BMF launched its first campaign for BWS after winning the Endeavour Group creative account in July.

The new brand campaign under its Refreshingly BWS platform tells Aussies that however they like to pre-party, BWS is ‘here for it’. It encourages Aussies to indulge in their pre-party routines because with BWS’ convenience, the cold bevvies ‘ready whenever you are’.

“We all know the lead up to a night out can be just as fun as the event itself. At BWS, we’re the perfect wingmate for these moments of anticipation,” An Le, head of brand marketing at BWS said.

“Whether you’re picking up a six-pack for later or grabbing some bubbles on your way out, we make it easy so you can enjoy the best part of the night – getting ready!”

“With over 1,450 stores nationally and a large curated and chilled range of drinks, BWS convenience means there’s always time for your pre’s,” she added.

“We’re stoked to start our partnership with the BWS team,” David Roberts, group creative director, BMF, said. “This campaign is a celebration of the pre-party ‘you’.

“The one that needs to doom-scroll on the toilet, dance in your undies and watch a documentary about dugongs before going out. Luckily, with a BWS on the way, you can observe all your sacred pre-party rituals and still rock up on time-ish.”

With media strategy and buying led by Carat, the integrated campaign will roll out across TV, OOH, radio, digital, social and in-store.

Endeavour Group has appointed BMF as its lead creative agency to work across its portfolio of brands including Dan Murphy’s and BWS, back in July.

The incumbent for BWS was M&C Saatchi, which held the account since its appointment in 2021, while Thinkerbell managed the Dan Murphy’s account.

See also: BMF wins Endeavour Group creative pitch

CREDITS:
Client: BWS
Creative Agency: BMF
Production Company: Exit Films, Photoplay

Director: Stefan Hunt, Exit Films

Media Agency: Carat Sydney

Mediaweek is excited to announce the major partners of the Mediaweek 100 lunch, 2024 which will be held on Friday, November 22 at Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney.

The prestigious event will once again bring the most influential people in the media industry together under one roof.

This year, the major partners of the event will be Vevo, News Corp Australia and Foxtel Media. 

The Mediaweek 100 will name the most influential people in the media industry, the Media Agency 50 will highlight the biggest players in media agency leadership, and the inaugural Variety Australia Entertainment 50 highlights the talent who produce successful content in our entertainment industry.

You can buy tickets to the lunch here.

Vevo, News Corp Australia and Foxtel Media are the sponsors of the Mediaweek 100, 2024

Steve Sos, Managing Director, Vevo APAC said: “There is no question that 2024 has been a challenging year for the media and marketing industries given the economic headwinds we have all felt, coupled with the unprecedented pace of change we have all witnessed.

“As sponsors of this year’s Mediaweek 100, Vevo is proud to celebrate the movers and shakers that have navigated those challenges and who will no doubt continue to shape our industry today and into the future.”

Tickets for the event are available here.

NAB has appointed Natalie Lockwood as chief marketing officer (Executive, Group Marketing).

Lockwood brings a wealth of experience from her most recent role at Visa, where she served as vice president, brand and marketing for Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific over the past three years.

Prior to her tenure at Visa, she held senior leadership roles, including general manager of marketing at ASX Ltd. Her extensive international experience includes serving as Managing Director at Edge Asia Vietnam, a digital marketing agency within the STW Group (WPP), as well as a 12-year stint at MasterCard as Group Head of Regional Marketing for Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Lockwood’s diverse background across global markets and industries positions her well to drive NAB’s marketing strategy forward. Lockwood will officially start the role in January 2025.

NAB’s prior CMO, Suzana Ristevski left the role in February after five and a half years at the bank. She moved to Google in the middle of this year to lead the tech giant’s marketing across AUNZ.

NAB Group chief operating officer Les Matheson said: “Natalie is an accomplished marketing leader with over 20 years’ experience working in the financial services and payments industry, both in Australia and around the globe.

“It’s clear Natalie is passionate about delivering for customers and we’re looking forward to her bringing her vast global experiences and insights to help us make NAB the bank of choice for as many Australians as possible.”

Lockwood said: “I’m really excited about joining NAB, one of Australia’s most well-known brands and helping to deliver great experiences for NAB’s customers.

“NAB has more than 10 million customers so the ability to positively impact the lives of so many people every day through the experiences they see and feel is something I look forward to most. NAB has a bold customer-centric ambition and I’m looking forward to working with the team on how we deliver a truly great experience for NAB’s customers.”

Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures impacting 85% of Australians, consumers are still willing to invest in a superior customer experience, with 35% indicating they would pay a premium for it. This is one of the key findings from KPMG’s Customer Experience Excellence 2024 Australia Report, released today. The report highlights how non-grocery retail brands are setting the standard for customer excellence, capturing seven of the top 10 spots in this year’s rankings.

Mecca leads the pack in 2024

Mecca claimed the number one position in 2024, followed closely by Specsavers and ING. Demonstrating consistency, Mecca was one of five brands maintaining a top 10 position since 2021, alongside Bendigo Bank, Bunnings, Chemist Warehouse, and Specsavers. Making a return to the top 10 for the first time since 2020 were IKEA, Kmart, and RACV.

Carmen Bekker, lead partner, KPMG customer, noted, “Retailers are leading the pack in terms of driving innovation and customer experience. They are delivering value through lower prices, exceptional service, and unique customer experiences. However, customer experience excellence is not confined to one sector; the top 30 brands span 15 different subsectors.”

Top 10 Brands for Customer Experience Excellence in Australia (2024, 2023 and 2021).

Trust and Integrity Drive Customer Advocacy

One of the standout findings this year is a shift in what drives customer advocacy. Trust and integrity have overtaken personalisation as the top factors influencing consumers to recommend brands — a notable change from previous years. This shift reflects a heightened demand for transparency and ethical practices, especially as consumers grow more discerning in their brand loyalty.

AI’s role in shaping customer experience

The report also underscores how artificial intelligence is reshaping consumer interactions. However, attitudes towards AI vary significantly by age group:

• Younger consumers express concerns about AI displacing human jobs and reducing entry-level opportunities, leading to long-term career apprehensions.
• Older consumers tend to value human interaction over AI, especially in complex or sensitive scenarios. They are also more concerned about data security, fearing potential breaches and misuse of personal information by AI systems.

“There are clear generational divides in consumer expectations,” Bekker explained. “Understanding these differences is crucial for businesses looking to navigate these complexities. While younger generations are cautious about job impacts, older demographics prioritise security and a personal touch. Brands that can balance technology with trustworthiness are better positioned to build stronger customer relationships.”

A focus on empathy and customer connection

KPMG’s research found a positive shift towards empathy in customer interactions. According to Bekker, “Last year, low-cost, minimal-contact interactions were eroding customer perceptions. This year, businesses appear to be investing in more empathetic and meaningful engagements, which is resonating with consumers.”

Bekker emphasised that brands integrating technology with human-like qualities and demonstrating transparency will strengthen customer bonds. “By combining trustworthiness with advanced technology, organisations can enhance satisfaction and foster deeper customer loyalty.”

Methodology

KPMG’s Customer Experience Excellence research is based on insights gathered since 2010, involving over 385,000 consumers globally and evaluating nearly 3,500 brands. For the 2024 Australia Report, a nationally representative sample of 2,500 Australian consumers was surveyed. Respondents were asked to rate brands they had interacted with in the past six months, providing a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of customer experience.

By Imran Masood, VP country manager, AUNZ, DoubleVerify

It’s a universal truth that fraudsters follow the money.

Within adtech, evidence of ad fraud arose soon after the first pay per click was introduced in the late 90s and continued to accelerate. So much so, that Wired Magazine was predicting that click fraud could swallow the internet by 2006.

Since then, we’ve made considerable strides to counteract bad actors. However, it can often feel like ‘whack-a-mole’. One constant in the last two decades is that fraudsters evolve their schemes to adapt to new platforms, consumer trends and technologies. The speed and volume of advertising offers bad actors unprecedented opportunities, which is why it’s important for brands and their agencies to ensure they have the most up to date fraud protection solutions in place.

Here’s some of the latest fraud schemes we’ve uncovered during 2024.

Retail Media

According to IAB Australia’s Retail Media State of the Nation 2024 Report retail media advertising is on the rise in Australia. 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.

Every time a new advertising platform takes off, we see a spike in fraud schemes. For example, last year we discovered the first two industrial scale ad frauds targeting audio (BeatSting and FM Scam).  Fraudsters consistently gravitate towards emerging channels and retail media is no exception.

Whilst malicious fraud on a retailer’s owned properties is currently lower than more mature channels, fraud is beginning to emerge. Scraper bots, for example, are often used by third parties to pull pricing, inventory, and other product details from the page, leading to wasted ad spend when reported as a real impression.

Over the last two years we’ve been protecting retail media clients from a group of schemes known as “Scorpio”, a term coined from the automated scraping scripts’ activity. Our fraud lab identified this sophisticated botnet operation, which has caused significant Invalid Traffic (IVT) spikes and can also cause site lag, similar to a deliberate DDOS attack.

Notably, these often occur on large retail sites during shopping holidays – something for marketers to consider as they plan this year’s upcoming campaigns.

Whilst you were sleeping; the new audio threat

Podcasts and audio content continue to grow in popularity, with this year’s IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report (IARR) revealing digital audio advertising is up 23 per cent year on year reaching $290.2m. This means, the fraudsters have more money to chase and audio ad fraud schemes are getting more prevalent and sophisticated.

Indeed, this year we discovered a scheme that quite literally makes money whilst you sleep with popular white noise apps being used for fraudulent audio streaming to divert advertising dollars.

For example, apps like “Deep Sleep” and “Deep Sleep Kids” are developed by the same company and have amassed over 10,000 downloads. On the surface, these apps seem safe and legitimate and hold five-star ratings, but it was discovered they’re actually generating fake streaming data by selling audio impressions where ads were never actually played.

Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using tactics such as spoofing residential IP addresses and mimicking audio apps. They set up counterfeit servers to fabricate audio ad requests, creating the illusion of active users and inventory desirable to advertisers. These fraudulent requests are then sent to supply-side platforms (SSPs), ad exchanges and ad networks. When an advertiser wins a bid for this inventory, their ad spend goes to waste on a non-existent opportunity.

This fraudulent activity not only wastes advertisers’ money but also diverts funds away from legitimate audio channels and publishers.

Fake App Reviews

In 2023, the DV Fraud Lab’s investigations into mobile app fraud doubled, and we expect continued growth. This is because Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have revolutionised content creation for both marketers and fraudsters and has vastly accelerated the speed and scale that both good and bad actors can enter the market.

We’ve witnessed a huge uptick in generative AI crafting fake app reviews across all types of apps, from mobile to streaming services. Designed to artificially inflate an app’s credibility, users who install them are often bombarded with an overwhelming number of out-of-context ads, similar to Made-for-Advertising (MFA) websites created solely to display advertisements.

However, beyond being simply irritating, fake app reviews can have a broader impact on the digital advertising ecosystem. For example, even after users uninstall the problematic apps, they can still display traffic using falsification schemes, sometimes hijacking devices and runningads incessantly, even when devices appear to be off.

For advertisers, this can make placing ads within highly rated apps more tricky to navigate, necessitating more stringent criteria and vigilance to avoid fraudulent environments. Not to mention that our research indicates that bot-based app fraud costs unprotected advertisers millions of dollars annually.

So where to next?

Bad actors will continue to find ever more ingenious ways to waste your advertising dollars. This means wasted budget, wasted time and wasted carbon expenditure, given every ad impression comes at a carbon cost. So unless marketers want to continue playing whack-a-mole, verification technology should now be considered table stakes protection to identify and block the next new threat to their ad spend.

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Top image: Imran Masood

Psembi Kinstan has been promoted to chief creative officer of DDB Group Melbourne.

Kinstan joined DDB Melbourne in 2021, heading the DDB, Mango and Tribal teams. He instilled a culture of creativity at the agency and in his work with the leadership team, setting the agency’s vision ‘To do the best work of our careers and have the best time doing so’.

His efforts have helped grow the agency’s headcount to over 100, following major client wins, including Coles, Asahi CUB, Acciona, Movember, Mr Chen’s, Dabble, Funlabs, Agrifutures, Made by Dyslexia and Our Watch.

Kinstan was also integral in creating Smith Street – DDB & OMD’s best-of-Omnicom, bespoke Coles agency – while also building the agency’s social and innovation-led teams.

Creatively, his work has helped put DDB Melbourne back on the map, with campaigns such as ‘The Creative Index’ for Jarden and the NGV, Coles ‘Great Lengths for Quality’, Movember ‘Mancestry’ and ‘The Mo is Calling’, Stay Kind’s ‘Kind Royale’, Porsche ‘Taycan Arcade’, ‘Vodka Cruiser’s ‘Cannoisseurs’ and ‘Hex your ex’.

Most recently, Kinstan was the mastermind behind the launch of the global University of Dyslexic Thinking, partnering with Richard Branson, Virgin, TikTok and Open University, to recognise and champion dyslexic thinking.

His creative efforts and contribution to DDB Melbourne’s broader workplace culture have helped the agency gain recognition within the industry, including this year’s top 20 APAC agencies at Cannes.

“Psembi is a world class leader who has helped reaffirm DDB Group Melbourne on the global stage,” Mike Napolitano, DDB Melbourne Group CEO, said.

“He and I share a common view of what a modern creative business should have – an unfair share of the best talent in market, world class thinking that is commercially powerful, and a way of working that generates fun.  

“For the last three years he has gone to work helping to make DDB exactly that. He is universally loved and respected by our team, clients and the broader industry and I couldn’t be prouder to call him a mate and my creative partner. This is a very exciting announcement for Psembi and DDB and I can’t wait to see him take it to the next level.”

Matt Pearce, DDB Melbourne head of strategy, said: “Psembi’s focus on delivering the best creative work and best agency experience is unquestionable, and effective.

“The team admires him, our partners trust him, and every brief, campaign or working week is made better thanks to his leadership. He’s been an incredible partner in shaping the DDB Melbourne proposition for the past three years, and I’m thrilled for him. ‘Bout time.”

Kinstan said of his new role: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’re building at DDB Melbourne. We are producing work on a global scale that still feels uniquely boutique, and that values craft and building distinctive brand worlds – and we’re just getting started.

“This is really just the beginning of the DDB Melbourne agency journey – we have a huge appetite and ambition, and I can’t wait to see where it goes,” he added.

During his career, Kinstan has garnered hundreds of international accolades for his work, including Cannes Gold Lions, D&AD Pencils and a BAFTA, and Mediaweek’s 40 Under 40.

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Top image: Psembi Kinstan

Haymes Paint has launched a refreshed brand platform and integrated campaign with Spinach.

The agency’s campaign is designed to target both trade painters and DIYers alike and the ‘You bet it’s better’ platform highlights the superior quality of Haymes products and the brand’s home-grown heritage.

‘You bet it’s better’ spans creative and media across regional TV, BVOD, digital, out-of-home and direct comms, and was shot at the brand’s new facility in Ballarat, on the site where the company has been operating since 1935.

The tongue-in-cheek campaign features a cast of Haymes people and takes a dig at foreign-owned paint brands while dispelling the myth that if you pick a colour from a particular paint brand, you’re stuck with that brand.

“Haymes Paint is Australia’s largest Australian-made and owned paint brand. We’re especially proud of that,” Andrew Senyard, Haymes Paint head of marketing, said.

“Likewise, we’re incredibly proud of the quality of our products and live by the words of the late David Haymes, ‘We never take shortcuts on quality’. We’re a little bit different from the other big paint brands, and this new campaign perfectly highlights that.”

This is the first campaign from the integrated agency for Haymes after winning the business in a competitive pitch earlier this year,

“We’ve loved every minute of working with Haymes Paint to reinvigorate their legendary brand,” Spinach ECD Dom Megna said. “Their people are feisty, unique and good fun. It made sense to bring them to the fore to tell their Australian story of quality and pride that’s been building constantly for 90 years.”

See also: Spinach appointed communications lead for Haymes Paint

CREDITS
Client: Haymes Paint
Head of Marketing – Andrew Senyard
Customer Marketing Manager – Louise McKenzie

Customer Marketing Manager – Felicity Howden

Creative Agency: Spinach
CCO: Frank Morabito
ECD: Dom Megna
CD: Justin Groves
Account Director: Bambi Villacruz
Account Executive: Paige Sobczyk
Strategy Director: Glenn Myatt

Media Director: Ben Willee
Production Director: James Williams
Finished Art: Georgia Raynes-Greenow
Production: Spinach
1St AD: Will Gunn, Comma Films
Producer: Ayden Aramze, Comma Films
DOP: Jensen Cope

Editor: Tonks
Sound: Production Alley

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across NSW and ACT, has been launched in front of a sea of foodies at a ceremony held in the Sydney Opera House tonight.

Also launched was the subscription-based Good Food app – available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, or as a standalone subscription.

Featuring more than 900 reviews from the SMH and Age guides, the app will be an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers containing recipes, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.

See also: Nine Upfront 2025 – Good Food app launching in November for SMH and Age subscribers

The annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants since 1984, and this year’s Guide is a compilation of 500 independent reviews visited by a team of critics over the past eight months.

The Sydney awards ceremony – supported by long-term co-presenting partner Vittoria Coffee and co-presenting partner Oceania Cruises – was held at the Sydney Opera House. Five hundred chefs, restaurateurs and industry legends from NSW and Canberra’s dining and drink scenes gathered as 15 awards, along with the coveted hat awards, were announced.

Paul Farag from Alalia took out the coveted Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award for his innovative approach to Middle Eastern food.

Good Food: 152 restaurants awarded one or more hats

This year’s Guide includes 152 restaurants awarded one or more hats: four restaurants received three hats, 36 restaurants received two hats and 113 restaurants received one hat. The three hat winners were Oncore by Clare Smyth, Sixpenny, Quay and, for the first time, Saint Peter.

With the industry undergoing a cultural change, a new award was introduced this year for Cultural Change Champion. Awarded to Women and Revolution, the inaugural award recognises the movement for fostering a positive, safe and empowering work environment for women in hospitality.

Iconic Australian chef Bill Granger was posthumously awarded the Vittoria Coffee Legend Award. The globally-renowned chef passed away nearly 12 months ago but his legacy on the food industry will last forever.

Named in Granger’s honour is a new award recognising a person, team or business approaching things from their own perspective and pushing Australian food forward. The Bill Granger Trailblazer Award was handed to Baba’s Place in Marrickville.

“Baba’s Place is a celebration of the suburban Sydney experience, grounded in the stories of immigrant families and their shared experiences of food and cooking. Like Bill Granger’s cafes embodied a particular sense of Australia, Baba’s Place does the same, proudly drawing on the Lebanese, Macedonian and Greek heritages of its co-owners,” said Callan Boys, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide editor. “Plus they do a great taramasalata on toast, which looks a bit like an Iced VoVo.”

The new Good Food app

Firepop in Enmore took out New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co, while You Beauty in Bangalow was named Regional Restaurant of the Year.

The Critics’ Pick Of The Year was awarded to Blacktown restaurant Gursha Ethiopian. The restaurant is a regular meeting place for East African families with an atmosphere described by critics: ‘There is laughter, there is music, and the air is heavy with incense and potent coffee’.

Luke Bourke, who works as sous chef at Rockpool Bar & Grill, was awarded Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg.

The Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award was given to Maureen Er from The White Horse, in Surry Hills, while Stonefruit restaurant and wine bar in Tenterfield, in the NSW New England region, was awarded Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.

Cafe of the Year went to Ona Coffee in Marrickville; Double Deuce Lounge took out Best Bar; Sommelier of the Year was awarded to Caitlin Baker from Such and Such in Canberra; and the Food for Good award was handed to Rice Fund, Soul of Chinatown.

Edited by Callan Boys and David Matthews, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 reviews have been undertaken by a team of esteemed critics including Boys, Terry Durack, Jill Dupleix and Sarah Norris, all of whom review independently and anonymously.

“While the Good Food Guide is the home of the hats, it continues to evolve across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs, offering an annual snapshot of the most exciting, outstanding venues you need to know about,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.

“With money tighter than ever for most diners, people want to know where they should spend their money, and be able to trust those recommendations. The guide, and the new Good Food app, takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect spot for you to eat, no matter what the occasion.”

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 magazine is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $14.95 from Tuesday, November 12 and tonight via the Good Food app. The app is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, or as a standalone subscription.

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 award winners

Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year: Saint Peter
Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year: Paul Farag (Alalia)
New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co: Firepop
Vittoria Coffee Regional Restaurant of the Year: You Beauty, Bangalow
Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award: Maureen Er (White Horse)
Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg: Luke Bourke (Rockpool Bar & Grill)
Sommelier of the Year: Caitlin Baker (Such and Such, Canberra)
Drinks List of the Year: Stonefruit in Tenterfield
Vittoria Coffee Legend Award: Bill Granger
Cafe of the Year: Ona Coffee, Marrickville
Bar of the Year: Double Deuce Lounge
Cultural Change Champion: Women and Revolution
Critic’s Pick Award: Gursha Ethiopian, Blacktown
Bill Granger Trailblazer Award: Baba’s Place
Food for Good, presented by Lightspeed: Rice Fund, Soul of Chinatown

Broadsheet has partnered with Cat Amongst The Pigeons Wine in a brand partnership with food writer and critic Melissa Leong, curating bespoke one-off dining events in Sydney and Melbourne.

This is the second time the brands have collaborated, with a campaign objective to increase awareness of Cat Amongst The Pigeons Wine within the culinary space and cement the brand’s position as a premium wine brand.

Earlier this year, Broadsheet and Cat Amongst The Pigeons asked Leong to play matchmaker for a one-night-only event in Melbourne. The sell-out event featured Lee Ho Fook chef Victor Liong and Bar Lourinha’s Matt McConnell, blending their Spanish and Portuguese with Malay and Cantonese cuisine.

“Cat Amongst the Pigeons and Broadsheet came to me with a blank slate to create the kind of dining event I want,” she says.

“They let me curate who I wanted to work with, and I let the real talent do their best after that. My skill is in curation – theirs is everything else,” said Leong.

The two follow-up events feature new unpredictable chef and restaurant pairings, with Leong matching wines from Cat Amongst The Pigeons to the one-night-only menus. The dinners represent and bring to life the Cat Amongst the Pigeons brand DNA, which Leong says “Is all about surprise and juxtaposition, and I am all for that.”

The first event, at Sydney’s Palazzo Salato on November 14, pairs celebrated Sri Lankan chef and food writer O Tama Carey with Love Tilly Group’s Scott McComas-Williams. For the second, at Melbourne’s Hopper Joint on November 20, house chef Ronith Arlikatti cooks alongside the legendary Christine Manfield.

Broadsheet national sales and partnerships manager Claire Booth said, “Partnering with Cat Amongst The Pigeons for these bespoke dining events has been an incredible success. When we publish an event that sells out within 48 hours, it’s clear that we’re onto something special. This demonstrates Broadsheet’s power – bringing together unique experiences that resonate with our audience. We’re thrilled to continue this strong collaboration with Cat Amongst the Pigeons.”

Kristy Farrell, brand manager Cat Amongst The Pigeons, Pinnacle Drinks, said “Broadsheet are experts in bringing events to life and they have such an engaged audience, pairing that with Melissa Leong’s expertise in bringing together the perfect chefs and restaurants that are unexpected, plus our award winning wine allows customers to experience some sophisticated fun!”

Campaign credits

BROADSHEET
Claire Booth, National Sales & Partnerships Director
Nick Langley, Sales & Partnerships Manager
Chrissy Voss, Studio & Strategy Director
Julia Monaco, Senior Campaign Manager
Jessica Kirsopp, Senior Partnerships Manager
Ben Siero, Design Lead

CONTRIBUTORS
Melissa Leong
Palazzo Salato Team
Hopper Joint Team
O Tama Carey, Chef
Christine Manfield, Chef

CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS
Kristy Farrell, Brand Manager, Cat Amongst The Pigeons

DENTSU CREATIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS
Madeleine Page, Business Director
Sarah Male, Senior Account Executive

CARAT
Melissa Ford, Senior Client Manager

Liquor Barons, the West Australian-owned cooperative, has launched its new positioning as the ‘ultimate destination’ for alcohol exploration in a new campaign from Hypnosis.

Liquor Barons has more than 90 shops independently run by locals and offers a unique, evolving range that transforms every visit into an adventure. Unlike the big chains, which serve up the same old choices, the cooperative brings the excitement of the unknown with the assurance that each selection has been thoughtfully curated.

The new campaign with the tagline ‘A Thirst for Discovery’ is an invitation to explore.

The Baron has evolved from a passive figurehead into a worldly guide; ditching the steampunk look, his updated aesthetic reflects his new zest for life and experimentation, taking inspiration from the globetrotting Seinfeld character J. Peterman. With a move towards highlighting variety and exploration, rather than price, the new creative injects boldness and consistency into the brand.

The Perth-based creative agency’s campaign will run across OOH, online videos, print and social media, taking West Australians on a journey around the world – one sip at a time.

“West Australians recognised The Baron but knew little about him. It was exciting to develop his character, transforming him into a richly layered and intriguing personality,” Guy Patrick, ECD of Hypnosis, said.

Lisa Hegarty, marketing manager at Liquor Barons, added: “This is a bold step for Liquor Barons but one that also brings a level of cohesiveness to our look and feel. It’s been a thrill to not only see The Baron brought to life, but to have our change in strategy expressed in such a fun, irreverent way.”

See also: Amber Martin and Guy Patrick launch new Perth-based creative agency Hypnosis

Credits
Client: Liquor Barons
General Manager: Chris O’Brien
Marketing Manager: Lisa Hegarty
Marketing Manager: Eliza Schawb
Marketing Coordinator: Macushla Quicke
Liquor Barons in-house team: Michael Cruise, Rebecca Hartley, Jade Dwyer
Agency: Hypnosis
Executive Creative Director: Guy Patrick
Creatives: Laura Blundell & Tina Milosic
Managing Director: Amber Martin
Account Manager: Gianni Corvaia
Production: Rhythm Films
Executive Producer: Candice Shields
Producer: Adam Keogh
Director/Editor: Gemma Rule
DOP/Stills: Justin Griffiths
1st A/C: Brianna Trinidad
Stills assist: Coral Littlejohn
Gaffer: Andrew Piercey
Art Department: Clare Ryan
Art Department assist: Corey Chandler
SFX/Beard: Nicole Spiro Walton
Make-Up: Kate Farmer
Colour Grade: Danny Scotting
Sound Design: Justin Braine
Talent: Simon Lodge
VO Talent: Michael Loney
Gear: Raz Rentals / Location Equipment
Studio: Photofinity

Urban List, a lifestyle publisher, has strengthened its executive team by appointing Alex Dickinson as head of content. Dickinson has over 15 years of global media experience.

Dickinson began his career at The Courier-Mail before moving to New York, where he held key roles at The New York Post, Bloomberg, and the former Gizmodo Media Group. As executive managing editor at Gizmodo, he was instrumental in growing the reach of brands like Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Deadspin, and Jezebel, collectively attracting a monthly audience of over 100 million. Following a prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, Dickinson joined The Code Company, a software agency focused on web infrastructure for media organisations.

Ben Naparstek, CEO of Urban List, expressed excitement about securing someone of Dickinson’s calibre. “Alex’s global experience scaling digital publishers and driving technology transformations makes him the perfect fit to lead our content strategy and take Urban List into its next growth phase,” Naparstek said. “Alex’s appointment will strengthen our ability to deliver impactful content that resonates with consumers while providing valuable touchpoints for brand integration, driving meaningful outcomes for our brand partners and collaborators.”

The appointment signals the company’s commitment to unlocking new opportunities for clients to connect with culture-driven audiences across APAC, where a piece of Urban List content is shared every fifteen seconds.

Alex Dickinson said, “I was still living in Brisbane in 2011 when Susannah George launched Urban List nearby, and I was in awe of how quickly the brand became a challenger to legacy media. I look forward to working with Urban List to maximise the opportunities of today’s changing landscape.”

See also: Urban List expands into Asia, Lifestyle media house Urban List launches new merchandise line.

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) today announced the 2024 ARIA Awards Red Carpet will be presented by Specsavers, bringing a clear vision of style to the event with hosts Christian Wilkins and Bridget Hustwaite on Wednesday, 20 November at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.

Live from the Specsavers stage, Christian and Bridget will share exclusive moments, interviews, and all the ARIA Red Carpet glitz and glamour live from the Hordern Pavilion at 1:30 pm on the @ARIA_Official YouTube channel. Joining Bridget and Christian throughout the awards is DJ and triple j radio host, Latifa Tee.

Anri McHugh head of brand marketing planning & PR – Specsavers, said: “Specsavers is proud to support the ARIA Awards and the artists who make Australian music so memorable. The Red Carpet is a platform for self-expression, and we’re excited to play a part in bringing eyewear to the forefront of Red Carpet style. This partnership with the ARIAs enables us to shine the spotlight on style, individuality and creativity on one of Australia’s biggest stages.”

ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Specsavers as the official Red Carpet partner for the 2024 ARIAs. As a global brand with a well-loved track record for thinking outside the box when it comes to vision and creativity, they are the perfect partner in a year we set our sights on celebrating Australian music’s role on the global stage.”

Some of Australia’s most recognised artists and presenters will be hitting the Red Carpet, including: Ava Max, Missy Higgins, CYRIL, 3%, Jessica Mauboy, Julian Hamilton from The Presets, Troy Cassar-Daley, Amy Shark, Angie McMahon, and Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers, Kane Brown, Artemas, Budjerah, Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller, Emily Wurramara, Fanny Lumsden, G Flip, Grinspoon, Hannah Conda, Jenna Owen, King, Kween Kong, Richard Wilkins, Tkay Maidza, Vic Zerbst and more.

The ARIA Awards will broadcast from Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion live from 5.00pm AEDT on Wednesday, 20 November, only on Stan. The live stream will be followed by a special presentation on Channel 9 at 8.30pm with performances and moments also available on the @ARIA.official YouTube channel.

Australia’s most prestigious media event, the Mediaweek 100 lunch, returns for 2024 at the Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney, on November 22.

The Mediaweek 100 celebrates the leaders who are at the top of their game, alongside the teams driving their success at Australia’s leading media companies.

After what has been a turbulent year, this annual event attracts the industry’s most influential people.

You can buy your tickets here. 

This year’s list is set to look quite different from previous years as there have been many big changes in the industry. In 2023, spots #1 and #2 were taken by former Seven CEO James Warburton and former Nine CEO Mike Sneesby, respectively and both are no longer in those roles.

Warburton placed in the #5 spot on 2022’s list while Sneesby placed #1 that year.

Other execs who appeared in 2023’s top 10 lineup included Nova’s Peter Charlton, oOh!media’s Cathy O’Connor, Are Media’s Jane Huxley, Paramount’s Beverley McGarvey, ARN’s Ciaran Davis, SCA’s John Kelly, Foxtel’s Patrick Delany and News Corp’s Michael Miller.

See the full list of names for 2023 here.

James Warburton, former CEO of Seven West Media

You can view the full criteria and enter the Mediaweek 100 here.

While you don’t have to be nominated to make the list, our application portal is open to encourage submissions.

KEY DATES

Submissions close: Tuesday, 12 November 2024 (11.59pm AEST)

Event Date: Friday, 22 November, 2024 (12pm AEST)
Location: Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney

Tickets are available here.

Nunn Media has acquired Sydney-based digital agency Indago.

The acquisition integrates into Alley Group, the independent media agency’s existing Sydney-headquartered global digital agency and brings its employee base of 65 people in Australia.

Indago works with international brands and Australian companies, including Travelex, ADT Security and Hays Recruitment. It’s clients include Tinder, JB Hi-Fi, Seafolly, Netgear and Wilson. The agency will integrate its digital media, enterprise SEO, data, web development and analytics services.

Gary Nissim, managing director of Indago, will become the CEO of Alley Australia effective immediately, working with both the local and global leadership team, including Di Sandhu, the recently appointed general manager of Alley Melbourne.

Matt Nunn

Matt Nunn, CEO and founder of Nunn Media, said he was excited by the prospect of combining the two entities. He said: “Nunn Media has had an exceptional few years in terms of its commercial performance, capability enhancements, and the people it’s attracting as part of a strong growth trajectory.”

“With digital marketing currently representing 70 per cent of revenue, Nunn’s acquisition and product strategy remains focussed on new and complementary capabilities to our brands, with an emphasis on digital media, technical web development, data, and analytics. Indago, therefore, is a perfect fit for us.

“Data is a client’s most powerful asset, so integration of Indago’s proprietary products and methodology will further accelerate Alley and Nunn’s data and analytics capabilities.

“I have known and respected Gary and the Indago business for a number of years and can confidently say that he is an exceptional leader and thinker. His team brings a unique set of capabilities to our group and we are delighted to be working together.”

Nick Lavidge

Nick Lavidge, Alley Group’s United States of America-based Global CEO, added that Alley was founded on the belief that when organisations spend money on marketing they should make money on marketing, and Indago shares that return-on-investment philosophy.

“With its unique capabilities we feel that Indago will help enable Alley’s client promise of doing more with less, and as a result, accelerate Alley’s growth. We welcome Gary and his team to the Alley family with open arms.”

Nissim said: “Finding the right partner for the future of your business and team is critical and after a number of approaches over the years, Nunn and Alley were a natural choice.

“We have complementary business visions, a common client focus and share strong momentum and team culture. I can’t wait to help Alley continue its exceptional journey and look forward to working with Matt Nunn, Matt Crook, Nick, and the entire Alley team.”

Five by Five Global has teamed up with drone challenger brand HOVERAir, as its strategic partner.

The collaboration aims to drive awareness of HOVERAir’s drones in the highly competitive Australian market through targeted PR and influencer marketing campaigns.

HOVERAir is poised to disrupt the Australian drone market with its range of lightweight, affordable, and high-performance flying cameras.

The drone brand and Five by Five Global will leverage the agency’s expertise in brand activation, PR, and digital influencer strategies to connect with a broader audience across Australia, from tech enthusiasts to outdoor adventurers and families.

HOVERAir’s 125g self-flying camera is designed to be controlled effortlessly and is equipped with 5 flight modes, including the incredible follow mode, orbit mode and birds-eye mode, enabling stunning aerial shots at the touch of a button. It’s perfect for capturing family outings, sports activities, or even professional-grade videos for social media.

HOVERAir’s collaboration with Five by Five Global marks a strategic expansion within the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging localised insights to drive brand growth in Australia. With Five by Five’s expertise in global brand activation and culturally resonant PR, this partnership is designed to position HOVERAir as a top contender in Australia’s drone market. Through a mix of regional influencer partnerships, and targeted PR, HOVERAir and Five by Five will deliver a strategy that blends local relevance with international appeal, making advanced drone technology accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Mark Anderson

Sunday 10 November 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,369,000, a total TV national audience of 1,229,000, and a BVOD audience of 114,000.

Nine’s The Block Grand Final recorded a total TV national reach of 3,412,000, a total TV national audience of 2,110,000, and a BVOD audience of 278,000.

2023’s Block Grand Final recorded a 1,274,000 total TV national audience while 2022’s recorded 1.692m.

Seven’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024 recorded a total TV national reach of 1,939,000, a total TV national audience of 695,000, and a BVOD audience of 21,000.

Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,870,000, a total TV national audience of 1,136,000, and a BVOD audience of 51,000.

10’s Dessert Masters recorded a total TV national reach of 756,000, a total TV national audience of 299,000, and a BVOD audience of 20,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s The Block Grand Final:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,358,000
• National Audience: 882,000
• BVOD Audience: 171,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 468,000
• National Audience: 270,000
• BVOD Audience: 25,000

Seven’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024:
• Total TV nation reach: 454,000
• National Audience: 121,000
• BVOD Audience: 9,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 278,000
• National Audience: 104,000
• BVOD Audience: 10,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block Grand Final:
• Total TV nation reach: 644,000
• National Audience: 422,000
• BVOD Audience: 101,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 156,000
• National Audience: 75,000
• BVOD Audience: 12,000

Seven’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024:
• Total TV nation reach: 166,000
• National Audience: 56,000
• BVOD Audience: 5,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 93,000
• National Audience: 36,000
• BVOD Audience: 5,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block Grand Final:
• Total TV nation reach: 2,582,000
• National Audience: 1,630,000
• BVOD Audience: 223,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,512,000
• National Audience: 928,000
• BVOD Audience: 41,000

Seven’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,540,000
• National Audience: 564,000
• BVOD Audience: 17,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 589,000
• National Audience: 237,000
• BVOD Audience: 16,000

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.