Harry label newspaper story ‘false’ and ‘offensive’
Princes William and Harry have issued a statement labelling a story about them published in the national press today as “offensive” and “false”, reports UK Press Gazette.
The brothers did not specify which story they were referring to, but it is believed to be a Times story claiming they “fell out” because of William’s “bullying attitude” towards Meghan Markle after she started dating Harry.
Daily Mail discloses £24m cost of advertising discounts and rebates
The publisher of the Daily Mail and MailOnline gave advertising “contract discounts and rebates” worth £24m to media agencies and clients during its last financial year, reports Campaign.
The annual report said: “The consumer media segment enters into agreements with advertising agencies and certain clients, which are subject to a minimum spend and typically include a commitment to deliver rebates to the agency or client based on the level of agency spend over the contract period.”
Rebates are common in UK advertising, but the practice of media owners making such payments to agencies in return for agreed volumes of spend is rarely discussed openly.
Every UK newspaper editor urges Boris Johnson to rethink briefings
The editor of every national UK news title has signed a letter to Boris Johnson urging him to rethink changes to Government press briefings affecting journalists based at Westminster, known as the Lobby, reports UK Press Gazette.
Johnson’s administration has moved the two daily briefings with the Government’s official spokesperson, and all ad hoc informal meetings known as “huddles”, from the House of Commons to Downing Street.
The Lobby’s central concerns are that journalists will now find it harder to cover parliamentary proceedings in the afternoon and also attend the briefing, which is now a five-minute walk away.
Entertainment
Oscar Nominations 2020: ‘Joker’ and ‘Irishman’ Lead the Nominees
The 92nd Academy Awards will be a showdown between old and new Hollywood: Netflix amassed a leading 24 nominations on Monday, including best picture honors for The Irishman and Marriage Story, but traditional studios were only a heartbeat behind, reports The New York Time’s Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling.
Despite a plethora of diverse films competing for Oscar love this year, the Academy largely maintained its traditional point of view, handing out the most nominations to four very male, very white films. Joker (Warner Bros.) led all films with 11 nominations, including ones for best picture, director (Todd Phillips), actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and score (Hildur Guðnadóttir). The visually dazzling World War I epic 1917 (Universal) and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood (Sony) each received 10, including best picture recognition. The Irishman also garnered 10.
The best-picture category can have as many as 10 or as few as five nominees, depending on how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences spreads its support. This year there were nine. Joining Joker, The Irishman, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, and 1917 were Ford v Ferrari, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women and Parasite.
Television
I’m A Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here! Tom Williams faces his fear factor
They say grown men don’t cry… but on tonight’s nail-biting episode of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, Tom William’s eyelids were filled to the absolute brim.
From dancing his way to victory on Dancing With The Stars, to switching from the small screen to a career in real estate, Williams has always pushed himself out of his comfort zone.
But nothing could prepare him for tonight’s terrifying trial, Bad Breath, where he had to face his very real, and very deep-seated, fear of snakes head-on.
Swimming through a tunnel tank filled with water, Williams breezed through getting eight stars hidden within boxes filled with maggots, worms, and even baby crocodiles. But leaving the worst til last, Tom contemplated backing-out from reaching inside a snake-filled box.
Visibly distressed but equally as determined, ophiophobic Williams pushed past his python panic to get the final five stars for camp.
Magician Cosentino received a warm welcome into camp, but an unfiltered Erin Barnett wasted no time in reminding him of their previous encounter.
According to Barnett, Cosentino was less-then-impressed to pose for a picture with her when she attended one of his past shows.
The welcoming party for the newbie was short-lived, with Cosentino forced to make a difficult decision.
Granted with the power to choose one campmate to become the master and the other to become the minion, Cosentino made the gracious decision to be the camp slave. With his remarkable effort in blitzing tonight’s trial, Cos chose Tom Williams to engage in a night of lavish luxury.
From a deluxe bed, to a menu filled with delicious treats, all of Williams requests were at the beck and call of Cosentino.
One person excited by the new arrival was Charlotte Crosby, who considers herself as a bit of a spiritual chick. Bonding over their shared love of the universe, Crosby thought Cosentino put the cos is cosmic.
And speaking of Crosby, it seems like her head is a bit of a mess. And that’s not just because her extensions need a wash.
Torn between the pressure for her relationship to succeed and the reality of the situation they were living in, Crosby told Ryan Gallagher she needed to take things slow.
Also opening-up were AFL legends Billy Brownless and Dale Thomas, who became the first two guests in Tanya Hennessy’s jungle podcast.
Speaking to the former radio host, the pair delved into the deepest and darkness moments in their careers and personal lives.
For Brownless, it was his highly-publicised split from his ex-wife that saw him homeless. And for Thomas, it was trying to juggle being a professional sportsman and a good partner and father.
Seven giving Better Homes & Garden a major makeover for 2020
• Sam Wood, Melissa King and James Tobin joining TV’s #1 lifestyle show
Better Homes and Gardens will welcome three new presenters to the team this year when the show returns for its new season on February 7.
Health and fitness expert and former Bachelor Sam Wood will arm BHG viewers with all the best information and advice for adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Sam Wood
“For me, it’s about helping people move more and eat better with simple, practical and real advice that they can understand and implement into their lives,” said Wood.
Also joining Better Homes and Gardens this year is respected garden expert, author and television presenter Melissa King (from Nine’s The Garden Gurus).
Melissa King
“I will be tackling lots of fun and inspirational gardening projects – everything from edible garden projects to indoor plant styling – and I also want to encourage kids to get off the couch and into the garden with some great kid-friendly gardening ideas,” said King. “For a gardening presenter, this is the pinnacle and I’m beyond excited to be working alongside people I have admired for years.”
James Tobin (from Seven’s Weekend Sunrise) will sort through the gigabytes of information out there to present the latest in tech and motoring.
James Tobin
“I’ll be playing with all the big kid toys and reporting back on how they can improve our lives at home and on the road,” said Tobin. “I’ve known the BHG team for some time and to get to work with them is a real ‘pinch me’ moment.”
The new presenters join host Johanna Griggs, Adam Dovile (DIY), Dr Harry Cooper (Vet), Graham Ross (Gardening), Tara Dennis (Decorating & Design), “Fast Ed” Halmagyi (Chef), Karen Martini (Chef) and Pete Colquhoun (Architect) in the new season of Better Homes and Gardens launching on Friday, February 7 at 7.00pm on Seven.
A new addition to the gardening team of Ross and King will be announced soon.
Lizzo sends The Project panel into a spin, saying she wants to ‘marry a Hemsworth cousin’
Lizzo brought her infectious laugh and effervescent personality to The Project panel Monday night, and it was hard to tell who was enjoying themselves most, reports News.com.au.
A barrel of giggles as she chatted comfortably with hosts Peter Heliar, Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, Gorgi Coglan and Peter van Onselen, the megastar talked all things bushfires, live shows, twerking and her unusual attraction to Fitzy.
At one point, the bubbly star even made a mock-dig at singer Miley Cyrus, referencing Nikki Minaj’s infamous 2015 MTV VMA Awards call-out.
Responding to Gorgi asking if we could “keep” Lizzo in Australia following her volunteer work with Foodbank for Victoria’s bushfire relief last week, the star joked that she’d need to marry for dual citizenship.
“Do you want a Hemsworth?,” joked Fitzy.
“I want a cousin!,” Lizzo responded.
“What do the cousins look like? I don’t want no beef with Miley, do you know what I’m saying? Miley what’s good!,” she said, facing the camera in mock intimidation as she quoted the infamous line that thrust Miley’s 2015 feud with Nicki Minaj into headlines.
Radio
Nova Entertainment exec returns as Perth key client manager
Nova Entertainment has appointed Lisa Thom (pictured) as Nova 93.7’s key client manager in Perth.
Antonell Doyle, Nova’s Perth head of direct sales said, “Lisa is a fantastic asset to our team and brings with her considerable experience across radio, digital, television, marketing, leadership and integrated solutions. She is the perfect a fit for the Nova 93.7 brand and champions innovation, passion, creativity and effective solutions for clients. I can’t wait to welcome her back home to the Nova family.”
Returning to her commercial radio roots, Thom has extensive experience working at Nova Entertainment, the Pedestrian Group and Nine Entertainment.
Most recently she was program, marketing and commercial manager at Nine Entertainment, a position she held for over two years. Thom started her media career at Nova 93.7 in 2008 and over a nine-year period held various management roles across sales and integrated solutions.
“I am beyond excited to return to where it all began, especially now with the varied opportunities available for Nova 93.7 clients. There is something magic about Nova, it’s people and their passion. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the brand and our valued Perth clients,” Thom said.
Lisa Thom will commence on Monday 13 January 2020 looking after key accounts previously managed by Antonell Doyle, who was recently promoted to Perth’s head of direct sales following changes to Nova 93.7’s leadership team.
Nine Radio announces new weekend show for 2GB/4BC
Nine Radio head of content Greg Byrnes has announced former weekend mornings co-host Paul B Kidd will join John Stanley for a new show each Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-6pm on 2GB and 4BC.
Weekends with John and Paul will be on-air until the rugby league starts in March. Byrnes said the new show will build on the success of the George Moore and Paul B Kidd-hosted George and Paul program and include some of their most popular segments and guests.
Moore quit 2GB in December after he couldn’t agree to a contract clause about defamation insurance.
Weekends with John and Paul will launch this Saturday January 18 off the back of Chris Smith’s new weekend show from 9am until 2pm.
Hosts Natalie Peters and Erin Molan had been recently hosting The Weekend Edition on 2GB and 4BC from 2pm until 6pm.
John Stanley has been filling in for Alan Jones at breakfast over the summer break.
2020 Australian Podcast Awards announce changes & new dates
The Australian Podcast Awards have announced a host of changes as they return for the fourth edition in 2020, reprots Radio Today’s Zanda Wilson.
The awards will no longer take place in May, and have been moved to a date in November.
The date has been changed to accommodate entries through to the end of July, 2020, and as a reflection of the growing Aussie podcast sector.
“As we enter our fourth year, it’s clear that podcasting still has plenty of room to grow – and so we’ll be delivering an even bigger ceremony and want to be even more representative of Australia’s audio maker,” said founder Dave Gertler.
This year there is an expanded independent panel of judges, headed up by a chair of judges for the first time. Host of Not By Accident Sophie Harper joins as the chair.
“The Australian Podcast Awards has quickly become one of my favourite nights of the year,” she said.
It’s an opportunity to recognise, and importantly, to discover the incredible, world-class work being produced in Australia and listened to here and around the world.
“I can’t wait to hear more of what’s been produced this past year, and to work closely with a diverse and diligent panel of judges to make sure we can celebrate the very best of Australian podcasting across every category.”
In 2020, there’ll also be a new Listeners Choice category in addition to a range of judged categories, allowing Aussies to vote for their favourite podcast.