Mike Sneesby will step down as chief executive officer and as a director on the Nine Board, with effect from 30 September 2024, as announced on the ASX.
 
A statement released by Nine on Thursday morning stated that Sneesby and the Board “consider now is the right time for a transition of leadership to take Nine into the next phase of its strategic transformation” following the completion of the Olympics and the Paralympics.
 
Matt Stanton, chief finance and strategy officer, has been appointed as acting chief executive officer with effect from 1 October 2024, as the Company undertakes a recruitment process to identify a new chief executive officer.

Mike Sneesby has called 2024 “one of the most challenging” of his career in a personal note to Nine staff this morning after announcing he will step down as CEO of Nine from September 30.

Sneesby stepped up as CEO of the network back in April 2021, taking over from Hugh Marks. Before taking on the top job, Sneesby founded Stan Entertainment and held the role of CEO since its inception in 2015.

Nine has seen plenty of growth under Sneesby, most notably winning the rights to broadcast the Summer and Winter Olympics Games over the next 10 years, including the Brisbane in 2032 games, from the Seven Network for $305m in early 2023.

However, recent months have seen Sneesby’s career marred by scrutiny, especially after the June announcement of 200 job cuts at Nine and the shuttering of Pedestrian-licensed titles, including Vice, Gizmodo, Refinery29, Kotaku, and Lifehacker.

This resulted in strikes by the network’s journalists at the beginning of its Olympic coverage and a resounding vote of no confidence in Sneesby by Nine staff in early July.
 
In an interview with Mediaweek last month, he admitted that the redundancies was “one of the hardest things” he had had to deal with.
 
“I will just reiterate that as a leader and a CEO, dealing with the thought of redundancies and the management of costs, particularly as it relates to individuals and their personal circumstances, is absolutely one of the hardest things that you have to do. But it’s important that this business is strong and sustainable into the future.
 
“Otherwise, we aren’t able to invest in all important public interest journalism, we aren’t able to invest in our people and we aren’t able to grow the business. There are a range of tough decisions, but they are the right decisions that we’ve had to make.”

“I have reflected greatly on my plans for the future”

In a personal note to Nine staff this morning, Sneesby said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together over this time and consider myself privileged to work with the incredibly talented team we have at Nine.

“I want to be completely open about the circumstances surrounding my departure. To give some context, this year has been one of the most challenging in my career – one where our resilience has been tested. Despite the intensity of the scrutiny, my focus has not wavered from achieving the best outcomes for our people and for Nine.

“In recent months I have reflected greatly on my plans for the future, and in consultation with my family and those close to me, I made a personal decision to consider new opportunities in 2025 after seeing through the important work we are doing around our workplace culture and the outcomes of the culture review.

“Recently when our Board opened a discussion with me about my tenure, we agreed that the timing was right to commence a leadership transition. With commitments around Nine’s full-year financial results completed and Nine having successfully delivered the world-class coverage of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Board and I agreed now was the best time for a transition to commence.

“Our culture review is progressing, with Intersection compiling your input and conversations into their report. It will build on the work we have done over the past three years to enhance our culture and employee engagement, including embedding our Purpose and Values to provide the foundation for a high-performance culture.

“As I said from the start, we will share the findings of the culture review when Intersection has completed its work, which is expected to be in October. Our Board and leadership team remain committed to taking on the report findings and using them constructively to ensure we continue our path of cultural improvement.

“As I told the market today, I believe Nine is Australia’s best media business, with premium assets and the sector’s leading media professionals. Nine is in a strong position to execute the next phase of its transformation and I remain very confident in the future of the business.

“I am grateful for the incredible friendships and personal relationships I have built with so many of you over the years – and I know those will continue in the years to come. We have shared some great adventures and achieved so much together – these are things I will remember fondly.”

See also: ‘Now is the right time to hand over to a new leader’: Mike Sneesby steps down as CEO and director of Nine Entertainment

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Top image: Mike Sneesby

Given the time of year, you could be forgiven that 7Sport was nearly all about AFL.

This month in addition to AFL Finals there is AFLW, VFL and the Brownlow Medal.

Yet spend any time with new Seven director of network sport, Chris Jones, and he will quickly remind you that while AFL in front and centre now, the 7Sport offering is plentiful and varied.

“We love to think of ourselves as the home of sport,” Jones told Mediaweek. Speaking in Seven’s Melbourne HQ, still for the time being in its original Docklands home, the man who replaced Lewis Martin earlier this year, added: “We just have so much live sport. There is horse racing every weekend. From now on every weekend there is either live football or cricket for the next seven years.”

This month Jones oversees the broadcast of the Brownlow Medal and the AFL Grand Final – both to be also streamed live on Seven for the first time.

It’s then the start of a new AFL rights period for Seven where they will be streaming football, for free, every weekend.

See also: Seven West Media: New divisions and leadership roles in wake of redundancies

Some of Seven’s footy team: Abbey Holmes, Joel Selwood, Brian Taylor, Erin Phillips and Luke Hodge

Cost of the football

Seven is paying a lot more for its AFL FTA rights. So is the Foxtel Group. In the jockeying to grab their share of eyeballs, both broadcasters will be overhauling their coverage.

The AFL’s 2025-2031 deal is costing the broadcasters a combined $4.5b for seven years – $643 million a season. Quite a bit more than the $473 million per season under the terms of the expiring deal.

Seven has already secured the services of Nine’s Kane Cornes for 2025 and beyond. They are also in discussions for more talent for both their coverage and new weeknight footy shows expected on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Effectively giving Seven AFL on tap seven days a week. (Overlooking the fact they won’t have Saturday AFL for the start of season in 2025.)

Jones said the new shows will complement The Front Bar, “the best footy show on television”.

Before season 2025 of the AFL though, Seven has a much-anticipated summer of cricket for viewers. Again, with more streamed sport.

“My understanding is it’s the first time in the history of sport in Australia that the footy and the cricket has been able to be streamed for free,” said Jones.

Th former head of Seven’s cricket coverage added about the impending test tour by India: “I’ve been involved in the cricket over the last five years, and we’ve really been waiting for this to come along.

“It’s the heavyweight championship of the world with India and Australia. Five tests. They’ve beaten us the last couple of times of their year.”

Australia will be desperate to turn the tables. India has won all the last four series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy including two Australian tours with a 2-1 result.

Jones added: “We also have a Women’s Ashes Test in January.”

“Don’t forget our horse racing for 52 weeks of the year. Bruce McAvaney returns this weekend to headline the coverage through the spring.

The horse racing across the spring also includes the Cox Plate. “There’s also Supercars and live golf coming up too.”

Jones calls horse racing one of Seven’s most successful sports in terms of commercial return. “There are rusted-on horse racing lovers that turn up every Saturday.”

Seven’s sports leadership team

Sitting under Chris Jones and running sports broadcasting are head of cricket Joel Starcevic. Head of AFL and sport innovation is Gary O’Keefe. Head of horse racing is Andrew Hore-Lacy. Head of sport, digital is Kirsty Bradmore. 

Jones noted Bradmore has a wide remit for 2025 and beyond given the explosion of content coming to 7plus. “There will be team hubs for all of our cricket teams and our AFL teams. We will make 7plus a one-stop shop for the sport lover.”

Kane Cornes

What’s happening to 7AFL in 2025?

“Our football coverage is fantastic, but there’s certainly opportunities for us to grab more share of audience,” said Jones.

“I would love to have more programming on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next year where we can tell AFL stories, and feature them prominently on 7plus and on Seven.”

What about new commentators and analysts? “When the weekend rolls around, yes, let’s bring in fresh talent. I don’t think we’re done yet from that point of view.”

In addition to Cornes, there’s been speculation Seven has also targeted Foxtel’s Gerard Whateley.

“There’s an ambition from our [AFL] team to set the agenda, perhaps a little more than what we have in the past.” Jones talked about “analysis shows for the football lovers where we can dive into what’s going on and why, the politics of football, the trade stories, and more.”

He added the 2024 team continues to do a great job. “Right up until Grand Final day they have all done a remarkable job. On that day we have four-time Premiership players and Premiership captains Luke Hodge and Joel Selwood.

“Dale Thomas has been an absolute sensation this year. He is going from strength to strength and is going to be a huge part of the team moving forward. We already of course have Matthew Richardson who’s probably the most loved, based on all of our sports broadcasts from an expert point of view.

“There’s already great depth, but we’d like to bring even more talent into the team to complement those that we’ve already got.”

See also: Inside Seven’s Kane Cornes deal: How much are they paying? New Seven shows planned

Strengthening Seven cricket

The Seven cricket team has new blood too. “Aaron Finch is going to be an unbelievable addition to the team,” said Jones. “Finchy for us is a proven commodity. We’ve had him commentate 15 to 20 Big Bash matches. He called a test match for us last year in Brisbane. We know exactly what we’re getting with him and he’s going to be unreal. In terms of some of the other innovations, I’m really excited about Rachel Kawaja joining the team.

“The wife of cricketer Usman will be a colour reporter at test matches. She gives us the ability to get closer to the friends and family of the team.

“Sometimes that third party advocacy is actually more engaging content than speaking to the players themselves.”

Some of Seven’s cricket team: Damien Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Mel McLaughlin and Trent Copeland

Juggling budget constraints

With Seven paying more than ever for sports rights, how does Chris Jones manage to also spend more on coverage of the games?

“When you invest as much as every media business in the world is investing in the sport rights at the moment, we’ve got a duty to create the best coverage that you possibly can.

“It’s about being innovative and efficient with your decision-making around the coverage. We will always prioritise commentators.

“If you can get your commentary to the highest possible level, then a lot of your coverage and content will flow off that.”

Jones said for the AFL Finals, Seven is adding cameras and technology. “We’ve got the tools at our disposal internally at Seven and we’ve got the support from the business. From Mr Stokes down to Jeff [Howard] to Angus [Ross] and Brook [Hall].

Jones reports to Hall, recently promoted to be Seven Network’s chief content officer.

“Brook and I have worked together for many, many years,” said Jones. “We first worked together on the tennis when we had the Australian Open. He has taught me as much within this building as anyone else. I’m absolutely thrilled. He is a sporting nut.

“He’s a Sydney Swans fan. He absolutely adores his cricket. But he also is giving us the space and the tools to go and do what we do best in the team.”

“I’d also mention Angus Ross and Jeff Howard on that front as well. Jeff’s been amazing for me. He’s an absolute cricket lover.”

Working alongside Foxtel Group

Helping manage costs across the major sports is cooperation with the Foxtel Group. Jones noted that means when Fox is host broadcaster on Test Cricket or Seven is host broadcaster on Women’s International Cricket and Big Bash Cricket.

“There are definitely efficiencies that we’ve been able to find and we’ll continue to look for those efficiencies, but not look for efficiencies in terms of reducing the spec for the coverage.”

Missing the Olympics

Chris Jones worked for Seven on many Summer and Winter Olympics Games. He admitted he missed being involved for Paris. “I wish we won as many gold medals when we were doing the Olympics as Channel Nine got,” he laughed. There was one more Gold medal from Paris than Australia had in Tokyo.

Jason Richardson, Lizzie Jelfs, Bruce McAvaney, Rebecca Freedman, Dan MacPherson, Kate Waterhouse and Hamish McLachlan at the Magic Millions race day

Chris Jones shares a house with Hutchy

Jones wanted to get into sports media early in his career. He told the story of how he ended up sharing a house with former 10 and Seven reporter turned media mogul Craig Hutchison.

“When I was 16 I realised I wasn’t going to be good enough to be an elite footballer or golfer or tennis player. I thought the next best thing was to try and watch it. I sent a lot of letters off and didn’t have any luck. Then I made a video of the Channel 10 news team when Quarters was there and Tim Cleary was the producer and Hutchie was breaking all the stories at the time.

“I got a phone call to go in and do work experience and then really just clung on for dear life ever since then.

“At 17 when I finished school, I moved into town as a cadet journalist. Hutchie called me the rookie and lived with him.

“It was in Cutter Street, Richmond. We must have been there for four or five years together.

“It was incredible in terms of educating me about the flow of information, how to network with people, how to meet people, what made a story. Hutchy remains the best journalist I certainly have ever seen.”

Jones added how he had a front row seat as Hutchison broke news stories and then transitioned into the business world.

“He remains a wonderful friend and I’m forever indebted to him and Tim Cleary for giving me my start.”

Coaching the team

“Bringing the [Seven] team together has been something that we’ve done immediately from me starting this role and having really open conversations. We had Ricky Ponting come in and speak to the team the other day about leadership and teamwork and what that means to him. It was unreal for everyone from myself to other producers, the editors, the tech managers to sit there and listen to Ricky talk about his experiences in teamwork and leadership.

“I certainly took a lot out of it. I know the rest of the team did as well.”

LiSTNR is Australia’s no.1 podcast sales representation network for the 24th time

LiSTNR is Australia’s no. 1 podcast sales representation network for a record 24th time, with more than 400,000 additional monthly listeners than its closest competitor and 64 titles (32%) in the August results of the Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts.

Hamish & Andy also grew its audience in August, with more listeners than any other title on the ranker.

Several LiSTNR titles grew their audience in August, including Happy Hour with Lucy & Nikki, which moved up seven places, Darling, Shine! with a 16% increase of listeners, The Briefing which grew by 25,390 listeners, The Howie Games, Smartless and Triple M Footy AFL. In addition, the award-winning audio docuseries Secrets We Keep returned to the Top 200 ranker with its third season; Secrets We Keep: Baghdad Nights.

“With more than seven million monthly listeners^ and our advanced AdTech Hub, LiSTNR provides an unparalleled audience profile and reach that is capable of delivering highly measurable advertising opportunities. This is the key to our sales revenue growth and why LiSTNR is considered the world’s best practice in terms of audience  monetisation,” executive head of LiSTNR podcasts, Grant Tothill, said.

“With a focus on premium, owned and operated original titles, and global partnerships, along with our specialised podcast sales team, LiSTNR is positioned to continually drive and educate a highly dynamic podcast market,” concluded Tothill.

Season four of ‘That’s How We Grow’ returns to LiSTNR with more gardening advice

STIHL’s That’s How We Grow, hosted by award-winning landscape designer, Charlie Albone, is ready to bloom with LiSTNR.

The series provides practical advice for gardeners to tackle their next outdoor project. In season four, Albone and STIHL provide listeners with the latest garden advice, best gardening techniques, and in-depth information on selecting the right power tools to supercharge Spring.

Released weekly from 5 September, each of the eight episodes features a special guest gardener including chefs and TV hosts Manu Feidel and Colin Fassnidge, former-AFL superstar Gavin Wanganeen and lawn mowing internet sensation Tim The Lawnmower.

Albone said: “In season four of That’s How We Grow, I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with some of my favourite green thumbs and Aussie heroes. As someone who is always conscious of sustainable gardening, I’ve been keen to hear all their tips for keeping the backyard green and vibrant.

“We’ve lined up amazing guests for season 4, including Manu Feidel and Colin Fassnidge, Tim The Lawnmower Man and AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen. Listeners can expect plenty of gardening tips and advice that will educate and entertain.”

[Listen here]

Seven’s true crime podcast The Truth About Amy sparks key development

The Seven Network’s 7NEWS true crime investigation series The Truth About Amy has led to a major development, with the family of Amy Wensley launching a petition calling for her case to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) following mounting evidence challenging the original police investigation that ruled the 24-year-old’s death a suicide.

The petition comes ahead of the launch of the 12th episode of The Truth About Amy podcast. The podcast has reached #1 in Australia on the Apple podcast chart and surpassed 700,000 downloads since its launch in June.

Produced by Seven journalists Alison Sandy and Liam Bartlett, The Truth About Amy reopens the case of the death of the mother-of-two in 2014. Her lifeless body was found in her bedroom in Serpentine, Western Australia, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Following the release of the latest podcast episode this week, The Truth About Amy will shift to Weekly Conversations editions from September 16, featuring new developments, guest interviews and extensive coverage of an upcoming court hearing involving Amy’s former partner.

The petition, launched by Amy’s aunt Anna Davey, seeks to gather enough signatures to compel the ODPP to reexamine the investigation and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

[Listen here]

Mamamia launches womens’ audio erotica brand – Butter podcast dropping in 2025

Mamamia has launched Butter, a new audio erotica brand for women.

Butter is written by Australian women and voiced by female actors and will be available in podcast form.

It will include a range of personalised sensual stories that have been carefully chosen to suit listeners’ tastes based on Mamamia’s extensive research into women’s top fantasies, including same-sex attraction, holidays, and encounters with strangers.

“Mamamia’s Sex Survey found that 49% of Australian women aren’t happy with their sex lives and 37% are interested in audio erotica,” Zara Curtis, chief content officer at Mamamia, said.

“It’s well known that one of the biggest erogenous zones for women is their imagination. We used that insight to create Butter; to help Australian women reconnect with their sensuality in a private, ethical, safe environment from a media brand they already trust.

“Our core purpose at Mamamia is to make life better for women in all kinds of ways, and Butter certainly ticks that box.”

The first episode of Butter drops in early 2025.

Podcast Ranker August 2024: Nine’s The Ultimate Sacrifice storms up the chart

Nine’s podcast The Ultimate Sacrifice has made its mark on the August 2024 Podcast Ranker chart. The series has jumped 52 places to sit in the top 20 at #14.

In The Ultimate Sacrifice, radio recordings take listeners inside police front lines.

The highest debut on the chart for the month was Hysterical from Wondery, in at #73.

iHeart Podcasts reported that in August’s top 10, Audioboom’s Casefile reaffirmed its status as the #1 true crime podcast and secured the #3 position overall, showcasing a 4% increase in listeners month-on-month. The Imperfects climbed one spot to #6 overall, while The Kyle and Jackie O Show came in at #7 overall, recording an impressive 18% increase in listeners month-on-month.

Life Uncut, hosted by Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne, jumped three spots this month, coming in at #9 overall, cementing its place as the #1 relationship podcast.

Other notable iHeart performances in August included Stuff You Should Know, which improved three positions to land at #17 overall and the #1 Knowledge podcast, She’s On The Money, ranking #37 overall and maintaining its title as the #1 finance podcast, and Clubby Sports’ Dyl & Friends, which ranked at #41 overall and continues to be a must-listen podcast as Australia heads into the AFL finals season.

[Read more]

Australia’s largest measurement conference, IAB’s MeasureUp returned for its 8th year on Wednesday.

The conference brought together delegates from across insights, data, advertising, and agency professionals to discuss the future of marketing measurement thinking. 

The ROAS Trap: Why retail media campaigns are delivering more than we think

This presentation was delivered by Colin Barnard, managing director, ANZ at Criteo, a company that helps advertisers, retailers, and publishers activate and monetize audiences everywhere shoppable moments occur.

The discussion centred on the evolution and impact of retail media, and Barnard pointed to the rise of digital retail media and the impact of Amazon’s role in the space. Barnard said retail media influences customer acquisition, loyalty, and lifetime value. He told attendees not to view retail media only as a lower-funnel tactic. 

“It can deliver so much more,” he presented.

“Right-size your investments to make sure you’re maximizing the potential of each of the channels available to you. Do not run always-on campaigns to take advantage of the benefits these provide.

“Make sure that the investments that you’re putting in through retail media are reflective of the results.”

He concluded by stating brands and retailers benefit from improved relationships and accountability, leading to increased investment and better customer engagement in retail media.

According to IAB Australia’s Retail Media State of the Nation 2024 Report, retail media advertising is on the rise in Australia, but agencies and marketers are looking for agreement and guidance on measurement and standards. 

The report found that over the last 18 months, 37% of retail media investors spent a significant amount of their media and marketing budget in retail media, up from 26% in 2023.

It also identified the most important driver of investment for agencies and marketers as the ability to reach shoppers at the point of purchase, followed by the opportunity to leverage the benefits of retailer first-party data.

Measurement-related requirements were found to have increased over the last year, with 69% of advertisers indicating that return on ad spend (ROAS) was now one of their top priorities to support continued and increased investment.

Barriers to investment included measurement and reporting (45%), followed by complexity in the relationship between brands and retailers (41%), the cost of partnering (34%) and attribution capabilities (34%).

See also: Industry agree standards and metrics increasingly important as retail media matures: IAB

Fetch TV has announced that DAZN (pronounced Da Zone), is now available on Fetch, bringing the total number of available apps to twenty-three.

Found in the Apps and Sports menus on the new Mini G5, and coming soon to Mini 4K and Mighty devices, DAZN brings Fetch users a wide range of sports content through a range of price plans as well as DAZN’s expanding portfolio of free live and VOD content.

Users can register to DAZN for free, and gain weekly access to select live matches and complete matches in re-live from the top international leagues LALIGA, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Saudi Pro League. Plus, UEFA Champions League highlights, a wide selection of women’s sport including the UEFA Women’s Champions League live, non-live content such as documentaries and more.

DAZN pay-per-view events will be available for Fetch customers to purchase and view with a roster of boxing matches – including September’s PPV mega-events, Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois and Canelo Álvarez v Edgar Berlanga.

DAZN users will also be able to subscribe to access MMA, FIBA Basketball competitions, Padel, Motorsport, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Ironman, Saudi Pro League and a host of other sports content. In addition, a host of other sports entertainment services will be available, including gaming, e-commerce, interactive and social media.

Subscriptions start at $13.99 per month for a 12-month subscription, $21.99 for a monthly pass, and $139.99 per year for the Annual Super Saver.

DAZN is also the exclusive home of NFL Game Pass, the only product where fans outside of the USA can watch every NFL matchup live throughout the regular season and post season, including the Super Bowl. Fetch customers will have the ability to buy NFL Game Pass as a standalone package or as an add-on to a DAZN subscription. NFL Game Pass pricing is $28.99 for the Weekly Pro, or $279.99 for the Season Pro.

See also: TV Guide: How to watch NFL 2024-25 season on ESPN, Seven or via NFL Game Pass

Sam Hall, Fetch chief content and commercial officer, said “We know our Fetch customers will love the addition of the DAZN app, which provides access to exceptional quality sporting content including PPV Boxing and every game of the NFL. This addition brings our total app count to 23, and cements the position of Fetch as the leading Australian aggregation platform.”

Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, said: “This is excellent news for both DAZN and Fetch customers. It makes it even easier to access the DAZN app in the Australia – one of DAZN’s most rapidly developing markets. We are the global home of boxing, with over 150 fights across 2024, along with combat sports, women’s football, the Saudi Pro League, Ironman, and more and we are pleased that audiences in Australia will now have even better access to this exceptional content”.

Melissa Fein, Chris Colter and Sam Geer have wrapped up their first week their new digs at Accenture Song after their departure from Initiative back in May.

Fein, who stepped into the role of managing director, media, APAC, took to LinkedIn to mark the trio’s first week.

She wrote: “Week one officially done at Accenture with Sam Geer and Chris Colter and the momentum is already building!

“Such an incredible workplace with remarkable global talent, capabilities and vision. Here’s to a new era!”

In the week leading up to starting up at the creative group, Sam Geer shared a reflective post on LinkedIn. He said: “The last ten years with IPG Mediabrands has been an adventure beyond all expectation. From Lapland to Morocco to The Strawberry Hills Hotel, I have made life-long memories and unshakable friendships.

“Thank you for the mentorship, the lessons, the celebrations, the camaraderie, the wondrous heights and the desolate lows.

“The opportunities I was given, and those to come, are because of the boundlessly brilliant people I had the great fortune of working with. Thank you to every single one of you for the immense impact you have all had on me. It’s meant the world.”

News of the trio’s departure back in May made waves across the industry.
 
Mediabrands CEO Mark Coad confirmed the news to staff in an email sent at 6:26pm on Thursday night, and seen by Mediaweek at the time.
 
“In true industry fashion – this news is spreading faster than we’d like – so I am writing to tell you this news in the hope that you read it here first,” Coad wrote.
 
“Suffice to say, Mel, Sam, and Colts are still very much part of Initiative’s team and will be working at their usual high-octane and professional pace over the next few weeks/months. They have been very respectful and will give the agency and its clients their time and expertise to ensure a smooth transition.”
 
See also: Updated: Melissa Fein, Sam Geer, and Chris Colter leave Initiative for Accenture Song
 
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Top image: Colter, Fein, and Geer at Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Awards in 2023

Pioneering journalist Heather Ewart has announced she will retire next year after an incredible career at the ABC of almost 50 years.

The ABC announced her decision overnight and provided this career review:

Starting as a cadet in 1977, Ewart went on to become one of the national public broadcaster’s most accomplished presenters, most recently as host of Back Roads.

She broke down many barriers as a woman in the industry as one of the ABC’s first female foreign correspondents and one of few women reporting on federal politics in the 1980s during the Fraser and Hawke eras.

As a foreign correspondent based in London, Washington DC and then Brussels, Ewart covered major international news events including the first Gulf War, the Waco siege in Texas, the election of US President Bill Clinton, tensions in the Balkans and Europe’s transition to the euro in Europe. 

In Australia, she covered many federal election campaigns as Chief Political Correspondent for ABC radio news and current affairs, Political Editor, National Affairs Correspondent and fill-in host for 7.30 and presenter of World at Noon.

“I’ve had a varied and very interesting career at the ABC and am grateful for the opportunities given to me,” Ewart said. “I fought hard for many of them, and hope this encouraged other women to have a go as well.”

Heather Ewart as a political correspondent and on Back Roads

ABC News Director, Justin Stevens said: “I first worked with Heather in the early 2000s at The 7.30 Report. She was held in great regard in the federal political sphere and was also a superb reporter on many other issues of national interest and history. The public have loved Heather and her work, they appreciate her authentic and passionate connection to our audience.”

Ewart was co-executive producer and presenter on a three-part ABC TV documentary on the history of the National Party in 2014, which was the catalyst for Back Roads, which launched the following year. Born and raised in the country, Ewart’s ambition was to create a program that helped bridge the gap between the country and the city and showcase a slice of country life that she loved as a child growing up on a farm in central Victoria.

“My aim was always to amplify the voices of regional Australians and to remind viewers of what’s right on their doorsteps,” Ewart said. “I’m very proud of what we created and that I got to present the show for the past ten years. I see the 10th anniversary next year as a fitting milestone to move on. I wish the Back Roads team every success in the future.” 

Ewart’s many other career highlights include winning the 2007 Gold Quill, the Melbourne Press Club’s top award, for coverage of melanoma victim Claire Oliver, who later died. Claire blamed her use of solariums and Ewart’s reports on 7.30 resulted in the changing of laws to ban solariums. Her other acclaimed work included her extensive coverage of Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires for 7.30 in 2009. 

She was on the Walkley Board and a judge of excellence in journalism for six years and authored best-selling book The Great Aussie Road Trip.

Ewart is currently in production on a number of Back Roads episodes that will screen throughout 2025. She finishes up at the ABC in March next year. 

Mutinex has urged marketers to rebalance their marketing investment away from channels like paid search and affiliates in its updated Marketing ROI Index report released today.

The report analyses a pool of over $2 billion in marketing investment up to and including May 2024 and highlights a strong trend of marketers dumping upper funnel investment in favour of lower funnel activations in an environment of constricted budgets and flat marketing ROI.

The trend has seen investment in search and affiliates surge at the expense of online video and OOH.

“Marketers really can’t be faulted for trying to drive as much revenue as quickly as possible in the lower funnel in these tough economic conditions,” says Mutinex global CEO and co-founder, Henry Innis.

“We see the imperative to deliver results. But the numbers indicate that the short-term gains of that strategy are basically played out at this point.”

The report reveals that despite a small bump in marketing ROI during Q1 2024 driven in large part by increased investments in paid search and affiliate marketing, overall performance is tapering as those channels become more competitive and the general economic malaise continues.

“Marketers need to stop trying to simply “wait it out”, advises Mutinex director of marketing science, Will Marks.

“When the economic conditions are not in your favour, it’s tempting to think that if you hunker down and harvest demand that can see you through until the tide turns. But the reality is that the bottom of the funnel is very hot right now. If you don’t want to get burned then you need to buck the investment trend and diversify.”

The full Mutinex MROI Index Report Q3 2024 is available here.

Deanne Constantine, founder of talent consultancy Blue Bateau, has launched a new networking event in Melbourne to reconnect an increasingly disconnected advertising and media industry.

The Open Table aims to build stronger peer connections across all types of roles within the industry. It is open to all areas and all levels, reflecting its ‘no closed doors, hierarchy or agendas’ policy.

The networking event launches with a fun night at David’s in Prahran for all-you-can-eat Yum Cha on Wednesday, 23rd October, and will then follow with a series of open events.

Constantine explained that she launched The Open Table because she “strongly believes that successful creative careers are built in collaboration, and not wholly about the individual work that you do.”

“The people you work with and your wider network play a pivotal role in your career development. But across the board, people in our industry are feeling disconnected and siloed in one area. You’re either network, independent, digital, start-up, senior or junior.

“But what about just being creative? Or just wanting to be connected to any and all roles within the industry? People don’t know people anymore. C-Suite are not across emerging talent, emerging talent don’t know leadership as much as they used to,” she said.

“This kind of disconnection is also causing more people to leave the industry, and I believe more connections will help remind them of what a remarkable sector advertising and media really is.

Constantine continued: “Network in advertising has always been extremely powerful. But now it’s more than that – it’s core to attracting and retaining talent, and keeping us strong against emerging trends in tech.

“People within agencies are often talking about collaborating for the good of clients, so let’s now also collaborate for the good of our industry,” she added.

–

Top image: Deanne Constantine

Digital Minds has appointed four new digital recruits to its team, following new client wins over the last months in eCommerce, travel, real estate, and B2B.

David Williams has been appointed to manage the agency’s performance creative division. In July, Digital Minds launched its performance creative division following increased demand from current and new clients to support a broader creative and content service offering.

Williams, originally from Ireland, has built an exceptional portfolio of creative work most recently managed the in-house content creation for eComm brand, Koh.

Margarida Halatjan joins as an SEO manager after relocating from a role in the UK and managing SEO across a number of global brands.

Elliot Richtor has been appointed senior performance manager, having previously held senior digital roles with Initiative and Resolution Digital.

Sam Millard also joins the team as associate performance manager, coming to Digital Minds with agency-side experience in digital planning and channel strategy.

Digital Minds Group have a number of very long standing client engagements including Luxury Escapes, Cars Guide, The Gumtree Group, Challenger Financial, Ray White Projects, Mustard Made, Merry People, Sydney Bridge Climb and Blue Thumb.

“We have been enjoying a great year of growth, expansion and innovation within the agency,” Lija Wilson, general manager of Digital Minds Group, said.

“It has been particularly exciting to continue to recruit so many new digital specialists, responding to the addition of some fantastic new client partners as well as continue the work for our amazing, long standing brands,” she added.

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Top image: David Williams, Margarida Halatjan, Sam Millard, and Elliot Richtor

Thinkerbell and Repco have teamed up for a fourth year of ‘Bringin’ the Bathurst’.

The new Repco work from the agency sees racing fans making the pilgrimage to the Temple of Bathurst to have the Bathurst brought into their lives through its almighty power.

It features the return of the owner of Peter Brock’s powerful glove as the ‘Revvvrend’, bringing the Bathurst to all who flock to the iconic Mount Panorama.

The earworm of a track was developed by the team at Electric Sheep Music and spot-directed and produced by Josh Logue and TAXI.

Kym Sutherland, general manager of marketing at Repco, said: “Ever since Repco took over the sponsorship of the iconic Bathurst 1000, we’ve been throwing everything at it.

“This time of year sees us Bringin’ the Bathurst at the track, in our stores and of course in our ads. We’ve really put the pedal to the metal with this new work.”

Ben Couzens, executive creative Tinker at Thinkerbell, said: “We’ve laid some solid foundations with our Bringin The Bathurst idea over the last few years and after harnessing the power of Brocky’s almighty glove last year, we’ve found that there’s plenty of magic left in it this year.”

 
The full Bringin’ the Bathurst work is running up to and throughout the great race in October, on TV, Digital, Print and Social and of course supported with some equally entertaining event activity for those making the pilgrimage this year.
 
In July, Repco launched its new brand platform, Gets You Goin’, via Thinkerbell’s newly created production arm, Hotel Bell.
 
This brand idea is based on Repco’s understanding of the quirks and truths of being a car lover. The launch includes a series of films that feature relatable moments for car enthusiasts, from almost losing a 10mm socket in an engine bay to making an instant mate based on a shared affinity for cars.

Credits

Brand – Repco
Creative Agency – Thinkerbell
Media – Initiative
Production company – Taxi Film Production
Director – Josh Logue
Editing & VFX – Manimal Post
Music & Sound Design – Electric Sheep Music
Photographer – Jon Webb
Colourist – Marty Greer

Ryman retirement community has partnered with M&C Saatchi Group for its new creative campaign, which shows prospective villagers how to ‘Live Remarkably’.

The Live Remarkably campaign aims to demonstrate that people who choose to live at Ryman have made a remarkable choice that allows them to live their most remarkable life.

“The third age of your life is not a time when things slow down. You have the time, means and freedom to do new things,” Jade Lindrea-Jones, general manager marketing at Ryman Healthcare said.

“We are champions of that third age. Ryman has been in Australia for 10 years, building premium retirement living. We are delighted to launch the new ‘Live Remarkably’ brand platform for Ryman to encourage future residents to explore the possibilities.”

Emma Robbins, executive creative director at M&C Saatchi said of the campaign: “Live Remarkably is both playful and luxurious. It evokes aspiration and is about making our future and current residents feel special, instead of old.

“This campaign reframes what it means to retire. Changing our mindset of retirement from being an end to being an exciting beginning – and Ryman creating a place for that beginning in life to be remarkable,” she added.

Last year, Ryman Healthcare appointed M&C Saatchi Group specialist agencies, including M&C Saatchi Agency, Resolution, Re.Design, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, Precision and Bohemia, to create a bespoke agency model.

The aim of the bespoke agency is to drive group brand strategy, creative, PR, events and media connections planning and buying along with measurement and evaluation.

The ‘Live Remarkably’ brand platform is now in the market across multiple channels.

At the time of the account win, Michael McEwan, M&C Saatchi AUNZ CEO, said: “We are thrilled about this partnership. This is another example of our capabilities across media, strategy and creative services coming together as one team to support our client, their staff and people they care for.

“With the combination of M&C Saatchi and Bohemia, we look forward to seeing impactful outcomes for Ryman to deliver on their big ambitions around growth, and reframing retirement and aged care living in Australia.”

See also:
Bohemia wins media account for retirement living provider Ryman Healthcare
M&C Saatchi Group is appointed to Ryman Healthcare Australia

Independent media agency Magic will lead Amazon advertising for global security company Swann. 

Under the partnership, Magic will manage Amazon ads for Swann in Australia, the UK and the US, with a focus on driving cohesion, activation and optimisation to increase profitability across the regions.

Swann specialises in security monitoring, consumer electronics and security-centric solutions for smart homes and businesses. Established in Melbourne, the business now has offices in the US, Australia, the UK and Hong Kong and a presence in more than 40 countries. 

Dean Boudewyns, Swann head of eCommerce, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Magic. From the outset, we’ve been impressed with the agency’s data-first approach to our business. Their in-depth insights have already helped bridge the gap in highlighting what was driving our underlying performance and how we can improve. I’m certain our partnership will unlock new opportunities and markets.”

Magic co-founder, Shah Ghaffurian, said: “Swann’s vision is to be the global leader in smart security solutions, and we’re excited to partner with the company to help reach its goals. Swann was impressed with our strategic approach to its operations, and our focus on using broad data sets to enrich its marketing offering. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Swann team to drive revenue and market share.”

Magic account lead, Aman Bhatia, said: “Working with Swann is a great opportunity. The business is in a competitive vertical, which means the strategies and tactics in place to help them scale will have tangible outcomes. The Swann team are also amazing to work with – there’s a friction-free flow of information, and they treat us like a partner, instead of a service agency. We’re excited to deliver some big wins for Swann in the upcoming sales periods.”

The Swann win follows several new business wins for Magic, including IT security company Sophos Global, data platform Fivetran, and retailer Maxwell & Williams.

The account win is effective immediately.

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Top image: Shah Ghaffurian

Tuesday 10 September 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 1,927,000, a total TV national audience of 1,044,000, and a BVOD audience of 160,000.

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,992,000, a total TV national audience of 1,222,000, and a BVOD audience of 94,000.

Seven’s Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,153,000, a total TV national audience of 1,350,000, and a BVOD audience of 69,000.

Also on Seven, My Kitchen Rules recorded a total TV national reach of 1,487,000, a total TV national audience of 705,000, and a BVOD audience of 63,000.

10’s airing of The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition recorded a total TV national reach of 1,167,000, a total TV national audience of 572,000, and a BVOD audience of 36,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 725,000
• National Audience: 452,000
• BVOD Audience: 98,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 585,000
• National Audience: 333,000
• BVOD Audience: 36,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 487,000
• National Audience: 224,000
• BVOD Audience: 34,000

10’s The Amazing Race Australia:
• Total TV nation reach: 502,000
• National Audience: 260,000 
• BVOD Audience: 21,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 354,000
• National Audience: 218,000
• BVOD Audience: 58,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 248,000
• National Audience: 135,000
• BVOD Audience: 19,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 217,000
• National Audience: 106,000
• BVOD Audience: 18,000

10’s The Amazing Race Australia:
• Total TV nation reach: 204,000
• National Audience: 109,000 
• BVOD Audience: 11,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,511,000
• National Audience: 816,000
• BVOD Audience: 129,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,717,000
• National Audience: 1,090,000
• BVOD Audience: 56,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,165,000
• National Audience: 562,000
• BVOD Audience: 51,000

10’s The Amazing Race Australia:
• Total TV nation reach: 896,000
• National Audience: 434,000 
• BVOD Audience: 30,000

Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2024. Not to be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without prior written consent of OzTAM and Regional TAM.

Inspired by real events, Nine’s riveting new crime drama Human Error follows Detective Holly O’Rourke (played by Leeanna Walsman) and her homicide team as a seemingly open-and-shut murder investigation threatens to destroy her career, her family and her faith in justice.

Holly O’Rourke is a detective investigating a murder while her own private life unravels.

As she scrambles to redeem her personal and professional reputations, O’Rourke and her team of homicide detectives uncover a criminal conspiracy that will change their lives forever.

Human Error – detectives Holly O’Rourke and Keith Bird

Execution of a suburban mum

When a suburban mum, Sonia Matthews, is executed in her driveway in front of a child, it has all the signs of a brazen professional hit. Except that Sonia seems to have no criminal connections at all. Initially, Holly’s convinced the victim’s husband has organised the hitman and she puts her reputation on the line to prove it.

But events take an unexpected turn when she discovers a fellow police officer has a motive to murder Sonia – but then something happens that rules him out as a suspect. All of a sudden, O’Rourke is no closer to solving the case.

Desperate for a breakthrough, O’Rourke considers if Sonia’s murder is a case of mistaken identity. Did the killer shoot the wrong woman? Now the race is on to discover who was the intended target, who wanted her dead and why. In doing so, O’Rourke and her team uncover a web of crime for which murder is just the tip of the iceberg.

O’Rourke’s personal life is teetering on the brink. Her marriage to Luke (Matt Day) is in crisis, she is pregnant to another man Detective Dylan McKenzie (Stephen Peacocke) and her precocious Alice (Rosie Mitchell) is causing endless grief. And then there’s her father Bear (Steve Bisley), a retired detective full of unwanted advice, who she relies on for childcare and moral support.

Can O’Rourke catch the killers, and can she win back the trust of the people she loves?

Human Error is a showcase of the  creative talents behind Underbelly, Bump, Offspring and Love My Way,
The series is produced by John Edwards, Dan Edwards, Greg Haddrick and Samantha Winston, with The Age’s legendary crime reporter and podcaster John Silvester (Underbelly) as story consultant.

Holly O’Rourke and her family – father Bear, husband Luke and daughter Alice – around the dinner table

What the critics think

The TV Gold podcast with Andrew Mercado and James Manning reviewed the series in a recent episode. Both Mediaweek writers loved the series and were thrilled with the performance from Leeanna Walsman as Holly O’Rourke. They also liked the ideas of some of the Underbelly team being reunited and having the chance to work with producers John and Dan Edwards.
TV Gold awarded Human Error Show of the Week status.
TV Tonight’s David Knox also gave the series a good review and highlighted Walsman’s performance. TV Tonight gave the series four stars.

Leeanna Walsman as Holly O’Rourke

Who’s who in the Human Error cast

Leeanna Walsman plays Holly O’Rourke
Rahel Romahn plays Jarred Pines
Stephen Peacocke plays Dylan McKenzie
Matt Day plays Luke O’Rourke
Rob Collins plays Gavin Butterfield
Steve Bisley plays Bear O’Rourke
Emily Joy plays Maia Kirsner
Katrina Milosevic plays Rose Starry
Danielle Horvat plays Dallas
Gyton Grantley plays Allan Carter
Sachin Joab plays Mike Simpson
Ethan Lwin
Debra Lawrance
Daniela Farinacci
Jane Allsop plays Bianca
Anthony J Sharpe

Human Error writers Gregor Jordan, Greg Haddrick and Samantha Winston

Human Error production notes

Creators: Greg Haddrick, Samantha Winston, Gregor Jordan & John Silvester.
Executive producers: John Edwards and Dan Edwards with Nine’s Head of Drama Andy Ryan.
Producers: Greg Haddrick and Samantha Winston.
Directors: Fiona Banks and Mat King.
Episodes: 6
Where to watch: NIne, 9Now

Human Error is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production for the 9Network with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Nine and VicScreen.
International distribution will be handled by ITV Studios.

Roadshow Rough Diamond’s, John and Dan Edwards said, “Cracking the nut on a smart detective drama show has long been an ambition for us, and Nine and ITV Studios are the perfect partners.”

9Network’s Head of Drama Andy Ryan said, “Human Error will be the must-watch crime drama for 2023. 9Network has always been the home of Australian crime drama, and we are thrilled to partner with the outstanding team at Roadshow Rough Diamond to bring Human Error to the screen.”

Rahel Romahn as Jarred Pines

Episode Guide: Episode 1 (contains spoilers)

As happy children stream out of school at the end of day, Holly O’Rourke finds her own daughter, ten-year-old Alice, sitting on the stoop all alone. Inside, teacher Julia explains Alice has been kept behind for bringing an inappropriate item to school; a crime scene photo depicting two people missing their heads. Holly comes to her daughter’s defence and argues it’s just a photo and no real damage has been done. And while her attitude might horrify Julia, we soon discover why Holly’s not concerned about a simple photograph-

On their way home, Holly receives a call from work, they need her – NOW.  Without a second to lose, Holly heads for the middle of suburbia, secures Alice in the backseat with a packet of biscuits and then, secures a gun to her belt.  As she kisses her daughter goodbye, we discover this ordinary mum is in fact Detective Senior Sergeant Holly O’Rourke, head of a homicide unit with the State Police, kneels beside another ordinary mum. This woman, Sonia Matthews, has a bullet wound in her skull – executed on her own front lawn after school pick up. To make matters worse, the shooting was witnessed by her eight-year-old stepson. And the final piece of evidence that really hits Holly in the heart – Sonia is eight weeks pregnant, just like Holly.

Determined to bring justice to this ordinary woman and her family, Holly gathers her team of detectives; Detective Jarred Pines, her right hand man, who’s cheeky and charismatic, but not entirely loyal to Holly; Detective Maia Kirsner, a whip smart 30-something, still finding her place in the world; and the newest member of the team, the elegant Detective Gabe Khin, fresh from Detective training and sporting a mystery limp – his left foot is in a booty, but he refuses to explain how it was injured.

Stephen Peacocke as Dylan McKenzie

Together, they begin an investigation into the murder of Sonia, narrowing their focus on husband Mike. On the surface, Mike and Sonia seem like any ordinary couple, but Holly and her team soon uncover evidence of a secret affair between Mike and his work colleague, a nasty custody battle and massive financial stress.  Plus, he has clearly lied about where he was at the time of the killing. All of which lead to the very real possibility that this seemingly ordinary man has murdered his own wife.

As the hopes and fears of Sonia Matthews fill up Holly’s every waking moment, she too wrestles with her own concerns for herself and her family. Like the fact her father Bear, a former Detective, seems to be falling apart right in front of her and Alice, a cutie pie with a curious mind, is becoming obsessed with the horror of Holly’s homicide work. And while she still loves her husband Luke, the distance between them has grown so big, they barely touch each other anymore.

Gyton Grantley arrives in Human Error later in the series

As she balances the many facets of her life, Holly remains committed to her work – her true calling. After a violent confrontation between Mike and his ex-wife, Holly finally has enough evidence to arrest him. As she pushes Mike towards a confession, he breaks down and admits he’s been lying all along.  But the reason he has misled the police is to hide his own human error; on the day of Sonia’s murder, he was busy slashing his ex-wife’s car tyres after an argument over custody. So, while he has committed an offence and acted shamefully, he cannot be the killer.  After days of non-stop work and sleepless nights, the case of Sonia Matthews has only just begun for Holly and her team.

Reeling from her mistakes at work, Holly decides to confront one of her own problems when she gets home.  On a phone call to an unknown person, Holly confesses she is pregnant. But when her husband Luke appears in the doorway, she quickly hangs up – clearly the baby is not his.