Friday March 28, 2025

Neil Patel - email marketing - Mailchimp
Neil Patel reveals quick tricks to improving email marketing

By Alisha Buaya

‘Marketing is a game of people’s attention everywhere.’

Neil Patel, founder of NP Digital, surprised marketers when he explained how regularly scrubbing their mailing list of inactive subscribers improves deliverability and revenue.

It’s one of the most important things people don’t do because they want this vanity metric of their email list continuing to get larger and larger,he told attendees of Intuit Mailchimp’s FWD: Sydney conference on Wednesday as part of his presentation on the 10 rules on getting people to open your emails and make them convert.

The presentation championed email marketing as the MVP as engagement across marketing channels such as social media, Google organic clicks and Google ads CTR drop.

“The average open rate drops to 20.54% when an email list contains 6 to 10% disengaged subscribers. It [open rate] goes down to 15.22% when an email list has 11–15% inactive subscribers.

“You need to continuously optimise and scrub your list,he reiterated.

In an interview with Mediaweek, Patel acknowledged that while most marketers don’t want to take that risk, the before and after results are noticeably better.

“Even if you scrub a very small sample size and instead of removing and deleting the emails, we’re just not going to email them and let’s see what happens, you start noticing your overall campaign results are better.

I‘m not talking about open rate percentages, but the total number of opens and clicks starts getting better, and then people are much more open to it.

“When you scrub your list, you don’t have to delete them. You could eventually delete them, but in the short run, you can decide whatever you want to do with those lists because you can keep them there and just put them in a different segmentation.”

He shared that marketers who have taken this route have had great results and from there his agency, NP Digital, analyses the emails that drive revenue, loyalty and the brand’s name.

“We start looking at what’s working and what’s not working. Instead of stopping the stuff that’s not working, we try to understand why, dissect it and then try to improve it before changing how many emails are sent out and the types of emails that are sent out.”

Later in the presentation, Patel emphasised the importance of data-driven decision-making, particularly through A/B testing in email campaigns. While many marketers shy away from it due to the extra workload, he stressed the valuable insights it delivers.

“The real benefit of running A/B tests is understanding the copy and the words that resonate more with your audience. You can use that copy, not just in email, but within your ads, your landing pages and other areas of your marketing funnel to boost conversion rates. But if you don’t run A/B tests, you won’t know the type of verbiage and wording and messaging that causes higher conversions.”

The magic of simplicity in a world of chaos

Central to Patel’s email marketing campaigns is simplicity – from direct, no-frills messaging to plain visuals. While marketers have a world of creativity at their fingertips, he noted that some may be getting bogged down by focusing on putting out a visually perfect end product rather than quality content.

“That [a visually perfect end product] doesn’t convert as well as just being real and authentic and being more raw and unedited versus spending too much money producing the FIFA World Cup-type of marketing materials needed.”

In the presentation, he highlighted examples of simple and casual email marketing that was effective but noted that it is not for everyone.

“If you’re Airbus or Boeing selling planes, probably don’t want to be that casual, but it works for majority of the time. When I say majority of the time, +90%, and this is why A/B testing is super important.”

Expanding on the effectiveness of simplicity, Patel noted that people are overwhelmed with options, information and platforms.

“Keeping things simple is a little bit refreshing for a lot of people in today’s world where everything’s chaotic.”

To achieve quality content, he suggested:Revisions, brainstorming, spending more time getting creative, thinking about what people want that no one’s really talked about or addressed before, and talk about that stuff.

“People want to discuss new things. They want to hear about stuff that isn’t regurgitated. The web is just continually creating a ton of regurgitated content, especially with AI, it’s getting worse.”

Neil Patel - email marketing - Mailchimp (1)

Neil Patel: “Keeping things simple is a little bit refreshing for a lot of people in today’s world where everything’s chaotic.”

How email marketing will evolve in the next 12 months

Looking ahead, Patel shared the big trend he sees in the next year is in emails having the purchase function.

“Instead of going to a website, imagine within the email, you can pick the product, the size, the colour and click buy and check out all within that email without leaving Gmail or anything like that. It’s already happening and we’re seeing it more and more.

“Think about that aspect, but for all forms of marketing, how convenient, optimised. You can now buy products directly on Instagram without even going to a landing page. Platforms are making things more convenient and easier for people than ever before.”

While this optimisation has the benefits of being convenient for customers, Patel noted it has the potential to make them feel overwhelmed, push the boundaries of privacy concerns and could be consideredcreepy”.

In addition to taking on feedback from customers, Marketers looking to avoid this shouldthink helpful, not stalker”.

“If your marketing can be helpful, people will love you. If your marketing seems like it’s stalking you, it’s getting too creepy. That’s the easiest way to look at it.”

‘Be where people are’

Patel said he hoped attendees took away the understanding thatmarketing is no longer a game of email, social media or SEO.

“Marketing is a game of people’s attention… everywhere.”

He noted that to capture awareness, marketers need to optimise for wherever they are, rather than convince consumers to find them.

“If that means they find your product on social media and just buy on social media without coming to your website, then so be it. Or whether that means you have to have a blog or whether that means that you have to send emails or text messages, you’ve got to leverage all the channels and just be where people are.”

Top image: Neil Patel

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4BC Nine Radio's Radio Ratings
Nine Radio kicks off 2025 on top with 3AW and 2GB leading the charge

By Natasha Lee

Greg Byrnes: ‘It’s pleasing that we get results like today to show that. It proves that’s the right strategy’.

Nine Radio has stamped its authority on the national radio landscape once again, with 3AW in Melbourne and 2GB in Sydney both claiming the #1 position in their respective markets in the first GfK radio survey for 2025.

With significant audience shares across the day, the network has not only retained its dominance but in many cases, surpassed recent performance benchmarks, making it a standout start to the year.

3AW: Melbourne’s voice gets even louder

Melbourne’s 3AW has delivered what Nine Radio’s head of content, Greg Byrnes, calls “their best survey in over 15 years.”  With standout results across the weekday lineup, 3AW continues to lead with confidence and consistency, even after major presenter changes in 2024.

“You have to go back to about 2007 to do anything better than that,” Byrnes told Mediaweek. “And in this market, it has been more competitive, for 3AW to do that on breakfast, mornings and Tony Moclair in the afternoons, it’s extraordinary.”

The station’s Breakfast show with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft pulled in a commanding 21.3% share, followed by Tom Elliott in Mornings with 19.2%, and Tony Moclair in Afternoons recording a strong 13.6%. Byrnes praised the station’s ability to maintain audience loyalty, particularly given last year’s reshuffle.

“We feel very lucky that listeners have stuck with us even though there have been some lineup changes. We know they don’t like being unsettled… but 12 months into some significant changes at 3AW, we’re really pleased and very proud of the work that the teams are doing down there, on and off the air,” Brynes said.

“Obviously, radio is habit forming, and when you change people’s habits, you run the risk of certainly upsetting things, and 12 months into some significant changes we’re really pleased and very proud of the work that the teams are doing on and off the air,” he added.

A key milestone was also reached for Drive presenter Jackie Felgate, who achieved her first #1 result in the slot. “She works very, very hard,” Byrnes said. “We always say that ratings go up and down,  but for Jackie to have a number one, we’re so pleased for her and the team.”

When it comes to Melbourne’s place in the rating’s landscape, most of the coverage has been centred on the decision to network the Australian Radio Network’s Sydney, The Kyle and Jackie O Show, into Melbourne.

Despite the noise, Byrnes emphasises the network’s ability to block it out and , instead, focus on its own output, despite external market pressures.

“We can only concentrate on what we do,” he said.

“Yes, there was a lot of noise in that market last year and this year. All we can control, and our teams know this, is the daily rundown, which has been the focus. It’s pleasing that we get results like today to show that. It proves that’s the right strategy. Let’s continue doing what we can control and what we can do.”

2GB: New names, familiar results

Over in Sydney, 2GB continues its stronghold as the city’s most listened-to station, with Ben Fordham Live once again the #1 Breakfast show and Mark Levy delivering an impressive debut as Mornings host.

“There’s been a lot of change at 2GB,” Byrnes said. “And for Ben to emerge as number one, it’s a wonderful program. If you’re in Sydney and you want to know what’s going on, you’re listening to Ben Fordham.”

Reflecting on Fordham’s impact since replacing Alan Jones in 2020, Byrnes added: “That show has some of the worst alarm clocks in the industry. Putting a show like this to air is a lifestyle. So on a day like today, we’ll take the wins because it helps set us up for the year.”

Meanwhile, Mark Levy, who took over the Mornings slot from Ray Hadley, delivered what Byrnes described as a “home run” in his first outing in the role. “He told his audience he was over the moon and was nervous about this week. And how could he not be? Mark’s openly said it’s like coming in after Bradman. Today, though, he literally just hit it over the fence.”

Byrnes shared a moment from the ratings morning, saying: “Luke Davis and I went to speak to Mark. As is human nature, he probably feared the worst, but when we told him, he sat back in his chair with a big smile, and I won’t tell you exactly what he said,” Brynes laughed.

For Nine Radio, the success of this survey underscores the effectiveness of a disciplined, content-led strategy.

With #1 stations in both Sydney and Melbourne, and strong performances across key shifts, Nine Radio has entered 2025 with momentum on its side.

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duncan campbell arn
Duncan Campbell reflects on ARN’s ratings strategy as leadership changes hands

By Emma Shepherd

‘The timing was right to step away.’

After 15 years at the helm, ARN’s head of content, Duncan Campbell, is preparing to step down, but not before securing another strong start to the ratings year. As the network transitions under new leadership, Campbell sat down with Mediaweek to unpack the strategies that have delivered continued success, where challenges lie ahead, and how ARN’s evolving content and digital strategies are poised for the future.

KISS 106.5’s Kyle & Jackie O show continues to dominate in Sydney, a decade-long streak that shows no signs of slowing. For Campbell, the strategy going forward is clear: “We’re going to maintain that momentum. It’s business as usual but with a renewed focus on the strengths of The Kyle & Jackie O Show and less reliance on the sexual content.”

Jackie 'O' Henderson and Kyle Sandilands.

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and Kyle Sandilands have been working together in breakfast radio for more than 20 years.

Despite public scrutiny in 2023, Campbell dismissed the idea that edgier segments impacted results. “We’ve toned that back, and the show is now producing some of its best content in a long time.”

That strategy appears to be working. According to GfK Survey 1 for 2025, Kyle & Jackie O held onto their title as Sydney’s #1 FM breakfast show for the 49th consecutive survey, with a commanding 13.3% share, despite a slight dip of 0.1 percentage points. ARN also holds the #2 FM breakfast spot with Jonesy & Amanda on the rebranded Gold 101.7, proving the strength of the network’s Sydney programming.

In Melbourne, KISS 101.1 faces a more challenging position, recording a 5.1% share in breakfast. Campbell acknowledged the station’s slow start last year and outlined ARN’s plan to win back lapsed listeners.

“We’re expecting a slow turnaround,” he said. “The content is some of the best they’ve done. We just need consistency, and to convert our cume increase into share. It’s a long road back, but we’ll win it one listener at a time.”

Gold 104.3’s Christian O’Connell.

Gold 104.3’s Christian O’Connell.

That strategy will be key as the station attempts to close the gap with market leaders. Melbourne’s FM breakfast was dominated by Gold 104.3’s Christian O’Connell Show, which surged to #1 with an 11.5% share, up 2.8 points. The station also topped the FM leaderboard overall with a 12% share.

Elsewhere, WSFM’s rebrand to Gold 101.7 has exceeded expectations. “We factored in a two-point drop, but only dropped 0.8. That’s a good result,” said Campbell, noting the value of maintaining talent and format consistency through the change.

In fact, Campbell mentioned that the first survey of the year is typically soft for WSFM, making this year’s outcome even more promising. Gold 101.7 held an 8.3% share overall, with breakfast at 8.9%.

Melbourne’s Christian O’Connell Show has returned to form after limited marketing support last year. “Christian’s producing excellent content, he’s on fire,” said Campbell. “It’s a really impressive result across the board for Gold.”

A digital-first future on iHeart

Looking ahead, ARN is set to expand its digital presence through iHeartRadio by launching sub-brands under its key stations, Gold, KISS, CADA, and iHeart Country. “It’s a total audience approach,” Campbell explained. “We’re meeting listeners where they are and migrating listening across platforms.”

The move is designed to leverage the strength of ARN’s primary brands while encouraging digital discovery and loyalty across iHeart’s streaming environment.

With cost-of-living pressures shaping consumer behaviour, ARN’s approach is all about leaning into consistency and familiarity.

“In challenging times, people look for familiar content,” Campbell said. “Our formats are well-established, our presenters are known and trusted, and we’re maintaining top-of-mind awareness through smart marketing, even while budgets are tight.”

That focus appears to be paying off. Despite a highly competitive Sydney market, ARN continues to hold two of the top three FM stations, while Gold Melbourne has reclaimed the top spot in both FM overall and FM breakfast.

Meanwhile, Campbell’s not so distant exit marks the end of an era for ARN, but it’s not goodbye. He’ll remain involved in a consultancy capacity while supporting his successor, Lauren, who co-authored ARN’s current content strategy back in 2023.

“There’ll be no major shifts,” he said. “Lauren and I developed this strategy together in 2023, it’s still rolling out. I’ll be here to help ensure the transition is a success.”

After 15 years, Campbell says he’s proud of ARN’s consistent performance. “The timing was right to step away,” he said. “But I’ll always have a vested interest in ARN and its success.”

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OMD Rachel Page
OMD appoints managing director of Melbourne

By Alisha Buaya

Sian Whitnall: ‘We are so fortunate to have such a talented and dynamic team in Melbourne, consistently producing market-leading work for some of Australia’s most iconic brands.’

OMD has appointed Rachel Page as managing director of Melbourne.

She began her 28-year career as a media agency junior and returns agency side to join OMD Melbourne as a well-respected and proven leader in transforming teams, brands, partnerships and culture to drive commercial outcomes with Seven West Media and Yahoo.

Page said of her appointment: “What a fabulous opportunity to lead and create what’s next with the talented team at OMD.  I am excited to focus all my energy on my hometown of Melbourne, working with such an iconic brand and partnering with people I have respected throughout my career. I have big shoes to fill and much to learn, and I look forward to bringing some new ideas and an energised approach to OMD’s market leading leadership, our teams and our clients.”

Page will commence with OMD Melbourne on Monday, 31st March.

OMD Antonia Glezakos

Glezakos’s promotion reflects her significant impact on the OMD business, and the bespoke agency model designed for Coles Group. Pictured: Antonia Glezakos

Page’s appointment follows the promotion of Antonia Glezakos, who served as managing director for the last four of her 16-years with OMD, has been promoted within Omnicom Group to executive partner of Smith St.

Glezakos’s promotion reflects her significant impact on the OMD business, and the bespoke agency model designed for Coles Group. She will work in partnership with the Smith St. executive leadership team, including Tristan AlexanderPsembi Kinstan and Matt Pearce, to continue driving strategic growth for Coles Group.

In addition to these leadership changes, Kenny Stewart has departed OMD after over eight years spent in leadership roles across Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. Stewart has been instrumental in OMD’s success story, most notably with the growth of the agency’s Brisbane and Melbourne operations with key appointments including the Victorian Government Master Media Account.

Sian Whitnall, OMD Australia Co-CEO, said: “I want to thank Kenny and Antonia for their immense contributions and leadership that have driven ongoing success for this key OMD market, most recently welcoming Dental Boutique Group as our newest client partner. It’s a privilege to have Antonia remaining as an executive leader in our broader business, building on her incredible legacy of the last 16 years.”

Whitnall added: “We are so fortunate to have such a talented and dynamic team in Melbourne, consistently producing market-leading work for some of Australia’s most iconic brands. With a passion for nurturing talent and culture, and a strong network of relationships in this market, Rachel is the perfect leader to continue building on OMD Melbourne’s success and start this new chapter alongside our Melbourne leadership team.”

Top image: Rachel Page

meeting of the minds logo - March 28 (1)
Meeting of the Minds: Lee Stephens and Per Tinberg from Meerkat Media

By Alisha Buaya

Stephens and Tinberg share their best career advice, hot takes, and what they currently have on repeat

This week’s Meeting of the Minds sees Lee Stephens and Per Tinberg from Meerkat Media reveal their leadership heroes, current streaming binge, and career goals.

The Mediaweek series showcases diverse perspectives, thoughts and opinions by bringing together two different points of view from an industry rookie and an experienced expert.

Lee Stephens, executive chair – Meerkat Media

Meerkat Media - Lee Stephens

Favourite podcast/read – Smartless dives into the motivations and journeys of the most fascinating actors, musicians, directors, producers, composers and creatives that impact the world today. Also, very funny.

Current streaming binge – Queen of the South. Yikes!

Misconception about your role – “Executive Chair” sounds like a walk in the park. It’s far from that. My favourite responsibility is helping the team develop and communicate Meerkat’s unique proposition and deliver on our promise to clients. I am not allowed to touch the tools.

Best career advice – Don’t get trapped in a business that doesn’t value your time or contribution. Find a part of the industry that gives you joy, and keep good people around you.

Leadership hero – Maggie Beer is a true personal hero. Working with her team at food shows, at the farm, creating video demonstrations (which she didn’t particularly like), quietly buying an apple farm to protect the heritage of the Barossa, constantly dealing with major distributors – Maggie always lives by, and presents the same values privately and publicly.

How do you stay motivated – I am passionate about developing solutions for regional and remote communities and also franchisee networks that need to deliver the same services across communities with very different needs.

Best training course/session – Media training with a camera is a truly daunting experience. My coach’s feedback was extensive, then it was played to the 15 others in the course for critique. You learn very fast over 2 days.

I wish someone had told me – Don’t get tunnel vision at work. Your best career-making ideas come from what is going on outside the spreadsheet you currently have your nose in. Stay interested in what really counts. Hint: It’s out the front door.

Something that’s surprised you about the industry – That it would grow so fast. In the mid-late 90’s there were about 12 internet professionals on the publisher side and very small teams, agency side. Change was slow until around 2002. Then BOOM! Everyone was a digital expert.

What is your hot take on the industry – The only surprise is that video-based advertising has taken so long to surpass online display media (banners). But be careful, there is a sting in the tail of this transition. Without a strong, diversified online display industry across many publishers Google, Meta and Amazon will grow their dominance over lower funnel conversion attribution.

Favourite way to switch off from work – Turn off everything with a screen.

Career goal for 2025 – Playing my part in developing outstanding media professionals, living their professional values around the environment, equality and creativity. Oh! And making sure they earn exceptional amounts of money.

Per Tinberg, managing director – Meerkat Media

Meerkat Media - Per Tinberg

Favourite podcast/read – Dyl & Friends. An ex-AFL player, Dylan hosts interesting, predominantly sports-related guests. He has a light-hearted chat filled with banter that touches on career and life highs and lows, tapping into their mindset and psyche to uncover what makes his guests happy and successful.

Current streaming binge – White Lotus S3! Mike White’s writing has a way of hooking you in from the start. I can’t wait to see what dark secrets are revealed in Thailand.

Misconception about your role – It’s easy to think of being the Managing Director as a leadership role. It has turned out to be more of a coordination role, steering experts for each discipline in a shared direction. I’m not sure I am managing the team or I am the one being managed.

Best career advice – Stay curious and ask lots of questions. There’s constantly something new to learn in this ever-changing industry and by seeking out knowledge you can identify different opportunities to provide value to your clients.

Leadership hero – My Dad. While he’s not been a direct leader of mine in a career sense, he has started several businesses and has always been a big source of inspiration for me. He’s always been a sounding board and has helped shape me into who I am today.

How do you stay motivated – working with amazing people! Whether it’s partnering with passionate clients or collaborating with great media partners – there’s a lot of energy in this industry, so lean into it.

Best training course/session – The AI Fluency Sprint from the USYD Business School. The constantly evolving AI space can seem daunting, but Kai and Sandra unpack AI with engaging and jargon-free content. Importantly, it covers the risks and opportunities of AI and how to ensure it is developed responsibly and ethically.

I wish someone had told me – No one is going to die! I actually think Lee told me that early on in my career, but I wish I had actually listened. Not taking on external stress has taken a little while to master, but it has helped me stay laser-focused on what’s important when the whips are cracking.

Something that’s surprised you about the industry – it’s a very small world. Everyone knows everyone, so it pays dividends to treat people with respect if you want to do well.

What is your hot take on the industry – clients are ready to make media sustainability a focus in 2025. You don’t need to be an altruist. By eliminating wastage and focusing on quality placements you can make a significant improvement to the carbon footprint of your campaigns. Better for a client’s bottom line and the planet.

Favourite way to switch off from work – A round of golf. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from my phone for a few hours and focus on the next shot. It’s also very humbling, so there are lots of shots to focus on – it does a great job of bringing me back down to earth.

Career goal for 2025 – Continue to push myself outside my comfort zone. You’re not growing unless you’re feeling challenged.

To take part in future editions of Meeting of the Minds, please email: [email protected]

Past editions of Meeting of the Minds.

Top image:Lee Stephens and Per Tinberg

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Meta’s election strategy: Misinformation, AI, and ad transparency

By Natasha Lee

The company acknowledges its role as a major platform for public discourse and says it is taking that responsibility seriously.

Anthony Albanese has announced Australian’s will head to the polls on 3 May, allow for a five-week election campaign.

To coincide with the decision, Meta has outlined its strategy to ensure platform integrity and combat misinformation across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Cheryl Seeto, Meta’s head of policy in Australia, said the company understands its role as a major platform for public discourse and is taking that responsibility seriously.

“Our election integrity approach has been shaped by learnings from past elections globally, including in the US, India, the EU, Brazil, and Indonesia in 2024. We’re applying those lessons here in Australia.

“Our focus is on providing a platform for people to express their opinions and engage in public discourse while reducing the spread of misinformation and connecting people with reliable election information,” Seeto said.

Cheryl Seeto, Meta's head of policy in Australia

Cheryl Seeto, Meta’s head of policy in Australia

Fact-checking and media literacy initiatives

Meta will continue its partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the Australian Associated Press (AAP) as part of its third-party fact-checking program. Any content debunked by these organisations will be labelled with warnings and down-ranked to limit its reach across Meta’s platforms.

In addition, Meta is collaborating with AAP on a media literacy campaign to help Australians critically assess online content. This initiative will run in the lead-up to the election to further combat misleading information.

Meta’s Community Standards will also remain in force, ensuring the removal of content that could incite violence, interfere with voting, or pose other serious risks.

Collaboration with the Australian Electoral Commission

To encourage voter participation, Meta is working with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to deliver in-app notifications across Facebook and Instagram.

These prompts will begin one week before the election, directing Australians to official AEC voting information. On election day, Meta will roll out a reminder notification, reinforcing engagement with verified electoral updates.

Seeto said the platform is also working with the AEC to respond to voter questions on Meta’s platforms with authoritative information and official links.

Additionally, Instagram voting stickers will be available, allowing users to share their participation via Stories.

Managing AI-generated content in political ads

Meta says all AI-generated content flagged by independent fact-checkers will be labelled “altered” and down-ranked to limit its reach.

A new rule will also require advertisers to disclose when AI or other digital techniques are used to create or alter political ads in specific ways.

While concerns over generative AI’s impact on elections remain high, Seeto stated that in previous elections, the risks “did not materialise in a significant way” and that “while there were instances of confirmed or suspected AI use, the volumes remained low. Our existing policies and processes proved sufficient to reduce the risk around generative AI content during the election period.”

Seeto clarified that these ad policies apply not just to election-related ads, but also to social issue ads covering topics such as human rights, child exploitation, and climate change.

“If we find that an advertiser has not disclosed AI use where required, we will reject the ad, and repeat offences will result in penalties,” she added.

Meta will also label photorealistic AI-generated images in both organic posts and paid ads to enhance transparency. This applies to AI-generated content from Meta AI, Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Adobe, Midjourney, and Shutterstock, ensuring users can distinguish between real and manipulated content.

This policy applies to ads featuring:

• Digitally altered depictions of real individuals saying or doing things they did not actually say or do.

• AI-generated people or events that never happened.

• Manipulated footage of real events.

Users posting AI-generated content will be encouraged to self-disclose, and Meta will apply labels accordingly. If AI-generated content poses a high risk of deceiving the public on critical issues, Meta may apply more prominent warning labels.

Despite these precautions, Seeto reiterated that AI’s role in past elections has been relatively minor.

“Ratings on AI content related to elections, politics, and social issues represented less than 1% of all fact-checked misinformation,” she said.

Meta has also signed onto the 2024 Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive AI Content and is collaborating with the Partnership on AI to establish industry-wide standards for mitigating the risks of generative AI.

Countering election and voter interference

Meta says it is ramping up efforts to prevent foreign and domestic election interference. The company has built specialised global teams to detect and remove covert influence operations, having dismantled over 200 deceptive networks since 2017.

Additionally, Meta continues to label state-controlled media on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, ensuring users can identify content from government-influenced publications.

Meta is also reviewing and updating its election-related policies to tackle:

• Coordinated harm

• Voter interference

• Hate speech

• Election-related misinformation (both human- and AI-generated)

These enforcement measures will apply to all content types, ensuring a consistent and adaptive response to emerging election threats.

Scaling up efforts to combat scams

Seeto also highlighted Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat scams, particularly fraudulent ads featuring politicians.

“We’ve significantly scaled up our work tackling scams over the past year, especially those exploiting public figures. Any content that violates our fraud and scam policies is removed as soon as we detect it,” she said.

Meta is also working closely with the National Anti-Scam Centre, allowing government agencies to report scams that may have slipped through Meta’s detection systems.

“This enables us to investigate further, identify wider scam networks, and enforce actions at scale,” Seeto added.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Brisbane Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1: B105 takes the #1 crown

By Natasha Lee

B105 keep #1 breakfast.

Brisbane Radio Ratings
GfK Survey 1 2025

Survey period: Sun 19 January to Sat 1 March 2025.

Biggest movers

UP: 4JJJ +1
DOWN: 4BH -2.3

B105 12.4% (13.3%)
Cume: 622,000 (-14,000)
Breakfast: 14.1% (14.1%)

B105 has stayed at the top of the market with a commanding 12.4% share, recording a 0.9% drop since the last survey.

Stav, Abby and Matt for Breakfast has held onto the top spot in that time slot recording 14.1% share, steady from the last survey.

In Drive, Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little have dropped 0.3 points for a share of 13.6% share, taking out the time slot.

Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) chief content officer, Dave Cameron, said: “Today marks a strong start to the ratings year from SCA’s Hit and Triple M stations nationally.

“It’s great to see share and cume increases in multiple cities, alongside our winning duopoly in Brisbane with continued stellar performance for B105”.

Brisbane GfK Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1.

Brisbane GfK Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1. [click to expand.]

104.5 Triple M 11.9% (11.7%)
Cume: 595,000 (+17,000)
Breakfast: 12.2% (11.7%)

SCA’s Cameron also lauded the performance of B105’s sister station, 104.5 Triple M, which took out #2 in the Breakfast time slot.

“Triple M Brisbane remains in second spot just behind the Hit Network’s B105, with Stav Abby & Matt continuing their winning run at Breakfast,” he said.

4BH 9.4% (11.6%)
Cume: 244,000 (-19,000)
Breakfast: 10.1% (11.3%)

Nova 106.9 10.6% (11.4%)
Cume: 704,000 (+75,000)
Breakfast: 12.1% (12.2%)

The team of Ash, Luttsy & Nikki on Nova 10.9 for Breakfast remained relatively steady, claiming the #3 spot despite recording a 0.1% drop from the last survey.

KIIS 97.3 FM 9.8% (9.9%)
Cume: 508,000 (+2,000)
Breakfast: 11.3% (11.8%)

4BC 4.4% (4.4%)
Cume: 115,000 (-31,000)
Breakfast: 4.5% (3.3%)

SENQ 0.9% (0.9%)
Cume: 65,000 (+7,000)
Breakfast: 1.1% (1.4%)

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perth radio ratings
Perth Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1: Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun continue to top breakfast

By Emma Shepherd

96FM remains #2.

Perth Radio Ratings
GfK Survey 1 2025
Survey Period: Sun 19 January to Sat 1 March.

Biggest movers:
Up: NOVA 93.7: +2.1
Down: 6PR: -1.1

Nova 93.7 16.3% (14.7%)
Cume: 653,000 (-39,000)
Breakfast: 19.8%

Nova’s Perth station has risen to the first position, rising 1.6 percentage points from the last survey. It now holds a 16.3% share.

For another survey, Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun continue to top the Perth breakfast slot with a 19.8% share, up an impressive 3.6 percentage points. Nova’s national drive program of Ricki-LeeTim and Joel came in first with a 17.2% share, up by 1.8 percentage points.

Perth Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1. [click to expand.]

Perth Radio Ratings 2025, Survey 1. [click to expand.]

96FM 14.6% (14.1%)
Cume: 452,000 (-50,000)
Breakfast: 12.6%

96FM has remained in second position in Perth, up by 0.5 percentage points to a share of 14.6%.

The station’s breakfast show, Clairsy and Lisa, grew by 1.5 percentage points to a share of 12.6%. The national drive show of Will and Woody grew by 2.5 percentage points to a share of 13.6%.

Mix 94.5 12.5% (12.6%)
Cume: 549,000 (-15,000)
Breakfast: 10.9%

Hit Network’s Mix 94.5 has stayed in third place in Perth, dropping 0.8 points for an 11.7% share.

Mix 94.5’s breakfast lineup of Pete and Kymba has dropped 1.0 points to a 10.9% share, coming in third in the breakfast slot in this survey.

The national drive show of Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little has dropped to 13%, down by 0.6 percentage points.

92.9 Triple M 8.1% (8.5%)
Cume: 408,000 (+1,000)
Breakfast: 10.3%

92.9 Triple M dropped by 0.4%, to a share of 8.1%.

The breakfast team of Xav & Katie have jumped up by 1% in the breakfast slot, bringing in a share of 10.3%.

Meanwhile, Triple M’s The Rush Hour with JB & Billy drive show slot jumped up by 0.1% to a share of 9.3%.

6PR 7.1% (8%)
Cume: 184,000 (-42,000)
Breakfast: 9.3%

Nine’s Perth Radio station dropped by 0.9 percentage points from the eight survey of 2024 to a share of 7.1%.

6PR Breakfast with Millsy and Karl dropped by 3.5 percentage points to a 9.3% share, from 12.4% last survey.

6iX 5.4% (4.9%)
Cume: 143,000 (-13,000)
Breakfast: 4.1%

6iX has jumped down by 0.5 percentage points to a share of 5.4%.

The station’s breakfast slot with Westo and Nat dropped by 1 point to a 4.1% share.

See also: Perth Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 8: Nova 93.7 back on top to finish the year.

GroupM - EssenceMediacom, Mindshare, Wavemaker
GroupM ranks #1 in the 2024 Australian COMvergence New Business Barometer Report

By Alisha Buaya

Aimee Buchanan: ‘The COMvergence ranking is testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit of our teams.’

GroupM has taken the top spot in the 2024 Australian COMvergence New Business Barometer rankings.

COMvergence’s report ranks new business performance across media agency groups. The WPP media investment group delivered AU$332m (US$210m) in new and retained billings during 2024, US$60m ahead of its nearest competitor.

The number one ranking is a combined effort of the Group’s top three agencies – EssenceMediacom, led by Pippa Berlocher, Mindshare led by Maria Grivas and Wavemaker led by Peter Vogel.

GroupM’s success has involved some of the largest pitches in market and the formation of bespoke agency models, OpenMind and OpenDoor, following the wins of Nestlé and Amazon.

In addition, EssenceMediacom has welcomed Specsavers, whilst also retaining Queensland Government. Meanwhile, Wavemaker has welcomed the likes of McPherson’s and Adelaide University to its portfolio, with Mindshare won clients including Footlocker and Nova.

Aimee Buchanan

Aimee Buchanan: ‘We’ve been focused on growing GroupM Australia in a way that’s built to last.’

Aimee Buchanan, GroupM Australia & New Zealand CEO, sad: “It’s exciting to see all three of our agencies firing on all cylinders. The COMvergence ranking is testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit of our teams.

“For the past few years, we’ve been focused on growing GroupM Australia in a way that’s built to last. We want to lead the way in the future of media and have invested in capabilities like Influencer and Commerce, data and technology, which ensures we can continue to deliver the most effective and efficient media and business transformation solutions for our clients.

“As a result, we’ve been honoured to welcome new clients to our portfolio and extend relationships with key existing clients. We’re lucky to partner with amazing Australian brands, and we appreciate their trust.”

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Ipsos - watching tv stock image - vfc streaming
Streaming platforms are twice as efficient at driving business outcomes: VFC study reveals

By Alisha Buaya

The research also highlights the benefits of diversifying spend across a range of streaming platforms.

Streaming platforms have been shown to be twice as efficient at driving business outcomes, according to a study by the Video Futures Collective (VFC), Adgile and GroupM.

The study examined $200 million in streaming and linear video ad spend over three years across key GroupM clients in automotive, FMCG, entertainment, and beverage categories, and focused on key business outcome metrics such as sales revenue, website visits, and app usage.

While video advertising across all platforms delivered strong incremental results, streaming platforms proved to be twice as efficient in achieving these outcomes. The modelling suggests driving investment in streaming video to approximately 40% of total video spend could significantly enhance overall business outcomes.

The research also highlights the benefits of diversifying spend across a range of streaming platforms. In some categories, including Automotive, website visits increased by up to 5%, simply by shifting spend across multiple streaming platforms.

Understanding the nuances within streaming is crucial and will be the focus of the next phase of this research, available in mid-2025. This phase has provided initial insights, with premium streaming platforms proving to be twice as efficient in generating business outcomes per dollar spent compared to any other platform in the total video landscape.

foxtel

Toby Dewar: ‘This research empowers advertisers to make data-driven decisions about their video investments.’

“The study highlights the importance of staying ahead of audience viewing trends,” Toby Dewar, VFC steering committee member and director of customer engagement of Foxtel Media said.

“By proactively shifting investments towards streaming video, advertisers can capitalise on evolving consumer behaviour and maximise their return on investment. This research empowers advertisers to make data-driven decisions about their video investments.

The growth of platforms like Amazon Prime, Binge, ESPN, Kayo, Samsung TV Plus, SBS OnDemand, Vevo and YouTube presents a wealth of opportunities for brands to connect with their target audiences and achieve superior results.”

GroupM - Hubbl commentary - Melissa Hey

Melissa Hey: ‘Having deeper insights and data based in rigorous research, helps us better advise our clients on the most effective approach to media investment across platforms to achieve their objectives.’

Melissa Hey, chief investment officer of GroupM Australia, said: “What these early studies have shown is that there is huge potential for brands’ media investment to work harder and deliver improved results. We already plan for an optimal split for our clients.

“Having deeper insights and data based in rigorous research, helps us better advise our clients on the most effective approach to media investment across platforms to achieve their objectives. We look forward to the next phase of the research.”

Stu Carr, Adgile director customer insights, added: “Our research clearly demonstrates the power of video advertising to drive tangible business results. The real game-changer lies in not just shifting a greater portion of video budgets towards streaming but also understanding and optimising the unique strengths of each platform. Advertisers who take this approach can significantly amplify their impact on key metrics like engagement and sales.”

The VFC and Adgile are committed to ongoing research in this area. A second phase of the study will delve deeper into the specific drivers of impact within streaming, providing even more granular insights for advertisers.

Future research will explore the effectiveness of streaming video within the broader media landscape, comparing its performance against other channels to provide a holistic view of media investment strategy.

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Gen Z enters 2025 with positivity, purpose and a push for authenticity

By Natasha Lee

Snapchat helping to reshape how Gen Z interacts with the world around them.

A new study from Snapchat has revealed a turning point in Gen Z behaviour, highlighting a generation that is overwhelmingly more positive, emotionally grounded and driven by authentic connections.

Conducted in partnership with Crowd DNA, the research surveyed more than 3,000 young Australians and uncovered a clear shift in mindset as Gen Z enters 2025.

Managing director, Snapchat Australia and New Zealand, Ryan Ferguson predicts the data will be invaluable to agencies saying: “Gen Z is one of the most important audiences for marketers, because they are the customer growth story of today, and the profit story of the future”.

A generation recharged

In 2025, the leading emotions among Gen Z are gratitude, optimism and motivation, with 46% of respondents reporting gratitude as a prevailing emotion, followed by 42% citing optimism and 39% identifying with motivation.

This marks a significant turnaround from 2024, when eight in 10 young people (80%) said they felt negative about the world around them.

Achieving personal milestones (44%) now brings Gen Z the greatest sense of joy, as they define success on their own terms.

When asked about their biggest life priorities, Gen Z placed saving money (44%), career growth (41%) and buying a house (28%) in their top three, distinct from Millennials, who are more likely to prioritise their physical and mental health.

Spending smart and seeking value

Gen Z’s financial acumen is evident in their spending habits, with 74% preferring to allocate funds towards small, everyday experiences like food, drinks, and outings, rather than large-scale events or holidays.

They also demonstrate a keen interest in “affordable luxury,” with 55% actively seeking high-quality products at accessible price points, and 61% opting for “good dupes” over the “real thing.”

Despite their focus on personal goals, a significant 65% of Gen Z members report feeling lonelier than any other generation, highlighting their yearning for genuine connections. This desire for authenticity is further underscored by the fact that 78% perceive the world as “fake” and are actively seeking real interactions.

Moreover, 80% of Gen Z feel most like themselves when connected to their friends, and nearly 70% prefer to express themselves online within the confines of their close friend circles.

When asked about preferred digital spaces for connection, Snapchat emerged as the top choice, deemed the most authentic platform, while others are perceived as spaces for “posting perfect, polished content” or “killing time or boredom.”

While Gen Z is known for being digitally fluent, 65% of those surveyed reported feeling their generation is lonelier than any before. There is also a strong desire for meaningful connection, with 78% saying the world feels increasingly fake and they’re craving something real.

Friend-powered influence

The data also confirms that peer influence is a powerful driver of Gen Z behaviour. Seventy percent said their friends are critical in shaping both personal decisions and shopping choices.

Authentic connections are central to purchasing habits, with 64% of Gen Z saying seeing products on friends and creators makes them want to buy, and 51% saying shopping with friends is their favourite way to connect.

Snapchat’s role in commerce

Snapchat is also reshaping how Gen Z engages with retail. Half of all respondents said they are more likely to shop from brands using interactive ads and in-app store features, while 49% prefer virtual stores to traditional brick-and-mortar options.

The platform facilitates shared retail experiences, with 45% of respondents planning shopping trips or sharing product recommendations via Stories or Snaps. One in three (32%) use Snapchat to co-create fun, collaborative shopping experiences with friends.

Augmented reality (AR) is emerging as another key influence on purchasing decisions. Thirty-nine percent of Gen Z respondents are more likely to purchase products they can virtually try on.

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Entertainment journalist Jonathan Moran gets raw with the release of his new book

By Natasha Lee

‘I expect people that I talk to to be brutally honest with me, therefore if I was going to do a podcast, or write a book, I wanted it to be really authentic’.

So, the dictum usually goes that journalists should never make themselves the story.

That said, there are occasions when the rule must be either bent or broken. One such example is the recent work of News Corp Australia entertainment journalist Jonathan Moran.

Moran is used to being in the spotlight, but his ongoing project, Mental as Anyone, flips the script. With the book now available for pre-sale and an accompanying podcast already out in the world, Moran has stepped into deeply personal territory, sharing his own mental health journey in the most unfiltered way possible.

“I’m going to be authentic and honest, and I’m just going to go for it, not just be honest, but really go there,” Moran says. “If I was going to do a podcast or write a book, I wanted it to be really authentic. I don’t think I could do that without telling my whole truth.”

For Moran, the motivation was simple: “I expect people that I talk to to be brutally honest with me, therefore if I was going to do a podcast, or write a book, I wanted it to be really authentic.”

He explains: “I don’t think I could do that without telling my whole truth, and my mental health has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. So, hence, I’ve shared everything. The book will have it all, warts and all, in the rawest sense of the word. That both excites and terrifies me. But like I said, I can’t expect others in the public eye to be honest if I’m not honest myself.”

The lead-up to the book’s release has been a rollercoaster of emotions, admits Moran: “I’m navigating it right now. The book is out on 25 June, and pre-sales are live. It’s challenging. I feel like a kid at Christmas, trying to put it all to one side to get a good night’s sleep. I’m just putting one foot in front of the other. I treat it the same way I approach anything in life, by learning as I go.”

Moran admits he still grapples with the vulnerability of sharing his deepest struggles. “Is life tough? Yeah. I’m scared, not of backlash, but because of how honest I’ve been about myself, about who I really am. I’ve got imposter syndrome, like almost everyone I’ve ever met. What if it fails? What if, by whatever measure they use to gauge success, the book isn’t one? But at this point, it doesn’t really matter. I’ve written a book. It exists. And I have to come back to why I did it: to share a story I believe is important.”

From gossip guy to grounded truth

Known for celebrity scoops and red carpet interviews, Moran is all too familiar with being misjudged. “People see me and think I’m just the ‘gossip guy’ or the ‘entertainment guy.’ But of course, there’s more to me, as there is to everyone,” he says.

Moran has lived through what he describes as “hospital-level lows.” The motivation behind Mental as Anyone wasn’t self-promotion, but self-preservation, and service. “If this helps just one person, then the job is done. And the truth is, I know it already has,” he says, referencing messages from readers and strangers on the street who’ve said they feel seen.

Connecting through vulnerability

Far from being just another mental health memoir, Mental as Anyone weaves Moran’s story with expert advice from psychologist Dr Jodie Lowinger, founder of The Anxiety Clinic in Bondi Junction.

Dr Lowinger not only wrote the book’s foreword but also helped shape the chapters by offering practical, clinical tools for readers navigating their own mental health struggles.

“The book isn’t just me dumping everything out,” Moran explains. “Jodie’s voice adds another dimension, it’s not just my experience, it’s guidance too.”

The collaboration culminated in a bonus podcast episode, which Moran describes as the most emotional interview he’s ever done.

“Jodie knows me in a way few others do. She’s listened to my story, read it, consumed it, thought about it, and then written about it. I walked out in tears. I genuinely felt seen,” he said.

To pre-order Mental as Anyone click here.

To listen to the Mental as Anyone podcast click here.

If you or anyone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Help is always available.

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2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards unveils host and performers

By Natasha Lee

Neil Griffiths: ‘With this year’s awards, we want to platform and spotlight our local artists that deserve to be celebrated’.

Rolling Stone AU/NZ publisher Vinyl Media has announced the iconic magazine is tuning up for one of its biggest nights yet, announcing the host and performers for the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards, returning to Sydney’s The Ivy on Wednesday, 9 April.

For the local music scene, and the brands backing it, the night is set to be a high-volume celebration of artistry, impact, and influence.

Icehouse (credit Glen Nicholls) / 3% / Becca Hatch (credit Maria Boyadgis)

Icehouse (credit Glen Nicholls) / 3% / Becca Hatch (credit Maria Boyadgis)

A legacy act, rising stars and next-gen talent take the stage

Headlining the evening will be legendary Australian rockers Icehouse, marking 45 years since their debut album.

With five ARIA Awards and a 2006 ARIA Hall of Fame induction, the band remains a major draw for music fans and brands alike.

Joining them onstage is Western Sydney’s Becca Hatch, hot off opening for Coldplay and Mahalia. Also performing is First Nations supergroup 3%, comprising Corey ‘Nooky’ Webster, Dallas Woods, and Angus Field.

Their debut single, Our People, and subsequent album, Kill The Dead, have garnered critical acclaim, including two ARIA Awards and a National Indigenous Music Award for Song of the Year.

First Nations supergroup 3%

First Nations supergroup 3%

The voice of the night

Taking on the night’s hosting duties will be Nic Kelly, co-host of The Hit Network’s The Hot Hits and founder of youth media brand Project U.

With deep roots in music broadcasting and artist development, Kelly said, “It is an absolute dream to be hosting the Rolling Stone Australia Awards, celebrating the fact that despite all the challenges, the music we’re making and the incredible artists behind it are unstoppable.”

He went on to jokingly acknowledged the “challenge of wrangling the rowdiest room in Australian music,” highlighting the event’s vibrant energy.

Event host Nic Kelly

Event host Nic Kelly

The business of music

The awards are set to be a significant moment for the industry, with a hotly contested field of award nominees. Amyl and the Sniffers, the current Rolling Stone AU/NZ cover stars, lead with four nominations.

The Readers’ Choice Award remains open for public voting, showcasing a diverse shortlist including Thelma Plum, G Flip, and Crowded House. The interactive element allows fans to directly engage with their favourite local acts, boosting visibility and engagement.

Supporting local talent

Neil Griffiths, editor-in-chief at Rolling Stone Australia, emphasised the awards’ role in supporting local artists.

“It’s no secret that it’s been a trying time for Australian artists. From a lack of representation on the end of year ARIA charts and even the Hottest 100 countdown, to the festival industry in crisis,” Griffiths said.

He continued: “With this year’s Rolling Stone Australia Awards, we want to platform and spotlight our local artists that deserve to be celebrated.”

Griffiths highlighted the global impact of Australian artists, from Dom Dolla to Missy Higgins, and the emergence of new talent like 3% and Mia Wray.

Neil Griffiths.

Brand alignment and sponsorship

The awards have secured key sponsorships, with American Apparel headlining for the first time, alongside returning sponsors Shure and JMC Academy.

David Hillen, director Asia Pacific at Gildan, spoke of the strategic partnership.

“The partnership between Rolling Stone and American Apparel unites two cultural powerhouses, each with a deep-rooted commitment to craftsmanship and creativity,” Hillen explained.

“This year, American Apparel returns to the Rolling Stone Australia Awards night with an exclusive activation, offering guests the unique opportunity to experience premium, ethically made designs.”

Vinyl Media is the publisher of Mediaweek

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Lexus x Victoria Racing Club
Lexus extends principal partnership with the Victoria Racing Club and Melbourne Cup

By Alisha Buaya

Kylie Rogers: ‘The relationship we have fostered over more than two decades has seen Lexus contribute to exceptional Melbourne Cup Carnival experiences since 2003.’

Lexus Australia has extended its principal partnership with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) for more three years, which includes naming rights to the Melbourne Cup, until 2027.

The new deal will take the association between the racing club and the luxury car brand to a remarkable 25 years, marking a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership.

The luxury car brands strengthened their association with the VRC in 2018 when they were announced as Principal Partner, securing naming rights to the Melbourne Cup race, Melbourne Cup Day, and the VRC’s annual landmark community event, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

The new partnership extension also sees Lexus maintain naming rights to several golden ticket races which will provide the winner direct entry into the $8.5 million Lexus Melbourne Cup, the world’s richest handicap race.

Golden ticket races include the Lexus Roy Higgins on TAB Australian Cup Day at Flemington tomorrow, the Lexus Andrew Ramsden on Andrew Ramsden Race Day, the Lexus Archer Stakes on Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day and the Lexus Bart Cummings on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day, where the winners go straight into the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Lexus x Victoria Racing Club

Kylie Rogers, chief executive officer of the VRC said the extension was a strong endorsement of the enduring appeal of the Lexus Melbourne Cup and the relationship between the VRC and Lexus Australia.

“The VRC is proud to extend our partnership with Lexus Australia to a new milestone of 25 years. We thank Lexus for their continued support. The relationship we have fostered over more than two decades has seen Lexus contribute to exceptional Melbourne Cup Carnival experiences since 2003 and support important fundraising initiatives such as our Pin & Win program, which raised a record amount in 2024.

“Lexus remains synonymous with Australia’s most iconic national sporting event, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. It is the People’s Cup and has been part of the Australian psyche for 164 years, which we see reflected in the fact 11.5 million adult Australians engaged with the day right across the country last year.

“The build up to the 165th Lexus Melbourne Cup has already started, with applications to host this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour now open and the first horse set to secure their spot in the race that stops a nation tomorrow via the Lexus Roy Higgins at Flemington.”

Chief executive of Lexus Australia John Pappas said Lexus is privileged to be just the fourth sponsor in the race’s prestigious 164-year history. “The Lexus Melbourne Cup is more than a famous horse race, it is a celebration of what it means to be Australian,” Pappas added.

“It is an occasion for people and communities to come together and create their own amazing experiences, in the same way Lexus enjoys creating amazing experiences for customers.”

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TRA - Top row David Busfield, Alex Mansfield. Front row Tia Agnew, Melouise Hucker - Media Movers
TRA makes four new appointments to Sydney team

By Alisha Buaya

Terri Hall: ‘Bringing these four new roles on board marks the next chapter for our growth in Sydney and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve this year.’

TRA has welcomed new appointments to its Sydney team ahead of its third anniversary in market.

Joining the research and insights agency is researcher and strategic consultant, David Busfield who steps into the role of business director and will be responsible for several of TRA’s growing partnerships over the FMCG, tech and financial services sectors. He will also lead the team’s significant and growing quantitative practice, alongside the established multi-disciplinary senior team that spans qualitative, cultural and behavioural insight practices.

Busfield joins from Kantar where he held the position of group director, leading one of Sydney’s client service teams and some of the largest client relationships and projects across brand strategy, innovation and creative effectiveness.

The agency also welcomed three research consultants from Fifityfive5, part of Accenture Song: Melouise Hucker as senior consultant (previously senior account director); Tia Agnew as senior consultant (previously senior consultant); and Alex Mansfield as cultural/qualitative consultant (previously cultural insights).

Terri Hall, managing partner, Sydney, said the new hires mark a very clear growth trajectory for Sydney’s office and continues its momentum since launch.

“Our mission is to use our understanding of human behaviour to identify growth opportunities for our clients. For us to do this we need smart and passionate thinkers; a team of experts who use their different perspectives to reveal unique and uncommon insights that drive change and success for our clients.

“We have found all this and more in this group of exceptionally talented people and I’m thrilled to welcome them to the team.”

“David brings significant expertise and a clear drive for excellence and partnership which I know will only bolster how we show up and deliver for our clients across diverse business problems and sectors. Bringing these four new roles on board marks the next chapter for our growth in Sydney and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve this year,” Hall added.

Busfield said of his appointment: “TRA has built an incredible reputation for delivering insight-driven strategies that create real impact. I’m excited to join a team that thrives on curiosity and diverse thinking, and I look forward to partnering with our clients to uncover new opportunities for growth.”

Hall added: “People are at the heart of what we do. There is an art to knowing people and the success of this hinges on building teams that have unique perspectives and multi-layered skills. I am confident that our new hires are a cornerstone for future success.”

Top image: Top row – David Busfield, Alex Mansfield. Front row – Tia Agnew, Melouise Hucker

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Foxtel NRL rights
Foxtel Group locks in Super League rights

By Emma Shepherd

Rebecca McCloy: ‘We are truly the home of international rugby league in Australia.’

The Foxtel Group has extended its commitment to top-tier rugby league coverage, announcing a multi-year broadcast deal with Rugby League Commercial to stream every game of the Betfred Super League live on Kayo Sports.

Brokered by strategic partner IMG, the renewed agreement means Australian fans can catch all the action from both the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Super League exclusively on Foxtel platforms, further solidifying the group’s status as the home of rugby league in Australia.

Rebecca McCloy, Foxtel Group’s executive director commercial sport, said the renewed partnership continues the company’s goal to grow the game and cater to a dedicated fan base:

“Super League is one of the premier rugby league competitions in the world, and we are very excited that through this renewal, our subscribers can continue to enjoy all the action of the competition. We are truly the home of international rugby league in Australia and, through our long-term support, have played an important role in growing engagement in the sport.”

The announcement follows record viewership for the Round 3 Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, played in Las Vegas earlier this month. The game became the most-watched Super League fixture on Kayo and Foxtel platforms to date.

Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial, highlighted the synergy between the Super League and the NRL, noting the popularity of crossover talent with Australian audiences.

“There are such strong links between the world’s two leading rugby league competitions, and so many familiar names to Australian viewers, superstar players like Bevan French at Wigan Warriors, Luke Keary at Catalans Dragons and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at Hull KR, or head coaches like Sam Burgess and Brad Arthur,” said Jones.

“It’s a boost to us all to know there are growing numbers of viewers in Australia who will be getting up on weekend mornings to watch the battle to reach the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford in October.”

This weekend’s round of Super League matches will be a historic one as the league celebrates its 5,000th fixture in its 30th season. On Saturday 29 March at 7am AEDT, Sam Burgess’s Warrington Wolves will host Brad Arthur’s Leeds Rhinos live on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Also airing live is Friday morning’s clash between Castleford Tigers and a resurgent Hull FC, now led by former NRL player John Cartwright and featuring ex-Raiders stars Jordan Rapana and Aiden Sezer.

McCloy added that with so many ex-NRL players embedded in Super League clubs, the connection between Australian fans and the international game has never been stronger:

“It’s all part of our objective to grow the game, bringing fans closer to their favourite players and helping spotlight the global impact of rugby league.”

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TV Ratings Wednesday 26 March 2025: Nine wins night with MAFS, leads all key demos

By Tom Gosby

Married At First Sight leads the way again, with 9News, A Current Affair & Scrublands rounding out a dominant performance.

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s Married At First Sight recorded a total TV national reach of 2,813,000, a total TV national audience of 1,763,000 and a BVOD audience of 478,000.

Seven Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,059,000, a total TV national audience of 1,331,000 and a BVOD audience of 81,000.

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,028,000, a total TV national audience of 1,260,000 and a BVOD audience of 114,000.

Nine’s A Current Affair recorded a total TV national reach of 1,799,000, a total TV national audience of 1,146,000 and a BVOD audience of 121,000.

Nine’s Scrublands recorded a total TV national reach of 1,653,000, a total TV national audience of 460,000 and a BVOD audience of 73,000.

Total People 26 March 2025.

Total People 26 March 2025.

People 25-54

Nine’s Married At First Sight:
• Total TV national reach: 1,163,000
• National Audience: 806,000
• BVOD Audience: 299,000

Nine’s Scrublands:
• Total TV national reach: 687,000
• National Audience: 173,000
• BVOD Audience: 43,000

Nine’s 9News:
• Total TV national reach: 606,000
• National Audience: 362,000
• BVOD Audience: 59,000

Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV national reach: 601,000
• National Audience: 340,000
• BVOD Audience: 68,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV national reach: 532,000
• National Audience: 317,000
• BVOD Audience: 41,000

People 25-54 26 March 2025.

People 25-54 26 March 2025.

People 16-39

Nine’s Married At First Sight:
• Total TV national reach: 569,000
• National Audience: 408,000
• BVOD Audience: 201,000

Nine’s Scrublands:
• Total TV national reach: 303,000
• National Audience: 68,000
• BVOD Audience: 26,000

Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV national reach: 256,000
• National Audience: 134,000
• BVOD Audience: 39,000

Nine’s 9News:
• Total TV national reach: 253,000
• National Audience: 147,000
• BVOD Audience: 30,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV national reach: 186,000
• National Audience: 106,000
• BVOD Audience: 21,000

People 16-39 26 March 2025.

People 16-39 26 March 2025.

 

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s Married At First Sight:
• Total TV national reach: 2,214,000
• National Audience: 1,415,000
• BVOD Audience: 384,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV national reach: 1,647,000
• National Audience: 1,071,000
• BVOD Audience: 65,000

Nine’s 9News:
• Total TV national reach: 1,592,000
• National Audience: 1,000,000
• BVOD Audience: 93,000

Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV national reach: 1,428,000
• National Audience: 913,000
• BVOD Audience: 98,000

Nine’s Scrublands:
• Total TV national reach: 1,330,000
• National Audience: 373,000
• BVOD Audience: 59,000

Grocery Shoppers (18+) 26 March 2025.

Grocery Shoppers (18+) 26 March 2025.

Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2025. 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.

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Publishing

Nine data breach exposes 16,000 subscribers

A data breach at Nine has left the personal details of 16,000 subscribers to The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Age, and The Australian Financial Review exposed online, raising fresh concerns about audience data safety in media and advertising.

As Cam Wilson writes in Crikey, the incident, traced to an “unauthorised change” by a third-party supplier, was first flagged by independent security researcher Kaspar, known for finding open Amazon S3 buckets.

Despite the alarm being raised on 19 March, Nine only locked down the data after a media query from Crikey on 26 March.

Television

V’landys set to drop one hat as media, codes, and commercial pressures mount

One of Australian sport’s most influential powerbrokers, Peter V’landys, is tipped to relinquish one of his high-profile roles, most likely his long-held Racing NSW post, as he prioritises rugby league, media rights, and NRL expansion.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the pressure of running two major sporting codes in an increasingly complex media and commercial environment may finally be forcing a choice.

The speculation, revealed on Off the Record, a new podcast from the paper’s Phil Rothfield and The Australian‘s Andrew Webster, suggests V’landys is weighing up life balance, rising tensions in racing, and the demands of a shifting broadcast landscape.

Read more

CoStar’s Domain bid gains momentum

CoStar’s $2.8 billion push to acquire Domain is gaining momentum, with Nine backing the latest bid after a week of high-level meetings.

As Calum Jaspan writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, the revised offer of $4.43 per share lands just below Nine’s asking price and keeps the US real estate giant firmly in the race to secure one of Australia’s most strategic digital assets.

The deal would mark a significant shift in the local media and advertising landscape.

Free-to-air apps to take top billing on smart TVs under new ACMA rules

Streaming platforms might dominate headlines, but free-to-air networks are getting a boost in discoverability thanks to new prominence rules from ACMA.

As Kyle Laidlaw reports in TV Blackbox, from 2026, smart TVs and streaming devices sold in Australia will be required to give apps like ABC iview, 7plus, and 9Now prime placement, making it easier for viewers to find local broadcasters without endless scrolling.

It’s a win for traditional networks in the battle for screen space, especially as BVOD plays a bigger role in audience strategies and advertising revenue.

Read more

Radio

Nine Radio kicks off 2025 on top

Nine Radio has stamped its authority on the national radio landscape once again, with 3AW in Melbourne and 2GB in Sydney both claiming the #1 position in their respective markets in the first GfK radio survey for 2025.

With significant audience shares across the day, the network has not only retained its dominance but in many cases, surpassed recent performance benchmarks, making it a standout start to the year.

Read more

Legal

Roberts-Smith moves to reopen case, alleging Nine misconduct could have swayed outcome

Ben Roberts-Smith has launched a late legal play to reopen his failed defamation appeal against Nine, claiming secret recordings reveal journalist Nick McKenzie was improperly briefed on confidential defence strategy during the original trial.

As 7news.com.au reports, his legal team says the alleged leak undermines the fairness of proceedings and warrants a full retrial.

In an urgent application filed Thursday, Roberts-Smith’s lawyers argued the court was misled by the concealment of “privileged and confidential” information, accusing McKenzie of “wilful misconduct” and stating the former soldier was unaware of any breach until long after the appeal had been heard.

Read more

Brands

Brett Lee-backed Sydney Beer Co falls flat, owing nearly $10 million

Craft brewer Sydney Beer Co, part-owned by cricket legend Brett Lee, has gone belly-up with close to $10 million in debts, leaving a trail of creditors that includes the ATO, the McGrath Foundation, and its own chairman.

As Simon Evan writes in The Australian Financial Review, the biggest bill is a $6.2 million related-party loan from an entity tied to chair David Catterall.

Once stocked in BWS, Dan Murphy’s and 350 venues nationwide, the brand had recently pushed into the US and Malaysian markets.

Read more

Retail

Dollarama moves in as The Reject Shop exits ASX in $259m deal

The Reject Shop is set to delist from the ASX after accepting a $259 million buyout from Canadian discount retail heavyweight Dollarama.

As Carrie LaFrenz writes in The Australian Financial Review, The deal will see the chain’s footprint more than double to 700 stores, with major shareholder Kin Group, run by billionaire Raphael Geminder, backing the move.

While sales for the brand have ticked up recently, profit margins have lagged, making the timing right for a new owner with global scale.

Read more

Books

Oxford adds ‘gigil’ and other global gems as untranslatable words find adland relevance

The Oxford English Dictionary has embraced gigil, a Tagalog word for the overwhelming urge to squeeze something unbearably cute, into its latest update, alongside a host of culturally rich, previously “untranslatable” terms.

As Danielle Lavelle writes in The Guardian, it’s a nod to how language evolves through emotion, experience, and increasingly, global influence.

Words like gigilutepils (Norwegian for enjoying a beer outside), and komorebi (Japanese for sunlight filtering through leaves) aren’t just linguistic curiosities; they’re brand-building gold.

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