Tuesday October 29, 2024

The logo for the Mediaweek 100
How to buy tickets for the Mediaweek 100 lunch, 2024

The 2024 Mediaweek 100 takes place at the Crown Sydney on 22 November.

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

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

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

You can buy your tickets here. 

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

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

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

See the full list of names for 2023 here.

James Warburton, former CEO of Seven West Media

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

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

KEY DATES

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

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

Tickets are available here.

radio ratings
Radio ratings overhaul: CRA moves survey dates for 2025 – eight surveys, seven results!

By James Manning

CRA chief executive Lizzie Young tells Mediaweek the change allows for capture of audience data during the crucial holiday season.

To the army of announcers and production teams who work in radio, the radio ratings survey dates mean more than being a report card that tracks their performance.

It’s also a calendar they use to book their holidays! One of the paybacks for early-rising breakfast hosts is getting a few more holidays than the average worker. (A bonus not always extended to their support teams like producers, newsreaders etc.)

But there is a change coming in 2025 that will see the industry reschedule holiday plans.

The move should be welcomed by the ad industry that uses the data to fine tune their investment in audio.

What doesn’t change

Every year Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) engages GfK to hold eight metro radio surveys across the year. That is not changing. In 2025 there will again be another eight survey periods.

The data from each of those surveys is generally released on Tuesdays. That won’t change either. Seven of the eight ratings releases will be on a Tuesday in 2025. The odd one out is Survey 2 with the release on Thursday April 29, done on that day to allow for Easter which drops late next year, and also Anzac Day.

What is changing

While there will be eight survey periods next year, the data from only seven of them will be released in 2025. In something of a genius move, CRA will drop the results from Survey 8 2025 at the start of 2026, on Tuesday January 20 to be precise.

This means the trade won’t have to scramble for a ratings release just days before Christmas. It also means the survey year can run a little later into the year.

That last bit just might not go down well with the talent.

Move your holidays

The 2025 survey year will start a little later in January – not until the week of January 19 (or Monday January 20 for most).

Good news right? But wait…the Survey year will end with Survey 8 2025 running until Saturday December 13. That is quite a change.

This year Survey 8 wraps on Saturday November 30, meaning all radio teams who work strictly to survey dates get the whole of December off.

To many this will be a big deal and might take a little getting used to.

CRA’s Lizzie Young

‘A pivotal step for the radio industry’

Lizzie Young, the new CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio, told Mediaweek: “Extending Survey 8, 2025, by two weeks into mid-December, with results released 20 January 2026, is a pivotal step for the radio industry. Capturing audience data during the crucial holiday season provides invaluable insights into consumer behaviour during one of the year’s highest spending times.

“This move enhances the relevance of our audience insights and aligns seamlessly with peak retail activity – maximising radio’s commercial impact.

“Launching fresh data in January empowers agencies and advertisers to kick off the year with actionable insights, reinforcing radio’s essential role in effective media planning. This schedule change expands radio’s reach into the year’s most lucrative weeks, strengthening its value as a strategic tool for audience engagement and campaign investment. By making this move, we’re setting the stage for a vibrant future where radio remains at the forefront of audience engagement.”

See also: ACRA winners 2024 – Jonesy and Amanda, Ben Fordham, Phil O’Neal, Luke Davis and Whippy all take home trophies

Number of survey weeks doesn’t change

The change doesn’t impact the number of metro survey weeks. There will be surveys across 41 weeks of the year. The breaks will drop differently though.

There will be a week’s break starting March 2, after just six weeks of survey. It’s back to work and then there’s a two week break from April 13 across Easter.

There’s a two-week mid-year break from July 6 and then a final one-week break from September 28.

But get this – the survey year now won’t end until December 13. Say goodbye to that lengthy December vacation.

In other major metro markets – Newcastle, Canberra and Gold Coast/Tweed Heads – there will be three survey periods each next year.

For metro DAB+ ratings, the surveys will be the same as the metro surveys.

Download your 2025 GfK metro survey dates here.

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Nine loses key executive as AFL announces new executive GM customer and commercial

By James Manning

New role at  the AFL sees Rebecca Haagsma arrive to replace Kylie Rogers.

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon has announced Rebecca Haagsma as the AFL’s new executive general manager customer and commercial.

Haagsma is currently the chief product and technology officer at Nine Entertainment and will commence at the AFL in February 2025, after relocating from Sydney to Melbourne with her husband Paul.

Haagsma replaces another former TV executive, Kylie Rogers, who stepped away from the sporting body after seven years earlier in 2024. Rogers was recently appointed CEO of the Victorian Racing Club. Before her time with the AFL, Rogers worked as head of commercial at both Network 10 and Mamamia.

As a member of the AFL Executive and in her role as EGM Customer and Commercial, Haagsma will oversee commercial partnerships, events, consumer products, fan engagement and growth, AFL digital (afl.com.au) and the management of the AFL’s broadcast relationship across Fox, Seven, News Corp and radio partners.

She arrives at the AFL with over 20 years’ experience leading teams in the media and telecommunications industries. In her 2.5 years at Nine she led the digital transformation of their media assets and, most recently, led the 2024 Paris Olympics team effort across all of Nine’s digital offering.

Prior to working at Nine, Haagsma worked at Telstra for seven years in a number of senior executive roles, leading global strategic partnerships, the devices portfolio, and the telco’s media interests across sports and entertainment rights and streaming products, including the creation and operation of the AFL Live app.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Bec join our team in this role. She brings deep expertise across commercial, media, digital and product development and this unique skillset will play an important role in shaping our future direction and engagement with fans,” Andrew Dillon said.

Haagsma said the AFL role was an opportunity 20 years in the making.

“The game of footy has always been a part of my life, and the opportunity to work with the AFL, its clubs, corporate partners and wider stakeholders, and the fans above all, is a dream role for me.

“I’m looking forward to bringing years of commercial and relationship experience and leadership along with a deep expertise in transformation and being able to match it with my love for Australia’s game.

“I can’t wait to join Andrew’s leadership team and am looking forward to heading up an exceptional consumer and commercial function, so we can drive the next period of growth for the AFL,” Haagsma said.

AFL executive accountability for Marvel Stadium will continue with Matthew Chun, who has been in the caretaker position since August 2024.

See also: Nine Entertainment appoints Rebecca Haagsma as chief product officer

Black Friday & Cyber Monday: How News meets demand for biggest shopping event of the year

By James Manning

News has launched an integrated, multi-platform campaign, leveraging both its digital and print assets.

With just one month to go until Black Friday and Cyber Monday, News Corp Australia reports it is experiencing unprecedented demand for the biggest shopping event of the year, as a result of its all-of-network approach to benefit both retail partners and consumers.

For the first time during this sales period, News has launched an integrated, multi-platform campaign, leveraging both its digital and print assets across the entire network, giving commercial partners the chance to reach more than 17.6 million* Australians.

The campaign is underpinned by News’ dedicated e-commerce platform news.com.au checkout which, like the previous two years, will be the go-to destination for Australian shoppers this Black Friday and Cyber Monday period.

News.com.au checkout will offer over 10,000 curated deals across various categories as well as product reviews, advice and the ability for consumers to purchase directly without leaving the platform.

Breaking News alerts will be replaced with Breaking Sales real-time updates as the live shopping event unfolds, allowing consumers to find the very best deals to spend smart and save big.

Also new this year is a 12-page wrap in The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail and The Advertiser highlighting the best deals across key categories as selected by news.com.au checkout. The wrap will be published in the lead-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday on November 22.

News Corp Australia’s national head of retail & digital growth, Jessica Gilby (pictured), said: “Our all-of-network strategy serves two purposes. Firstly, it empowers Aussie consumers to navigate the rising cost of living by highlighting smart spending opportunities, strategic gift planning and value-focused household purchases. While for our retail partners, this strategy ensures they are part of this critical sales conversation, so when shoppers are ready to spend, their brands will be front of mind.”

Other News brands taking part in the network-wide campaign include The Australian as well as prestige and lifestyle titles including Vogue Australia, GQ Australia, Escape, Body+Soul, Taste.com.au and Kidspot.

*Source: Roy Morgan Single Source 12 Months ending June 2024. 

See also: News Corp Australia reaches four in five online Aussies in September: Ipsos iris

Diana Ilinkovski
Stan's chief marketing officer Diana Ilinkovski resigns

By Jasper Baumann

Ilinkovski resigns after a decade at the Nine-owned streaming company, starting before the service launched in 2015.

Stan’s chief marketing officer Diana Ilinkovski has resigned from the streaming company. 

A Stan spokesperson told Mediaweek: “Stan can confirm that Diana Ilinkovski has resigned from her position as CMO to spend time with her family.

“Stan will soon commence a recruitment process.”

Mediaweek understands that Monday, 28 October was Ilinkovski’s last day in the office, but will be available for handover arrangements for a period of time.

Ilinkovski joined Stan in 2014, the year before the Nine-owned streaming service launched in 2015. She joined as the marketing communications manager, before switching to head of brand, creative & comms in 2016. In 2019, she became marketing director and in August 2021, began her tenure as CMO. 

The announcement of Ilinkovski’s departure comes as Nine revealed last week at its upfronts that Stan Sport will now offer advertising in 2025.

Nine say the addition of advertising on Stan Sport will allow advertisers to reach audiences across it’s live broadcast, live streaming and on-demand platforms, offering “ease, efficiency, and effectiveness in campaign execution creating the most powerful Total Television platform in Australia.”

The announcement of advertising on Stan Sport comes as Nine introduces it’s prime-time television inventory into the 9Galaxy platform meaning campaign delivery is 100% guaranteed, no shortfalls, no makegoods.This allows Nine to introduce converged trading across all Television platforms.

9Galaxy+ is in the early stages of development, a platform that promises to revolutionise the way advertisers manage cross platform campaigns.

It will be the first fully integrated trading platform that enables advertisers to buy audiences across all of Nine’s platforms – live broadcast, live streaming, on-demand and SVOD, and ultimately Nine’s Total Publishing and Total Audio assets through a single, unified interface.

Built to streamline operations, 9Galaxy+ will integrate directly with Nine’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and will leverage real-time audience insights via Nine’s Adobe CDP.

“The introduction of Stan Sport into Nine’s Total Television platform allows brands to reach even more Aussies and creates new opportunities for premium integration,” said Michael Stephenson, Nine’s chief sales officer.

“9Galaxy+ is our most significant technology project to date – a platform where every agency and client will have open, direct access to Nine’s inventory, trading systems, and pricing. We’re giving marketers unprecedented control over their campaigns, making it easier to plan, buy, and optimise across multiple channels.”

UNIQLO
UNIQLO promotes T-shirt sub-brand UT with Pitt Street Mall activation via 1000Heads

‘The event attracted a new, younger audience, aligning with our goal of growing UT brand awareness.’

To promote the UNIQLO UT sub-brand of graphic T-shirts, created in collaboration with renowned brands and designers, the clothing company partnered with the social transformation company 1000heads for a dynamic UNIQLO UT Experience at Pitt Street Mall in Sydney last week.

This event showcased the diverse UT range through an engaging and interactive activation. The UNIQLO UT range of T-shirts champions culture and individuality, fusing fashion, art, music, and self-expression. The key message was: UT empowers consumers to unapologetically showcase their interests and personality through fashion choices.

The activation, branded ‘UTGO,’ featured a three-phase approach, incorporating a physical installation as well as digital and social components, offering participants the chance to take a personality quiz that pinpointed their ideal UT T-shirt.

Through this ‘WHAT UT RU’ virtual experience, they received a voucher for a free UT T-shirt, redeemable at UNIQLO Mid City, Sydney.

To generate more awareness around the collection, UNIQLO also launched a social competition using an AR filter. By sharing their best “WHAT UT RU” selfies participants could win one of two $500 UNIQLO vouchers.

On the event day, 1000 T-shirts were distributed, and an array of UT T-shirts was displayed, highlighting some of the most popular brand collaborations.

Daniel Koublachvili, 1000heads creative technology director, said: “The UNIQLO UT activation seamlessly blends our technology and creative expertise with a fun personality quiz that matches participants with their ideal UT T-shirt, creating a personalised connection to the brand. It’s an immersive experience that encourages self-expression while showcasing the diverse UT range. We’re proud to partner with UNIQLO to bring this vibrant event to life and celebrate individuality.”

Molly Condon, Uniqlo campaign marketing manager said: “We partnered with 1000Heads to create UT GO, an innovative and engaging experience that perfectly embodied the spirit of Uniqlo’s UT graphic tee collection. Their team developed a unique activation that not only showcased Uniqlo’s diverse UT collections but also gave attendees a personalized connection to the brand through interactive quizzes and AR experiences. The event attracted a new, younger audience, aligning with our goal of growing UT brand awareness and celebrating individual expression through fashion. It was a pleasure to collaborative with such a passionate and creative team, and their work truly helped elevate UT in the eyes of Australian customers.” 

See also: UNIQLO launches digital activation for HEATTECH in Melbourne CBD via 1000heads

Campaign credits

Social Transformation and Creative Agency: 1000heads
Fiona Harris – General Manager
Mark Lloyd – Group Account Director
Lena Habkouk – Head of Client Growth
Daniel Koublachvili – Creative Technology Director
Luke Stevenson – Technical Director
Simran Lala – Senior Account Executive
Noah Melamed – Junior Technologist
Derek Tran – Junior Technologist|
Joshua Wong – Designer
Jessica Cassiano – Senior Social Executive

Set builders: Alchemy Co Set Builder
Charlie McDonald
– Logistics Manager
Emily Lloyd – Project Manager
Anthony Shone – Production Manager

UNIQLO
Molly Condon – Campaign Marketing Manager
Sherry Li – Head of Marketing and PR

prime video
Prime Video launches Crunchyroll as an add-on subscription in Australia

By Jasper Baumann

Crunchyroll marks the twenty-first add-on subscription available to customers in Australia.

Prime Video and Crunchyroll today announced that the anime streaming service is now available to Prime Video customers as an add-on subscription in Australia.

Crunchyroll marks the twenty-first add-on subscription available to customers in Australia. Prime members can now select from two Crunchyroll monthly memberships: Fan (AUD $10.99) or Mega Fan (AUD $13.99), both of which allow customers to stream the entire Crunchyroll library ad-free, while enjoying new episodes shortly after the release in Japan.

At launch, Mega Fan subscribers will have the added benefit to download titles for offline viewing. Crunchyroll subscribers have access to the world’s largest streaming library of anime, with 24,000 hours, 46,000 episodes, and more than 1,300 series and films.

“Anime is hugely popular among Australians, and Prime Video is proud to continue to expand its unparalleled collection of premium entertainment with the introduction of Crunchyroll as an add-on subscription option,” said Daniel Slepak, head of marketplace Prime Video Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

“Prime Video obsesses over providing customers with the best possible content offering in one single destination, and we are delighted to welcome Crunchyroll to our growing list of subscriptions in Australia.”

“The expansion of our Prime Video partnership opens the door for even more fans worldwide to dive into the thrilling worlds of anime,” said Terry Li, EVP of emerging business, Crunchyroll. “With so many incredible series waiting to be discovered, now is the perfect time to get lost in the endless adventures anime has to offer on Crunchyroll.”

See also: ‘We have to do the work’: Crunchyroll is busting anime advertising myths

mediaweek
How to buy tickets for the Mediaweek Agency 50, 2024

Last year, CEO of GroupM Australia & New Zealand Aimee Buchanan took the #1 spot on the Agency 50 list.

The Mediaweek Agency 50 list celebrates the leaders and teams driving success across Australia’s biggest media agencies.

The annual event to announce the names attracts the industry’s most influential people as Mediaweek celebrates the immense talent across the country.

This year’s lunch to announce the names on the list will take place on Tuesday, 22 November, 2024 at the Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney.

You can buy your tickets here. 

Last year, CEO of GroupM Australia & New Zealand Aimee Buchanan took the #1 spot on the Agency 50 list, and in 2022, she came in at #2 place, just losing to OMG CEO Peter Horgan, who departed from the role this month. 

Coming in #2 on last year’s list was Melissa Fein, who at the time was CEO of Initiative. Fein is now managing director, media at Accenture Song APAC alongside Sam Geer.

Included in the top 10 of 2023’s Agency 50 were Atomic 212°’s Claire Fenner (who also departed from the role this month), Zenith’s Jason Tonelli, Magna’s Lucy Formosa Morgan, Wavemaker’s Peter Vogel, OMD’s Laura Nice and Sian Whitnall, Mindshare’s Maria Grivas, IPG Mediabrand’s Mark Coad and Spark Foundry’s Imogen Hewitt.

See 2023’s full Agency 50 here.

Mediaweek

CEO of GroupM Australia & New Zealand, Aimee Buchanan

You can view the full criteria and enter the Media Agency 50 here.

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

KEY DATES

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

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

Tickets are available here.

forethought
Forethought appoints Sacha Cody as COO of BrandComms.AI

By Jasper Baumann

Sheona Bello was also promoted to chief client officer of BrandComms.AI.

Forethought has appointed Sacha Cody as chief operating officer of BrandComms.AI, the company’s generative AI platform for effective advertising. It has also promoted Sheona Bello to chief client officer of BrandComms.AI.

Cody joins Forethought from Crown Resorts, where he was group general manager of brand strategy and insights at Crown Resorts. He worked at Forethought for four years, most recently as general manager, client success. His resume also includes senior roles with Kantar, Millward Brown and Ipsos in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Forethought founder and executive chairman, Ken Roberts, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sacha back to Forethought to take the reins at BrandComms.AI. His strategic insight and global experience are a perfect match for the direction we’re taking with our Gen AI platform.

“Armed with a PhD in Anthropology and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Sacha brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical expertise to his new role. His deep knowledge of strategic research and consumer behaviour offers valuable insights into how markets respond to new products and services.

“In his previous time at Forethought, Sacha contributed significantly to the success of client projects, driving customer satisfaction and business outcomes. His expertise in brand strategy and consumer insights has positioned him as one of the most trusted leaders in marketing strategy,” he said.

Cody said: “I’m thrilled to return to Forethought and to lead its game-changing BrandComms.AI platform as we continue empowering brands with this technology.

“What excites me most about BrandComms.AI is its ability to bring together the best of both worlds, leveraging deep, proprietary data to inform highly creative executions. Marketers need more than just speed; they need creative content that resonates with real consumers, rooted in their emotional and rational decision- making processes. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.”

Bello has been at Forethought for more than seven years, most recently as Vice President, Americas, where she led key initiatives for regional growth and client success from the firm’s New York head office.

Roberts said: “Sheona’s vast expertise and leadership, especially in the US market, are invaluable to our continued growth. She is a dynamic leader who excels at using data to inform high-value strategies, ensuring our clients achieve both creative excellence and business success. Her contributions will be instrumental as we develop a global presence for BrandComms.AI.”

The Office
The Office breaks records for the most successful Australian Amazon Original launch

By Jasper Baumann

The series has also reached #1 in four countries, including New Zealand and Singapore.

Amazon Original series The Office is the most successful Australian Prime Video Original locally with the biggest opening weekend viewership for any Australian title.

According to Prime Video, the series, which is still the #1 TV Show in Australia on the streaming service, has also reached #1 in four countries, including New Zealand and Singapore, top 3 in 37 countries, including Canada, top 5 in 65 countries, including Germany and top 10 in 102 countries, including the UK, since launching on Friday, October 18.

See also: The cast of The Office attend Australian special screening in Sydney

Sarah Christie, head of Australian Originals Amazon MGM Studios said, “Since 2019 Prime Video has commissioned 30 local originals, building a reputation for delivering an entertaining and diverse catalogue of Aussie shows. We are so proud of The Office and thrilled to see Hannah Howard and her team at Flinley Craddick resonate so strongly with Australian and international audiences”

Since 2019, Prime Video has commissioned 30 Australian Original series and features in Australia including – The Test Season One-Three, Making Their Mark, LOL: Last One Laughing Australia with Rebel Wilson, Back to the Rafters, Luxe Listings Sydney Season One-Three, award-winning feature-length documentary Burning, The Moth Effect, Head Above Water, Kick Like Tayla, Warriors On The Field, Class of ’07, Deadloch Season One & Two, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Dance Life, the lifestyle special Hugh van Cuylenburg: G.E.M, a series of ten stand-up comedy specials, Neighbours, Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles, Five Blind Dates, The Office and the upcoming The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Top End Bub.

The eight-part Australian Amazon Original series The Office is co-produced by BBC Studios Australia & New Zealand, Bunya Entertainment, and Amazon MGM Studios, and is based on a BBC Studios format.

The Office was developed for Australia by writers Julie De Fina (Aftertaste) and Jackie van Beek (The Breaker Upperers, Nude Tuesday) with the pair also serving as executive producers. Kylie Washington (Return to Paradise) is executive producer with lead producer Sophia Zachariou (Ladies in Black, The Moth Effect) and producer Linda Micsko (The Letdown, Laid). Van Beek also serves as set-up director (Time Bandits, What We Do in the Shadows, Wellington Paranormal) alongside directors Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters, A Sunburnt Christmas) and Jesse Griffin (Educators) who is also a writer on the series.

Tug
Fashion retailer Suzanne Grae appoints Tug Sydney to drive digital marketing

Tug, which operates in Sydney, Singapore, London, Toronto, and Berlin, specialises in using data, media, content, and technology to optimise digital marketing.

Digital marketing agency Tug Sydney has been appointed by Australian women’s fashion retailer, Suzanne Grae, to manage its SEO, paid search, and paid media.

Tug Sydney was initially tasked with enhancing Suzanne Grae’s organic search and has now expanded its remit with responsibility for increasing share of voice and driving audience traffic on digital channels through both search and paid media.

Suzanne Grae, which is owned and operated by the Sussan Group (ARJ Holdings) owners of the Sussan and Sportsgirl brands, is known for celebrating women of every size, shape, and age. A staple in Australian fashion since 1968, it has over 150 stores across the country and an eCommerce platform.

Tug, which operates in Sydney, Singapore, London, Toronto, and Berlin, specialises in using data, media, content, and technology to optimise digital marketing performance and return on investment.

Charlie Bacon, managing director at Tug Sydney, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Suzanne Grae, a brand with a rich heritage and strong connection to Australian women. The team will leverage our expertise in SEO, paid search, and performance media to drive visibility and growth for Suzanne Grae, helping them reach even more women across the country. This collaboration is an opportunity to bring fresh digital strategies to a trusted brand that continues to evolve in the modern retail space.”

Lisa Yanto, digital manager at Suzanne Grae added: “As a fashion brand that has been connecting with Australian women for over five decades, it’s crucial we continue to innovate and engage with our customers across all digital platforms. Tug’s data-driven approach and deep understanding of performance media will be key in helping us reach more women and continue to provide them with the easy, stylish, and uplifting fashion experiences they expect from Suzanne Grae.”

Tug Sydney’s clients include Merlin Entertainment, Budget Direct SG, Heinemann and Bluebeam.

See also: Tug Sydney announces appointment to all of Merlin Entertainments ANZ attractions

Praise x Connecting Plots
Praise launches its 'give it some mayo' brand platform via Connecting Plots

By Alisha Buaya

The brand campaign is the first major work for Praise by Connecting Plots, who were appointed in June 2023.

Praise has launched its brand platform, calling on Aussies to “give it some mayo” with agency Connecting Plots.

The brand is iconic and nostalgic in Aussie culture and was made famous by its memorable jingle from the 80’s and 90’s. The new brand platform takes Praise back to its roots with a lighthearted approach to convenience in the kitchen, made distinctive by a jingle that remains in the minds of many Australians 30 years later.

“Give It Some Mayo” is Praise’s claim as the category leader and takes the brand back to its origins by celebrating all the great Aussie things made even better by ‘giving it some mayo’.

“There are some things in life that just get better when you ‘give it some mayo’,” Goodman Fielder CMO, Christine Fung, said. “The outside of a grilled cheese jae for added crunch, your scrambled eggs for extra creaminess, even in your baking to add richness and moisture.

“But it’s not just food – think stories, cricket, netball, singing, beatboxing, piano, inventions, darts, dancing, bottle flip challenges, made-up games, and even applying makeup. The list goes on. The platform has legs, and this campaign is the first chapter in a new, fun-loving era for Praise.”

 

The brand campaign is the first major work for Praise by agency Connecting Plots, who were appointed in June 2023, launching Praise’s sustainability partnership with Saveful.

“Being handed the keys to a brand like Praise is a big honour,” Tim Smith, marketing manager at Goodman Fielder, said. “We have a small window in time to do something that we hope people will genuinely love and remember for decades to come. Praise is the category leader, so we’re acting like it and taking the fight to our competitors by focusing on mayo as that’s our foundation.”

Connecting Plots and Goodman Fielder used insights from System 1 Testing to future-proof the brand with a younger audience. While the brand remains highly recognisable and memorable to older Australians, it’s relatively unknown to younger generations. This work aims to change that by owning and embedding an already popular Aussie saying and connecting it back to the benefits of Praise.

Connecting Plots - Praise Give It Some Mayo - Outdoor 1

Connecting Plots’ Co-Founder & CCO, Dave Jansen, said: “I think the term ‘renovate’ is spot on. This project has been about getting the brand back to its roots.”

“There’s a simplicity to our approach. We all agreed early on that we’re just mayo… we’re just dressings… our role in people’s lives is really simple. We make stu taste better, quickly. So we decided to have some fun with that and forget about trying to be overly meaningful to consumers.”

The campaign has launched across TV, BVOD, social, OOH and podcasts in collaboration with media agency, Initiative to establish the new platform and repeatability of the line “give it some mayo”.

CREDITS
Client: Goodman Fielder
CMO & Grocery Business Unit Director: Christine Fung
Head of Portfolio – Grocery: Danielle Walker
Marketing Manager: Tim Smith
Senior Brand Manager: Stephanie Limcauco
Digital Brand Manager: Amay Jain
Activations Manager: Nicole Moore

Creative Agency: Connecting Plots
Chief Executive Ocer: Tom Phillips
Chief Creative Ocer: David Janson
Creative Partner: Matt Geerson
Art Director: Jonti Groth
Senior Copywriter: Phil Barnes
Client Service Director: Emma McJury
Account Director: Alana Spinelli
Senior Integrated Producer: Katie Harper
creative Operations Director: Sarah Miller
Design Director: Blair Palmer

Production Company: Infinity Squared
Director: Toby Morris
Executive Producer: Erin McBean
Producer: Nick Mutton

Media Agency: Initiative
Director, Client Advice and Management: Elle Galipienzo
Partnerships Director: Julian Monty
Strategy Manager: Leah Franco
Investment Manager: Sophie Hobson

jaycar
Jaycar Electronics launches a new brand platform “Just Ask Jaycar” via Special

By Jasper Baumann

Caroline Viska, CMO of Jaycar, said: “I think you will find that the campaign nails the ‘human truth’ and essence of us.”

When it comes to tech and electronics, most Australians seek out advice from their more technically-minded friends and family.

In the new brand campaign from Jaycar Electronics, these tech-savvy individuals tell Australia to, instead, “Just Ask Jaycar”.

Caroline Viska, CMO of Jaycar, says: “For far too long we have been the best kept secret in retail – known only to a niche, technical customer. Thanks to the amazing team at Special Australia things are about to change, we’re broadening our offer to a wider range of consumers and ensuring people know exactly where to go with their technical questions.”

Letizia Bozzolini & Justin Butler, creative directors at Special, say: “We all have a nerdy friend who politely, but perhaps unwillingly, helps us with tech problems. This campaign is their slightly awkward moment in the sun, where they finally work up the courage to say: “Just Ask Jaycar.”

Viska adds: “For those of you that know us, supply us, or shop us, I think you will find that the campaign nails the ‘human truth’ and essence of us.”

The campaign will run across TV, OOH, Social, and Digital, to highlight Jaycar as the experts for all tech needs.

Credits:

Client: Jaycar Electronics
Chris Wilesmith, CEO
Caroline Viska, CMO
Alain Sandler, Group Marketing Manager

Creative: Special
Lindsey Evans, CEO
Tom Martin: Partner, CCO
Julian Schreiber: Partner, CCO
Dave Hartmann: Partner, CSO
Justin Butler: Creative Director
Leti Bezzolini: Creative Director
Sophie Aitken: Creative
Edwin Concubierta: Creative
Adam Shear: Head of Design
Sabine Schwartz: Design DIrector
Maggie Webster: Designer
Sevda Ćemo: Head of Film & Content Production
Kat Stephens: Senior Producer
Gill Russell: Team Lead

Media: Pearman
Tara Lamond, Group Business Director
Marta Kozlowska, Senior Account Manager

Bench:
Nate Vella, Brand Strategy Lead

Production Company: MOFA
Director: Yianni Warnock
Executive Producer: Llew Griffiths
Producer: Linzee Rose
DOP: Campbell Brown
Art Director: Sam Lukins

Posthouse: The Editors
Offline Editor: Mark Burnett
Online Editor/Colourist: Matt Fezz
Post Producer: Bella Key

Sound & Music House: Rumble Studios
Sound & Music Producer/EP: Michael Gie
Composer: Rino Darusman
Sound Engineer: Tone Aston

Casting: Byrne Creative

tv ratings
TV Ratings 27 October 2024: The Block and The Voice Grand Finale battle for Sunday

By Jasper Baumann

The Kiwis v Kangaroos reached 1.2m.

Sunday 27 October 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,177,000, a total TV national audience of 1,211,000, and a BVOD audience of 103,000.

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 2,467,000, a total TV national audience of 1,415,000, and a BVOD audience of 203,000.

Seven’s The Voice Grand Finale recorded a total TV national reach of 2,308,000, a total TV national audience of 1,081,000, and a BVOD audience of 88,000.

Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,089,000, a total TV national audience of 1,301,000, and a BVOD audience of 57,000.

10’s 10 News First recorded a total TV national reach of 655,000, a total TV national audience of 327,000, and a BVOD audience of 11,000.


People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 954,000
• National Audience: 584,000
• BVOD Audience: 124,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 496,000
• National Audience: 309,000
• BVOD Audience: 30,000

Seven’s The Voice:
• Total TV nation reach: 631,000
• National Audience: 282,000
• BVOD Audience: 46,000

10’s Dog House:
• Total TV nation reach: 187,000
• National Audience: 73,000
• BVOD Audience: 4,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 444,000
• National Audience: 281,000
• BVOD Audience: 71,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 182,000
• National Audience: 111,000
• BVOD Audience: 14,000

Seven’s The Voice:
• Total TV nation reach: 246,000
• National Audience: 114,000
• BVOD Audience: 22,000

10’s Dog House:
• Total TV nation reach: 64,000
• National Audience: 26,000
• BVOD Audience: 2,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,902,000
• National Audience: 1,096,000
• BVOD Audience: 163,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,665,000
• National Audience: 1,040,000
• BVOD Audience: 46,000

Seven’s The Voice:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,795,000
• National Audience: 857,000
• BVOD Audience: 71,000

10’s Dog House:
• Total TV nation reach: 464,000
• National Audience: 189,000
• BVOD Audience: 5,000

TV Ratings

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.

Business of Media

Inside Chemist Warehouse’s bid to reverse its $150m retail media slide

Chemist Warehouse’s retail media division has shrunk by almost $150 million over the past two years as it faces a tighter advertising market and increasing competition from rival pharmacies and grocery giants, reports The AFR’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.

The pharmacy giant, which has 637 stores, mostly in Australia, makes a sizeable chunk of its revenue selling promotional space in its stores, online and on TV shows and newspaper liftouts it owns. This category, known as retail media, is worth $1.6 billion according to investment bank Morgan Stanley. Chemist Warehouse accounts for almost a third of that, while supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles are steadily growing.

Financial documents lodged with the corporate regulator reveal Chemist Warehouse made $489 million from selling marketing and advertising in the year to June 30, down from $604 million the year before and $638 million the year before that.

Its overall revenue has grown over the past three years despite its falls in media. Advertising accounted for 21 per cent of revenue two years ago. This past year, it was 15 per cent.

On Friday, Chemist Warehouse hosted 2000 people at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena for its 2½-hour annual supplier event, which gives a slick and flashy glimpse into the inner workings of one of Australia’s largest private businesses.

[Read more]

Packer in $120m payday as big bets on Nvidia, Meta pay off

James Packer’s private investment vehicle Consolidated Press Holdings recorded a profit of more than $590 million in the last financial year, delivering a big payday for the billionaire off a booming tech portfolio, reports The AFR’s Primrose Riordan.

New accounts filed with the corporate regulator show $120 million in dividends was paid out to Packer in the 12 months to June 30.

The figure compared to $216.9 million for the same period a year before. The company also clocked up much higher revenue, reporting $1.5 billion for the year compared to $562.6 million in the prior corresponding period.

Filings to regulators in the United States separately show Consolidated Press International, another of Packer’s investment vehicles, had a vast portfolio has tech stocks include chipmakers Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Facebook-parent Meta and Spotify. Nvidia shares are 93 per cent higher this year.

[Read more]

Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose and MD David Anderson expected to give evidence in Antoinette Lattouf court case

Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose and managing director David Anderson have been labelled as key “decision makers” involved in the sacking of controversial fill-in radio host Antoinette Lattouf, a court has heard, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.

Lattouf has taken legal action against the ABC in the Federal Court over claims she was unfairly dismissed by the public broadcaster in December last year after she shared a social media post relating to the Israel–Hamas war.

She shared a post by Human Rights Watch with a caption that read, “HRW reporting starvation as a tool of war” and later had her employment terminated.

On Monday Lattouf’s barrister Philip Boncardo told the Federal Court Buttrose and Anderson were involved in the axing of Lattouf on December 20 last year.

The trial has been set down to begin on February 3 and run for five days.

There will then be a further two days for submissions on February 27 and 28.

[Read more]

News Brands

Claims of exploitation: Nine Publishing releases investigation into hospitality giant Merivale

The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Age and Good Food have spoken to staff from across Merivale’s venues including the Ivy, Hemmesphere, Mr Wong’s, Establishment, Ucello, Totti’s and Queen Chow.

The major investigation is being led today by journalists Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat.

Staff they spoke to say the company’s cavalier attitude to sex, drugs and safety has put them at risk, while the organisation’s size and its domination of Sydney hospitality have kept staff silent.

“They hire people very, very young. There are thousands of 18- to 21-year-old girls out there who are young, naive and sucked in by Merivale,” a former manager said.

“[They are] ushered into the cult and then … bad things start happening, and they feel like they can’t say anything.”

The journalists put a detailed list of questions to Merivale. In response, it has appointed one of Australia’s leading human rights and discrimination lawyers, Kate Eastman, SC, to lead an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the company, declaring if any are true, it sincerely “regrets any distress caused”.

The company rejected claims it had created an environment that exploited women and put its staff in danger.

[Read more]

Guardian UK journalists back strike to protest against sale of The Observer

Guardian and Observer journalists in the UK have voted in favour of possible strike action in protest at proposals to sell Sunday newspaper The Observer to Tortoise Media, reports Press Gazette.

The combined NUJ chapel has already passed a no-confidence motion in the board of the Scott Trust in protest at the Observer sale plan.

According to the NUJ, an “overwhelming” 93% of the group’s journalists, on a turnout of 70%, indicated their willingness to take strike action and 96% voted in favour of action short of a strike.

The union says it has now informed GMG of its intention to formally ballot members for industrial action.

The union said: “The resounding decision is in opposition to the proposed sale of The Observer and follows confirmation by the Guardian Media Group last month that it is engaged in exclusive talks with Tortoise Media.”

A spokesperson for Guardian News and Media said: “Guardian Media Group announced last month that it was entering into exclusive negotiations about the offer from Tortoise Media to buy the Observer. We were transparent about the offer so we could openly engage with Observer staff and we will continue to do so. The offer proposes an investment in the future of the Observer, including building a digital presence for the Sunday newspaper, and those negotiations are ongoing.”

[Read more]

Surprising name emerges as frontrunner for Media Watch host gig

Nine Publishing’s CBD reports ABC investigative journalist and former foreign correspondent Linton Besser is firming as a frontrunner for the vacant job as host of Media Watch. Former Sky News host Janine Perrett, who filled in for departing host Paul Barry this year and was considered a favourite, is becoming a more remote shot.

But it’s still anyone’s guess because new ABC chair Kim Williams, who has done oh-so-much shaking at the public broadcaster since landing the top job in March, no doubt has very strongly held views on the matter.

The show’s executive producer, Tim Latham, will depart by the end of the year, and CBD reports that ABC top brass wanted to fill that role before settling on a host just to make sure chemistry and vibes were right.

That role has been filled, with investigative reporter Mario Christodoulou, currently with radio program Background Briefing, getting the nod for the EP gig.

[Read more]

Television

ABC criticised for ‘one-sided political messaging’ following Spicks and Specks episode

Jewish groups have accused the ABC of becoming a stage for “divisive, one-sided political messaging” after its popular music show featured a performance by a singer wearing a “Free Palestine” T-shirt, reports The Australian’s Lily McCaffrey.

At the end of Sunday night’s episode of Spicks and Specks, Australian singer Adrian Eagle performed a rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 hit, I Will Survive.

During his performance, the ARIA award winner wore a T-shirt with the statements: “Free Palestine”, “Free West Papua”, “Free your mind”, and “Always was, always will be”.

Eagle changed several ­lyrics from the original version of the song, including during the chorus, when he sang “they’ve got all their lives to live and they’ve got all their love to give, they will survive, they will ­survive” while appearing to point at the statements on his shirt.

The chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, said the performance was a “slap in the face” to Jewish Australians.

“This stunt shattered the trust of countless Australians who expect the ABC to uphold its commitment to remain neutral and apolitical, in line with its charter of ‘independence, integrity, and responsibility’,” Abramovich said.

[Read more]

‘Black sheep’: MasterChef star Leong exposes dark truth

Melissa Leong says she is the black sheep of her family, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.

One of the most famous names on television, the Dessert Masters judge grew up in a Singaporean Chinese Australian household.

“I’m not an accountant, but my brother is a doctor, so that’s taken all the pressure off me, so I can now feel free to just be the black sheep and love it,” Leong said.

“I’m not a lawyer; I am not a doctor; I am not married anymore. I defy a lot of the conventions that my culture would want me to have.

“I’ve chosen to be child free. These are all little landmarks that people would have expected me to have at this point, but I wake up every day and I am so grateful for the life that I have. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, and it’s nice to feel that, because I think we feel lost in life.”

Leong, 42, made the comments in the season two premiere episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast, revealing she has lived with anxiety and depression her entire life and that she has been told in the past that people find her intimidating.

“I am aware that sometimes, by being a little verbose, being a little wordy, word nerdy, that it can intimidate people, that looking put together makes other people feel like they’re less put together and that is never the intention,” Leong said.

[Read more]

[Listen to the Mental As Anyone podcast]

See also: J.Mo’s Mental As Anyone – Sarah Murdoch, Michael Clarke, and A-listers launch new podcast series

The Block in crisis? Kylie flees the show as Brad confesses his ‘flirting’ has wrecked his family

The auctions are less than two weeks away, but the focus on The Block is elsewhere.

News Corp’s Claire Sutherland recaps the Monday episode:
She’s threatened to walk out multiple times throughout this season, but this is the episode where Kylie actually does it, dumping her Block car, phone and boots at an Aldi carpark and presumably making her way to the airport to fly home to Cairns.

What precipitated the crisis began with congenial Saturday night champagnes around the fire pit between Kylie, Brad and Mimi — and ended with Kylie overhearing what everyone involved agrees were “inappropriate” comments and flirting between Brad and Mimi.

What follows is some seriously uncomfortable TV. We see Brad discovering his wife’s abandoned car, Brad watching a farewell video Kylie sent to a producer and Brad left to do the regular couch interview with a producer alone as he flagellates himself about his behaviour.

[Read more]

See also Nick Bond‘Destroyed’: Chaos as Block star’s wife disappears

Sports Media

Kangaroos prove-box office gold as TV ratings skyrocket

Mal Meninga’s new-look Kangaroos are proving to be box-office gold. A week after their win over Tonga in the Pacific Championships had officials claiming a victory over rugby union’s Bledisloe Cup in the ratings, the Kangaroos win over New Zealand on Sunday afternoon in Christchurch attracted another blockbuster audience, reports News Corp’s Brent Read.

More than 900,000 fans tuned in on linear TV and streaming as Australia booked their berth in the Pacific Championships final, the audience representing an increase of nearly 20 per cent on the corresponding pool game last year.

The audience included viewers across the Nine Network and Fox League. The viewership for the Kangaroos and Jillaroos matches was 1.2 million on top of a sellout crowd in Christchurch as the game capitalised on the momentum in New Zealand this season – all the Warriors home games were sold out.

[Read more]

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