Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has launched its owned media network called CommBank Connect, opening its physical and digital channels to partners and advertisers for the first time.
CommBank Connect will deliver relevant and compelling content to retail and business customers, designed to enrich their experience while providing a valuable platform for partners and advertisers to reach highly engaged audiences.
As part of the initiative, CBA will enhance its digital merchandising screens in its branches and owned media ecosystem to improve the customer experience with engaging content and enhanced communications channels.
This will establish CommBank Connect as one of the largest small-format networks in Australia, coveraging across metro and regional areas, and expanding through 2025 to include more than 2000 digital screens across the country’s largest branch network.
It is powered by CommBank IQ using CommBank’s de-identified transactional data set and CommBank’s custom segment insights to deliver customer relevance.
Jo Boundy, CommBank’s chief marketing officer, said: “The launch of CommBank Connect is a significant step for CommBank, as we improve our customers’ experience and deepen the connection between content and commerce. We know leading global brands are growing their owned media channels to deliver more dynamic, relevant, and valuable experiences. We’re excited to be enhancing our digital and physical channels to better support our partners and advertisers in reaching our customers, who can then connect more effectively with the brands they love.”
The roll out of CommBank Connect is the next evolution in CommBank’s owned media, channel and content strategy, which includes:
• The Brighter content ecosystem – launched in 2023 with Brighter magazine available in branches, digitally, on social media and video platforms. It expanded in 2024 with the Brighter Side TV series. Both the magazine and TV series offer content on money management, cost-of-living support and financial confidence, with tips and inspiring stories to help Australians better manage their finances and plan for a brighter future.
• CommBank Yello – launched in 2023 as one of Australia’s largest customer recognition programs. It delivers value for customers with benefits such as cashback, partner offers and exclusive access to events.
• CommBank’s in-house creative agency – launched in 2024, it leverages deep brand knowledge to produce world-class creative content.
Boundy said: “We’ve seen our partners successfully connect with potential customers in CommBank Yello, offering them exclusive benefits from some of Australia’s favourite brands. Now, alongside our Brighter content, CommBank Connect will extend this ecosystem. We want to build deep, trusted relationships with our customers, and we’re well positioned to enrich their experience through owned media channels and by leveraging our scale and broad reaching customer communication infrastructure.”
Nick Smith, Medium Rare Content Agency’s managing director, said: “Our strong partnership with CommBank has been key to building the Brighter financial well-being content ecosystem across TV, print and digital channels, now extended to the physical branch network.
“As the advertising sales and content partner for CommBank Connect, we’re excited to use our experience in creating sustained, engaged audiences for Australia’s most iconic brands. With CommBank Connect’s scale and intelligence, we’re set to drive deeper engagement for brand partners and create more meaningful connections for customers.”
Progressive marketing teams who understand the power of retail media networks through their own assets have been the first to come on board as foundation launch partners including Qantas, Myer, ConnectID® from Australian Payments Plus and Kit pocket money app.
Powered by CommBank iQ, CommBank Connect utilises CommBank’s de-identified payments data from approximately 7 million Australians. It connects partners and advertisers to the right customer segment, with actual and timely insight into the purchasing behaviour of Australians across over 100 segments.
CommBank Connect launches this month across in-branch screens, ATMs, and Brighter magazine and digital environments. It is now available for customer, partner and advertiser bookings.
We are excited to launch the Mediaweek 100, celebrating the incredible diversity and innovation within Australia’s media landscape.
It’s been a turbulent 12 months within the media industry and these lists present a unique opportunity to recognise the resilience and creativity that have emerged.
With a new editorial team, Mediaweek has a commitment to a comprehensive, fair, and transparent evaluation process for the Mediaweek 100 list.
You can buy tickets for the lunch event on November 22 here
Together, we can highlight the incredible contributions shaping the future of media in Australia. As a result, we felt it important to share the criteria we use to curate the Mediaweek 100 to ensure a comprehensive, fair, and transparent evaluation.
Accomplishments and wins: We looked at the significant achievements of individuals and their companies over the past year. Success stories that demonstrate leadership and resilience were front and centre.
Innovation: The media industry thrives on creativity and new ideas. We assessed how these leaders have driven innovation, whether through new content strategies, technological advancements, or unique audience engagement approaches.
Cultural contributions: Beyond business metrics, we recognised those who have made meaningful contributions to the cultural landscape. This includes fostering diversity, promoting social causes, and enriching the broader media narrative.
Revenue and profit: While we aim to highlight influence beyond just financials, the ability to generate revenue and profit remains a key factor of a company’s impact in the industry.
Challenges faced: Whether it’s been a personal hurdle, or within an organisation, we understand it’s important to look at the background and the context many of our leaders work within and how they faced instigating change, navigating workplaces and facing confronting issues head on.
The result? A list that reflects not just the current state of play, but also the potential impact these individuals and their companies will have moving forward – highlighting those committed to fostering a media environment rooted in trust and accountability.
Related content:
How to buy tickets for the Mediaweek 100
Nine will broadcast live and free coverage of the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, 5 November. starting with the Today show coverage from Flemington.
There are 24 horses and jockeys in this year’s race held at Flemington Racecourse, often known in Australia as “the race that stops the nation”.
The Melbourne Cup will start at 3pm (AEDT) and will be the eighth race of the day.
It will be shown at 2.30pm (ACDT) in South Australia, 2pm (AEST) in Queensland, 1.30pm (ACST) in Northern Territory and 12pm (AWST) in Western Australia.
Nine is the official broadcaster of the event, and it has assembled a team of hosts and commentators to celebrate the spirit, fashion, and high-stakes action that defines the day.
The race will also be streamed on 9Now.
Leading the charge is Eddie McGuire who will bring viewers all the trackside excitement from Nine’s on-course studio. He will be joined by James Bracey in the Mounting Yard who will capture the live energy of the races. Francesca Cumani will also provide in-depth analysis.
Grace Ramage and David Gately will guide fans through the racing form, while Billy Slater will share exclusive on-track interviews with winning jockeys.
Tony Jones will bring audiences even closer to the action with Mounting Yard interviews, delivering an insider’s perspective.
Cup-winning jockey and Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Michelle Payne OAM joins the team while reporting live from the Birdcage will be Clint Stanaway, Sylvia Jeffreys, Jelena Dokic and Olympic champion Jessica Fox.
The broadcast will also highlight the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s celebrated Fashions on the Field. With live-streaming options on 9Now, fans can watch exclusive fashion coverage and access additional content like preview shows, highlights and race replays.
Following the Lexus Melbourne Cup will be Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, November 7, and concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, November 9.
In addition, the teams from 9News Melbourne, Today, and Weekend Today, led by Alicia Loxley, Tom Steinfort, Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Clint Stanaway and Sophie Walsh, will be broadcasting live from Flemington, adding exclusive insights to Cup week and engaging audiences with stories beyond the track.
This year marks the first in a multi-year broadcast, media, and sponsorship agreement between the Victoria Racing Club, Tabcorp and Nine Entertainment, bringing the Melbourne Cup Carnival to audiences from 2024 to 2029.
The latest Ipsos Trustworthiness Index reveals that advertising executives are the least trusted profession in Australia, with only 14% of Australians rating them as trustworthy. Social media influencers (15%) and politicians (15%) are similarly viewed with low levels of trust.
In contrast, doctors are seen as Australia’s most trustworthy profession, with 66% of respondents rating them positively. Teachers (60%) and scientists (58%) also rank high in trustworthiness, followed by restaurant staff (49%), police officers (48%), and members of the armed forces (47%).
When it comes to untrustworthy professions, Australians most frequently cite social media influencers (61%), politicians (56%), advertising executives (49%), and government ministers (48%). Other professions with notable distrust include journalists (40%), bankers and clergy/priests (38%), and business leaders (36%).
Globally, similar trends emerge. Doctors are the most trusted profession worldwide, with 58% of people rating them as trustworthy, followed by scientists (56%) and teachers (54%). Across the 32 countries surveyed, politicians and social media influencers remain the least trusted professions, with only 15% of respondents expressing trust in these roles.
Australia is among 17 countries that received a positive score on the global Trustworthiness Index, which measures net trust by comparing trustworthy and untrustworthy ratings. This indicates that Australians generally hold a favorable view of most professions.
Commenting on the findings, David Elliott, deputy managing director, Ipsos Public Affairs Australia, said: “While there continues to be debate that society is losing faith in experts, our data again shows that in fact, scientists, doctors and teachers are held in high esteem both here and globally.
“The high levels of trust placed in many professions of crucial importance to our society are encouraging as they indicate that we don’t think society is completely broken. We still have a lot of trust in many important professions, like doctors, teachers, the armed forces and the police. What is perhaps more concerning for us as a society are the low levels of trust in politicians, government ministers, bankers, journalists, clergy/priests and business leaders.
“Encouragingly for my colleagues and industry, while pollsters sit close to the bottom on trustworthiness, this looks to be more a result of many being undecided rather than a strong sense of untrustworthiness. When we look at the proportions indicating a profession is untrustworthy, pollsters soar to equal 10th position – alongside TV news readers -as the most untrustworthy, well behind social media influencers, politicians, government ministers, advertising executives, bankers, clergy/priests, business leaders and journalists.”
By Ori Gold, CEO of Bench Media
Commerce media is no longer a shiny new tool in marketing. If you think it’s just another passing buzzword, you’re missing its real impact. By 2025, commerce media will be at the core of many CMOs’ strategies in Australia, especially across sectors like Retail, e-commerce, Travel, Finance, FMCG, and Entertainment. It is reshaping how brands drive engagement, loyalty, and sales in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.
The challenge for CMOs is not just to keep pace, but to rethink how they engage customers in a world where omnichannel isn’t optional, transparency is a non-negotiable, and first-party data is a brand’s most valuable asset.
Retail media had its moment, and for a good reason, it gave brands a way to reach shoppers at the point of purchase within controlled environments – such as a retailer’s website or app – or to close-loop attribution in some walled gardens for endemic advertisers. But moving into 2025, retail media alone won’t cut it.
Commerce media is broader, reaching consumers well beyond owned environments. Whether scrolling on social media, browsing video content, or comparing products on e-commerce platforms, commerce media allows brands to engage consumers throughout the entire customer journey – not just when they’re ready to buy.
According to Bain & Company, commerce media is expected to grow into a $200 billion global industry by 2026, reflecting its rising influence in the advertising ecosystem. Morgan Stanley, projects that spending across retail media in Australia will grow to $2.8 billion by 2027. But as impressive as that growth is, commerce media will allow brands to also extend beyond the walls of retailer ecosystems, reaching consumers where they are at a precise moment – and long before they make a purchasing decision.
The shift to commerce media signals a need for CMOs to rethink their ad strategies, ensuring they can engage customers throughout their digital journey, not just at the final stage.
The phase-out of third-party cookies has been looming for years, before Google turned its back on it, highlighting the value of data as a competitive asset for brands. As 2025 approaches, first- party data is more than a tool in the marketing toolbox, it’s the core asset that will differentiate successful brands from those that struggle to keep up. But it’s not enough to simply gather this data, brands need to act on it meaningfully.
Salesforce claims that 61% of marketers report that evolving data privacy regulations have fundamentally changed their data strategies. But there’s a delicate balance here, consumers want personalisation, but they’re also wary of how their data is used. In Australia today, first- party data isn’t just about driving personalisation, it is about building trust. As privacy concerns continue to grow, Australian brands that use data ethically, transparently, and intelligently will be the ones that keep their customers coming back.
The lack of transparency in ad tech isn’t a new conversation, but the stakes are getting higher as we move closer to 2025. Platforms like Google’s Performance Max (PMax) offers brands convenience and impressive reach, but they also come with a catch: there’s little transparency into where your ads are being placed, how they’re performing, or how much you’re truly paying.
For years, CMOs have tolerated this murkiness, but that time is coming to an end. According to an eMarketer survey, 56% of marketers cite transparency as a major challenge in ad tech. And it’s easy to see why. Without clear insights into how ads are working, it’s nearly impossible to optimise campaigns or even trust the reported results. CMOs should no longer accept this lack of visibility. The future of commerce media lies in platforms that allow for greater transparency, more control, and clearer attribution models. Brands need to know where their budgets are going – and that they’re getting real value from their media spend. In a landscape that increasingly demands accountability, transparency isn’t just a nice to have, it’s a necessity.
For years, we’ve been talking about the importance of omnichannel strategies. But let’s be honest, while the concept has been around for a while, very few brands have truly mastered it. Having a presence across digital, social, and in-store platforms is one thing. Creating a seamless, cohesive experience for your customers across all those platforms is something else entirely.
As far back as 2021, McKinsey reported that 76% of consumers said they expected consistent interactions across different channels, yet still today, less than 30% of companies can deliver on that promise. That disconnect is puzzling, and it’s where many Australian brands are falling short.
In 2025, CMOs won’t have the luxury of treating omnichannel as an aspiration. Consumers will demand it, and the brands that can’t deliver won’t be competitive.
Commerce media plays a critical role, providing the infrastructure to ensure that a brand’s messaging and customer experience are aligned, no matter where the customer is engaging. Whether a customer is scrolling Instagram, shopping on a brand’s website, or visiting a physical store, the experience should feel like one continuous journey.
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Top image: Bench Media’s Ori Gold
GroupM Australia has retained its top ranking in the latest RECMA Qualitative Domestic Report, leading the market with 51 points — a 14-point lead over its nearest competitor. GroupM first claimed the number one position in 2023 and has continued to strengthen its dominance.
RECMA, an independent research company, evaluates global media agencies on vitality and structure across 19 criteria, including new business growth, client retention, leadership stability, and award wins.
In the Australian market, Wavemaker co-leads the Vitality ranking, with EssenceMediacom and Mindshare securing third and seventh places, respectively. All three agencies are also in the top ten for Structure. Additionally, EssenceMediacom, Wavemaker, and Mindshare occupy the top three spots in RECMA’s New Business Balance, driven by recent client wins like Specsavers, Allianz, Nestlé (via OpenMind), and Amazon (via OpenDoor), alongside long-standing partnerships with Queensland Government, Adelaide University, and Ikea.
This sustained growth reflects GroupM’s commitment to building a more effective media landscape. Since 2021, GroupM has risen from fourth to first place, increasing its score by 32 points.
Aimee Buchanan, GroupM Australia and New Zealand CEO, commented: “I am thrilled that GroupM has maintained its number one ranking. Our agencies have delivered exceptional results in a challenging year. This ranking reflects the dedication of our teams, clients, and publishing partners in shaping the next era of media.”
GroupM continues to expand in line with client needs, launching Nexus (a digital performance division), Acceleration (a data and technology consultancy), and new commerce and entertainment capabilities led by Marc Lomas and Lisa Squillace.
M&C Saatchi Group and MYOB have launched its retail campaign ‘Everyone’s Business’, demonstrating how each business owner is at the heart of the community connected to them—from employees to customers, to suppliers and their families and friends.
Dean Chadwick, chief marketing officer at MYOB, said: “‘Everyone’s Business’ is about recognising and celebrating the vital role SMEs play in the Australian way of life. Their success has a phenomenal impact, not only on a macroeconomic level, but on a very personal level, for the communities they operate in.
“There’s a ripple effect that’s activated by how smoothly a business runs. When local business thrives, communities thrive. That’s what we sought to highlight with this first campaign.”
The creative strategy behind the campaign is focused on moving beyond the typical depiction of businesses and highlighting the people in business — the small business owners, their teams, and the broader communities that rely on them, in a lighthearted, playful way. MYOB’s platform delivers the tools to make managing a small business easier, less stressful, and more efficient, enabling small businesses to focus on what really matters.
“With nearly two-thirds of Australians employed by small to medium businesses, their success can have a huge effect,” said Scott Dettrick, national executive creative director at M&C Saatchi.
“This campaign highlights how MYOB empowers business owners to seamlessly manage everything from payroll to expenses, benefiting not just the businesses themselves but the entire community around them. Ultimately, it really is everyone’s business.”
The retail campaign has launched across OOH and BVOD through an integrated media buy via iProspect, supported by Social, Display and Search via Sparro by Brainlabs.
This campaign is the first project to be executed under the NMBL model, a new collaborative approach that brings together MYOB’s internal talent and M&C Saatchi Group’s external expertise. NMBL unites specialists from Data, CX, Creative, Design, and PR, all working as one connected team to deliver a people-first approach that resonates with small business owners.
CREDITS
MYOB
Dean Chadwick – CMO
Gabrielle McKenzie – GM Marketing Activation
Estrella Finney – Senior Integrated Marketing Manager
Aldi Oosterman – Integrated Marketing Manager
Natasha Connor – GM SME Marketing
Julia Mengoni – Senior Growth Marketing Manager (SME)
Kyle Tickell – Creative Lead
Angus Leech – Creative Lead
Gonzalo Alboreca – Digital Marketing Manager
Avril Charles – Digital Marketing Team Leader
M&C Saatchi Group
Chief Creative Officer: Steve Coll
Ben Harrison: Managing Director
Executive Creative Director: Scott Dettrick
Senior Copywriter: Daniel Borghesi
Art Director: Jake Rowland
Chief Strategy Officer: Nick Jacobs
Senior Strategist: Lachlan Reid
Head of Account Management: Charlie Elliott
Senior Account Director: Arianne Catacutan
Head of TV Production: Loren August
Senior Producer: Francesco Piazzoni
James Jamias – Design Director
Dutchy Baart – Design Director
Chantelle Galaz – Integrated Designer
Joan Nakazono – Digital Designer
Ilan Galanti – Integrated Designer
Matthew Cox – Senior Retoucher
Production company: GoodOil
Director: Taylor Ferguson
Director of Photography: Alex Serafina
Producer: Henry Richardson
Post-production: Arc Edit and RES
Sound Studio: Massive Music
Photographer: Chris Searl
iProspect
Client Partner – Sam Bremner
Client Director – Matt Grimmond
Client Manager – Sebastiano Zanre
Client Executive – Nathan Martins
Client Associate – Mia Mergler
Strategy Director – Ed Heaney
Group Investment Director – Vera Manalac
Investment Manager – Amanda Bodagh
Australians are spending as much time streaming services as they do free-to-air television while consumption of social media is down among young Australians amid strong support for further government regulation of platforms.
Deloitte has released the findings from its 13th Media and Entertainment Consumer Insights report, which surveyed more than 2000 media consumers across five generations to determine what Australians consume and why.
Peter Corbett, lead partner for Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment at Deloitte, said: “Australians spend an average 44 hours a week, or around six hours a day consuming digital entertainment. This survey gives us a great insight into what they consume and why.
“‘Prime time’ but not as we know it as subscription video on demand matches free to air viewership. Australians now spend as much time watching subscription video on demand (SVOD) as free to air (FTA) television, with rapidly evolving consumption habits signalling an end to ‘prime time’ as a way to reach a mass audience.”
The report found that the average Australian now spends eight hours and twenty minutes a week watching both SVOD and FTA television, with media consumption peaking several times throughout the day instead of just once.
Almost 75% of Australians consume some form of media first thing in the morning, while more than 80% do so on the commute to work or before turning off the light at night.
But despite the persuasiveness of media consumption, Australians – particularly younger Australians – are cutting back, according to the report. Overall, total weekly time spent consuming entertainment dropped by 10% over the past 12 months to 44 hours a week. For Gen Zs, consumption fell a remarkable 25%, with social media usage taking a particular dive.
“Prime time means something different to everyone in 2024 – streaming services are on the precipice of eclipsing traditional free to air television in popularity, while different formats are winning the battle for our attention at various times of the day,” Corbett said.
Australians are resisting the temptation to cut their home entertainment budget, despite the cost of living pressures on consumer wallets.
Deloitte’s survey found that this year, the average number of digital subscriptions per household remained broadly consistent at 3.3, while average monthly spend grew 10% to $63 as platforms pushed through price hikes.
More than a third of consumers are exceeding their monthly entertainment budget and 75% are worried about the cumulative cost of multiple subscriptions – yet most Australians intend to continue holding the same number of subscriptions in 2025 as they do now.
Corbett said: “It is no secret that Australians are tightening their belts at the moment, but most are avoiding taking the razor to their subscriptions, preferring to save money by switching between services to take advantage of promotions or substituting a night out for a night in.
“Despite price increases, subscriptions services still offer a relatively low-cost form of entertainment, which helps explain why young people, who often have tighter budgets, spend more on subscriptions than older people. Gen Z households spend $88 a month on subscriptions – almost double that of baby boomers.”
Broad support for social media age restrictions as young Australians lead digital detox amid lack of trust. While social media remains a popular form of entertainment, younger Australians are scrolling less because of a lack of trust and concerns about the impact on wellbeing. For Gen Zs, average weekly use dived almost 20%, from 12 hours and 45 minutes to 10 hours and 5 minutes.
Close to half of all respondents regularly spend more time on social media than planned, and one-third said this is of concern to them, according to the Deloitte report. Meanwhile 70% of those who live with children are worried about effects of social media and half have used parental controls to limit online access.
The concern around the impact of social media on younger people has flowed through to strong support for limiting access, including among young Australians: 90% of consumers are advocating for new social media restrictions for those aged 16, including 91% of Gen Zs.
‘The proposal for an outright ban for people under 16 accessing social media is less popular, but still found favour among 56% of respondents and, surprisingly, among around one-third of Gen Zs, who are more likely to be familiar with the adverse effects social media can have on wellbeing,” Corbett said.
Alongside wellbeing concerns, most Australians have doubts about the content they get on social media, the Deloitte report noted. Only 40% of respondents trust the news they consume through social platforms compared to 73% of Australians who trust news consumed through major news publishers.
Younger Australians also place a premium on representation in media: 64% of Gen Zs actively seek out diverse voices in what they consume, compared to 49% of consumers overall.
“Despite reports to the contrary, Australians still retain considerable trust in legacy media platforms, with a strong preference for Australian-owned outlets. As ubiquitous as social media is, TV news programs are still the single most popular source of news, being the primary choice of 34% of respondents,” Corbett said.
“That being said, traditional news and entertainment outlets need to stay attuned to the changing preferences of media consumers if they want to continue being seeing as relevant and retain trust.
The 2024 US election will see Vice President Kamala Harris go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump, in a race that will shape the global political landscape for years to come. But how can you watch the US election unfold in Australia?
While results from the election will start rolling in from the afternoon of Wednesday, 6 November in Australia, each network is set to have its own coverage with its own talent covering the crucial race.
ABC will have live coverage on 6 November across ABC TV and ABC iview. Viewers can also watch explainers on the key issues and news from the campaign trail at the USA Votes collection on ABC iview.
The ABC News website and the ABC News app will also have the latest news and analysis. On the day, ABC will have interactive results explainers that will help readers understand which states helped win the White House.
Nine’s coverage will start at 10:00 am AEDT, immediately following an extended edition of Today.
Channel 9’s host and analysts include: Karl Stefanovic, Liz Hayes, Charles Croucher and US political analyst Laura Schwartz, reporting live from Washington, DC. Croucher will offer Australian audiences insights and accessible analysis.
Nine’s US correspondents Jonathan Kearsley, Alison Piotrowski and Lauren Tomasi, along with 60 Minutes correspondent Amelia Adams, will report directly from key battleground states, giving audiences the latest, on-the-ground updates. Additionally, with its partnership with CNN, Channel 9 has access to developments from both Democrat and Republican headquarters.
Seven’s coverage will feature analysis and commentary from its team of journalists and experts live on Channel 7, 7plus, and across 7NEWS.com.au and social platforms.
7NEWS Spotlight will broadcast a special one-hour live US Election edition on Sunday night from 7:00pm AEDT on 7 and 7Plus, featuring an interview with former White House communications director under the Trump administration, Anthony Scaramucci.
Hosted by Michael Usher, Spotlight’s Sarah Greenhalgh and Liam Bartlett, as well as 7NEWS US Bureau Chief David Woiwod, will cut through the spin to deliver an election breakdown ahead of the final showdown between Trump and Harris, also featuring interviews with commentator Piers Morgan, former Australian Ambassador to the US Joe Hockey, and former consultant to the Clinton administration Barbara Heineback.
From Monday, Sunrise will be live from 5:30 am every morning, live to Natalie Barr on the ground in Washington, D.C.
On Election Day, Seven’s all-day live coverage begins with a special edition of Sunrise LIVE from 5.30 am AEDT, then Michael Usher and Angela Cox, alongside Barr in the US, will steer 7NEWS rolling coverage from 11.30 am AEDT.
They’ll cross to Woiwod and 7NEWS US correspondents Tim Lester and Mylee Hogan in key battleground states across America, while 7NEWS foreign editor Hugh Whitfeld will be joined by special guests in the studio, as they unpack results in real-time and explain what it all means for Australia.
Broadcast times on 7 and 7plus
Wednesday 6 November
Sydney, Melbourne
5.30am Sunrise
9.00am The Morning Show
11.30am 7NEWS Presents: America Decides 2024
4.00pm Seven’s Afternoon News
5.00pm The Chase Australia
6.00pm 7NEWS
Brisbane
5.30am Sunrise
9.00am The Morning Show
11.30am 7NEWS Presents: America Decides 2024
3.00pm The Chase UK
4.00pm Seven’s Afternoon News
5.00pm The Chase Australia
6.00pm 7NEWS
Adelaide
5.30am Sunrise
9.00am The Morning Show
11.30am 7NEWS Presents: America Decides 2024
3.30pm Border Security
4.00pm Seven’s Afternoon News
5.00pm The Chase Australia
6.00pm 7NEWS
Perth
5.30am Sunrise
9.00am 7NEWS Presents: America Decides 2024
4.00pm Seven’s Afternoon News
5.00pm The Chase Australia
6.00pm 7NEWS
Network 10’s coverage will include Hugh Riminton, national affairs editor, and Waleed Aly, co-host of The Project, reporting live from Washington, and US Correspondent, Katherine Firkin, following the Trump campaign in Florida.
Coverage starts at 10am with rolling reports, special 10 News First bulletins, an extended edition of The Project and a wrap up of the day in 10’s Late News at 10.40pm.
10 News First will also post quick digestible social media stories across all channels and platforms including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, with the latest news on election results, rolling updates and live content at multiple points throughout the day.
10’s coverage on 6 November (All times are AEDT):
10.00 – 17.00: America Decides: Election Coverage
17.00 – 18.00: 10 News First
18.00 – 19.30: America Decides: The Project
22.40 – 23.05: 10’s Late News
On election day, Danica De Giorgio will start it’s coverage with a special edition of First Edition: America Decides. Sky News Washington correspondent Annelise Nielsen will be live from Washington DC.
See also: USA Election: Sky News’ Annelise Nielsen on working the Washington beat and talking to voters
First Edition anchor Peter Stefanovic will report live from Trump headquarters in West Palm Beach, while AM Agenda Anchor Laura Jayes will bring all the latest updates from Harris headquarters.
Sky News Australia’s coverage across the day will also include former Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey, former Deputy Press Secretary to President Bill Clinton Jim Kennedy, former White House chief of staff to President Donald Trump Mick Mulvaney, former White House Press Secretary for President Trump Sean Spicer, foreign editor at The Australian Greg Sheridan and Sky News US analyst Michael Ware.
Sky News chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert will be joined during the day by political editor Andrew Clennell, Sky News political contributor Chris Uhlmann, anchor of The Kenny Report Chris Kenny, anchor of The Bolt Report Andrew Bolt, anchor of The Rita Panahi Show Rita Panahi and host of Afternoon Agenda Ashleigh Gillon will be live from a watch party in Perth.
Sky News coverage will also be carried live on Sky News regional and FAST channel Sky News Now, and through Sky News Radio on DAB+ in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
More on the US election, 2024:
Newspaper editor Bevan Shields still believes in an election editorial stance
ABC’s Carrington Clarke on Trump, Harris and the campaign trail
Sky News’ Annelise Nielsen on working the Washington beat and talking to voters
Woolworths has launched its Christmas Campaign, capturing the magic of classic Aussie Christmas traditions and the spirit of community.
The “Make this Christmas a Classic“, produced in partnership with M&C Saatchi, part of the Greenhouse Collective, shines a light on the cherished moments we share at Christmas.
The film follows the story of a young girl who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa but becomes concerned that he may not find them. So, with her friends, she rallies the local community to build a larger-than-life carrot in the paddock to make sure Santa and his reindeer know where to stop on Christmas Eve.
As the sun sets, families gather around a delicious Christmas spread showcasing the fresh Aussie food that brings loved ones together during the festive season. The film ends with everyone celebrating as the giant carrot lights up the sky, reassured that Santa will not miss them in his Christmas Eve travels.
The campaign was filmed at a family farm in Jeetho, 100 kilometres southwest of Melbourne in country Victoria.
“We recognise that many Australians are continuing to experience cost-of-living pressures, but they still want to be able to celebrate Christmas with friends and family within their budgets,” Andrew Hicks, Woolworths Group chief marketing officer, said.
“At Woolworths, we’re focused on helping customers celebrate the festive season with their favourite affordable ranges while also showcasing the best of Australian food.
Hicks added: “As Woolworths enters its centennial year, this Christmas campaign reflects on the enduring traditions that have shaped our connection with Australian communities. We’re proud to celebrate the spirit of togetherness, from the regional farms that supply our fresh produce to the families who gather around the Christmas table.”
The integrated multi-channel campaign launched on Sunday 3 November, and will come to life in stores all across the country this week, as well as roll out across radio, press, digital, content, social, and OOH.
CREDITS:
Woolworths
Andrew Hicks – Chief Marketing Officer
Jane Saleh – Director, Woolworths Brand
Cassie Wheeler – General Manager, Woolworths Brand
Samantha Smith – Senior Brand Communications Manager
Nikita Dinan – Brand Communications Manager
Carmel Norton – Brand Communications Planner
Creative Agency: M&C Saatchi Group
Media Agency: Dentsu / idX
Production Company: Exit Films
Director: Glendyn Ivin
Post production: Alt VFX / Resolution Design
Music & sound design: Massive Music
QIC has teamed up with Jane Doe Creation to celebrate those who love Christmas with its new ‘The Joy Bringers’ campaign, spotlighting those whose infectious Christmas joy pulls everyone into the magic of the season.
‘The Joy Bringers’ is an ode to those who live and breathe Christmas and light up their communities with acts of cheer, and spread happiness everywhere they go. The creative agency’s campaign aims to showcase their joyful spirit, inspiring everyone to make the most of the festive season.
Launching this month across 18 QIC centres, the campaign captures a blend of fun moments, focussing on the joyful, Christmas-loving spirit of the community. Designed to be participatory, ‘The Joy Bringers’ invites QIC customers to join in or simply enjoy the festive cheer, making the campaign shareable across all channels — from in-centre events through to digital and social.
QIC is also partnering with over 40 community groups this year, including schools, hospitals, and charities to spread holiday cheer far and wide. Activities include coordinating Santa hospital visits, organising food and toy donations, and fundraising for local causes.
“This Christmas, we’re excited to spotlight our ‘Joy Bringers’ — the passionate individuals who fill their communities with festive spirit,” Bronwyn Cooper, head of marketing at QIC Real Estate, said.
“This time of year can be both joyous and challenging, so we’re supporting our communities with meaningful initiatives like Santa visits to maternity wards, toy drives, and carollers at our centres.
“But more than that, we’re celebrating those who make Christmas magical. Whether it’s putting up the tree in November, handwriting cards, or playing carols on repeat, these are the people who bring joy to our lives, and we’re saying thank you.”
Jane Doe Creation executive creative producer Elissa Maine adds: “What a treat, celebrating those who love Christmas even more than Mariah… we all know a few! Collaborating with Austin Studio and photographer Michelle Tran again, along with director Lizzy Bailey ensured our shoot was full of JOY and we can’t wait to see how the Christmas’ Joy Bringers’ make this campaign their own!’
Client: QIC RE
Head of Marketing: Bronwyn Cooper
Portfolio Manager, Campaigns: Kelly McGufficke
Campaign Manager: Holly Howell
Digital Manager: Nathan Maroon
Creative Agency: Jane Doe Creation
Executive Creative Producer: Elissa Maine
Head of Strategy: Allison Sims
Executive Creative Director: Penny Buck
Associate Creative Director: Kirrilee Phillips
Senior Copywriter: Nick Snelling
Canva Project Lead: Evan Clements
Social Director: Cara Staniforth
Social Manager: Olivia d’Albertanson
Photographer: Michelle Tran
Production Company: Austin Studio
Director: Lizzy Bailey
Producer: Celia Nicholas
Cinematographer: Gregoire Liere
Production Designer: Joanna Mae Park
Editor: Lucas Vasquez
Colourist: Ted Deacey
Online: White Chocolate
Sound: Otis
Casting: i4 Casting
Hubbl has unveiled its new national advertising campaign to support the launch of a new bundle offer, combining sports and entertainment streaming from Kayo Sports and Netflix.
The new ad campaign starring Hubbl’s brand ambassadors, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, kicked off as a nationwide TV, out-of-home and digital brand campaign on Sunday November 3.
The campaign again refers to the duo as Hubbl & Andy. They return in the ads to tackle more of the common pain points of streaming while pushing Hubbl’s new strategic messaging around instantly upgrading your smart TV and delivering the best value of entertainment through bundling offers.
Hamish and Andy bring to life the new partnership between Kayo Sports and Netflix on this Australian-first bundle, to bring the best of entertainment and sport to more customers.
The exclusive Hubbl bundle offers launched on October 31, where customers can get Kayo Sports and Netflix subscriptions for just $25 a month* with the purchase of a new Hubbl Hub.
The cheapest bundle saves the user $8 monthly, while those opting for the $45 monthly package will be saving $16 monthly.
Hubbl Hub for $99 + Kayo One HD + Netflix Standard with Ads for $25/month
Premium Options: Hubbl Hub for $99 + Kayo One. HD + Netflix Standard for $36/month or Kayo 4K + Netflix Premium for $45/month.
This offer is available to all new, existing, and returning Kayo Sports and Netflix customers who purchase a new Hubbl Hub, unlocking savings and content access.
Hilary Perchard, CEO of Foxtel Retail, Hubbl, and group chief strategy officer, said, “We’re committed to bringing the best sport and entertainment experience to our customers and this new bundle offers fantastic value at $25 per month for 12 months. We believe this first-of-its-kind bundle will enhance the viewing experience and bring fans closer to the sports and Netflix content they love.”
Julian Ogrin, CEO of Kayo Sports, added, “We’re bringing Australia’s most loved local sports streamer together with the world’s biggest entertainment platform to create a compelling deal in sports and entertainment. This new bundle has never been done before in Australia and we’re proud to be changing the game for our customers by pushing the boundaries to bring these two powerhouses together.”
Fine print: Min cost $124 for 1/mth. Bundle applies to ‘Kayo One’ and ‘Netflix Standard with Ads’. If you cancel either subscription, you will lose your bundle offer price. Offer ends January 31, 2025.
Client: Hubbl
Agency: JOY and BALBOA
Media: Mindshare and Foxtel Group Media
Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,988,000, a total TV national audience of 1,118,000, and a BVOD audience of 86,000.
Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 2,650,000, a total TV national audience of 1,527,000, and a BVOD audience of 213,000.
Seven’s Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story recorded a total TV national reach of 1,302,000, a total TV national audience of 304,000, and a BVOD audience of 12,000.
Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,892,000, a total TV national audience of 1,190,000, and a BVOD audience of 52,000.
10’s Dessert Masters recorded a total TV national reach of 761,000, a total TV national audience of 331,000, and a BVOD audience of 18,000.
Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 988,000
• National Audience: 625,000
• BVOD Audience: 130,000
Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 485,000
• National Audience: 298,000
• BVOD Audience: 26,000
Seven’s 7NEWS Spotlight:
• Total TV nation reach: 631,000
• National Audience: 282,000
• BVOD Audience: 46,000
10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 187,000
• National Audience: 73,000
• BVOD Audience: 4,000
Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 435,000
• National Audience: 279,000
• BVOD Audience: 74,000
Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 171,000
• National Audience: 98,000
• BVOD Audience: 12,000
Seven’s 7NEWS Spotlight:
• Total TV nation reach: 145,000
• National Audience: 62,000
• BVOD Audience: 8,000
10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 72,000
• National Audience: 32,000
• BVOD Audience: 5,000
Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 2,041,000
• National Audience: 1,202,000
• BVOD Audience: 171,000
Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,511,000
• National Audience: 963,000
• BVOD Audience: 41,000
Seven’s 7NEWS Spotlight:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,190,000
• National Audience: 483,000
• BVOD Audience: 26,000
10’s Dessert Masters:
• Total TV nation reach: 591,000
• National Audience: 253,000
• BVOD Audience: 15,000
Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2024. Not to be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without prior written consent of OzTAM and Regional TAM.
As part of its presence at SXSW Sydney in 2024, The Growth Distillery hosted a series of 10 vodcasts (a podcast with video) hosted by Dan Krigstein and branded Rules Don’t Apply.
The third guest in the series was Noelle Russell, the chief AI officer at the AI Leadership Institute.
Dan started the interview introducing his guest: Noelle is an award-winning technologist who specialises in helping companies with data, cloud computing, conversational AI, generative AI, and LLMs. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, Amazon Alexa and is a globally renowned champion for data and AI literacy.
She is the founder of the I Heart AI community teaching responsible AI for everyone. She has been awarded Microsoft’s MVP, Most Valuable Professional.
Noelle is frequently LinkedIn’s top voice in AI as well as LinkedIn’s top voice in executive coaching.
She manages all this as well as having six kids!
Dan then began the interview asking about Noelle’s biggest concerns with AI.
Noelle: I would probably say my biggest concern is around literacy.
I’m very worried about the gap that’s being created with this technology. I’m an example of this. I got into tech the first time when the world was going to end with Y2K and they didn’t ask questions. They were just like, we need smart people who are willing to work really hard and get into this.
I taught myself how to code. I never finished high school. I never finished college because Y2K gave me this opportunity to kind of jump in. And we’re now in the same kind of moment where this technology is incredibly, increasingly fast, very worrisome.
We need more divergent thinkers in the space than ever. It’s actually filled with people who aren’t extremely divergent and thinking very homogeneous.
My biggest concern is that the right people won’t be involved, won’t even be invited to the party.
I just look at high school kids. I volunteer and I teach all the things I do to those kids, but this is not a program in the school where we grew up.
So I worry about that because in a world where we’re thinking about how people are going to use this technology. I foresee if we’re not super careful that there’ll be people who don’t get served that end up being consumers and potentially even used by this technology.
Dan: On the other side of the coin though, the power of learning is in everyone’s hands. You don’t need to go to an Ivy League school anymore because if you’ve got an iPhone or a smartphone, with the right type of prompts, you can pretty much learn anything.
Noelle: A hundred percent. I think the biggest challenge with that is in order to build the right types of prompts, you do need to have kind of clarity of thought and a good understanding of human communication, which is a bit ironic, right? Because we’re talking to machines. But in order to talk well to machines, you really have to have a good command of the human language.
See also:
• Rules Don’t Apply: The Battle for Creativity: AI vs. Humanity with Futurist Brian David Johnson
• Layne Beachley first guest on Rules Don’t Apply vodcast series from The Growth Distillery
Sandhurst has launched its brand campaign in partnership with Innocean, and is the agency’s first media campaign in Australia.
This campaign marks a new chapter for both Innocean and Sandhurst as they bring vibrant Mediterranean flavours to Australian audiences through a wide-reaching, multi-channel approach.
The campaign has launched with a combination of out-of-home, native content and digital media to reach consumers across Australia.
By leveraging these channels, the campaign creates a cohesive brand experience that captures attention and builds brand awareness in high-traffic urban areas, shopping environments, and digital platforms. Sandhurst’s Mediterranean-inspired imagery and messaging are showcased in engaging, bold visuals that highlight the brand’s dedication to quality and tradition.
“We are so excited to be partnering with Innocean for the launch of our first national campaign,” said Tom Galluzzo, head of marketing at Sandhurst.
“We can’t wait for existing and new customers to see the brand in a fresh light. Our pivot towards lifestyle and a reinforcing our commitment to quality and tradition is an exciting new direction.”
With the tagline ‘Tradizione Preservata’, the campaign celebrates the power of Mediterranean cuisine to bring people together, inviting Australians to embrace the richness and authenticity of Sandhurst’s offerings, made right here in Sydney.
Kathryn Furnari, head of media at Innocean Australia, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Sandhurst for their first-ever national brand campaign, bringing to life the essence of Mediterranean tradition and quality that the brand is known for.
“This campaign represents not only an exciting milestone for Sandhurst but also for Innocean Australia as we embark on our first media activation in this market.”
The launch of Sandhurst’s new brand campaign follows the recent news of Wesley Hawes’ departure from Innocean after four years as executive creative director, to join creative agency 72andSunny Sydney, at the end of the year.
Jasmin Bedir, CEO of Innocean, said: “Wez and I had four amazing years together as a team. He is a lovely human, and we’ll of course miss him, but change is inevitable.
“We will make an announcement on our new creative leadership in due course,” she added.
See also: ‘Change is inevitable’: Jasmin Bedir on Wesley Hawes’ departure from Innocean after four years
SunRice has teamed up with MasterChef stars Poh Ling Yeow and Minoli De Silva as they showcase their culinary expertise and tips for making a variety of delicious curries at home – with recipes being shared across various platforms including TV, online, out-of-home (OOH), and social media.
Tamara Howe, SunRice group chief marketing officer, said the launch of the new campaign aimed to help Aussies families to create a delicious restaurant quality meal, with the added convenience of not having to leave the house.
“Poh and Minoli bring a vibrant energy and wealth of cooking knowledge to this campaign – making them the perfect fit,” she said. ‘We hope to inspire families to explore flavourful curry meals with SunRice’s Indian Grown Basmati rice as the perfect fluffy base.”
SunRice group brand manager Andreas Katsiroubas, said: “Curry is a much-loved dish among Aussies and it’s easy to know why; it’s tasty, great value, and can cater to the flavour preferences of the whole family.
“It was a joy working with our talented chefs and all our partner agencies to convey this through the campaign,” he said.
The ‘Curry Night’ creative was produced by the JPD Agency, in collaboration with Havas Media. This campaign is an extension of the “Fried Rice Hacks” campaign developed and launched in 2022 by Enigma Communications.
JPD company director, James Peltekis, said the agency was thrilled to work on this campaign and support the SunRice Group team. He added that the seamless collaboration amongst everyone made working on this campaign something to be proud of.
“Bringing this from concept to screen was an exciting challenge and we couldn’t be more proud of the outcome.”
JPD worked closely with key partners including Cheer Squad, Ripe Studios, and Killa Production. The campaign launches on October 20th, with the TV commercial airing across Channel 9, 10, Foxtel, and SBS.
SunRice Indian Grown Basmati is available in Woolworths, Coles and the Metcash network across Australia and New Zealand.
CREDITS
Client: SunRice Group
Creative + Strategy + Production Agency: James Phillip Design
Directors: James Peltekis & Andrew Richey
Video Production: Cheer Squad Film Co.
Photography: Ripe Studios
Production: Killa Production
Media Agency: Havas Media
Campaign: Enigma
Third Avenue Consulting has appointments of Julie Wright as managing director and Leigh Fenech as consultant.
In the newly created managing director role, Wright will work closely with principal Rochelle Burbury to lead Third Avenue, help further grow the business, and provide her expertise and counsel to clients.
Wright joined the firm as a senior consultant in 2021 and has proven herself to be a valuable addition to the team and to the company’s clients. She has 20 years of experience in PR and strategic communications in Sydney and London. She also has extensive hands-on experience crafting effective public relations strategies and optimising how companies communicate and connect with stakeholders.
Wright spent a decade of her career managing public relations campaigns in paediatric healthcare for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, leading the communications team responsible for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick’s $1.3 billion infrastructure program. She has also worked with Access PR in Sydney and 3 Monkeys in London across clients in the media, entertainment, healthcare, infrastructure and not-for-profit sectors.
As well as being a judge for a number of industry awards, she was also named as a finalist in Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Awards in 2024.
Joining Wright in the Third Avenue team is Fenech, who will work across a range of clients in her new role to support the company’s expanding client roster and ambitions for continued growth.
Fenech brings more than 15 years of experience to the business across multiple industries, including ecommerce, digital content management, inventory control, and marketing. Throughout her career, she has held key roles at Seafolly, Universal Music Australia, and HOYTS Group, where she developed expertise in digital content, inventory management, and large-scale project management.
Burbury said the new roles will enable Third Avenue to bring the best of senior expertise and experience to its clients in the media, advertising, marketing, ad tech and research sectors, as the company continues to grow.
“It’s been a big couple of years for Third Avenue, recording double digit revenue growth for three consecutive years; and it’s recognition of the fact that experience, effectiveness and being connected are core to bringing to life successful, specialist public relations programs. We work with a range of clients, from start-ups to large global companies, however the fundamentals remain the same. It’s about really knowing our clients’ business and the landscape in which they operate, and supporting them to build reputations and achieve business objectives,” she said.
“Jules has grown to become my right hand person at Third Avenue. She’s the conch to my chaos, she brings process to my pedantry, and she has been a welcome and valuable addition to our clients. Jules’s appointment to the newly-created role of managing director is both a reflection of the growth in our business but also her incredible contribution to our clients, and to me. I could not be more delighted that I’ve finally convinced Jules to take on this new role, boss me around, and take Third Avenue to the next level. About time.
“Leigh recently joined us as a much-needed account coordinator and has quickly established herself as invaluable for both our team and our clients.
“I am incredibly proud to say Third Avenue is 100% female and we are all working mothers – our firm policy is family first – we help and support each other when required, we all work bloody hard, and have a lot of fun along the way, celebrating in the success our clients achieve.”
Wright said she was looking forward to taking on the new role and for the next chapter of Third Avenue. “I’m really excited to be stepping into the Managing Director role at Third Avenue. Rochelle and I have worked together on and off for more than 15 years now, and remained good friends in between,” she said.
“We bicker like an old married couple, but truly do have a good time working together with our team and our clients. I have always believed you should walk towards the opportunities that excite you and feel good in your gut so I am really looking forward to this next chapter,” she added.
–
Top image: Julie Wright, Rochelle Burbury and Leigh Fenech
The Block caps off 20 seasons with its first-ever Clubhouse, before the five houses come up for auction in Phillip Island, starting Monday November 4 at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
In a season full of high-stakes transformations, the contestants are now building the Disney+ Clubhouse with help from an All Star couple. Each team is pushing to complete this ultimate addition, where a win means a crucial $50,000 off their reserve price on auction day.
The three-episode promotional activity continues a deal the show has with the Disney streaming platform, despite Nine owning its own streamer, Stan.
The returning All Stars working alongside the Blockheads are:
Ronnie and Georgia with House 1’s Maddy and Charlotte to create an outdoor BBQ and entertaining area
Steph and Gian team up with House 2’s Courtney and Grant to build a luxurious indoor day spa and sauna
Eliza and Liberty with House 3’s Ricky and Haydn on an alfresco dining space for high-end entertaining
Alisa and Lysandra with House 5’s Kristian and Mimi to transform a cinema room and outdoor kitchen
Plus, Jimmy and Tam tackle the games room on behalf of Kylie and Brad who have flown home after completing the renovation on their house.
Host Scott Cam said: “It’s incredible to see the Blockheads and All Stars bring this Clubhouse to life. It’s an amazing way to wrap up 13 intense weeks of renovations, and every contestant has a real chance at earning a life-changing prize this weekend.”
As auction day approaches, Scott says, “It’s always a nerve-racking moment, watching each team’s hard work go up for sale after so many weeks of dedication and effort.
“This year, we’ve got five stunning, unique homes that each offer something special for potential buyers. I truly hope all the contestants see the results they’ve worked so hard for – they absolutely deserve it.”
Domain national managing editor Alice Stolz said: “The contestants will no doubt be sweating under their high-vis vests with the countdown on to the auctions. Recent house price data shows Melbourne, always a city that marches to the beat of its own drum, has seen house prices not just stalling, but going backwards.
“Higher interest rates are wearing down buyers and investors due to recent Victorian land tax changes, and sellers too are up against it with increased competition. It’s a tough time for the market but Victoria is a contrarian place and ripper houses that are priced correctly are enjoying competitive bidding and strong results.
“The concept of The Block this year resolves the question that many would-be-holiday-house-buyers wrestle with; too much maintenance and too expensive. These five houses could not be more low-maintenance if they tried, and with shared facilities that include the most amped-up clubhouse Australia has ever seen, a holiday has never been so appealing. And as for price, show me another island (or town!) where you can get luxury at this scale, as well as full-blown amenities and seamless functionality and maybe even a boat. It’s perfect.”
Executive producer Julian Cress shared his anticipation, saying, “We always feel a bit nervous leading up to auction day because we’re deeply invested in seeing our contestants rewarded for all their hard work. Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen some contestants walk away with life-changing earnings, while others have left with far less.
“This year’s property is like nothing we’ve seen before – a gated holiday park with outstanding facilities that’s unmatched in the market. There’s never been anything like it.”
Reflecting on the 20th season of The Block, Cress continued, “The results have been extraordinary and a well-deserved recognition for everyone involved, not only the contestants but the entire crew. Everyone really went up a level this season, and I think that passion shines through on screen. The way our fans have embraced it has been both humbling and incredibly rewarding.”
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a grand total of $35,742,807.60 in winnings.
The final week of The Block Disney+ Clubhouse week culminates in a special 90-minute episode on Wednesday at 7.30pm, with the auctions on Sunday at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
HOUSE 1 – MADDY AND CHARLOTTE
Address: 1/113-119 Justice Road, Cowes VIC 3922
Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath
Price guide: $1.7-$1.85 million
HOUSE 2 – COURTNEY AND GRANT
Address: 2/113-119 Justice Road, Cowes VIC 3922
Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath
Price guide: $1.7-$1.85 million
HOUSE 3 – RICKY AND HAYDN
Address: 3/113-119 Justice Road, Cowes VIC 3922
Listing: 5 Bed, 3 Bath
Price guide: $1.7-$1.85 million
HOUSE 4 – KYLIE AND BRAD
Address: 4/113-119 Justice Road, Cowes VIC 3922
Listing: 5 Bed, 3 Bath
Price guide: $1.7-$1.85 million
HOUSE 5 – KRISTIAN AND MIMI
Address: 5/113-119 Justice Road, Cowes VIC 3922
Listing: 5 Bed, 3 Bath
Price guide: $1.7-$1.85 million
See also: TV Ratings 3 November 2024 – The Block records highest-rated episode this year
Top image: Shelley Craft and Scott Cam at the 2023 Auctions on Charming Street. (Nine)
NBC declined to comment on specifics. But NBC stations filed paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday noting that Harris “appeared without charge on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (‘SNL’) for a total period of 1 minute and 30 seconds on November 2, 2024.”
The pre-recorded 60-second Trump spot aired around 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, toward the end of NBC Sports’ live coverage of the race held in Martinsville, Va. NBC may need to provide Trump with another spot during the next 24 hours to match the comparable amount of time that the “SNL” platform afforded to Harris.
The endorsement comes in the form of a new advertisement created in collaboration with The Lincoln Project, a prominent pro-democracy organisation.
The cast members, including Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Joshua Malina, Martin Sheen, Mary McCormack, and Richard Schiff, released a heartfelt statement explaining their decision to back Harris. They reflected on their experiences working on the show and the importance of the upcoming election.
In their statement, the cast laid emphasis on the significance of the election on November 5, highlighting that democracy itself is at stake. They expressed their deep pride in America’s ideals and underscored symbolic importance the White House has a beacon of freedom, decency, and hope.
American politics came from revolution, and elections redefine the American nation, but Donald Trump has suborned the idea of renewal to his own authoritarian character and taken his country and the world into uncharted territory.
His ugly persona has not only overwhelmed us all, but with Americans voting in their most polarised presidential elections, it is clear Trump is no longer their problem alone. He threatens our world, too.
[The editorial ends]
We are told seven states will decide the US election and they represent a remarkable cross-section of American society, with large Hispanic, black and white populations. Given this lop-sided contest between innocuous good and palpable evil, we can only repeat Michelle Obama’s question: “Why on earth is this race even close?”
Unlike Trump, there is nothing to fear about Kamala Harris. She is a sane choice. Regrettably, she has yet to define herself properly, and it remains unclear how she would be different to Biden. Nor has she talked enough about the economy and national security. But it would be wonderful to finally break the glass ceiling and to end the Trump era for good.
Whichever way the US election falls, it’s difficult to see an outcome that doesn’t result in an America more deeply divided than ever before.
Should Kamala Harris win, expect immediate chaos.
Donald Trump has given every indication that he will not accept a loss. He has already made allegations of voter fraud in Pennsylvania, the largest of the crucial swing states, laying the groundwork for a potential challenge should the count go against him.
The challenge for whoever triumphs will be to keep the nation united, for the good of the entire world. Neither have so far shown they are capable of doing so.
Trump has demonstrated that he lacks the character, temperament and commitment to the Constitution necessary to be trusted with the power and responsibility of the presidency. He was impeached twice in his first term for actions in flagrant defiance of his duties. He was criminally indicted on felony charges related to his efforts to overturn the election. Yet many of the former president’s worst instincts never came to pass in his previous administration. That’s not because he moderated those instincts once in power, as some of his reluctant supporters now suggest. The most important factor limiting the damage done by Mr. Trump’s urges has always been others stepping in to stop him, from his own appointees to members of the House and the Senate.
Think horoscopes amidst the news stories (apparently it’s a ratings hit). Comedy from erstwhile ABC funnyman Mark Humphries.
But really: is there a thing as too surprising a face on the news bulletin? Because this one would be really something.
De Ceglie was in Melbourne last week addressing the city’s Press Club. While he was in town, he was spotted outside the Toorak offices of Eddie McGuire’s production company, JAM TV. Eddie is best known for his work with Channel 9 but Jam TV does do some work for Seven so this is unsurprising. But the visit came amidst feverish speculation De Ceglie wants to hire McGuire to host a late-night talk show.
The rumours, we’re told, are true. They were meeting in part to discuss the prospect. Lock it in, Eddie? Well, for one reason or another, sources suggest he isn’t keen.
But the draw of these services waned with Gen Z in 2024.
New data shows 16- to 24-year-olds cut the time they spent watching streaming services by an average of three hours a week – or an episode of a sitcom a day – to 7 hours and 45 minutes a week.
Every other age group also cut back the time they spent watching streaming services.
The overall average time spent watching streaming fell from an average of almost 11 hours a week in 2023 to almost nine hours a week this year, according to Deloitte’s annual survey of Australian media consumption habits.
The consulting firm speculated the fall could be due to factors such as price hikes, alternative entertainment options such as live sport or the “temporary dip in quality content following last year’s Hollywood strikes”.
Another striking finding from the research, which is based on a survey of 2000 Australians, was how little time the young spend watching live free-to-air television compared to the many hours that retirees aged 75 and older spend lounging in front of their TVs.
The company’s adjusted operating profit for the quarter, which ran from July through September, rose 16.1 percent to US$104.2 million, from $89.8 million a year before. Overall revenue increased 7 percent to $640.2 million, compared with the same period in 2023.
The Times has a stated goal of reaching 15 million subscribers by the end of 2027. It had 11.09 million subscribers at the end of the third quarter, 10.47 million of which were to digital products only, not the print newspaper.
Meredith Kopit Levien, the president and chief executive of The New York Times Company, said in a statement accompanying the earnings announcement that more than five million of the 11 million subscriptions were now either for multiple Times products, which include digital news, Cooking, Games, Wirecutter and The Athletic, or for a bundle of all products offered.
The Australian reports Terrell’s manager David Rawlings and his lawyers have issued three cease and desist notices to popular Facebook supporter groups in recent days.
May’s team is preparing to take further legal action against at least one of the NRL fan pages on social media.
May was sensationally tapped on the shoulder last week by the Roosters, telling the 25-year-old he is free to explore the open market about an immediate move away from Bondi just six months after he agreed to a two-year extension.
The shock development sent the rumour mill into overdrive, creating speculation that coach Trent Robinson’s willingness to offload May had to do with off-field issues rather than a desire to reshape his roster.
Her passion for property comes through the 284 pages with initial references to living with her then photographer husband, Lee Henderson in her “dream home” in Vaucluse which she aptly references as “the Father of the Bride house.” They had built on Cambridge Avenue after paying $2.7m in 2012.
“We were in our groove with work, and our daughter was flourishing, and that keeps you in place for years,” she wrote.
“You hear a voice in your head saying things aren’t right, and then it goes away, and it comes back again, and goes away again.”
The couple separated in August 2018, after their 15-year marriage, when she moved into an apartment on Bondi Beach, but without their daughter, Kitty. The couple sold their five-bedroom house for $6.675m in March 2020.
“I found a house in Woollahra, a modern recent build at the top of Cooper Park, and it was a fortress.”
It cost $11m in June 2020.
Despite being half of the most successful breakfast duo in Australian FM history, “Jackie O” said her life was falling apart when she checked herself into the Betty Ford rehab in California in 2022.
The catalyst was the end of her 18-year marriage to Lee Henderson and not seeing her daughter Kitty, now 13, as often.
“I mean, I just thought the answer was, ‘oh, I’ll have a drink instead’,” Henderson said.
“And then that drink, you know, obviously became a drink with a pill and it just went from there.
“It was a horrible existence of just not remembering, not wanting to think, feel, do.”
In her tell-all memoir, Henderson revealed at the height of her addiction she would take up to 24 Panadeine forte and 10 to 12 Stilnox – a powerful sleeping tablet.
“I don’t know how I woke up. ..I really don’t,” Henderson told A Current Affair.
“I’d see all those empty packets, and I would go…’You know you could die, but you still keep doing it’.”
Henderson kept her battle with addiction so close that not even co-host and “dear friend” of 25 years, Kyle Sandilands, knew she had gone to rehab until she shared an excerpt from her book on-air late last month.
The assassin (Eddie Redmayne) gives himself the codename Jackal when hired by a shadowy group to take out tech entrepreneur Ulle Dag Charles (Khalid Abdalla). UDC, as he is known by an adoring public, has written a piece of software called River, with which he promises to lay bare the financial dealings of the world’s richest people. Yes, he’s among them, but he has nothing to hide, he tells a TV interviewer. The people who want him dead, and River blocked, can’t say the same thing.
Over the course of his 70-year career, Jones was an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer. He won 28 Grammys and most notably shaped the career of Michael Jackson, beginning with his breakthrough 1979 album Off the Wall.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in a statement announcing his death. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
He made his mark on TV as executive producer of the 90s NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which brought rapper Will “Fresh Prince” Smith to prominence as an actor. In addition to the 2022 reboot of Bel-Air, he later exec produced the comedy skeins “In the House” and “MadTV”; the 10-hour 1995 documentary “The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll”; the 2014 documentary “Keep on Keepin’ On”; and the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple directed by Blitz Bazawule.
But on Tuesday afternoon, race caller Matt Hill will have the ear of Australians as he saddles up for his eighth Melbourne Cup call.
The renowned sports broadcaster stared down the barrel of death in 2008 when he contracted a rare illness while commentating on the Beijing Olympics.
As he told A Current Affair, it’s made the 43-year-old all the more eager to make his Tuesday shift at Flemington racecourse’s broadcaster’s booth count.