UFC president Dana White has slammed Bevan Shields, the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, as “the biggest f***ing wimp on planet Earth” after the journalist expressed outrage over a recent interview between White and NSW Premier Chris Minns. The heated exchange unfolded after Shields penned an article condemning the UFC and the Premier’s support for the controversial sport, which he deemed “repulsive” and “glorifying violence.”

White, known for his outspoken and fiery nature, didn’t hold back in his response, mocking the editor’s criticism during a press conference following UFC 312. “For a place that is so tough, where everything on land and in the water can kill you, you have the biggest pussies in the media I’ve ever seen in my life,” White said. “I saw one story where a guy was like, ‘I saw Dana do a podcast with the Premier and it physically made me sick.’

“Holy f***ing s***. We were reading the story in the back and cracking up. That guy has got to be the biggest f***ing wimp on planet Earth,” White said of Shields.

Over the past two decades, White has turned mixed martial arts, or MMA, into a global phenomenon and, in turn, made his UFC into a behemoth, generating an estimated $1.3 billion in revenue last year, with staggering margins (EBITA) of almost 60%. Along the way, he’s become more famous than any of the fighters who step into his Octagon and amassed a net worth that Forbes estimates to be more than $600 million.

The controversy started earlier in the week when Shields took issue with Minns’ decision to support UFC events in Sydney, despite UFC’s brutal nature and White’s past, including his infamous New Year’s Eve incident where he was filmed slapping his wife. Shields called out Minns for backing a sport associated with violence, misogyny, and problematic figures like UFC fighter Sean Strickland, who had made derogatory comments about women and Australia’s gun laws.

Minns, who had previously defended his stance, reiterated that UFC’s popularity with young men in NSW justified the $16 million taxpayer investment in the events. However, this was met with backlash from women’s safety advocates and others questioning the government’s priorities.

The UFC boss has faced mounting criticism for his ties to individuals with controversial views and behaviour. Still, White has maintained his position, defending his fighters, his sport, and his close relationships with powerful figures like former President Donald Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

As the UFC continues to thrive financially, it seems the battle between its critics and its advocates is far from over. White’s comment on Shields may only be the beginning of his fiery responses to those who question the UFC’s place in Australia, and the world stage.

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Super Bowl LIX will see reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs go head to head with the Philadelphia Eagles to claim the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy.

The spectacle will attract hundreds of millions of eyes from all over the USA and the world, from across different demographics, from football aficionados, to music fans excited to watch Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated half-time show, to audiences keen to do a bit of celebrity spotting.

But for Adland and its creatives, it’s a day to showcase and show-off clever, attention-grabbing campaigns with advertisers paying an average of USD$8 million for a 30-second spot during the broadcast, according to Statista.

While Australian fans will have to wait until Monday to watch the live broadcast, Mediaweek asked Australian creative agency leaders – DDB Melbourne’s James Cowie, Snack Drawer’s Hannah McElhinney and Ryan Petie from Publicis Worldwide Australia – to share their thoughts on what works and what doesn’t for the already released teasers or full commercials.

Michelob Ultra ‘Ultra Hustle’

James Cowie, head of copy and group creative partner, DDB Melbourne: “Last year, Michelob Ultra did a super-cheesy spot with Leo Messi playing soccer on the beach for beers against a group of good-looking strangers. It was a cookie-cutter Messi ad, not that great, particularly for a brand like Michelob Ultra that’s done so many ground-breaking creative campaigns in recent years.

“I want to like this year’s spot. I want to like Willem Defoe in it. But really, it’s just a slightly more entertaining (and much better acted) version of the terrible Messi ad from last year. But with Pickleball. Maybe I’m being too harsh. There’s a couple of nice little moments. But it sure seems like Coors Light is smashing them all over the court at Super Bowl LIX.”

Hannah McElhinney, chief creative officer and co-founder, Snack Drawer: “Cinematically incredible, it was a joy to watch. Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe are an iconic duo, and casting them as pickleball pros is inherently funny, especially in the context of the Pickleball craze.

“I’m not sure it has a huge connection to beer but I was entertained and that’s the most important thing for a Super Bowl commercial.”

Ryan Petie, executive creative director, Publicis Worldwide Australia: “I still have a bone to pick with Catherine O’Hara after she left Kevin behind at Christmas in Home Alone, but I’ll try to look past that for this review. This ad feels a little confused to me… like the team was asked to jam celebrities, trends (pickleball) and the product into a film and see what comes out.

“But the hero line ‘Play you for an Ultra?’ could lead to a giant gamification challenge to complete games and win beer – hope they take this idea there.”

Taco Bell ‘Photobomb’

JC: “I heard Greg Hahn, the CCO of Mischief, quote a line from Prince to describe what it’s like putting your Super Bowl ad out into the world. ‘If you want to play stadiums, expect to get booed.’ The truth is, when you get the whole world to mark your homework, not everyone is going to like what you’ve done. And that’s OK. The aim of a Super Bowl ad should not be to get everyone to like it. You’re trying to get enough people to love it.

“With that being said, am I one of the people who love this Superbowl ad? No, I’m not. It makes me yearn for the Taco Bell high-water mark that was ‘Viva Young’ with geriatrics acting outrageously in night club toilet cubicles all those years ago. That was an iconic Super Bowl moment. I’m not sure this one is. But Doja Cat fans might disagree.”

HM: “This is the other ‘self-aware’ commercial on the list and it’s a flop for me. The integration of Doja Cat felt like a ‘Paint By Numbers’ Super Bowl commercial, where her star power was all that was necessary rather than providing anything for her fans.

“I feel it was a missed opportunity for deeper cultural resonance and providing fans an opportunity to be in a Taco Bell commercial doesn’t feel very exciting or aspirational in 2025.”

RP: “I love that Taco Bell installed photo booths in their drive-thrus! What better way to make a boring life admin task like ordering takeaway into a slightly better experience? I’m genuinely interested to see how they’ll use the customer pics in the Big Game ad.

“Will Doja Cat have a recurring role? Did Doja Cat actually photobomb people in the drive-thrus for the last two months? That’d be awesome. BTW, personally, I’d be worried my wife would see the drive-thru photos and catch me sneaking in a dirty burrito on the way home for dinner.”

Dunkin’ Donuts ‘The Bean Method’

JC: “I like this spot, I do. It’s funny. It will show up well to the party. The script itself is super smart. Jeremy Strong’s dialogue is great. And if you’re going to use celebrities, it’s nice to see them taking the piss out of themselves. All that having been said, the downside of a sequel is that it’s inevitably going to be judged against the original. And the original last year was one of the biggest campaigns of the game, right from when the first teaser hit.

“It seems like Dunkin’ doesn’t have the same ambition this year as they did last year. Makes sense, it’s hard to walk away from a successful formula. Even so, I wish they’d taken a totally different swing at something that might have been just as great. Let’s see if they can activate around the spot in a new, surprising way.”

HM: “In this list there are two ‘self-aware’ Super Bowl commercials, this is by far the best one. In advertising, there is only a very slim window when tongue-in-cheek-we-get-it-it’s-an-ad creative is accepted by the culture.

“When too many brands are doing it, audiences want brands to sell their products and move on. This one has a nice middle ground, where it is self-aware, but Jeremy Strong is such a wildcard talent that it kind of works.”

RP: “Jeremy Strong covered in beans is a good start. And Ben Affleck taking the piss out of himself is also good. Keen to see how this anticipated return of the DunKings will roll out come Super Bowl time. Last time, Ben rapped with Matt Damon and Tom Brady to the chagrin of his then-wife, JLo.

“It’s a hard act to follow… I did some research – and apparently, this year, the ad will be pushing a $6 Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, crispy Hash Browns and a medium coffee. They’ll need to sell a hell of a lot of sausage sandwiches to pay for this Super Bowl spot.”

Hellmann’s ‘When Sally Met Hellmann’s’

JC: “Every year there’s an ad like this that does better on the Superbowl ad-tracker than I would have thought possible. And I’ve noticed that this spot has picked up a ton of pre-game PR on the US breakfast show circuit. It’s an iconic scene, I guess.

“Still, I wish they’d given it more of a twist like when Snickers did their venture into 80’s nostalgia with that awesome Brady Bunch spot with Danny Trejo a few years back. For a moment, I thought something surprising might happen when they cut to Sydney Sweeney. But no! Just the same old hackneyed line. It’s hard to see how Hellman’s uses this as a platform that goes beyond the spot itself.”

HM: “I am genuinely surprised this hasn’t yet been done by Uber Eats or another brand like that, but I’m glad the mayonnaise industry is doing well enough to afford to do this.

“No notes, executed perfectly and the product integrates seamlessly into the scene. Ads like these are like the Wicked movie, giving the fans exactly what they want and doing it well. Plus, if you haven’t seen When Harry Met Sally you still get the message that the mayo tastes good.”

RP: “Is it weird that Meg Ryan brought her own mayo to Katz’s Deli? Let’s overlook that. I love simple product promises made epic through craft. But this potentially feels a little too simple and doesn’t have that Super Bowl grandiosity that we’re expecting these days.

“If you’re going to reprise such an iconic film moment, make it worth it! The cameo from Sydney Sweeney didn’t quite save it for me. Also, as someone who has photographed a lot of sandwiches for our client Subway, I reckon the sandwich could have got the tastebuds tingling more.”

Pringles ‘The Call of the Mustaches’

JC: “Flying moustaches are cool. I mean, they’d be way cooler if Australia hadn’t already made an awesome flying toupee ad. But there you have it. Still, I think Americans will love the spectacle of this version, if for no other reason than seeing James Harden and Andy Reid without their usual soup strainers.

HM: “Fun and dumb, a winner for the Super Bowl. I love it when brands play into the culture around their products – we all treat the Pringles tube like a trumpet, so this commercial shows they get their customers.”

RP: “Pringles had me at the name of this ad: The Call of the Mustaches. The world needs more ridiculous – and this is nicely ridiculous.

“Mustaches (or moustaches here in Oz) delivering you Pringles is something that AI would never think of, and that’s why we’ll still be in a job for a little while at least. The only downside was the strong resemblance to the Virgin Australia Flying Toupee ad from a few years ago.”

Budweiser ‘First Delivery’

JC: “First, a disclaimer: I spent four years working on Budweiser in the US. I’ve done the brewery tour in St Louis. I’ve been inculcated into the power of the brand symbols, seen the eye-ball tracking research. I know what a Clydesdale foal can do to the collective heart rates of a focus group of sandwich eaters in the flyover states. And so, here we have it, the Budweiser bingo card with every box ticked.

“I can just hear the agency trying to argue against having the horse wear the neon logo on its head in that stupid last shot. Do we really need that? Yes, says the research. For what it’s worth, my favourite Bud Superbowl ad is still the parody one Barton F. Graf did for GoDaddy where Buddy the labrador gets shipped from the puppy farm. No gratuitously cynical use of Distinctive Brand Assets in that spot.”

HM: “I felt the structure of this commercial wasn’t strong enough to maintain my attention, which is what Super Bowl commercials are all about. The punchline was not worth the build and I mainly just felt sad for the horse. I recognise that there is a cultural difference in ‘beer humour’ between Australia and the US, but the fun pub-style laughs didn’t land for me.”

RP: “With such a rich history of big Super Bowl ads, the Clydesdales make a return this year in ‘First Delivery’ for Budweiser. This is my favourite of the bunch. How can you not love a baby Clydesdale?

“It has tonnes of cuteness, epic photography, good use of their distinctive brand assets, and a nice simple storyline. And the music ‘Let the Love Flow’ by the Bellamy Brothers is an awesome choice. ‘First Delivery’ is a nice addition to the Budweiser stable of Super Bowl ads, and I reckon the public will love it as much as I did.”

Seven’s live, free and exclusive coverage kicks off on Monday 10 February from 9.00am AEDT on 7mate and 7plus Sport, with a special Super Bowl preview from the NFL Armchair Experts.

–

Top image: Meg Ryan, Ben Affleck, Budweiser ad

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McDonald’s has launched the new McSmart Meal campaign, giving customers the chance to show love for their favourite side.

Customers can personalise their meal more than ever, getting a Cheeseburger, Small Fries and a Small Soft Drink, and then choosing from four iconic McDonald’s sides – 3pc Chicken McNuggets, a Cheeseburger, a Chicken ‘n’ Cheese, or a Small Sundae – all for just $6.95.

The campaign, which runs until 4 March, celebrates the ability to have choice with a meal featuring unique personalities showing off their passion for some of Macca’s most-loved sides.

“We know our fans love variety and value, so we’ve added more choice to the McSmart Meal,” Tobi Fukushima, head of value, promotions and delivery marketing at McDonald’s, said.

“This campaign is designed to give our customers the flexibility to enjoy their meal, their way.”

Jack Nunn, creative partner at DDB Sydney, added: “McSmart is a great deal and tapping into Macca’s fandom has been a great deal of fun.”

The campaign launches with film, out-of-home and social, asking fans ‘What side are you on?’

This new campaign comes after the recent McDonald’s Australia and Netflix collaboration that brought the Dalgona Candy Challenge to life with the Squid Game Meal, only in Australia in anticipation of Squid Game 2.

Developed by OMD and Akcelo, the Dalgona Candy Challenge and ‘Dare to Play’ campaign taps into the global popularity of Squid Game, giving fans the chance to engage in an interactive version of one of the show’s most iconic and viral challenges, with exciting prizes to be won.

Credits

Client: McDonald’s Australia
Creative Agency: DDB Sydney
Media Agency: OMD
Production Company: Photoplay
Director: Sarah Adamson
Post-Production: Heckler

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The ballroom is about to get a whole lot more dazzling as twelve unexpected celebrities are set to take on the glittering dance floor in the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars, premiering soon on Seven and 7plus. Prepare yourself for an exciting new season filled with jaw-dropping moves, unexpected friendships, and fierce competition, all for a worthy cause.

In an exclusive reveal this morning on Sunrise, Seven unveiled its most star-studded cast yet, including a mix of beloved actors, television personalities, athletes, and even a few unexpected faces who will show off their skills in a bid for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.

Among the big names joining the competition are TV WEEK Gold Logie-winning actor Rebecca Gibney, known for her powerhouse performances on screen, and TV comic Shaun Micallef, whose quick wit and charm have won him legions of fans. Adding to the star power, we have Susie O’Neill, the legendary Olympic swimmer and one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes, alongside television presenter Osher Günsberg, known for his hosting prowess.

But that’s not all. Dancing With The Stars has managed to pull in a truly unexpected mix of personalities, including Olympic boxer Harry Garside, who is no stranger to the spotlight, and Kyle Shilling, the heartthrob from Home and Away. The comedic flair will be brought by Felicity Ward, who is sure to have audiences laughing as she gets into the rhythm of things, and Brittany Hockley, a popular radio host, is bringing her energy and passion for the competition.

There’s also a unique blend of fashion and sport, with Mia Fevola, model, brand influencer, and daughter of two former Dancing With The Stars celebrities—ready to show off her own dance moves. Joining her in the competition is AFL royalty Trent Cotchin, bringing his athleticism and competitive edge to the floor, while 7NEWS presenters Michael Usher and Karina Carvalho will be stepping out of their usual news roles to showcase their hidden talents and raise money for their chosen charities.

The celebrities will be guided through this ultimate fish-out-of-water experience by returning hosts Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown, who bring their warm, engaging personalities to the show. Together with an expert panel of judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess, Helen Richey, and Mark Wilson, they will provide feedback and critiques, ensuring that each contestant’s journey is as exciting as it is challenging.

Here’s the full line-up of the celebrities hitting the dance floor this season:

•Brittany Hockley – Radio and podcast host

• Felicity Ward – Comedian

• Harry Garside – Olympic boxer

• Karina Carvalho – 7NEWS presenter

• Kyle Shilling – Home and Away Actor

• Mia Fevola – Brand influencer and model

• Michael Usher – 7NEWS presenter

• Osher Günsberg – TV host and podcaster

• Rebecca Gibney – Actor

• Shaun Micallef – TV comic

• Susie O’Neill – Olympic legend

• Trent Cotchin – AFL champion

Each of these stars will compete not only for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy but also to support their chosen charities, adding a heartwarming and philanthropic element to the competition.

Produced by BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, Dancing With The Stars is based on the format originally created by the BBC and distributed worldwide by BBC Studios. The new season promises to be a thrilling ride of unexpected twists, high-energy performances, and celebrity sparkle.

Stay tuned for the new season, returning soon to Seven and 7plus!

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Kayo Sports is going all in on AFL, unveiling what it claims is its biggest campaign yet to mark the launch of ‘Super Saturday LIVE’ in 2025. The centrepiece? A high-energy TVC featuring 19 AFL and AFLW stars, set to Elton John’s Saturday – with Jonathan Brown and Jack Riewoldt donning the music icon’s signature looks.

From next season, Fox Footy on Kayo and Foxtel will be the exclusive home of Saturday AFL in Victoria and Tasmania, broadcasting every match with its own commentary, graphics, and in-depth analysis. For the first eight rounds, Fox Footy will have national coverage, bringing fans closer to the game than ever.

Produced by Foxtel Group’s BALBOA, the campaign kicks off a new era of 4K live AFL, fresh talent, and more in-depth programming – all under one roof.

Other Fox Footy talent and sporting personalities featured in the TVC include Kath Loughnan, Garry Lyon, Dermott Brereton, Kevin Sheedy, Shaun Burgoyne, Adam Gilchrist, Jordan Lewis, Sarah Jones, Eddie Betts, Anthony Hudson, Leigh Montagna, David King, Brad Johnson, Gerard Whateley, Cam Mooney, Kelli Underwood and Tom Hawkins.

Beyond the exclusive Super Saturday LIVE coverage, the campaign – spanning OOH, radio, digital, and social – is set to highlight Fox Footy’s features such as: no ad breaks during play, every game in 4K, and wall-to-wall coverage from Thursday to Sunday.

With Fox Footy set to be the only place to watch Saturday AFL in Victoria and Tasmania, this campaign marks a new era for footy fans, delivering more action, more access, and more choice than ever before.

Kayo Sports executive director Cate Hefele said: “Super Saturday LIVE on Kayo Sports will change the game for AFL coverage across the country. To celebrate, we have launched our biggest AFL campaign and biggest Kayo Sports digital campaign. You won’t be able to miss us.

“More footy, with no ad-breaks, world class production from the team at Fox Footy and every game in 4K – AFL in 2025 on Kayo Sports is delivering more value than ever for our subscribers.”

Meanwhile, Foxtel Group’s executive director, marketing & BALBOA Michael Nearhos said: “We knew we had to create bold, unmissable campaign to reflect the scale of our AFL coverage from this season. What better way to mark this new era than by bringing together a host of Fox Footy’s best talent and the league’s star players into one celebratory TVC that belts out the iconic track, ‘Saturday’ by Elton John.

“Kayo Sports’ Get on Board brand platform continues to invite all AFL fans and fanatics to enjoy the communal energy and electrified atmosphere of a great game, while celebrating our historic Super Saturday LIVE coverage too.”

Credits:

Client: Kayo Sports

Creative & production: BALBOA, Foxtel Group Creative Agency

Production Partner: Truce Production Co.

Post-production VFX: 3P Studio

Sound Design & Music Production: Uncanny Valley

Media: Foxtel Group Media and Mindshare.

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OMD Worldwide has revealed a fresh positioning statement – We Create What’s Next – a move it claims will cement its role as the go-to media partner for brands chasing growth in an ever-evolving market.

The brand refresh, which has been enabled by Canva, gives a modernised take on OMD‘s signature red logo. The agency claims its new positioning highlights its ability to navigate shifting consumer behaviours across retail media, connected TV, influencer ecosystems, and emerging frontiers like generative AI search.

“We Create What’s Next sends a straightforward message to our teams, our brand partners, and the marketplace more broadly: OMD is building on our global leadership position and legacy of innovation to reimagine how and where brands can win with consumers for the next decade,” says OMD Worldwide CEO George Manas.

“It is our firm belief that doing so requires deep and unprecedented collaboration and co-creation between the agency, the client, and the marketplace, bringing forth the best that each has to offer. For our part, OMD will be leveraging Omnicom’s singular advantages in AI, data and technology; deep specialisation in commerce, creators, and connected TV; and extensive experience in agency operating model innovation – all of which will be brought to bear in service of creative media solutions that help build our clients’ brands and grow their businesses.”

The new positioning was rolled out last week during a global town hall hosted by Manas, livestreamed to 14,000 OMD employees across more than 100 countries. During the event, Manas also highlighted OMD’s 2024 new business performance, which saw the network earning $1.8 billion in total new business (wins minus losses, including retentions) and adding Gap Inc., Michelin, AliExpress and Turkish Airlines among others to its client roster.

Sian Whitnall, OMD Australia Co-CEO, added: “As we welcome in OMD’s new era, We Create What’s Next is not just a statement that will live on our walls, it is our push forward to continually drive creativity and innovation in everything we do.

“In Australia, OMD has been renowned for our performance with integrity positioning since 2015 with transparency underpinning everything we do. The new OMD will see a significant evolution in how we show up creatively, culturally and commercially, however transparency will always remain critical to our DNA.”

Meanwhile, OMD Australia Co-CEO Laura Nice added: “We have been working with our talented OMD team to prepare for our new way forward with We Create What’s Next, introducing new ways of working and bringing creativity to the forefront for ourselves and our clients.

“With evolution as a constant in our industry and the landscape continuing to diversify at a rapid pace, it has never been more important to co-create bold media solutions that cut through for and with our clients. Creativity, innovation and a constant push forward is all critical to achieving this, and that is why our new mission is so compelling for our people and clients alike.”

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NOVA Entertainment has teamed up with Johns Media in an exclusive deal, bringing Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns and The Johns Family Podcast into the Nova Podcasts network. The move consolidates all of Matty Johns’ podcast projects under one roof, joining The Matty Johns Podcast, already a Nova staple.

Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns goes beyond the game, serving up big-name guests, untold stories, and plenty of laughs as the father-son duo dish out insights and behind-the-scenes gold.

Meanwhile, The Johns Family Podcast invites listeners into the family’s unfiltered, often chaotic, but always entertaining home studio chats. Matty, Trish, Jack, and Cooper cover everything from pop culture to sport – and whatever else happens to come up.

NRL icon Matty Johns said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Nova Podcasts. We love making the podcasts and working with my family adds an extra special element to the experience. Those existing relationships allow for greater insights and flexibility. Our reach and commitment to quality opens up endless opportunities for us to connect even more with our audience and work with a fantastic array of brands.

“Whether we’re sharing our passion for sport or inviting listeners into our family conversations, this partnership
allows us to grow our community in a way that’s both authentic and exciting.”

Meanwhile, Nicole Bence, NOVA Entertainment’s chief commercial officer, said: “When you talk about
significant talent, with a significant audience connection, it’s difficult to go past Matty. He is already one of the most trusted and recognisable voices in sport, but the addition of Trish, Jack and Cooper creates a whole new dynamic, and importantly, introduces us to a different side of Matty.

“They all deeply understand their respective audiences, and how to bring brands into the conversation
in an authentic and memorable way, which is what made this partnership such a natural fit for us.”

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AFL premiership player Ben Cousins is making his radio role official, joining Pete Curulli and Kymba Cahill as a regular on Mix94.5 Breakfast in 2025.

After winning over listeners with his ‘Bensday Wednesday’ segments, Cousins has become a fan favourite, making the move from guest to permanent team member.

Since retiring from footy, the 46-year-old has carved out a media career, delivering AFL insights on radio and now fronting sports for Seven News Perth.

Speaking to Perth Now, hosts Curulli and Cahill had nothing but praise for their new recruit.

“Ben has become a rascal brother to us, we love mucking around and having fun with him, and we know our fans love being in on the fun too.

“But we would like to make it known we plan to throw Ben in the deep end even more, and as people who listen to our show know, there’s no other show like ours, we’ll find some genuinely unique scenarios to put him in, get ready.”

Cousins’ meanwhile spoke about the “great fun” he’s been having since getting into radio, adding he’s got “a lot planned” for the show.

“I’m really keen to share all the things happening in my life and the great experiences I’m able to be a part of. I’ve had a lot of fun with the Pete & Kymba team, they’ve definitely stitched me up a few times and I’ve been slowly getting my revenge.

“Guess I’ll have more time for that in 2025”, he joked.

This latest step is just the latest in Cousins’ road to redemption, following his highly publicised battle with drugs and consequent jail time.

Pictured: Ben Cousins

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These days staying in one job for longer than five years is considered something of an achievement. So, imagine spending 40 years in the same job … and still loving every minute of it.

That’s exactly how Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr feel about presenting the news behind the 7NEWS Perth desk.

Their groundbreaking achievement stands alone on the global stage, a testament to their relentless commitment to journalism and the strong bond they’ve built with the WA community.

Mediaweek sat down with Ardon and Carr to learn more about their legacy.

How do you feel about clocking up such an incredible achievement?

Susannah: When you enjoy something, you just keep doing it. I think the fabulous thing about news, and I know Rick feels the same, is that every day is different. You know, the procedure might be the same for presenting it, but the content is so wildly different. Each day never stops surprising you.

Rick: I can’t think of another job where every day is different and exciting. We just love news tremendously. It’s just a thrill to be able to say to our audience –  this is exactly what happened today and you can see it here. We’ve got all the latest pictures and we’ve got all the latest facts so we can also say that the news is delivered accurately.

What has changed in the way news is delivered?

Susannah: Everything! It’s gone from reading scripts on the desk to auto queue machines to massive changes in technology. The fact that news is now so instant and can be broadcast from anywhere. Before, we used to have to have satellite towers, and you had to be in certain parts of the city. Now you could broadcast from just about anywhere. News is so immediate.

Rick: Everybody’s got a smartphone these days and many of them are broadcast quality, so content is much more immediate.

How connected have you become to your fans over the past four decades?

Susannah: We meet people all the time who talk to us as though we’re old friends, and halfway through, they’ll pull themselves up and go, sorry, I actually haven’t met you before, but I feel like I know you! We always say that’s fine because you do know us to a certain degree as we’ve been invited into your home every day. We’ve also grown up with so many people. Some people have people have grown up who’ve only known us as the news readers on Seven and it’s a real privilege.

Rick: We love meeting people. It’s lovely when they come up to us too, because we just want to thank them for watching our news and being loyal to us.

You’ve both been on air for such a long time – is there a standout news event that you covered?

Susannah: Obviously, we go to 911 every time. That was something that just changed the whole world – the War on Terror started, security at airports we ramped up, and people never felt quite safe again. So, that was a turning point. Also the way that the whole thing unfolded too, because both of us had gone home from the news desk that night and turned on the television to see these amazing pictures. All of us then raced back into work and manned the desk all night. It was something that was just astonishing to see.

Rick: I’ll never forget those early hours of the morning watching the Twin Towers across the other side of the world coming down, crumbling and then watching people jumping to their death because the alternative was being burnt alive. It was just, it was, was just frightening.

What is the advice for young journalists come through?

Susannah: Being on television should be a by-product, rather the actual ambition. The whole point is to actually investigate, to enjoy news, to enjoy learning, to enjoy understanding everything about the world, and then if you end up on television, that’s great, but don’t make that the be all and end all.

Rick: My advice would be to check your facts. Make sure you do your research. Don’t take for granted what some government or opposition person will tell you. Don’t take for granted what someone tells you. Check your facts, because you’ve got the responsibility of writing something or presenting something to people out there, on mass, ‘this is what happened today’. You must always have your facts right.

To celebrate the 40 the anniversary, 7NEWS Perth will present a half hour television special on Wednesday 26 February at 7.00pm. Viewers will also have the opportunity to share their memories with Rick and Susannah via 7NEWS.com.au and at a series of local appearances.

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Australia’s top screen talent descended on the Gold Coast for the 2025 AACTA Awards, presented by Foxtel Group and hosted by AACTA President Russell Crowe. The star-studded night featured performances from British icon Robbie Williams, who belted out his classic Angels, and Aussie legend Paul Kelly, delivering a heartfelt How to Make Gravy.

The night’s presenters were just as impressive, with a lineup including Henry Cavill, Kitty Flanagan, Dr. George Miller, Sam Pang, Kate Mulvany, Guy Pearce, Anne Edmonds, Aisha Dee, Alycia Debnam-Carey, David Wenham, Asher Keddie, Teresa Palmer, Stephen Curry, Ed Kavalee, Aaron Chen, Lisa McCune, Tom Gleeson, Shane Jacobson, Catherine Martin, Guy Montgomery, Mel Tracina, Tim McDonald, Richard Wilkins, Leah Purcell, Sophie Monk, and Catherine Laga’aia.

Big winners of the night

Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe dominated, collecting six more trophies on the night – bringing its total haul to 12 AACTA Awards after success at the AACTA Industry Awards Gala. The critically acclaimed miniseries took home Best Miniseries, Best Screenplay in Television (John Collee), and swept all four TV acting categories:

• Best Lead Actor in a Drama (Presented by Binge) – Felix Cameron

• Best Lead Actress in a Drama (Presented by Binge) – Phoebe Tonkin

• Best Supporting Actor – Lee Tiger Halley

• Best Supporting Actress – Deborah Mailman

Heartbreak High took out Best Drama Series, while Fisk triumphed in comedy, earning Kitty Flanagan Best Acting in a Comedy and the show itself winning Best Narrative Comedy Series. Hard Quiz continued its reign, taking Best Comedy Entertainment Program, and Bluey added yet another Best Children’s Program win to its ever-growing trophy cabinet.

Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic, also had a huge night, bagging four AACTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction in Film (Michael Gracey) – bringing its overall total to nine AACTA Awards. This year also marked a first for AACTA, with motion-capture and voice acting recognised in the Acting categories. Jonno Davies earned a nod for his motion-capture performance as a monkey in Better Man, while Damon Herriman picked up his fourth AACTA trophy, winning Best Supporting Actor for the film.

On the animation front, Jacki Weaver and Sarah Snook claimed Best Supporting Actress and Best Lead Actress, respectively, for their voice work in Memoir of a Snail. In documentaries, Gracie Otto’s Otto by Otto took home Best Documentary, recognised for its cultural impact and intimate storytelling.

AACTA Audience Choice Awards

The people had their say, with Netflix’s Outer Banks named Australia’s Favourite TV Show and Wicked winning Favourite Film.

• Margot Robbie secured Favourite Australian Actress for the second year running.

• Chris Hemsworth was crowned Favourite Actor.

• Robert Irwin took home Favourite Media Personality.

• Bridey Drake, a social media sensation, won Favourite Digital Creator.

With a mix of fresh talent, blockbuster hits, and a nod to emerging formats, the 2025 AACTA Awards celebrated the best of Australian screen storytelling in spectacular style.

For the full list of winners and nominees head here.

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Snapchat has partnered with the NFL to build excitement for Super Bowl LIX with a range of experiences for Snapchatters in New Orleans and around the world.

Among the experiences is the launch of the official NFL x Snapchat Creator Program which brings Snap Stars to the Super Bowl. Creators such as Katie Austin, Ross Smith, Jack Mancuso, and Treasure Wilson will capture and share their perspectives through by sharing their content on Stories and Spotlight, giving Snapchatters an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at all the action.

The creators will also use AR Lenses created in partnership with the NFL, which will give fans an immersive way to experience the game.

The Snapchat Cam will also be integrated into Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, making it the second Super Bowl host stadium to feature Snapchat’s augmented reality technology.

The NFL will place entertaining Lenses on attending fans during the game, including a custom New Orleans Super Bowl-themed helmet as well as Eagles and Chiefs helmets to foster a shared sense of excitement throughout the crowd.

Snapchat is also launching innovative AR Lenses and engaging content for NFL fans to interact with whether they are at the stadium or at home.

Content includes NFL Super Bowl LIX AR Lens, which allows fans to feature themselves and invite a friend to pose with Chiefs and Eagles Super Bowl LIX helmets. The Lens will be updated post-Super Bowl to highlight the winning team.

NFL Live Jersey Lens allows fans to seamlessly try on official jerseys for both Super Bowl teams using Snapchat’s Live Garment Transfer technology.

Snapchat will also host a dedicated Super Bowl AR Bar and Lens Collection, featuring all NFL Lenses in one place, on Super Bowl Sunday. Throughout Super Bowl week, the platform will feature content such as real-time Super Bowl highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and more, available in Stories, Spotlight, and the official NFL profile.

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LinkedIn has teamed up with radio personality Mitch Churi on a new campaign, Gutsy Moves, aimed at encouraging Australian professionals to be brave and explore their job potential in 2025.

Churi hit the streets to talk to Sydneysiders about what’s stopping them from chasing their dream job, and challenged some of them to a game of Truth or Dare and taking the next Gutsy Move in their career journey.

New research from the platform revealed nearly 3 in 5 (59%) Australians say they will look for a new job in 2025 – meaning it’s likely that professionals are looking to make gutsy moves in their careers this year.

Churi said: “We Aussies are proud of our ‘can do’ spirit, but sometimes we get stuck when it comes to our career. Getting out on the streets and chatting to so many professionals in different stages of their career was really insightful.

“I think what resonated with me the most was learning to trust your gut. Gutsy moves can turn out to be extremely rewarding – the world is your oyster, people!”

Cayla Dengate, LinkedIn career expert, said: “LinkedIn’s data has shown that nearly 3 in 5 (59%) Australians will look for a new job in 2025. Furthermore, our Jobs on the Rise list highlights emerging opportunities that job seekers might not have considered before like travel specialist or sommelier.

“Through this campaign, we want to start an important conversation with Aussie professionals about their aspirations, and inspire them to boldly pursue the next step in their career.”

Churi on his career journey

Churi, recently spoke to Mediaweek and revealed he was originally “shocked” by the decision to making his role with ARN redundant, but has since made peace with it.

“The way I work is I move on quickly. I do it with breakups, and I do it with, evidently, redundancies,” he said. “I immediately start thinking, how do I make this work?”.

It didn’t take Churi long to ‘make it work’ to his advantage. Since leaving ARN, he’s already wrapped up a plum hosting gig on Nova, that saw him host a national breakfast show while its regular programs were on break. While it was only one show, Churi said that was all it took to remind him how much he loved and missed live radio.

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Wavemaker has welcomed the appointments of Summer Treseder and Kate O’Loughlin to the GroupM agency.

Treseder and O’Loughlin, who join from Initiative, step into the roles of associate strategy director and O’Loughlin as strategy director, respectively.

During her tenure with Initiative Sydney, Tresder has worked with clients such as Amazon and Goodman Fielder. At Wavemaker, she will lead media strategy and planning in the entertainment, tourism, and FMCG categories, drive client growth and enhance Wavemaker’s capabilities

Tresder has an impressive number of industry accolades to her name, including a Cannes Young Lions and Young Spikes Gold winner, MFA NGEN Awards, and the Advertising Week APAC Future is Female Awards.

O’Loughlin is also highly awarded as a Young Spikes Gold winner, an MFA NGEN Award Winner, and recognised in the Advertising Week APAC Future is Female Awards. She spent the last three years at Initiative and four years before at PHD. During her time at Initiative, she led strategic output for high-profile clients including Amazon.

At Wavemaker, O’Loughlin will be responsible for developing innovative strategies for clients embracing creativity and challenging conventions to deliver brand growth.

Treseder said of her new role: “I’m pumped to be joining Wavemaker and can’t wait to bring to life some amazing work for my clients that embraces the agency’s positive provocation approach. The opportunity to take on fresh challenges in a new agency environment drew me to Wavemaker – and their impressive new Sydney Campus didn’t hurt either!”

O’Loughlin added: “Wavemaker has awesome momentum right now, and I’m super stoked to bring Wavemaker’s belief in ‘positive provocation’ to life alongside a team of truly incredible leaders and strategic thinkers.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Summer and Kate to the Wavemaker family,” chief strategy officer James Boardman said. “They are part of a new generation of dynamic and award-winning strategists. Their proven track record of innovative thinking and award-winning work speaks for itself. They both share Wavemaker’s spirit of positive provocation and will play a key role in shaping the future of our clients’ brands.”

O’Loughlin and Treseder joined Wavemaker in January 2024.

Wavemaker has also made internal promotions, with Marco Del Castillo and Bec Drummond stepping up from group strategy directors to joint heads of strategy, recognising their contribution over the past decade in leading strategy for Wavemaker’s key clients.

Del Castillo and Drummond will continue to report to Boardman and lead Wavemaker’s strategic output alongside James Hier, chief product officer.

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Top image: Kate O’Loughlin, James Boardman, Summer Treseder

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Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week.

Liz Hayes is stepping down from Nine to pursue new opportunities outside the network after 44 years.

Hayes career with Nine spans 9News, Today, 60 Minutes and Under Investigation with Liz Hayes. However, viewers can expect to see her on their screens on Nine for special stories and events.

Hayes said: “When I arrived at Nine I had little more than a notebook and a typewriter, but like my new and far more experienced colleagues, I carried with me an enormous passion for telling stories. I was blessed. I had found my tribe. Even Nine’s owner at the time, Kerry Packer, seemed to carry the same passionate story telling gene.

“Of course since then much has changed. The media world has evolved as have I. What hasn’t changed is the need for good stories to be told, and I will continue to tell them.

“I leave Nine grateful for the decades of experience, the wonderful friendships that have endured and deeply appreciative to the many people who trusted me to tell their stories.”

Radio veteran ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil is stepping away from Mornings on GOLD101.7 to chase his long-time passion – talk radio. He’s making the switch to Overnights on 2GB and 4BC, marking a new chapter in his four-decade career.

Phil’s voice has been a staple across Australia’s biggest networks, from hosting the Hot30 Countdown on Austereo to gigs at Nova 96.9, Triple M, 96FM, and Star 104.5. He’s also no stranger to talkback, with stints at 2UE, LBC London, Kerrang Radio, Kiss 100, XFM, and Planet Rock.

Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman, has been promoted to lead an elevated network-wide strategic approach to Indigenous content across all SBS channels and platforms as director, First Nations, for SBS.

In the role, she will lead strategies to further embed Indigenous cultural perspectives throughout the organisation. Denning-Orman will also lead enhancing organisational capability, supporting community engagement and partnerships, and driving the ongoing development of Indigenous staff and the employee experience.

“Indigenous content, cultures, and leadership holds an integral place in our network today, and in its future. We’re proud at SBS to have a strong record of championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and perspectives, and Tanya’s appointment as director, First Nations reflects our commitment to continuing to grow that legacy,” James Taylor, SBS managing director, said.

REA Group’s chief executive officer, Owen Wilson, has announced his retirement after over a decade with the company. The announcement coincides with the release of the company’s H1 FY25 results, highlighting significant revenue and profit growth.

On Thursday, Wilson informed the board of his intention to retire from “full-time executive roles” in the second half of 2025. Wilson first joined REA Group as chief financial officer before stepping into the role of CEO, leading the company for the past six years.

Wilson reflected on his tenure: “It has been a privilege to lead REA Group for the past six years, and I am proud of all our team has accomplished.

“The business is in excellent shape as evidenced by the results we have announced today. We have an exciting strategy and a talented and committed team to deliver it. I want to thank them wholeheartedly for all the tremendous support I have received over the years.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) CEO Danny Celoni is stepping down just a week after Great Northern was forced to scrap its Outdoors for a Cause campaign following a fierce backlash from outdoor enthusiasts who slammed it as “woke.”

The campaign, designed to support national parks by funding land purchases for conservation, backfired. Critics, particularly in the four-wheel-driving and camping communities, saw it as a threat to public access, fearing it would lead to more restrictions on state forests and lock them out of their favourite spots. Social media outrage quickly escalated into calls for a boycott, forcing Great Northern to halt the initiative and rethink its donation strategy.

Jordan Bissell joins the Clout PR & Content as public relations manager. She joins after four years as Seven News Brisbane’s crime reporter

Larissa Ozard has announced her departure from Seven, stepping down as marketing director after three-and-a-half years in the role.

Ozard resigned from the company late last year but has only now revealed her movements. Instead of a traditional press release, Ozard announced her decision via a post on her personal LinkedIn page, which began with the words: “Going out with a bang”.

The post continued: “What a way to end nearly three and a half years as Marketing Director at Seven Network. Australian Idol launched last night to over 2 million Australians, Seven’s biggest Idol ever and the biggest new season launch for any show in 18 months.

“Big shout out to my incredible team who consistently go above and beyond. I’ll wrap up at Seven mid-Feb and couldn’t think of a better time to drop the mic and handover to the amazing Marni Crutchley”.

Kate Ritchie has announced she will be taking a break from her Nova 96.9 breakfast show to deal with ‘mental health issues’. It comes after an online publication printed invasive paparazzi photos of the radio announcer showing her looking distressed.

Ritchie, who was absent from her breakfast show this morning, posted a heartfelt statement on her Instagram page in which she wrote: “I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined.”

The Herald Sun’s Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson retires after more than four decades in journalism. He stepped into the role in 2012, replacing Mike Sheahan.

Nine has tapped Julia Edwards as its new director of programmatic sales, tasking her with driving growth across BVOD, audio, and publishing.

Edwards joins from Uber Advertising, where she led Strategic Verticals and CPG, and will now oversee Nine’s programmatic team, focusing on sales strategy, revenue growth, and market expansion across 9Now and the network’s digital assets.

She reports to Nick Young, who is the commercial director – digital. Of Edwards’ appointment, Young said: “I am thrilled to welcome Julia to Nine. With her depth of experience across the media industry and expertise in the programmatic space, she will be pivotal in driving our business forward across 9Now, Publishing and Audio.”

Belinda Willis is now the State Political Editor for The Advertiser. She takes on the role after joining the paper as a Senior Reporter last year.  Belinda previously worked as a reporter across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

There’s been another top-level shake-up for Nine’s TV news department. In an email sent out to staff, Nine’s Director of News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, announced the appointments of several key roles. Among the changes include the appointment of Michael Best to the position of Sydney news director.

Margie McLew, who has been acting in the role for several months, will then move into the position of deputy news director. The network will also welcome a new US bureau chief, with Today Show Ep Kendall Bora to take on the role. She’s set to head over there in March, with her appointment to soon be confirmed.

Hugh Nailon will take on the role of National TV News Director, a responsibility he will toggle with his current Melbourne TV News Director role.

Rhiannon Soliman-Marron has commenced her role as a newsreader/producer at ABC Radio Sydney. She joins after five years with 2GB and two years with Nine.

Think HQ has appointed Isabel Zhang as head of cross-cultural research. Zhang joins the agency’s growing team based at its South Melbourne campus and brings over 20 years of research experience across the Asia-Pacific region.

She has been championed multiculturalism and cross-cultural in-depth understanding that amplifies the voices of multicultural communities in Australia and across borders.

CX Lavender has appointed Clint Bauer as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Adam Washington, who departs to pursue new opportunities.

Bauer has been instrumental in shaping the full-service customer experience agency’s data-led, technology-driven solutions, heading up the agency’s advisory, data and technology division and its software arm, CXTX. His track record of leveraging cutting-edge strategy, technology, data, and AI to drive client value has earned him multiple industry accolades and widespread respect among peers and clients.

“Clint is a rare talent,” said Will Lavender, executive chairman of CX Lavender. “His depth of expertise in emerging technologies, his strategic foresight, and his commitment to people-centred leadership make him perfectly placed to steer our agency through its next stage of growth.”

Independent brand creative agency Fuller has named Kate Fuller as managing director, Sydney. The newly appointed MD will drive the agency’s growth in the Sydney market while contributing to the broader national strategy of the second-generation-led agency founded in Adelaide 30 years ago.

She will continue to work across brand strategy and creative campaigns, guiding Fuller’s team to deliver the outstanding work and client service it is known for on a national scale.

Nick Calacouras has been promoted to Senior Audience Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously an audience editor for the publication and the deputy weekend editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald.

Dentsu has appointed Brett Elliott to the newly created role of chief operating officer – media with a focus on supercharging operational efficiencies and client success across Dentsu’s media agency brands Carat, iProspect and dentsuX.

Elliott brings to dentsu decades of experience, including time spent as investment head and lead at MediaCom, where he drove success and transitioned into general manager, and more recently leading the charge as the managing director at UM, leading the Australian Federal Government media account.

Based in Melbourne, Elliott will lead dentsu’s media agency focus on future operational excellence, bringing the best technology and humans to light and supporting client excellence across the three brands.

Demi Huang joins 7NEWS Sydney as a National Reporter, covering major news stories across the country. She was a previously digital journalist at SBS.

MiQ has appointed Erin Koedam as its new NSW group account director. Koedam brings almost 12 years of media and commercial experience to the global programmatic media partner, which specialises in ad-tech, digital out-of-home and programmatic.

In the role, she will leverage her extensive programmatic experience to develop new client relationships while also leading the NSW sales team and operations.

AFL premiership player Ben Cousins is making his radio role official, joining Pete Curulli and Kymba Cahill as a regular on Mix94.5 Breakfast in 2025.

After winning over listeners with his ‘Bensday Wednesday’ segments, Cousins has become a fan favourite, making the move from guest to permanent team member. Since retiring from footy, the 46-year-old has carved out a media career, delivering AFL insights on radio and now fronting sports for Seven News Perth.

Foxtel Media has appointed Ben Sumpter as Melbourne business development manager, marking his return after 15 years with the company in senior roles, including client engagement director and general manager Melbourne.

With experience across Seven Network and Network 10, Sumpter steps into the newly created role to expand Foxtel Media’s presence in Victoria, drive new partnerships, and unlock targeted ad opportunities for brands.

His focus? Tapping into the fast-growing independent agency and direct advertiser market, leveraging Foxtel Media’s premium audiences with geo-targeted delivery at scale.

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