Business of Media
Google’s Melanie Silva on the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry
Melanie Silva (pictured), managing director, Google Australia, has written about the ACCC’s Digital Platform inquiry, noting Google is broadly supportive of many of the Final Report’s 23 recommendations.
Silva adds though that some require further analysis on the associated costs and benefits. She said two recommendations are of particular concern, specifically changes to Android defaults and aspects of the proposed publisher code:
Firstly, the recommendation to directly intervene in the Android operating system does not take into account Australian market conditions and competition laws, and provides no justification for focusing on Android when Apple’s iOS is the most-used mobile operating system in Australia (as noted in the Final Report) and Microsoft’s Windows remains the most-used PC-based operating system.
Secondly, the proposal for regulator-sanctioned negotiation of revenue sharing between platforms and news publishers – as part of the code contemplated by Recommendation 7 – overlooks existing commercial arrangements between Google and Australian news publishers and the broader value that Google provides through referred web traffic and technology.
In total in 2018, Google sent more than 2 billion clicks to Australian news publishers from Australian users, and more than 1 billion additional clicks to Australian news publishers from users globally. Our Google News Initiative supports news publishers of all sizes to develop, test and implement innovative approaches to drive revenue for publishers and support greater media literacy among consumers. Recently we made ranking updates and published changes to our search rater guidelines to help better recognise original reporting and surface it more prominently in Search.
Read Melanie Silva’s commentary here.
Nine’s Pedestrian Group joins Global Climate Strike alliance
This week’s Global Climate Strike organised by youth activists and school kids has attracted the support of Australian media, with a string of news outlets coming on board Not Business As Usual ahead the global Climate Strike on Friday 20 September.
Since launching with Future Super alongside a handful of other businesses on 3 September, Not Business As Usual has attracted the support of over 1,500 Australian and global companies, including a number of Aussie publishers including:
Pedestrian Group, Mamamia, Urban List, TimeOut, Hardie Grant Media, Karry On, Finder.com.au, Green Magazine, Australian Geographic, That Startup Show, Dumbo Feather, Uro Publications, Kookie magazine, Radio Adelaide, RTRFM 92.1, Renew Economy, Kill Your Darlings magazine and Intermedia Group.
Matt Rowley, CEO of Pedestrian Group, said: “It’s important for Pedestrian Group to make a stand because our generation of readers is being sold out. Not just by a lack of conscience over the environmental disaster unfolding around us, but also by an absence of vision as to how an Australian renewable-based economy could lead the world into a better future for all.”
Vanessa Lawrence, publisher of Pedestrian Group, said: “As Australia’s biggest youth publisher, we reflect the majority view of our readers that climate change is the greatest threat facing our planet. We’re committed to using our considerable reach to advocate loudly and proudly for climate change justice until action is taken.”
Podcast Extra:
Pedestrian’s Matt Rowley and Vanessa Lawrence join the Mediaweek podcast with James Manning.
TEG launches global expansion strategy, acquisitions likely
Ticketing, live events and data analytics business TEG has launched a new content division and signalled acquisitions in the technology sector as part of global plans to expand, reports The Australian’s Zoe Samios.
TEG, previously known as Ticketek, has hired former Seven executive and BBC studios commercial director Dustin Lockett as managing director of the new division, TEG Experiences, which will include children’s show touring business Life Like Touring, The Entertainment Store and Brickman Exhibitions – responsible for Lego events.
The new division, which chief executive Geoff Jones named the “alternative segment”, builds on TEG’s current content arms – TEG Live and TEG Dainty.
Jones also flagged more acquisition opportunities for the business, specifically in the technology sector.
News Brands
Gold honour at Women in Media Conference for Caroline Jones
At the Women in Media national conference on the Gold Coast, broadcasting legend Caroline Jones was awarded a Gold Honour Badge, the highest accolade from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
Jones (pictured, second from left) was a trailblazer for women in the media, beginning on This Day Tonight on the then-male dominated ABC in the mid-1960s, through hosting Four Corners and Australian Story.
She joined the union’s fore-runner, the Australian Journalists Association, over 50 years ago and at 81 has been the inaugural national patron of Women in Media.
Television
Stan reveals movies from Paramount deal for DreamWorks Animation
Family films from award-winning studio DreamWorks Animation will now be available on Stan in time for the spring school holidays.
The titles include Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar franchises.
Other favourite DreamWorks Animation films that will be available to stream on Stan from September include Shrek Forever After, Puss in Boots, Rise of the Guardians, How to Train Your Dragon, Megamind, Monsters vs. Aliens, Bee Movie, Shark Tale and Over the Hedge with many more titles to come.
The collection of award-winning and popular DreamWorks Animation films rolling out on Stan forms part of the recently announced multi-year output deal with Paramount Pictures.
Luke’s Survivor exit triggers an outpour of support and fundraising
Monday’s tribal council left fans heartbroken as they mourn the departure of charismatic player Luke Toki, who many hoped would nab the sole Survivor crown, reports news.com.au.
So heartbroken, several have taken to fundraising platform GoFundMe in a call for donations for the father of three.Toki had a powerful reason for signing up to the show in the hopes of winning the $500,000 prize. His two boys are both on the autism spectrum, while baby Madeline, born just six weeks before Survivor started filming, has cystic fibrosis.
Throughout the season, he was vocal about his intentions to use the money to provide a better life for his family.
The FIFO worker from WA, affectionately dubbed ‘King of the Jungle’ when he appeared on the 2017 season of Survivor, secured himself as a favourite early on. Not just for his heartbreaking backstory, but his boyish charm and enthusiasm in playing the game.
The fan favourite had scored 70 per cent of votes in a recent news.com.au reader poll asking who should win, with Pia Miranda a distant second at 15 per cent.
Early on Wednesday morning the GoFundMe page Luke Toki – Australia’s True Survivor was closing in on its total of raising $500,000.
Sports Media
10 recruits Wallaby Nick Phipps to Rugby World Cup line up
A 72-test mainstay of the Wallabies line up, Nick Phipps (pictured) just missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup 2019. But instead of watching the biggest and best games on 10 from the comfort of his couch, 10 Sport has other plans for the legendary scrum-half.
As his mates go off to battle on the world stage, Nick Phipps will join 10’s Rugby World Cup commentary team, adding first-hand insight from the eyes of a current squad member.
Boasting a core commentary team with unrivalled experience and knowledge, Phipps joins “Voice of Rugby”, Gordon Bray, who will spearhead 10’s coverage, Wallaby legend and 10 News First Sydney Sport Presenter, Matt Burke, who will provide invaluable insights that only a World Cup-winning Wallaby can, along with Sports Tonight presenter, Scott Mackinnon, and 10 News First Brisbane sport presenter and Rugby sideline reporter, Jonathan Williams.
The opening match of the Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday, September 20 when Russia run out to face host nation Japan at 8.00pm AEST live and free on 10 Bold and WIN Network.
Phipps will report from 10’s Rugby HQ in Australia, flanked by 10’s Head of Sport, Matt White, while Bray, Burke and Mackinnon bring all the analysis, action and electric atmosphere live from Japan.
Australia then commences its campaign for world dominance when they battle it out against Fiji in their opening pool fixture in Sapporo this Saturday, September 21 at 2.00pm AEST live and free on 10 and WIN Network.
Herald Sun journalists recognised with AFL Media Awards
Herald Sun staff have scooped the pool at tonight’s AFL Media Awards, reports the Melbourne news brand.
Chief football writer Mark Robinson was named best news reporter for a series of exclusive articles that included that announcement that North Melbourne was axing coach Brad Scott in May this year and a story that announced an apology from Gillon McLachlan over the league’s handling of crowd control.
Robinson was also awarded best breaking news story for his Scott story.
The Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast on ex-AFL coaches was named best podcast.
The brainchild of leading AFL journalists Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane and heraldsun.com.au social media producer Daniel Freeman, the 10 Sacked episodes have had more than 265,000 downloads.
Lauren Wood was awarded best individual coverage of AFLW. Wood has been at the forefront of news breaking and feature stories since the introduction of the women’s competition.
Glenn McFarlane was also honoured with AFMA life membership, alongside former Herald Sun reporter Mark Stevens.
Fox Footy’s AFL 360 – co-hosted by Gerard Whateley and Robinson – picked up the gong for Best TV program.
Photographer Sarah Reed, from the Herald Sun’s sister paper the Adelaide Advertiser, won best news/feature photo.
Photo: Herald Sun reporters Glenn McFarlane, Jon Ralph, Lauren Wood and Mark Robinson with social media producer Daniel Freeman at the 2019 AFMA awards (Source: News Corp)
SEN breakfast host and Fox Footy contributor Garry Lyon won the Alf Brown Award at the AFL Media Awards. It is the second time Lyon has won the award.
Seven also wins at Football Media Association awards
Seven AFL commentators and reporters were also honoured at the Australian Football Media Association awards last night, reports TV Tonight.
Bruce McAvaney was awarded the Best TV commentator – match day.
Brian Taylor was awarded the Lou Richards Award for the second time for his work on Seven’s AFL coverage and MMM radio in 2019.
Seven News reporter Tom Browne was awarded the Best TV/Radio/Online news reporter for his exceptional work on the Jaidyn Stephenson match-betting story.