At the annual Mediaweek 100 lunch last week at Crown Sydney, Lou Barrett was presented with the Mediaweek Icon Award.

The CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia, Mark Coad, introduced Barrett. The News Corp Australia managing director of sales then spoke about what the Icon award meant to her and her family. Barrett then detailed her move through the ranks of the media industry in TV, radio and publishing.

Mediaweek spoke to Barrett to learn more about her media career and she shared some of her insights.

Building relationships

A good relationship really makes you a trusted advisor. Once people have a relationship with you and they trust you, they will come to you before they go to anyone else.

That’s what I’ve tried to build in my teams over the years, to create these relationships. [Harvey Norman CEO] Katie Page is a perfect example of that, right, because Katie’s very loyal too. Once you’ve got a relationship with someone, you’ve got that relationship forever.

Now that doesn’t mean, when you’ve got a relationship, you can rest on your laurels. You’ve still got to deliver on creativity and an outcome for the client. That relationship also means that you’re going to have to see through what you’ve promised.

In a way, you’ve almost got to work harder delivering because of that relationship.

Lou Barrett, husband Peter and former GroupM chairman John Steadman

Maintaining a friendship

One day during a recent trip to the UK, I went into News UK. On the second day, I got in the car and drove for three hours out to the West Midlands, to Birmingham, to go and have a look at Katie Page’s first store on the UK mainland. She’s been in Ireland for 20-odd years. But she just opened her store in the West Midlands, in a place called Merry Hill. I drove out there and met with her country manager, a guy called Lachlan. He’s an Aussie. Met with Lachlan, and walked through the store. They’ve done a brilliant job, but I also went and had a look at her competitor.

I came back and I was telling the News UK team about what I’d done, and they said they had better get out there.

You’ve got to be prepared to go the extra mile. You’ve got to be prepared to think of that business like it’s your business.

I’ve tried to instil that in every business I’ve ever been in. We’ve got to have a client and customer-first mentality. It’s not rocket science. [Laughs]

We’ve got to have a customer-first mentality, not a News Corp-first mentality, or a publisher-first mentality. You’ve got to have a client-first mentality.

Keep on learning

I love to keep up with what’s going on. That’s critical to longevity in this business.

You’ve got to keep abreast of what’s going on. Probably one of the biggest learning curves for me, was eight years ago, stepping into a very digital business at News Corp.

News.com.au is the biggest digital news business in the country. That was a very steep learning curve for me. I still wouldn’t say I’m a digital native, but jeez, I’ve come a long way in eight years.

Monetising digital

What we’ve done is build out our customer data platform within Intent Connect which has been critical. We’ve spent the last eight years doing that. And we’ve done a really good job.

It took us six years to get our CDP (customer data platform) together with Foxtel and REA. But that was a catalyst. Now we’re in a very, very good place.

We’ve still got a massive audience on News.com.au. The big message I’m taking to market at the moment is around engaged reach. Making sure that we focus on engagement, rather than just empty eyeballs. Look at Meta, empty eyeballs.

Along the way, we’ve brought some great digital people into the business. Pippa Leary [managing director & publisher, free news & lifestyle] for example who came on a couple of years ago.

More recently we brought Cam Curtis [general manager of performance, planning and strategy] into the business. Cam worked with me a number of years ago at ACP. He went away, leaving ACP to go into digital startups.

Cam’s now a digital native and has brought his expertise into the business. We brought Dean La Rosa in, who is our new head of data. We’ve got some very good digital expertise in our business now.

In sales, I don’t employ people without digital expertise now. It’s critical. We’re constantly addressing capability in the business to make sure that everyone is educating the young ones and bringing them through the business so that they are digital natives.

Print’s easy, darl. Digital’s complex.

Digital is the future, but print still works

Look at the travel sector. We’re up significantly in travel this year. Travel just keeps going from strength to strength because print still works.

Look at Katie Page. The majority of her spend is in print because it works. Some people who have stepped away from print are now coming back because they’re seeing the value in print.

It’s a wonderful vehicle for helping build brands alongside digital.

[Speak to Lou for a deal on print/digital combo.]

Absolutely. Oh, 100%. I’ve got a rate card that does that. It rewards both.

Lou Barrett is a busy person, how does she manage?

I know this sounds really boring because, over my years in the media industry, I have been a massive drinker. I really don’t drink much anymore, James.

I talked about this when we had our Pace Setters conference with all my team in Byron Bay, particularly the young ones.

I’m like, guys, I went and saw Steven Bartlett earlier in the year and his Diary of a CEO.

Something that really resonated me was sleep. I was already on that bandwagon anyway, and I’ve become a professional sleeper. It’s one thing that keeps you healthy and you’ve got to have is sleep. To be able to function at a very high level, you need to be able to sleep.

That’s the biggest mistake you can make as a young one in this industry. You go out partying and you just don’t get enough sleep.

I know that sounds really boring, but for me now, it’s making sure that my health is where it needs to be because I haven’t always taken care of my health.

And I exercise regularly. Pilates, it’s changed my life.

[Lou Barrett’s sleep regime?] I can’t function on anything under eight hours.

News Corp Australia colleagues Pippa Leary and Lou Barrett

Too many meetings?

The one thing Michael Miller said to me when I first came to News Corp, he said, ‘Lou, don’t get dragged into the News vortex. It’s very easy to do when you’re in a very big business to have meetings for meetings sake.

For me, it’s about balancing my time so that I don’t get bogged down in internal meetings

Doing that enables me to spend more time in market with our clients.

In person or Zoom?

It’s got to be in-person. We’ve just had a lot of agency pitches. I’m really adamant that we’ve got to go to them in person.

Some of our team in the other states have to be on conference calls, but we’ve got to be there in person.

I’m big-time on meeting people in person.

Having a boss who just understands the business

I have a wonderful relationship with Michael Miller and I really love working with him. He’s a brilliant executive and he absolutely deserves to be the number one on the Mediaweek 100.

He is very measured. He’s very fair and he just understands the business.

What Michael also understands is work-life balance. There’s not a lot of people at the executive chairman level that understand that.

That’s what gives you longevity in the business. You’ve got to get your work-life balance right. If you don’t, you’ll burn out in this industry.

2025 planning is well underway

We’re done with D_Coded which will be in March, so it’s a bit earlier next year.

Then we’re going to run our Frontiers program off the back of that. We’re good to go. We’re very excited about what we’ve got for D_Coded.

Watch this space, there are some good announcements coming.

Looking at the other Upfront events this year, I felt they were a bit lacklustre. I didn’t see any big announcements.

There was nothing. Where was all the big programming that TV is bringing to the fore?

See also: ‘I feel like I’m just getting started’ – News Corp’s Lou Barrett is inducted as the newest Mediaweek Icon

ABC chair Kim Williams delivered a powerful talk on ethical leadership during the 2024 Sir Vincent Fairfax Oration in Sydney last week. Yet the timing of his speech, set against the backdrop of major changes at the ABC, cast a shadow over his message of optimism and inter-generational responsibility.

Williams’ address, hosted by the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, championed the role of civic institutions like the ABC in sustaining democracy, trust, and cultural identity. However, the broadcaster’s own upheavals — including the non-renewal of contracts for presenters Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie — prompted discussion about the challenges of applying these ideals in dynamic and complex organisational environments.

A vision of ethical leadership

Speaking to an audience that included members of the Fairfax and Myer families, Williams described leadership as a long-term, inter-generational responsibility. He emphasised the importance of professional ethics, citing Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny, which warns of the consequences when ethical norms are eroded.

“Professional ethics matter most in moments of exception,” Williams said. “These are the moments that test our principles and define our legacies.”

He called for a commitment to truth, cultural enrichment, and the nurturing of Australia’s civic institutions, positioning the ABC as a vital player in fostering national identity and democratic values. Williams celebrated the ABC’s role in bringing Australian stories to life, highlighting its contributions to journalism, education, and the arts.

Pictured: ABC chair Kim Williams.

A contrast with reality at the ABC

However, the day of Williams’ speech was also the day staff at ABC Radio National learned of sweeping changes. Macdonald, the long-time host of ABC Sydney Mornings, and weekend presenter Simon Marnie were informed their contracts would not be renewed. Chris Bath was announced as the new Drive host, replacing Richard Glover, further underscoring the sense of upheaval.

The news was met with outgoing Media Watch host Paul Barry praising Macdonald as “one of the best things on radio” and former ABC journalist Emma Alberici saying she was “utterly gobsmacked.”

Williams did not address these changes in his speech, moderator Matt Beard encouraged concise, topic-focused questions during the Q&A, and management changes were not raised.

A test of leadership for Australia’s national broadcaster

Williams’ vision for the ABC is ambitious, portraying it as a cornerstone of Australian democracy and culture. He called for greater investment in public broadcasting to combat misinformation, nurture critical thinking, and foster Australian storytelling.

“Australian democracy thrives when supported by institutions that reflect our shared history and aspirations,” he said. “The ABC is one of our most vital institutions, a mirror to our nation and a bridge to our future.”

But as Williams praised the ABC’s role as a unifier and truth-teller, the broadcaster itself faces growing criticism for how it manages its people and resources.

Implications for the media industry

For Australia’s media and marketing industry, Williams’ oration spotlights a larger tension between values and execution. It affirms the critical role of leadership in navigating change while staying true to organisational principles.

The ABC’s recent actions, including the talent shake-up, illustrate the complex challenges of maintaining trust and relevance in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Williams is due to speak at the National Press Club in Canberra next week.

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Top image: Kim Williams

Wicked has stormed the box office, delivering the third-largest opening weekend of the year in Australia, behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. The film earned $10.2 million across its Wednesday to Sunday debut, with 489,000 admissions, and demonstrated a 65% female skew while maintaining broad appeal across all demographics. Globally, it brought in $164 million, solidifying its position as a must-see blockbuster.

Much like Barbie and Oppenheimer earlier this year, Wicked has become a cultural moment, attracting audiences of all ages and offering brands an opportunity to connect with an engaged and diverse audience. The film also contributed to a 34% increase in weekend cinema attendance compared to last week’s strong showing with Gladiator II.

Brands fly high with Wicked

Several major brands aligned with Wicked to tap into its wide-reaching appeal. National on-screen sponsors include AAMI, Telstra, NAB, Carnival Cruise Line, and Camilla, which launched a Wicked-themed capsule collection inspired by the film’s costumes.

“This film is one of the most beloved musicals of all time, and its cinematic debut has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm,” said Guy Burbidge, managing director of Val Morgan Cinema. “Aligning with cultural moments like this, especially during the holiday season, is a smart strategy for brands looking to reach highly engaged audiences in a meaningful way.”

A strong start to the summer of cinema

Wicked’s success marks the start of a blockbuster season, with upcoming releases like Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 poised to draw more crowds into cinemas through Boxing Day. This wave of high-profile films mirrors the Barbenheimer effect earlier in the year, offering marketers a golden opportunity to integrate with major cultural events that drive conversations and increase consumer engagement.

With its multigenerational appeal and strong fan base, Wicked is set to continue its reign at the box office throughout the summer. For marketers, it’s another reminder of the power of aligning with major film releases to connect with hard-to-reach audiences and amplify brand impact.

AAMI has launched a humorous new campaign capturing the quirks of an Australian Christmas and its day-after chaos via Ogilvy.

The When the Festivities are over campaign, is AAMI’s first Christmas campaign and portrays what happens when that Boxing Day food coma feeling clashes with unexpected events.

“The exact time when, if something should go wrong, you’d just want your insurance company to sort it out,” Ogilvy Melbourne ECD Hilary Badger said.

“It’s of course important for Australia’s leading national insurer to be present at Christmas, which is such a big time of year for our country’s leading brands. But being AAMI, we need a unique point of view during what can be a very crowded season for brands. So, we’ve opted to stand out with a much less saccharine spin on Christmas.

“It’s an unexpected time to think about insurance, which makes it disruptive,” Badger added.

The campaign is live now nationally across TV, BVOD, SVOD, cinema, OOH (including large format, small format and special build), social and audio and will run until January 20.

It builds on the AAMI brand platform developed by Ogilvy and launched at the start of the year, embracing the quirks and challenges of Australia and reinvigorating AAMI’s long-standing tagline ‘Lucky you’re with AAMI’.

Starting with the cinematic My Country execution using Dorothea Mackellar’s iconic poem, the platform continued with the much-celebrated Athletes in the Making launched in the lead up to the Olympics.

In August, When our game has its moments campaign went live celebrating AAMI’s association with Australia’s national sport, AFL, plus a raft of other activity in other channels.

Mim Haysom, Suncorp EGM brand and customer experience, said: “We can all relate to the action unfolding in When the festivities are over, it’s a fitting finish to the year and a timely reminder that no matter the situation, it’s lucky you’re with AAMI.”

There was much interest surrounding the Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) Annual General Meeting today and the shareholders’ votes on items of business.

There was speculation there would be a shareholder backlash against a number of items of business.

There was also an outside chance there might have been an update on the progress of talks to sell the regional TV assets. That didn’t happen and there was only a brief mention of regional TV in the chairman and CEO presentations. (See below.)

What was significant was a poll with over 25% of shareholders voting against adopting the remuneration report. As this was over the 25% threshold, it is considered a first strike. If it happens for a subsequent remuneration report, an entire company board may face re-election if shareholders disagree with how much executives are being paid.

Board members survive

In voting on the items of business at the SCA AGM, both directors up for election survived the vote. Chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise survived re-election as chairman with a vote of 71% in favour.

New board member Marina Go was also confirmed as a director with a vote in favour from 99% of those who voted.

Chairman’s address on earnings & asset sale

Mackay-Cruise told shareholders: “Let me start by acknowledging that the most recent financial year was a challenging and disappointing one for our company, and especially for our shareholders. With persistently high inflation and slowing economic conditions, broadcast advertising markets were depressed for much of the year. Group revenue of $499.4 million was 1% below FY23, and underlying group EBITDA of $66.2 million was 14.3% below FY23. The Board decided not to pay a final dividend for FY24. While the group’s leverage remains well within our banking covenants, the Board considers that preserving cash to reduce the group’s net debt is in the best interests of shareholders.”

He also added: “As we have announced previously to the ASX, we have commenced a process to dispose of our television assets. While this process has taken longer than we originally expected, we remain in active negotiations with several parties who are interested in acquiring those assets. We will update shareholders as those negotiations progress.”

Listnr’s #1 podcast Hamish & Andy

Chief executive John Kelly updates operating momentum

John Kelly (pictured above) also referred to the regional TV sale, noting there could be a “meaningful” update on progress within “weeks”.

He started his presentation with: “We have three key audience pillars we are capitalising on via our audio offering to reach the audiences that matter. One, is the metro radio 25-54 demographic, which we unquestionably and unequivocally dominate nationally. Beyond the capital cities, SCA reaches 70 percent of all regional Australians. And thirdly, we have the known and addressable audience via our digital offering through our owned and operated LiSTNR ecosystem.”

Talking about positive operating momentum at SCA, Kelly said: “This transformation can be seen in the improvement in our results for the second half of FY24, with EBITDA growth of 6% on the prior period with Audio EBITDA growth up 8%.”

He also referred to the recent Q1 FY25 update SCA release which Mediaweek previously covered.

Kelly then detailed some of the radio ratings success across Australia which Mediaweek reports on every survey release day.

He also detailed podcast success, again something covered here every month with the release of the Podcast Ranker charts.

Kelly finished his address to shareholders with: “I would also like to reaffirm our commitment to consistency, our positive revenue and earnings movement and momentum, and our All-of-Audio strategy. We have the building blocks for success in place. Our digital transformation is now reaping rewards. Our products, regionally and in the metro markets, are unrivalled. All this combined makes me, and the wider SCA team, confident and excited about the opportunities ahead.”

SCA’s Fifi, Fev and Nick

Who is new director Marina Go?

In her first AGM as a director, Marina Go was able to present her credentials to shareholders. It worked – she received a ‘yes’ in 99% of the votes cast for her board election. Go will be familiar to longstanding Mediaweek readers for her years in print media. She has quite the career. Her busy LinkedIn CV lists 38 roles. She started in journalism with News Corp and then three years later she moved to ACP as editor of Dolly magazine.

Go then had editorial positions at five other magazine publishers over a number of years.

Next came a career transformation that saw her work across digital media businesses as well as taking on general management and director roles at a number of companies, including Eric Beecher’s Private Media, 7-Eleven and Adore Beauty.

Her pitch to shareholders included:

Executive Experience
Leadership Roles: Extensive experience leading digital media companies, including roles as CEO and leader of a global joint venture multimedia organisation.
Industry Tenure: Over 30 years in the media industry, with a focus on digital transformation since 2008.

Board and Committee Involvement
Non-Executive Roles: Served as chair and non-executive director for ASX-listed companies, private companies, and not-for-profits across sectors like retail, energy, infrastructure, and health.
Committee Leadership: Experienced in chairing people and remuneration committees, sustainability committees, and serving on audit and risk committees.

Media Sector Expertise
Content Creation and Governance: Experience in media content creation and governance.
Walkley Foundation: Five years on the board, including a term as chair.
Innovation Leadership: Inaugural chair of the Centre for Media and Innovation at UTS.

Strategic Interests and Contributions
Focus Areas: Innovation, convenience, mobility, and growth-focused customer-facing business models.
Digital Media Influence: Recognises the power of digital media and podcasts in shaping customer behaviour.
Commitment to Audio Future: Passionate about the strategic direction of audio media, ensuring accessibility and convenience for listeners.

Ethical Standards and Governance
Integrity and Ethics: Values integrity and ethical standards in media governance.
Stakeholder Engagement: Emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement, diversity, and inclusion.
Sustainability: Advocates for sustainable practices that benefit shareholders and support a healthy democracy.

Personal Commitment
Time Dedication: Committed to dedicating time as an independent non-executive director.
Leadership Quality: Prioritises the quality of leadership when considering board roles.

Conclusion
Vision for Southern Cross Austereo: Believes in the company’s potential and is committed to contributing through media sector expertise and leadership skills.
Call to Action: Encourages election to the board to continue serving and supporting the organisation’s strategic goals.

SCA shareholders questions

Much of the time was taken up with many varied and detailed questions, and a few statements, from SCA shareholders.

The questioning covered poor company performance which had led to “shareholder value destruction”, according to one speaker. They eventually got a question about future cost-cutting and the future earnings capability of Listnr.

There was also a question about management morale. It’s is OK, said Kelly. “We are positive about the future direction.” As to a follow-up about executives throwing in the towel, Kelly added there had been “no regretted departures”.

One question asked about adding new board members with entertainment sector experience. Another questioned whether SCA should enter the news/talk space. “We’re already there with on-demand content,” replied Kelly.

Others touched on the amount of shares board directors owned, another asked about PWC and its qualifications to be the long-term auditor.

See also: SCA reports audio revenue edges higher as new breakfast show launches

IGA shows Aussies that shopping local isn’t a community service but a savvy move made by smart shoppers in its latest brand campaign with creative agency Special.

The ‘You Can’t Beat Local’ campaign celebrates the home ground advantages shoppers can expect at IGA matched to the big two competitors through to a product range tailored to the specific needs and wants of each local area.

The integrated brand campaign includes a 30-second hero film and three 15-second spots featuring some of the many IGA stores from around Australia, local legend owners, and the custom range and value pricing propositions found in every location.

With the festive season fast approaching, a second iteration of the campaign was launched in quick succession, showing how shopping locally helps savvy shoppers swerve the Christmas chaos that occurs in shopping centres every December.

“IGA is famous for being local, and always will be, but some Australians still think that shopping local comes at a cost,” Fiona Johnston, Metcash GM Shopper Brand and Loyalty, said.

“We want to dispel that myth and flip what local means on its head and are excited to launch this new loud, proud and exciting campaign, showcasing how you can’t beat local for range, ease and value. IGA retailers stock the things their local shoppers need and want, from everyday essentials to hidden gems you can’t get anywhere else.

“It’s easy to get into our stores and convenient to get good value through specials that are special to our locals and price matching on the products that count. Shopping locally shouldn’t just feel good – it can also make a real difference on your wallet, and it’s time to tell more Aussies about the game-changing power of local,” Johnston added.

Lindsey Evans, partner and CEO at Special, said: “This campaign marks the beginning of Special’s partnership with a team of open, brave and kind marketers who share our independent values. We’re excited to continue redefining what it means to shop locally with IGA – at Christmas and all year long.”

“Working closely with IGA and Special to bring to life the new, bold brand positioning has been an incredible experience,” Cassie Broad, Starcom Australia Business Director, said.

“The Starcom Australia team have thoroughly enjoyed bringing to life the ‘You Can’t Beat Local’ concept within the media strategy, with targeted screens, OOH and social placements allowing us to hero the power of local,” Broad added.

This is the first campaign Special has created for IGA since partnering with the brand in June 2024. The ‘You can’t beat local’ platform debuted recently with an integrated campaign running across TV, social, OOH, earned and owned assets.

The complementary Christmas campaign including a 30-second TV spot, OOH, radio, social and owned media launched on 11 November 2024.

Credits
Client: Metcash, IGA
Creative Agency: Special Group
Media Agency: Starcom Australia

Mediaweek celebrated its third MW100 luncheon at the Pearl Ballroom at Crown Sydney on Friday afternoon, celebrating the successes of the media industry and the people who make it.

This year saw the return of the Mediaweek 100, countdown of Australia’s top 100 media executives, and Agency 50, the top 50 most influential media agency leaders.

Michael Miller, News Corp Australia’s executive chairman, claimed the top spot on the list. GroupM Australia CEO Aimee Buchanan took the number one spot on the agency 50 list for a second consecutive year.

Joining the MW100 lists is the new Variety Australia Entertainment 50, which splits out individuals and industry organisations who play a crucial role in producing content. The inaugural winners of the category were Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson, co-founders and directors of Ludo Studio, known for the award-winning kids show Bluey.

Comedian Michael Hing entertained audiences with a stand-up routine before Mark Coad, CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia, inducted Lou Barrett, managing director of sales at News Corp Australia, as the newest Mediaweek Icon. He described her as someone with an “incredible reputation in the industry, as well as being hardworking, fun and known for taking no bullshit.”

Barrett opened her, acknowledging the many “beautiful people” in the industry, and it’s what she loves about the industry.

“I’ve always been incredibly passionate about this industry. It’s a space that constantly evolves. It’s constantly challenging you. And most importantly, it allows you to connect with people in ways that I think are both really powerful, and really meaningful.

“And to be part of such a dynamic industry, and there’s so much change going on at the moment, to be part of a dynamic industry where every day feels like an opportunity to innovate, to tell stories, to make an impact, and to deliver results for clients, is something I truly, truly love and I try to impart on my team as well.”

Ali Clarke has stepped down as breakfast host on Mix 102.3.

Clarke told listeners on Monday morning: “This year has given me a new perspective, so now I’m ready for the next challenge. I’ll miss our listeners terribly and can’t thank them enough for their support of not just me but my family.

“Man, I love radio and will miss this incredibly hardworking local team, but I know they’ll keep bringing the laughs and will go from strength to strength.

Clarke has been with Mix 102.3 for the past three years and made a lasting impact both on and off-air. Her involvement in community-driven campaigns has been memorable, including granting terminally ill schoolboy Sammy Scully his ultimate wish of becoming a police officer.

She also led the Mel Dzelde Rescue, securing Oprah Winfrey to drive donations and winning an ACRA Award for the campaign, bringing an early Christmas to radio legend Mel Dzelde’s family while in hospice care.

In addition to these significant moments, Clarke leaves behind the enduring legacy of MIX Breast Check Day, a national campaign launched after her breast cancer diagnosis that dedicates the first of every month to reminding listeners to perform self-breast checks.

Duncan Campbell, ARN’s chief content officer, said: “Ali has made an extraordinary contribution to Mix 102.3 and the community. Her empathy, passion, and talent for storytelling have brought countless memorable moments to our listeners.

“We respect Ali’s decision to move on to new opportunities and thank her for all she’s contributed over the past three years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours.”

Max Burford will continue as co-host of Mix 102.3’s Breakfast show in 2025, with further details regarding the show to be announced.

The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show was launched as Adelaide’s new breakfast show in 2022, replacing the previous show of Erin Phillips & Soda for Breakfast, although Phillips will be remaining with the program.

See also:
ARN launches KIIS Breast Check Day campaign following Ali Clarke’s diagnosis
Adelaide’s Mix102.3 announces The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show

–

Top image: Ali Clarke

News publishing made a big impact on this year’s Mediaweek 100 List, with over 10% of the total list being made up of news publishing professionals, featuring both new and long-time industry veterans.

From director of publishing sales to publishers themselves, the news publishing leaders recognised on this year’s list demonstrates the breadth of talent and expertise within the industry.

100. Nicholas Gray
Managing Director & Publisher, The Australian & Prestige and Managing Director, Tech Platform Partnerships

Nicholas Gray is at the top half of the Mediaweek 100 this year and is his first time appearing on the list. Gray leads News Corp’s recently announced new The Australian and Prestige Titles division leadership team to drive the next phase of audience and commercial growth.

Gray has been with News Corp for 13 years including time as CEO of The Australian and managing director of Vogue and GQ Australia. Previously he spent time with Macquarie Bank, Lion, iSelect and ninemsn.

83. Jo Clasby [New]
Director of Sales, Total Publishing, Nine

Clasby is a brand new entrant on this year’s Mediaweek 100, coming in at 83. Clasby worked at Nine for 14 years until 2012, rising to the role of group business manager. From Nine, she headed to Bauer Media and Foxtel Media before returning to the company in 2020 to head up sales at Nine’s publishing mastheads including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review.

72. Anthony De Ceglie [new]
Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief, Seven West Media

Anthony De Ceglie placed 72 on this year’s 100 after a year that saw him propelled into the top news job at SWM, following the departure of Craig McPherson.

Before relocating to Sydney in April, he was editor-in-chief of Seven’s recently-launched digital newspaper The Nightly, plus The West Australian, The Sunday Times, PerthNow plus its suburban newspapers, and 19 regional newspapers.

He is now responsible for 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, 7NEWS Spotlight, and 7NEWS.com.au.

71. Mike Connaghan
Managing Director, Commercial Content, News Corp Australia

The copywriter-turned-agency executive moved to News Corp after 13 years leading STW/WPP as chief executive officer. The agency experience has proven invaluable. “We’ve easily got the biggest commercial content business in the country – more clients are seeing the power of having an organisation like News,” Connaghan explained to Mediaweek previously.

Part of this commercialisation mix at News Corp is the several companies inside of the business that can service clients in-house. This includes the creative agency Roller, and the content marketing agencies Medium Rare, Storyation, Suddenly, News Native Network and NewsCast.

66. Peter Blunden
Executive Editor, News Corp Australia

Blunden placed 74th last year and this year he comes in at the 66th spot. While he has stepped back a little from his day-to-day duties at News Corp, his role is still a critical one with oversight over strategy across the newspaper.

In June this year, Blunden was this year made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to journalism, particularly through the print media, and to the community.

60. Vanessa Lyons
CEO, ThinkNewsBrands

Vanessa Lyons jumped 9 places this year to take number 60 on this year’s 100 (she placed 69 on 2023’s Mediaweek 100).

ThinkNewsBrands promotes how and why professionally-produced premium news content is the best partner for advertisers to grow their brands. TNB stakeholders include News Corp Australia, Nine Entertainment and Seven West Media. In her role, Lyons oversees the release of the readership data collected by Roy Morgan.

43. Mark Reinke
Managing Director & Publisher – State, Communities and Sport

News Corp Australia strengthened its commitment to the nation’s states mid-year with a new state and communities mastheads division.

Led by Reinke, the newly formed group connects with the more than 10 million Australians who engage with their regional news brands across digital and print.
Reinke joined News Corp as managing director, consumer in 2019 after 14 years with Sun Corp.

31. Pippa Leary
Managing Director & Publisher, Free News & Lifestyle, News Corp Australia

After debuting at 80 on 2023’s Mediaweek 100, Pippa Leary has jumped to spot number 31 after a big year at News Corp. She joined the company two years ago in a role to accelerate the company’s ambition to be the nation’s leading marketing services provider for Australian businesses.

A recent business reorganisation came with a change of title for her also. In September 2024, NCA unveiled the free news & lifestyle business unit and its publishing team to spearhead the next stage of growth.

The free news & lifestyle division encompasses news.com.au, as well as lifestyle sites such as Escape, Taste.com.au and Body+Soul among others.

17. Tory Maguire
Managing Director – Publishing, Nine Entertainment Co

Tory Maguire is another brand new entrant on the year’s 100, placing in the top 20 at 17.

In 2024, Maguire was appointed to her current role, assuming management responsibility for Nine’s publishing assests including metro mastheads and The AFR. Previously, Maguire was the executive editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday – a role she held from July 2021.

13. Lou Barrett
Managing Director Sales, News Corp Australia

Lou Barrett has been a top 20 mainstay since the Mediaweek 100’s inception, last year placing 18th and this year coming in at number 13. Not only has she ranked high on this year’s list, she also was the recipient of 2024’s Mediaweek Icon award.

Key to her success in what has at times been a challenged sector as revenues move from print to digital, has been networking and education. Networking means she has a contact book the envy of many. Education means keeping abreast of the latest developments in and around the sector.

1. Michael Miller
Executive Chairman, News Corp Australia

Rounding out this year’s 100 is News Corp Australia’s Executive Chairman, Michael Miller, who placed third last year and fourth the year before.

Miller has done a good job steering the group ship. The growth of digital subscriptions continues. The company reported in November 2024 that news media digital subscribers at News Corp Australia as of September 30, 2024 were 1,127,000 (979,000 for news mastheads), compared to 1,049,000 (937,000 for news mastheads) in the prior year. The tough ad market saw lower print ad revenue, but no figure was released. Miller first joined News in 1992 and has held various roles at News Corp Australia ever since, except for just over two years running APN News & Media from May 2013.

Other names from the news publishing industry that made this year’s Mediaweek 100 include:

• Rebecca Costello, Managing Director, Guardian Australia
• Scott Purcell and Frank Arthur, Founders, Man of Many
• Mason Rook, Chief Executive Officer, Pedestrian
• Lachlan Heywood, Executive Editor, Daily Mail Australia
• Nick Smith, Managing Director, Medium Rare Content Agency

Despite their varied backgrounds and different rankings on this year’s Mediaweek 100, all news publishing executives, publishers and directors are contributing to the overall success and evolution of news publishing in a fragmented space.

Online advertising expenditure in Australia has surged 12.1% year-on-year, reaching $4.2 billion for the quarter ending 30th September 2024, according to the latest IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report prepared by PwC Australia. Robust growth across video, classifieds, search & directories, and audio categories underpinned the increase. See the previous report here.

Video leads the charge with Olympics-driven Growth

The video advertising market posted an impressive 19.5% year-on-year growth to hit $1.15 billion, buoyed by strong advertising activity around the Summer Olympics. Classifieds also experienced a notable rise, up 13.8% to $700 million, while search advertising grew 9.8% to $1.8 billion, accounting for 43 cents of every internet advertising dollar. Audio advertising jumped 16.2% to $79 million, while display advertising saw a modest increase of 2.5% year-on-year to reach $500 million.

Gai Le Roy, CEO of IAB Australia, highlighted the impact of the Olympics on ad spend. “While the advertising investment market is still mixed, the strength of an audience engagement driver like the Olympics can have a major impact on ad spend. For the September quarter, this was a key contributor to the year-on-year growth for video inventory. Search and social continue to experience solid growth, putting the calendar year for the digital ad market on track for low double-digit growth,” she said.

Shifts in video advertising platforms

Video advertising overtook audio as the fastest-growing general display sub-sector this quarter. Desktop devices increased their share of video advertising expenditure to 45%, while connected TV fell slightly to 44%, and mobile video dropped to 11%. Social platform video now accounts for one-third of total video ad spend.

Podcasting powers audio growth

Within internet audio advertising, podcast advertising recorded a standout performance, capturing 40% of total internet audio advertising, up 26.5% year-on-year.

Industry trends: Retail dominates, telco surges

Retail maintained its dominance in general display advertising expenditure, with travel, finance, and entertainment also experiencing growth. Automotive remained in the top five categories, although its share declined compared to the same quarter last year. Telecommunications saw the largest increase in share, driven by the launch of new mobile devices. Meanwhile, home products, services, and utilities showed a strong preference for video advertising.

Outlook for digital advertising

With consistent growth across key categories and solid engagement drivers like the Olympics, the digital ad market is on track to close the calendar year with low double-digit growth. The continued rise of video and audio advertising, especially in emerging formats like social video and podcasts, highlights the evolving landscape of online advertising in Australia.

Nine will launch six exclusive BBC FAST channels on Tuesday, 26 November on 9Now, bringing an extensive selection of some of the UK’s iconic and globally beloved content free and direct to Australian audiences.

Viewers can immerse themselves in a wide range of genres, from factual, lifestyle, comedy and much more with BBC Comedy, BBC Food, BBC Home & Garden, BBC Earth, Top Gear and Antiques Roadshow.

The launch marks an exciting partnership with BBC Studios, reinforcing its commitment to delivering premium UK content to Australian audiences. For the Nine network, the addition of the FAST channels to 9Now further strengthens our commitment as a leading destination to deliver quality, on-demand entertainment.

The channels include:

•  BBC Comedy – From talk shows, to uproarious sketch shows and timeless sitcoms, serving laughter from every era of British comedy including Bottom, Famalam, Uncle, Moone Boy, Are You Being Served, Allo Allo, plus many more.
• BBC Food – Step into the kitchen with some of the finest chefs in the British Isles, including Jamie Oliver, Nigel Slater, Rachel Allen, Hairy Bikers, Rachel Khoo, and more. Where culinary creativity meets tradition, something wonderful is always cooking.
• BBC Home & Garden – Bringing you stunning and unique British home remodelling and garden renovations, all day, every day, inspiring you to transform your living space into a dream haven.
• BBC Earth – This pop-up natural history channel brings you heart-pounding action, mind-blowing sights and the wonder of this amazing planet we call home. Journey from the ocean’s depths to the world’s tallest peaks and explore the incredible creatures that shape our world. Some of the titles featured include Natural World, The Life of Mammals, Wild Africa, Wildlife on One, and more.
• Top Gear – Fuel your passion with Top Gear UK and other motoring-related shows. From sliding around racetracks in shiny supercars, diving into epic challenges, to buying an old banger for an ill-fated road trip with your mates, experience and celebrate everything that’s brilliant about cars.
• Antiques Roadshow – Discover hidden treasures and priceless stories, visiting Britain’s most sumptuous and unusual locations and discovering riches and remarkable stories in back-to-back episodes of Antiques Roadshow, as experts unveil the rich history behind cherished items.

Football Australia has partnered with Hahn, which will see the brand become the naming rights partner for the Australia Cup.

From 2025, and for the next three years, the Australia Cup will officially be known as the “Hahn Australia Cup”, marking a new era as Hahn unites with Australia’s largest grassroots-to-professional football competition.

Commenting on the announcement, Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “This exciting partnership marks a significant moment for the Australia Cup, and we’re thrilled to welcome Hahn as the naming rights partner for this extraordinary competition.

Football Australia/Steve Cristo | Front Row L-R: Anubha Sahasrabuddhe – Lion Australia, Chief Growth and Commercial Officer, James Johnson – Football Australia, Chief Executive Officer, James Brindley – Lion Australia, Managing Director, Tom Rischbieth – Football Australia, Chief Revenue Officer Back Row L-R: Zachary Kierpal – Moreton City Excelsior FC, Michael Weier – Hume City FC, Hamish McCabe – Modbury Jets FC, Anthony Younis – NWS Spirit FC

“The Hahn Australia Cup represents more than just a football tournament; it brings together grassroots players, officials, fans, and communities from across the country in a shared celebration of the game. This partnership with Hahn, one of Australia’s most popular beer brands, aligns perfectly with our vision for the Australia Cup, and we’re excited about the impact this collaboration will have on Australian football.”

Lion Australia managing director, James Brindley, said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Football Australia as the official beer and naming rights partner of the Australia Cup. The Hahn Australia Cup is a competition that pits park footballers against professionals in the ultimate David vs Goliath matchup. Aussies love to back an underdog and every year the Australia Cup delivers ‘Cupsets’ that engage and inspire players and supporters alike. Hahn is here to celebrate the on-field moments that forge lifelong bonds and become the stuff of legend in months and years to follow. We look forward to raising a Hahn with the players, coaches, and communities that bring this tournament to life each year.”

Think HQ has opened the Very Merry Pantry for 2024 to help people struggling over the holiday period.

The initiative was started in 2021 during COVID when many people were out of work and struggling to put food on the table. It was launched and previously run by Think HQ’s recent acquisition, LOUD, and is in its fourth successful year. The drive sees food gathered to be donated to Foodbank NSW & ACT and Foodbank VIC.

In its first year, the Very Merry Pantry donated 400 kilograms of food to Foodbank NSW & ACT. In its second year, one tonne of food was donated, and last year saw an impressive 1.5 tonnes going to help those in need. This year with the Very Merry Pantry now operating in New South Wales, as well as Victoria via Think HQ, with the cost-of-living crisis at an all-time high and an unsteady economy, the target is for three tonnes of food to be donated.

The idea behind the Very Merry Pantry’s original initiative in 2021 was that when so many people were doing it tough, instead of giving clients and suppliers gifts, they were ‘gifted’ them an empty cardboard box to fill up with non-perishable food and donate to Foodbank. This is exactly what Think HQ is doing this year.

“To facilitate the donation of three tonnes of food is a very big goal, but with the initiative now running across two states, and with the merger of LOUD and Think HQ, we have faith that as an agency and an industry collectively, we can absolutely do it. We just need as much help as possible,” Lorraine Jokovic, Sydney general manager at Think HQ, said.

“The Foodbank Hunger Report recently showed that 3.4 million households in Australia have run out of food in the last year and 1 in 3 households in NSW & ACT are still going hungry. Initiatives like Very Merry Pantry are more crucial than ever.”

Foodbank NSW & ACT head of partnerships and philanthropy, Janyne Hogan, said: “The need for support is greater than ever. Foodbank NSW & ACT is working tirelessly to ensure that no one goes hungry over the holidays, but we can’t do it alone.  We rely on the generosity of our community to help us provide essential food and supplies to those in need, and we’re so grateful to Think HQ for their ongoing generosity and commitment to supporting people in our communities this holiday period.

“We know that the holiday period is a tough time for many Australians, particularly those in our communities struggling to put a meal on the table or trying to fill hungry bellies during school holidays.  So, we tell our community that every contribution, no matter how small, makes a significant difference.”

PubMatic has partnered with Australian data and technology specialist Foxcatcher.

This collaboration makes Foxcatcher’s WorldView platform available to programmatic advertisers for the first time, via an integration with PubMatic’s Connect.

WorldView, a customer data platform (CDP), aims to connect brands, customers and media without collecting personal or sensitive information, ensuring data privacy while enabling scalable activation. Through WorldView, advertisers can build customised modelled audience segments and achieve privacy-safe targeting through FoxID, Foxcatcher’s proprietary identity solution. 

PubMatic’s Connect leverages addressable signals from across the internet with efficient, ROI-driven, privacy-compliant data targeting on the sell-side. The integration with WorldView enables advertisers to align custom-built audience segments with robust contextual data signals from Connect, to engage audiences across PubMatic‘s premium Australian supply.   

“The partnership with PubMatic enables seamless connections between brands and customers, powered by the FoxID identity solution,” said Varun John, general manager of Foxcatcher. “This allows us to strategically target audience segments modelled through WorldView whilst aligning with key contextual signals to drive stronger performance.” 

Peter Barry, vice president, commerce and audience solutions, APAC at PubMatic, said: “As privacy regimes evolve and reliance on third-party cookies decreases, this partnership with Foxcatcher offers a timely and powerful solution for advertisers.

“By integrating PubMatic‘s Connect with Foxcatcher‘s Worldview, we are empowering brands to reach audiences in a manner which prioritises privacy, while still driving meaningful performance.”

This partnership comes after PubMatic teamed up Internews, an international non-profit that supports independent media in over 100 countries, earlier this year.

The partnership makes advertising across responsible content accessible on a global scale, allowing brands to embrace news-encompassing marketing strategies that produce social impact and economic returns and enable them to reach and gain affinity with more customers.

See also: PubMatic partners with Internews to back global independent news media

JOLT has launched an exclusive integrated partnership with ROLLiN’ Insurance.

The collaboration combines ROLLiN’s comprehensive car insurance offering with digital out-of-home media and EV charging network’s services, creating a compelling offer appealing to both current and future EV owners.

ROLLiN’ offers affordable, comprehensive insurance on a month-to-month basis with insurance that works for both young drivers and EV owners,

Through this co-branded campaign, ROLLiN’ harnesses the strength of JOLT’s trusted EV charging brand and its contextual media network to boost brand visibility across the broadcast digital out-of-home screens.

The insurance company engages directly with customers through JOLT’s in-app experience, featuring clickable static and video ads designed to drive awareness, consideration, and conversion during charging sessions.

Throughout the summer campaign, new ROLLiN’ EV customers will get a free 6-month JOLT Plus Flex membership. This collaboration highlights the value of brand synergy, aligning seamlessly with the shared audience focus of both ROLLiN’ and JOLT.

JOLT listens to its charging customers’ needs and preferences as a customer-centric brand. This ongoing connection has enabled JOLT to develop strategic brand partnerships that bring mutual benefits to both customers and brand partners.

As the only out-of-home media owner to access rich first-party data insights, JOLT identified car insurance as a valuable addition to the JOLT Plus offering, enhancing the EV ownership experience in a way that directly supports what subscribers care about most.

“ROLLiN’ recognises the affinity we have with automotive brands, and more importantly, the future growth of where their customers will come from,” Michael Selden, head of sales and platforms at JOLT, said. “This industry first, integrated partnership really demonstrates the value we can bring by providing a platform to engage with our highly valuable audiences in an extremely strong contextual environment for auto insurance.

“Delivering part of the campaign programmatically, ROLLiN’ can target their audiences on their terms, building brand awareness, and then one-on-one engagement within the in-app environment to target the qualified EV owners and provide the opportunity to switch to ROLLiN’.”

Brendan Griffiths, executive manager at ROLLiN’ said: “As we continue to see a shift toward electric vehicles, ROLLiN’ is committed to meeting the changing needs of customers and doing things a little differently.

“It’s why we’ve designed a product that includes cover for electric vehicles as well as their batteries, cables, wall boxes and adapters. Our latest promotion with JOLT adds charging to the mix, and we’re joining customers for the ride and supporting their needs at every turn,” Griffiths said.

JOLT recently announced the launch of Spark Intelligence, an industry-first data platform designed to re-power the way out-of-home media is planned, traded and reported on. JOLT also continues to grow its multi-channel advertising offering and network, adding video and rich media ads to its suite of mobile advertising products, and recently launching in Canada.

Sunday 24 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 1,736,000, a total TV national audience of 1,055,000, and a BVOD audience of 73,000.

Nine’s 60 Minutes recorded a total TV national reach of 1,869,000, a total TV national audience of 935,000, and a BVOD audience of 74,000.

Seven’s Cricket: First Test India v Australia recorded a total TV national reach of 2,417,000, a total TV national audience of 1,014,000, and a BVOD audience of 72,000.

Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,113,000, a total TV national audience of 1,219,000, and a BVOD audience of 64,000.

10’s Dessert Masters Grand Finale recorded a total TV national reach of 903,000, a total TV national audience of 415,000, and a BVOD audience of 26,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s 60 Minutes:
• Total TV nation reach: 491,000
• National Audience: 235,000
• BVOD Audience: 39,000

Seven’s Cricket Australia v India:
• Total TV nation reach: 842,000
• National Audience: 373,000
• BVOD Audience: 43,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 627,000
• National Audience: 325,000
• BVOD Audience: 34,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 317,000
• National Audience: 129,000
• BVOD Audience: 14,000

People 16-39

Nine’s 60 Minutes:
• Total TV nation reach: 192,000
• National Audience: 92,000
• BVOD Audience: 18,000

Seven’s Cricket Australia v India:
• Total TV nation reach: 377,000
• National Audience: 183,000
• BVOD Audience: 26,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 259,000
• National Audience: 131,000
• BVOD Audience: 17,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 117,000
• National Audience: 37,000
• BVOD Audience: 7,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s 60 Minutes:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,504,000
• National Audience: 756,000
• BVOD Audience: 60,000

Seven’s Cricket Australia v India:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,837,000
• National Audience: 762,000
• BVOD Audience: 55,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,660,000
• National Audience: 978,000
• BVOD Audience: 50,000

10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 717,000
• National Audience: 332,000
• BVOD Audience: 21,000

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.