SCA has been overhauling its Triple M and Hit network teams as the radio ratings year draws to a close.

The network is in good shape in most markets around the country. Except for a couple of glaring spots.

One is the perennial question about who should host 2Day FM breakfast.

The other is what to do about Triple M breakfast.

The Triple M breakfast shows are in rude health in Adelaide and Brisbane. And Triple M Perth is on a growth curve.

However the brand could do with a boost in Sydney and Melbourne breakfast.

It is believed the network is close to announcing a refresh for the Triple M brand in Sydney and Melbourne. The announcement has been delayed by a few days as contracts are finalised for the new talent.

There has been plenty of speculation about who is getting the prized radio gigs.

New Triple M Melbourne breakfast

There had been strong mail that Hughesy and Kate could be reunited at Triple M Melbourne. However the station has just confimed Mick Molloy is returning to the station where he had so much success as a key member of the long-running Hot Breakfast program. He is being joined on air by former AFL great Nick Riewoldt, Triple M contributor Titus O’Reilly and longtime Triple M anchor Rosie Walton.

Triple M Sydney getting the band back together?

With Mick Molloy departing the scene in Sydney, it leaves a big gap at the station. If the station is going old school in Melbourne, why not try that in Sydney?

Could Matty Johns possibly be in the mix for a return to the breakfast shift? Johns seems to be enjoying life away from breakfast radio, but has SCA got the cash to temp him back? The lure of being able to work with MG again might do it too. But Johns has a busy schedule of podcasts, TV and writing News Corp columns. There’s also the matter of an existing deal with SEN on Fridays.

We should be only days away from official confirmation of who Triple M is putting up for the new breakfast shows.

Gemma Battenbough, Twitch’s international brand partnership studio lead for EMEA and APAC, emphasises that brands should bring value to Twitch audiences without taking themselves too seriously.

Speaking to Mediaweek, Battenbough explained that while Twitch welcomes all brands, success on the Amazon-owned streaming platform requires a thoughtful approach.

“If you’re a brand, you can’t just come in and slap your name on it and expect to have a memorable, high-attention response,” she said.

“We encourage brands to really think about and work with us to do this well. We walk them through how to create something that the community can play with, or a streamer can do, whether that’s like a branded extension that makes it playable or even content format that we would develop.”

Battenbough leads a full-service creative studio at Twitch with creative strategists, producers, talent experts and project managers. The studio works with brands to help them bring their brand story to life on Twitch in a way that’s authentic for the platform’s main demographic, which is 18 to 34-year-olds.

See also: PAX Australia 2024: How brands are pressing start with IRL gamers

An example of Twitch’s tailored approach is ahm’s “Healer Main” activation. The campaign leaned into the idea of supporting people, and mixed in the healthcare aspect of the brand with the activation. The campaign partnered with streamers, influencers and philanthropists including Panda, who’s known for going around Melbourne giving backpacks filled with supplies and food to homeless people.

“It’s so important to work with talent that really represents your brand at that sort of core level,” she said.

When it comes to how Twitch sells itself to advertisers, Battenbough says it’s all about attention.

“Advertisers are looking for places to be creative, to have memorable conversations and tell their brand stories. On Twitch, that’s something you can do in a real, long-form way with a highly leaned-in community who are in the moment,” she said.

“They’re actively creating the content, not just passively watching it. Users spend on average 3.5 hours in Australia watching Twitch, and it’s a really long time compared to the attention seen on TikTok or Instagram.

Despite the narrative that Gen Z’s attention span is shrinking, Battenbough believes Twitch proves otherwise: “If the content is good and made for them, they’ll stay.”

While Twitch is popularly known as a gaming streaming platform, the service has made strides in recent years to cater to a more casual audience. This shift accelerated during COVID-19, when musicians and artists sought alternatives to in-person events and found new audiences on Twitch.

The platform’s ‘Just Chatting’ category might involve some light gaming, but it mostly consists of streamers interact with their communities in ‘real-time, often without playing games. US-based creators like Kai Cenat have taken this category by storm, where each of his streams are events in themselves with high production values and celebrity guests, all taking place in his bedroom.

Kai Cenat and fellow streamer Fanum on a recent stream with John Cena

Twitch’s content offerings continue to expand post-COVID. The platform now allows DJs to use a catalog of around 6 billion licensed tracks, thanks to agreements with major record labels. This music integration opens doors for branded content, as seen in Charli XCX’s recent livestream launch of her remix album.

“Twitch’s content landscape has grown significantly,” Battenbough said. “We expect it to keep expanding, creating even more opportunities for brands.”

Charli XCX at her live-streamed listening party for the BRAT remix album

Cavalier Television makes what is arguably the most successful show on Australian television, The Block.

The partners running Cavalier – Julian Cress and David Barbour – have also been behind a number of successful programs – from Reno Rumble, and The Chopping Block, to homemade and more. But over the last decade or more they focused on one program.

That program is The Block and wraps its 2024 season this week with the auctions of the properties on Phillip Island. The location is the furthest the show has been from its spiritual home in Melbourne’s inner and south-eastern suburbs since its last season in Sydney over a decade ago.

The two partners share the load in very different ways. As co-executive producers, Cress looks after the production on site. Barbour is the post-production guru.

David Barbour (left) with Julian Cress and The Block host Scotty Cam.

A third executive producer on The Block is Nine’s Justin Sturzaker who has been working on the format since the reboot in 2010.

While the program now never leaves production in Victoria, the team is spread across the eastern seaboard. Post-production is headquartered in Sydney, and Barbour now calls the Gold Coast home.

Cress can be glimpsed onscreen at times during filming, maybe calling for calm at times of controversy. Barbour by contrast is the darkened edit room specialist. Mediaweek has spoken with him in the past. We do so again this week to learn about the making of TV’s #1 show.

When asked about how planning was going for the arrival of the auction footage to the post-production facility, Barbour told Mediaweek: “In 20 seasons, each time is such a different experience. The final is an episode that you just don’t know what you getting until you get it. There’s just only a limited amount of planning you can have.

“We’re in the 20th season and we’re very proud of that. We feel very blessed to be 20 seasons in. There’s a lot of expectation around the auction episodes. They outrate things like the Melbourne Cup!

“We try to plan how we’re going to fill two hours. But is an auction going to be two minutes or 20 minutes, it’s a real roll of the dice.”

Barbour said there was never any consideration that the post-production would relocate to Victoria like the series has. “Never,” he explained. The former Sydney-sider has moved north to the Gold Coast. “I grew up in Papua New Guinea. I’m a tropical boy. I run as far away from cold weather as fast as I can.”

Barbour mixes up his workplaces these days. Some weeks working remotely from home, visits to Sydney for screenings with Nine, and set visits during the season when necessary.

“I try and get down to the location on the Saturday right before Sunday reveals. I catch up with Julian and Justin and they bring me up to speed on any stories or ebbs and flows that have happened.

“I’m not down there every week. Where we are in the season will depend on how often I go down.”

A format that delivers 50 or more episodes per season runs a big team. Barbour explained the post-production team numbers about 70 specialists.

“That includes everyone from the assists to the transcribers, editors, assistant editors, producers, associate producers, and supervising producers.”

Barbour appoints a team to own the episode they are working on. Across the entire season each team will get to produce a handful of episodes.

“For The Block, that has been the way we’ve been able to get the most creative storytelling out of the teams.

“We turn around episodes probably faster than any other reality show of scale. The thought process behind that is, too much time can kill spontaneity and reaction to things. It’s about keeping up the energy, the creativity in an episode, making your decisions and moving on.”

David Barbour

Renos and relationships drive The Block

The format masters two things – the property builds and the relationships between the Blockheads.

Every year there is plenty of entertainment on both fronts. There has been a big focus this year on the recent blowup between Kylie and Brad.

We asked Barbour if there was more controversy this season, or just a repeat of patterns from previous years. He reckoned it was similar to what’s gone before.

“We think that every year [might be more controversial than the year before]. But each year Block contestants are a lot savvier than the previous year. They get to watch another 50 episodes of it. The contestants today versus season one are highly educated when it comes to the camera and social media.

“That gives them a very different energy and they’re much more open about the positives and negatives.”

The Block on auction day 2023

How David Barbour spends Block auction day

Auction day on The Block used to be one of the days Barbour was on location. Not anymore. He explained: “Since the end of Covid, I have been based out of Sydney. I sit in a room and watch the auctions live with the editors and producers.

“From that point we understand the direction. It might be a happy, successful auction or a not so successful auction. We then start work on the material from each auction as it comes in.”

Auction weekend used to be stressful…for the producers

Back when The Block first started, it was quite a stressful event. Not just for the contestants. The producers and the broadcaster also sweated a bit working on the auction shoot to be broadcast on the Sunday night.

Barbour remembered how close to the wire it was in Season 1 of The Block. That was in 2003. Back then they were working on videotape and David Gyngell was running the network during his first tour of duty.

“Julian and I had a copy of the final tape each – we each got in a car and we drove towards Channel Nine, um, at possibly illegal speeds.

“We had a plan that even if the police were chasing us, we wouldn’t stop until we got to the gates of Channel Nine. We got there and literally ran upstairs into the transmission room.

“There was a young guy there. He was completely white in the face and he said, ‘Are you guys from The Block? We handed him the tape, walked up one flight of stairs, opened a beer, sat down in the boardroom and it went to air.”

They had arrived at Nine just minutes before the episode was due to start.

The process is much more streamlined now. Barbour said these days the finished final episode could be ready a few hours before broadcast. “A few times we have delivered maybe 30 minutes before broadcast though,” he admitted.

Working with Barbour on that last day is Nine series producer Julia Holdstock. He credits her with making sure everything happens on time. “She’s not only a creative, but a great scheduler and quality control as well.”

In The Block’s situation room on auction day 2017 [L-R]: Julian Cress and Scott Cam with Wombat and Sticks

Will Cavalier Television make a series other than The Block?

Running Australia’s biggest television show keeps Barbour and Cress busy year-round. But would the two ever work on a show other than The Block again?

Barbour: “I think we will. We’re always throwing ideas around, that never stops. Both Julian and I have very creative brains and that process never stops.

“TV is getting tighter and it’s harder to get things up. We are continually coming up with things and pitching them because that’s what we love to do.”

How has the Cavalier partnership lasted so long?

The professional partnership between these two seems as strong as their show’s format. What is the secret that keeps them creating together?

“It’s been fantastic because we both recognise each other’s strengths and we just give each other complete freedom to act in our own lanes,” said Barbour.

Top image: Nine’s EP  on The Block, Julian Sturzaker, with Cavalier Tlevision’s David Barbour and Julian Cress and The Block host Scotty Cam

See also:
• The Block All Stars return for final week of Australia’s biggest TV show
• The Block 2023: Winners Steph and Gian break the all-time sale record

S4 Capital, Martin Sorrell’s ad group, issued its second profit warning in less than two months, forecasting a low double-digit decline in annual like-for-like net revenue due to softer ad spend from content and technology clients.

Following the announcement, shares plummeted by as much as 17% to a record low. S4 Capital is facing a challenging economic environment that is forcing tech clients to trim marketing budgets.

With nearly half of its business tied to the technology sector, S4 Capital has been significantly affected by cautious ad spending as clients respond to economic challenges and higher interest rates. This pullback from tech clients contributed to a 15.2% drop in third-quarter net revenue, a decline greater than initially forecasted earlier this year.

“Data & Digital Media’s like-for-like run rate improved, while Content saw a slight uptick in the third quarter but did not benefit as much as anticipated from easier prior-year comparisons,” Sorrell commented. “We continue to focus on our larger, scaled relationships with leading enterprise clients and on margin improvement through greater efficiency, utilisation, billability, and pricing.”

Sorrell said the company’s focus on cost reduction to offset revenue losses, stating that S4 Capital is actively managing expenses in response to “continued net revenue softness.” However, he remains optimistic about future growth, pointing to new business activity and a focus on AI-driven hyper-personalisation as areas of opportunity.

Despite the current downturn, S4 expects full-year profit to be weighted towards the fourth quarter, expressing hope for a rebound as clients plan their year-end budgets. For the ad industry, S4’s trajectory highlights the broader pressure on marketing spend, particularly in the technology sector, where brands are cautiously navigating an unpredictable economy.

Revealing its plans for next year at the Ignite event in Sydney today, Are Media outlined a roadmap that included new products, new events, new awards and new competitions.

Are Media chief executive officer, Jane Huxley, said: “Are Media’s strategy is predicated by two core beliefs. First, that in today’s media landscape, trusted content brands matter more than ever, and secondly that quality content legitimised transactions. Our strength in these key areas is what makes Are Media unique and positioned to lead in 2025.

“Are Media reaches nine in 10 women each year. Our social platforms have 21 million connection points and 4.5 million Unique Website users each month.

“But Are Media doesn’t just reach women; it informs, inspires, entertains and most importantly for our partners, it converts that attention into action. Are Media ignites intention in women across Australia, women who control 85% of all consumer spending. That’s a powerful asset to have in your media mix.”

Are Media director of sales, Andrew Cook, said: “Our brands are synonymous with Australian women, our connection is unmatched. The new research we announced today [see separate media release] clearly shows that clout, curation, and confidence are the key drivers behind why audiences trust our brands – and why they act on that trust. Our editors are the original influencers. They know what resonates, they know how to curate authentically and, most importantly, they know how to lead consumers to the final click.

“Today, our editorial leaders shared powerful new tentpoles for 2025, each presenting unique ways to engage audiences with our partners’ products. We’re doubling down in the luxury space, expanding ELLE Australia from two to four issues and supercharging our social presence. The new marie claire Skincare Awards and the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards offer additional touchpoints, attracting an audience primed for high-end brands.

“Our entertainment vertical is growing strongly, with extraordinary reach across print, digital and social. This success is driving the rebranding of Now To Love to womansday.com.au, expanding our digital capabilities and creating more opportunities to engage Australia’s entertainment-driven audiences. Meanwhile, Better Homes and Gardens, with a new Editor and its new upcoming Tradie of the Year competition, continues to expand its influence as a beloved household name,” he said.

“We are magazines and more. Our expertise in connecting with and understanding Australian women across the marketing funnel will add reach and influence to every marketing campaign targeting women that we work on. The team behind our brands are passionate about what they do, and that’s because our audience is passionate about what they want.”

What’s new at Are Media in 2025?

ELLE is set to grow from two to four issues in 2025 and will supercharge its video, social and TikTok offerings. ELLE’s TikTok followers have grown 1,000% this year. ELLE will also launch its first marquee event, the ELLE Next Gen Awards, which will celebrate the rising stars in fashion, film, beauty and art.

For the first time, the marie claire International Women’s Day event will be turned into a consumer event, building the brand’s connection with its readers.

The marie claire Sustainability Awards, which launched this year, will be expanded to include more categories and reach more consumers.

The marie claire and ELLE Australia in-store Masterclass Styling Sessions, in partnership with Max Mara, Calvin Klein, Pandora and other brands will expand in 2025 to include more shoppable experiences and online extensions. Additionally, the marie claire Success Summit will be a new networking event to inspire women to accelerate their careers.

In the beauty space, Are Media’s online beauty sites Beauty Crew and Beauty Heaven –a along with marie claire and ELLE – will launch a brand-new Beauty Influencer Collective, giving clients the opportunity to tap into micro and macro influencers, both on staff and beyond, to spread brand message.

Next year will see the launch of the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards, with winners to be announced in Gourmet Traveller’s June 2025 issue, celebrating the Best of Australia, and the top-rated hotels will feature online in Gourmet Traveller’s national guide to Australia’s Best Hotels.

The popular Gourmet Traveller reader dinner series will also be expanded.

Are Media’s lifestyle vertical in 2025 will see:

• The iconic Children’s Birthday Cake Book turns 45 and will be celebrated in a very special way to be announced in the coming months.

• This year’s highly successful The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Summit, which was Are Media’s fastest-selling event ever, returns in 2025 and is going on the road so The Weekly’s loyal regional and interstate consumers can get access to its experts and advice. The Health Summit will also spawn standalone activations around menopause, including events and a special menopause issue.

• Money With The Weekly: a breakfast hosted by Effie Zahos to help our audience combat the cost-of-living crisis and safeguard their superannuation.

• A new omnichannel weekly book club: Read With The Weekly.

• The Weekly is going travelling with special partners for its new tentpole, Travel With The Weekly: on board, on tour, on the road, with the magazine’s expert editors and partners.

• Women’s Weekly Food is expanding in 2025 with a focus on aligning content across all platforms with the trusted Test Kitchen expanding to include product reviews, specially curated EDMs and a new video series.

The homes vertical will continue to go from strength to strength with a special birthday and new events and tentpoles, including the launch of Home Beautiful 100. A major cross platform campaign to celebrate 100 years of Home Beautiful, the campaign will begin with a major competition in collaboration with the Homes Show that will give consumers the chance to win a $100,000 makeover.

Better Homes and Gardens will be searching for Australia’s most dedicated and passionate tradies with the new tentpole Tradie of the Year, a six-month campaign that offers many opportunities for sponsors to get involved.

Better Homes and Gardens will be also starting a new series, Better Conversations, connecting audiences with the people behind their most loved food, gardening and interiors projects.

Belle Passport will arrive in 2025, a new and exclusive travel section running across Belle from May to November 2025.

The Now To Love website will be transformed into a more focused digital extension of Woman’s Day. The new womansday.com.au will leverage the magazine’s highly engaged and loyal audience by offering content that resonates emotionally with its readers, from heartwarming real-life stories to coverage of trending topics.

Next year will bring an enhanced TV WEEK website. From exclusive entertainment insights and celebrity news to the latest streaming updates and travel reviews, it will provide a blend of pop culture and lifestyle content.

Woman’s Day Out will arrive in 2025. A ticketed event to be held in regional centres, it will feature speakers, sponsors, celebrities and entertainment across the beauty, health, fashion and wellness spaces.

New Idea, New Health, a virtual health conference, will launch next year, covering everything from migraines to menopause.

WHO TikTok will unveil an exciting new celebrity beauty content series to capture the attention of a younger, beauty-obsessed audience.

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Top image: Jane Huxley

This week’s Meeting of the Minds sees Richard Thompson and Rosa Macdonald from D3, a media agency with offices in Auckland and Sydney, reveal their leadership heroes, current streaming binge, and career goals.

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

Richard Thompson, co-founder and partner – D3

Richard Thompson

Favourite podcast/read – “The High-Performance Podcast” — I love it for the insightful deep dive into the lives of highly successful people. It’s especially fascinating to hear the backgrounds of iconic sports figures, understanding what drives them, their eccentric routines, and what makes them tick. I usually listen to it while walking my dog in the early hours of the morning—it’s the perfect balance of motivation & perspective to kick-start the day.

Current streaming binge – Netflix’s “Untold” series. It dives deep into some of the most controversial stories in sports history.  I love it because it goes beyond the headlines and explores the personal struggles, triumphs, and complexities of athletes and events, revealing the humanity behind the game. It’s not just about the sport—it’s about the people, the passion and the drama.

Guilty pleasure content – “Below Deck.” It’s reality TV at its most addictive—a bunch of yacht crew members dealing with demanding guests, chaotic relationships, and all the drama you can imagine at sea. I’m a little embarrassed to admit I enjoy it because it’s not exactly highbrow or productive viewing, but there’s something about the sheer absurdity of it all that just pulls you in. Before I know it, I’m three episodes deep, and it’s somehow both mindless and thoroughly entertaining.

What do you have on repeat – US election coverage. It’s like watching a real-life soap opera unfold, with all its chaotic twists. There’s an underlying tension because these events aren’t just entertainment—they’re shaping the world we live in and determining the future for all of us. The mix of intense personalities, unexpected turns, and the sheer weight of what’s at stake keeps pulling me back in. It’s gripping, maddening, and fascinating all at once, and I can’t help but keep following it.

Best career advice – Success is a combination of talent, hard work, and persistence, but those are pointless without good relationships. You can be the most talented or hard working person in the room, but without genuine connections and the ability to work well with others, it becomes incredibly difficult to get ahead. Relationships are the foundation that allows talent and effort to flourish.

Leadership hero – As a passionate Liverpool fan, it is of course Jürgen Klopp. His ability to motivate with positivity is incredible. He’s a master of man management, understanding that each player is unique, with their own needs and motivations. Klopp knows how to bring out the best in people, his emotional intelligence allows him to connect deeply with his team, creating an environment of trust, passion, and belief.  He builds not just players, but cohesive teams that fight for each other, which is why he’s such a legend to all Liverpool fans.

Best training course/session – A negotiation skills workshop I attended a few years back. It reshaped my understanding of how effective negotiation works – not just in business, but in everyday life. The key takeaway was that the best outcomes come when all parties feel like they’ve gained something. It showed me that the classic aggressive or confrontational approach doesn’t lead to lasting solutions. Instead, negotiation is about empathy, understanding the other side’s needs, and finding common ground.  By focusing on collaboration and ensuring that everyone walks away with a win, you build stronger relationships and more sustainable results. It was a real shift from the typical “win at all costs” mentality and made me a far better communicator.

I wish someone had told me – That success is never a straight line. I used to think there was a clear path—like a checklist you just had to follow.  But the truth is more like a game of snakes and ladders and once I realised that the detours and bumps were just part of the ride, it got a whole lot easier (and a lot more fun).  If I’d known that sooner, I would’ve stressed way less and enjoyed the chaos a lot more.

Favourite place to network – The golf course. The mix of walking, talking, and the challenge of golf really brings out everyone’s true personality.  Plus, there’s nothing like getting to know someone over a few holes and a little competition.

Something that surprised you about the industry – How much the basics still matter. Despite all the tech advances, at the heart of media, it’s still about understanding people, audiences, motivations, and how to tell the right story.

What is your hot take on the industry – The future of media is all about integrating “Pipes, Partnerships, and People.”  It’s about combining the precision of programmatic (Pipes), the credibility of premium media partnerships (Partnerships), and the authenticity of influencers (People).  When you blend these elements together, brands can go beyond just reaching audiences—they genuinely engage and connect with them in meaningful ways. It’s about making media smarter, more trusted, and more human.

Career goal for 2024 – To ensure our clients remain at the forefront of their markets, driving business results through brilliant media solutions. If we continue to do this for our clients, then our own success will follow naturally.

Rosa Macdonald – business manager, D3

Rosa Macdonald

Favourite podcast/read – I have to admit that I never listen to Podcasts, I would rather listen to music. I do read though, and have just started Sally Rooney’s new novel, she’s definitely a hero of mine.

Current streaming binge – I’ve been watching Industry season three. It’s a good mix of dark humour and drama in an investment bank in London. Complex characters whose personal and professional struggles are exaggerated but weirdly familiar. Highly recommend it.

Guilty pleasure content – Real Housewives of anywhere – Beverly Hills, New York, Orange County.  There’s something captivating about their extravagant lifestyles, it’s like a social experiment.

What do you have on repeat – I’ve been a shameless Swiftie since I was a kid. I promise that my music taste stretches over most genres though.

Best career advice – One of the best things I was told when I had just started was that everyone has a type of imposter syndrome at some stage. This view helped me manage my own confidence in the workplace, but also helped shape my working relationships with colleagues. It is true that we are all only human.

Leadership hero – It may sound corny but my Dad. He taught my brother and I that it’s possible to work full time and achieve success in your field while also being a hands-on father. You don’t need to sacrifice your personal life for career success.

Best training course/session – When I very first joined the industry, I did an 8-week training course on the fundamentals of media and advertising. Whilst it taught me the basics of the job, the most important thing it showed me was the value of collaboration – the best outcomes come from bringing diverse strengths together.

I wish someone had told me – Learning in the workplace cuts both ways. It can be overwhelming joining the industry and feeling swamped by all there is to learn, and Gen Z’s can get a bad rep. But young people have a lot to offer – particularly with their deep understanding of the digital world we are all inhabiting.

Favourite place to network – Anywhere – It’s less about the place and more about the conversation, but I have always found that group challenges are a great way to get to know people. Competition always brings out the fun in people.

Something that’s surprised you about the industry – This has been observed a lot, but it truly was the sheer amount of marketing lingo that is used daily, especially working in a media agency. Early on, I felt like I was emailing people who were speaking a different language. I then surprised myself when I started doing the same.

What is your hot take on the industry – It is being increasingly acknowledged that influencer marketing is an important way to reach younger audiences, but not much thought goes into the actual content. Which is why a lot of the time these can fall flat. Gen Z can see right through an ad, if brands want to connect with them creativity needs to be prioritised.

Career goal for 2024 – Building on my mentorship skills –if I can help foster an environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute, then creativity will thrive. This energy will naturally translate into innovative work and great outcomes for our clients.

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

Past editions of Meeting of the Minds.

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Top image: Richard Thompson and Rosa Macdonald

Tech website EFTM last night held its first-ever awards night in Sydney. The site was founded by tech guru, and Today show tech editor, Trevor Long.

His special guest at the awards was Ray Hadley. The top-rating 2GB morning host kept his promise to guest host at the awards despite a huge day that saw him announce his retirement.

“This is my first unpaid gig,” Hadley joked as he took the EFTM stage. “I’m giving up millions of dollars at 2GB and I’m here for nothing. Setting the agenda for the future, no doubt.”

Long did give Hadley the option of backing out of the commitment though. “Trevor very kindly said, look, don’t worry about coming in,” said Hadley.

Ray Hadley onstage at EFTM Best Awards

“He didn’t know what was going to happen today until last night. I had made arrangements a week ago for me to officially retire on December 13. And I made the announcement today. It’s been a fairly tumultuous day. It’s been busy. But when I make a commitment to a mate like Trevor, I’ll try to honour it. That’s exactly what I’ve done here.”

Hadley said Trevor didn’t give him a brief about what to say. “Apparently it’s the first ever EFTM Awards night. Don’t you people get too excited because I can feel just ripple across the room of reckless excitement.”

Although Hadley was not paid for the gig, he revealed there will be a pay off. Hadley has to surrender his Nine Radio phone and laptop when he leaves the building on December 13. Long will travel to Hadley’s house on December 14 and the tech guru will set him up with new phone and laptop. Perhaps choosing items that won EFTM Awards this year, or maybe choosing suitable tech from the secret EFTM tech warehouse.

Trevor Long with EFTM writers Joshua Dowling, Scott Plowman, and Daniel Tyson

Hadley also joked about the promise of a special phone number.

“I’ll ring Telstra and get you a gold number,” Long told Hadley who replied: “I spoke to someone from Telstra and I asked, what’s a gold number? He said it’s a lot of bullshit, mate. It’s just a phone number.”

After Hadley finished his Award’s night formalities, he hopped into a car and headed for a Paul Murray pre-record for the Thursday night Paul Murray Live show on Sky News.

EFTM launches first magazine

EFTM launches magazine

One of the initiatives that Long introduced for the first EFTM Awards night was an EFTM magazine. He has printed 13,000 copies of the 52-page book and attracted ads from Telstra, Nine, The Gamesmen, Hisense, Kia, Belkin and LG.

The magazine included details of all the winners for the 50 awards.

Helping run the awards night was the Hadley clan: Wife Amanda with kids Jackson, Victoria and Harrison

Fetch TV and Stan win at EFTM Awards

Two streaming TV platforms were winners at the 2024 EFTM Best Awards.

The winner of Best TV Entertainment was Fetch TV for its Fetch Mini Gen 5. There to accept the award on behalf of the platform was chief executive Dominic Arena and marketing director Sue Brenchley.

Fetch TV’s Dominic Arena and Sue Brenchley with Trevor Long and their EFTM Best Award

Long noted that in a year with competition from Foxtel Group’s Hubbl and Google TV, Fetch has just kept delivering via this smaller unit which still delivers the same great Fetch TV content options.

Taking the prize for Best TV Streaming was Stan. Long noted the Aussie battler shows its possible to compete against a raft of new players coming into the Australian market from the US. He made special mention of Stan’s performance streaming the 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with a 4K feed. Jason Evans collected the Stan award.

See also: Ray Hadley retires after 4 decades as one of Australia’s most loved broadcasters

All the EFTM Best Award winners

Best Home Security – Arlo Secure
Best TV Picture – LG OLED G4
Best TV Streaming – Stan
Best TV Entertainment – Fetch Mini Gen 5
Best TV Big-Screen – Hisense U7KAU
Best In-Ear Headphones Under $250 – JBL Live Beam 3
Best In-Ear Headphones Over $250 – Sennheiser Momentum TW4
Best Over-Ear Headphones – Sony WH-1000XM4
Best Headphones for Kids – Belkin SoundForm Inspire
Best Audio Wireless Speaker – JBL Authentics
Best Mobile Plan – Optus 7 Day
Best Value Telco – Kogan Mobile
Best NBN Provider – Buddy Telco
Best Roaming – Vodafone
Best Laptop – Macbook Air 15 M3
Best Laptop Gaming – ROG Zephyrus G16
Best Laptop – Student – Asus Vivobook 15.6
Best Laptop Value – MacBook Air M2
Best Small Car – Skoda Kamiq
Best Mid-Sized SUV – Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Best Family Car – Kia Carnival Hybrid
Best Sports Car – Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Best Smartphone Camera – Google Pixel 9 Pro
Best Foldable Smartphone – motorola razr 50 ultra
Best Smartphone Under $400 – Moto G85
Best Smartphone Under $700 – Nothing 2a
Best Smartphone Under $1000 – HMD Skyline
Best Smartphone Over $1000 – Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best Smartphone – Apple iPhone 16
Best Ute – Toyota HiLux GR Sport
Best Value Ute – Isuzu D-Max X-terrain
Best Robot Lawnmower – Ecovacs Goat G1
Best EV Under $50k – MG4 Essence 64
Best EV Under $80k – BYD SEAL
Best EV Over $80k – Tesla Model 3 Performance
Best EV Family – Kia EV9
Best Gadget – Ember Mug 2
Best Travel Accessory – Belkin BoostCharge Pro 140W
Best Robot Vacuum – Ecovacs T30 Pro
Best Innovation – RayBan Meta Smart Glasses
Best Tech – DJI NEO
Best Car – Kia EV9
Best Lifestyle – EGO Line Trimmer
Blokes Best – Panasonic Multi shave/brush etc
Best TV – Samsung NEO QLED 8K
Best of the Best – Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

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.

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.

As part of its presence at SXSW Sydney in 2024, The Growth Distillery hosted a series of 10 vodcasts hosted by Dan Krigstein and branded Rules Don’t Apply.

The fourth guest in the series was Adam Spencer – mathematician, comedian, and AI enthusiast. During his conversation with Krigstein, Spencer explored the future of work, creativity, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence. Known for his ability to make complex topics accessible and entertaining, Spencer takes Rules Don’t Apply listeners on a journey through the digital revolution.

Can AI be truly alive?

From radio broadcasting to the rise of chatbots, Spencer shared his insights into how AI is reshaping the workplace and unlocking new opportunities for creativity. He tackled the big philosophical questions – can AI be truly alive? How do we navigate the ethical challenges of AI “hallucinations”? and offers his perspective on how everyone, from seasoned professionals to curious newcomers, can approach this brave new world with curiosity and resilience.

At the start of the session, Krigstein introduced his guest:

Adam is one of Australia’s radio and TV icons, now also a leading commentator on AI, the future of work, cyber security, and the chat GPT revolution.

Adam was working towards a PhD in pure mathematics. But he took a 30-year diversion into radio and TV. That has seen him host two top-ranking breakfast shows, multiple TV productions, write seven bestselling maths books, and deliver one of the nerdiest TED talks on massive prime numbers.

He’s also the University of Sydney’s first-ever ambassador for mathematics and science.

Dan Krigstein

Dan Krigstein: How on earth did you start in pure mathematics and end up as a comedian?

Adam Spencer: I was from the earliest days pretty handy at maths. I used to love it. It was just a very natural language for me. I do sympathise if you just don’t get it.

There’s open questions as to how much if it’s taught better and if you get an inspiration or two. But there’s certainly some people who have a ceiling on maths. It just made sense to me. I remember the first time in year eight that I saw the quadratic equation. X equals minus B plus or minus square root of B squared minus four is over two.

I looked at that for a few seconds and went, “Well, how else are you going to complete a square and solve a quadratic?” It just made sense. It was a long way into my maths journey before I started to go, “Oh, I’m struggling a bit here.” I was quite lucky. But I was also pretty good at chat.

In high school I did a lot of debating, and then in pro theatre at uni and things like that. I was a mixture of mathematically alright and could really talk a bit, which is a bit of a rare double. Around the time I got into uni and did arts law. The first person in my family to ever go to uni. I had no idea what I should do, and did arts law because I was good at debating.

Dan and Adam in the Rules Don’t Apply studio

Picked maths as one of my arts subjects. After a little while, didn’t like economics, didn’t like philosophy, realised I didn’t really want to do big corporate law, dropped everything. Still had mathematics at that stage. I’d only been at uni four years at that stage. And looking back on it, my arts degree was probably the best nine and a half years of my life.

I thought, I want to stick at it. Got a really good honours year mark, started a PhD and suddenly realised, I actually don’t know if I’ve got the tools in the tool kit here. Most people who do PhDs in pure maths are probably better at maths than me, and from day one of the first year were focused on that big prize.

Looking back, I was probably really good at getting outrageously good marks in exams, without an incredibly nuanced, rich, deep understanding. I was playing that game. I like to say, in a room of randomly selected people, I’m a maths genius. In a room of maths PhDs, as dumb as a box of hammers. I’m just not an elite mathematician at all.

My ability to talk that language, and generalise it in a way that people who don’t feel it’s natural to them can understand some of the beauty of mathematics, is my skill. That doesn’t pay the bills, as I was starting to realise halfway through a PhD that just wasn’t going to get there. My girlfriend at the time enrolled me in a stand up comedy competition, the first ever raw comedy that Triple J held.

They still hold it, Undiscovered Comedians, I was up on stage for the first time in 1996. I enrolled in raw comedy, it’s the first time they’ve ever done it, so the standard is appalling. So I win. And then they go, do you want to come and hang out with the guys at the radio station? It was just a really easy decision for me to make.”

Watch the Adam Spencer episode of Rules Don’t Apply.

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
• Rules Don’t Apply: Unmasking Reality – Navigating Truth in the Age of AI with Noelle Russell

Mediaweek’s Media Movers tracks the latest leadership changes and appointments across the media and marketing sectors, spotlighting the industry’s key influencers as they take on new roles, pursue new ventures, and bring fresh perspectives to their companies. This week, we highlight a mix of veteran talent and emerging leaders, from Ray Hadley’s retirement at 2GB to senior appointments in agencies, entertainment, and data strategy roles across Australia and New Zealand.

Ray Hadley, a veteran of Australian radio, announced his retirement to 2GB listeners on Thursday. He told listeners that December 13 will be his last day broadcasting.

Hadley said: “My own four children made many sacrifices for me over the years, allowing me to realise my ambitions, and I want to spend more time with them and my seven grandchildren. Sophie has been the most supporting, calming, loving and amazing wife – and she deserves a break too!

“I’ve had the ride of my life at 2GB for more than 23 years, firstly under the ownership of John Singleton and more recently with Nine Entertainment and Nine Radio. I leave the network with me owing 2GB everything for my success and longevity. I wish all my colleagues continued success.”

A new host for the 2GB Morning Program will be announced in due course.

Ray Hadley

Lisa Squillace has been appointed head of GroupM Motion Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand.

Squillace, who joins the company from Network Ten Paramount, will head up the media investment group’s Motion Entertainment division. She will be tasked with co-developing, co-producing, distributing premium content, and delivering bespoke brand opportunities.

GroupM Motion Entertainment is GroupM’s global entertainment division, headquartered in London and Los Angeles, and operating in over 35 countries worldwide. It has co-produced more than 2,100+ TV series and films in partnership with world’s leading talent, networks, and platforms.

ADMA director of regulatory and advocacy Sarla Fernando has announced news of her departure from the industry body in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. Fernando said it was an “incredible honour to serve and represent the data-driven marketing and advertising community in so many meaningful ways.

ADMA CEO Andrea Martens thanked Fernando for her dedication to the role and Privacy and Compliance in the Australian marketing industry over the years, calling her a “powerhouse” and “instrumental” to championing responsible marketing to help build and retain customer trust.

Lisa Squillace

Publicis Groupe has confirmed the departure of Nick Keenan as CEO of Starcom Australia.

In a statement to Mediaweek, Publicis Groupe ANZ CEO Michael Rebelo said: “After four and a half years, Nick Keenan has departed from his role as CEO of Starcom Australia. On behalf of the Groupe in ANZ, I would like to thank Nick for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.”

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.

Paul Hutchison

Paul Hutchison, chief executive officer of Bohemia Australia, has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the media agency.

An M&C Saatchi spokesperson told Mediaweek: “After careful consideration, Paul Hutchison has made the personal decision to return to the UK. Paul has been a valued member of the Bohemia and M&C Saatchi family, contributing significantly during his time with us.

“We respect his decision and are grateful for his passion and dedication. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. A search is currently underway for his replacement.”

Journalist Sally Sara has been announced as the new presenter of Radio National Breakfast in 2025, with audiences hearing the news on the program this morning from outgoing presenter Patricia Karvelas.

Sara has reported from more than 40 countries as an ABC foreign correspondent, including across Africa, Iraq, India and Afghanistan, and worked for Landline and Foreign Correspondent. She has extensive experience in audio journalism and since 2020 has been presenter of The World Today.

Paul McMillan, Ant Keogh and Michael Derepas

The Monkeys Melbourne has confirmed the departures of CEO Paul McMillan, CCO Ant Keogh and CSO Michael Derepas after seven years with the agency.

A spokesperson told Mediaweek: “We can confirm that Ant Keogh, Paul McMillan and Michael Derepas are departing The Monkeys, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”

McMillan, Keogh and Derepas joined the Accenture Song creative agency from Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in 2017.

Rory Heffernan has been appointed as chief executive officer of Atomic 212°, effective 1 November.

Heffernan, who has been Atomic 212°’s national managing director for over two years, will succeed Claire Fenner who resigned earlier this month and leaves the independent media agency on 31 October.

He was the first employee of Atomic 212°, joining the Sydney office in 2010 before moving to Melbourne in 2014 to lead digital operations and client relationships. Heffernan was then appointed general manager of the Melbourne office in 2019 before stepping up to the national managing director role in February 2022.

Julie Wright, Rochelle Burbury, Leigh Fenech

Third Avenue Consulting has appointments of Julie Wright as managing director and Leigh Fenech as consultant.

Consultancy principal Rochelle 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.

The Australian Traffic Network (ATN), has appointed of former Nine group business director, Heidi Sayers, as NSW sales director – a newly created role under national sales director Karen Holmes.

With more than 20 years of experience across leading media companies, Sayers will drive agency and direct sales in the key Sydney market ahead of ATN’s major relaunch later this month.

Seven has announced the departure of Rachel Page as digital sales director.

A Seven spokesperson told Mediaweek the company wishes her success for the future. “Rachel has made a great contribution to Seven since she joined us in May 2023,” they said.

“We are building and evolving our digital sales team to capitalise on and enhance the ongoing growth of 7plus and our other digital brands. In early September, we announced the appointment of Jordan King. He starts with us on 4 November as national digital sales director.”

Marty Sheargold

Triple M has confirmed its drive show lineup for 2025. As expected there will now only be two drive programs across the vast Triple M national network.

In a surprise development, Marty Sheargold has made a bold comeback…at least in the northern states.

After a not-so successful stint in Melbourne breakfast, the radio veteran is being moved back to his traditional radio home – the drive show.

Sheargold will fill the 4-6pm drive slot in Sydney and Brisbane, while continuing to deliver an one hour show from 3pm nationally across the Triple M network.

Triple M listeners in southern states where AFL is king will receive the JB and Billy drive show with James Brayshaw and Bill Brownless.

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.

Diana Ilinkovski

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. 

Alt/shift/ has announced the appointment of two general managers to oversee the independent creative communications agency Melbourne and Brisbane offices.

Samantha Razzell (nee Gale) will oversee the team in Victoria as Priscilla Jeha joins the Queensland office, while current staff are on maternity leave.

Malcom Connor, the outgoing chief operating officer of UM Australia, has thanked the agency and Mediabrands for his two-decade long career with a heartfelt message.

In a LinkedIn post on Friday, he said: “Farewell. Many people, after being made redundant, find it difficult to say nice things about the company they’re leaving, but I can’t do that.

“A company is made up of people, not spreadsheets and data points. I cannot say unkind things about the people at UM and Mediabrands. They have been (and will continue to be) my colleagues and friends. They have supported me in my growth, and for that (and much more), I am forever grateful.

Connor’s departure from UM Australia comes as part of the agency’s structural alignment across IPG Mediabrands.

Dean La Rosa

News Corp Australia has appointed Dean La Rosa to the newly created role of general manager, commercial data.

La Rosa will spearhead the next phase of growth for News’ in-house data science capabilities to elevate the company’s audience intelligence platform, Intent Connect.

He most recently worked at the Seven Network as head of commercial data and programmatic, and prior to that at Nine Entertainment and Acxiom. La Rose will sit within the free news & lifestyle division led by managing director and publisher, Pippa Leary.

Full service agency Apparent has appointed Hamish Stewart in the newly created role of chief creative and experience officer to elevate and grow the agency’s integrated offering.

Stewart is the agency’s latest senior appointment, following the earlier additions of Simon Pugh as chief media officer in June and Jason Hill as chief strategy officer in December.

He previously served as the national executive creative director of experience at CHEP Network. He has also held senior positions at R/GA Sydney, M&C Saatchi, and GHO.

Jo Rose

Endeavour Group, the retail drinks and hospitality business, has revealed changes to its group executive leadership team.

Chief marketing officer Jo Rose will exit Endeavour after three years to spend time closer to her family in the United Kingdom. Rose has led the marketing and customer teams since joining the business shortly after demerger, coming to Australia nearly nine years ago originally to join Woolworths.

Ilana Stringer will step down as chief strategy and transformation officer in February after more than three years with Endeavour and five years with Woolworths prior to demerger.

Rose and Stringer will both continue in their roles in the business until the second quarter of the next calendar year.

Quiip, the social media and online community management specialists, have appointed three new senior hires and an expanded service offering.

Kelly McParlane and Luke de Zilva join as team leads, bringing their expertise to guide the company’s clients, as Dr Alison Milfull returns to the company as the new marketing and business development director, strengthening Quiip’s leadership as the company navigates the next phase of growth.

TrinityP3 – Anton Buchner, Dr Kate Gunby, Adrian Treahy

TrinityP3 has unveiled senior promotions and appointments to the marketing management and pitch consultancy in response to the rising demand for advanced data, analytics, and ad tech expertise.

Anton Buchner has been promoted to business director, as Dr Kate Gunby and Adrian Treahy join to help the consultancy.

CommBank and Medium Rare have appointed Andrew Robertson to the newly created role of head of sales for CommBank Connect. He brings more than 15 years of experience across media and retail networks to the role and has worked for the country’s largest out-of-home and audio providers, and joins from Cartology.

Robertson said: “Through CommBank Connect, the converging worlds of physical in-branch communications and advanced digital experiences, unlock a cohesive canvas for engaging our customers at scale.

“Underpinned by our industry-leading targeting and measurement capabilities and Medium Rare’s expertise in content creation and activation, we’re ensuring our partner brands show up with more relevance, fit for our customers, in an environment they trust,” he added.

News Corp Australia managing director, commercial content, Mike Connaghan, said: “Helping iconic brands build powerful and engaged audiences through content is in our DNA.

“Providing clients with sales strategy and enablement, to attract both endemic and non-endemic partners to their owned or retail media network, represents our next ambition of growth. Attracting the level of talent and standout expertise of Andy Robertson as Head of Sales, gives us great confidence our growth will continue apace”

Andrew Robertson

Storm Day has been appointed as the New Zealand lead of Accenture Song and CEO of The Monkeys Aotearoa, soon to become Droga5.

Day has led The Monkeys Aotearoa, part of Accenture Song, and the Song New Zealand Marketing Practice since she joined in early 2022. The Monkeys Aotearoa was started in New Zealand by Damon Stapleton and Justin Mowday in 2021.

With Mowday now at the helm of Accenture New Zealand, Day has taken over the reins of Accenture Song and The Monkeys Aotearoa.

Activation Union has promoted Bianca Ellershaw to the newly created position of head of live as the activation-led marketing agency growth trajectory continues.

In the role, she will drive production and live events capability, driving innovation and excellence in experiential marketing.

Stepping into Ellershaw’s previous role is KT Leslie has recently joined the agency as senior account director, where she will spearhead the Diageo account and oversee all retail marketing initiatives.

KT Leslie, Rosie Carter, Bianca Ellershaw

Are Media have revealed a range of new initiatives to expand its growing content commerce business.

Announced at the company’s Ignite event in Sydney, the initiatives include the launch of live promo codes across Are Media’s shopping content ahead of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday and Christmas shopping seasons, and the addition of live and dynamic pricing on Are Media websites to ensure readers are being served the current price – or sale price – for every product mentioned in editorial.

Are Media also flagged plans to increase engagement with its audience through social shopping executions for shopping events and expanding email marketing capabilities to better communicate with subscribers on a one-to-one basis during peak sale events.

Are Media chief executive officer, Jane Huxley, said: “Over the past few years, we’ve been focusing on our strategy of becoming an omnichannel media company with strong capabilities in content commerce. It has taken us almost three years to completely reset the technical foundations of our company, rebuilding from the ground up, and we are now done.

“We have replaced our internal systems and invested in our capability to manage and harness first party data to truly understand who our customer is, what she wants, and what that means for our partners. We’ve also made platform investments in our tools and partners to power affiliate marketing and content commerce.”

Huxley said Are Media’s content commerce push was driven by the trust people place in the company’s magazine brands and the connection those brands have built over many years.

“In a world that is fast moving towards AI generated content and copy, towards quantity over quality, towards ‘convicted opinions’ and not facts, we believe that our content and deep connections with our audiences differentiate us more than ever,” she said.

“Our content is original and credible. It is created by real journalists, artists and designers who have high levels of emotional intelligence, based on their years of experience and a deep understanding of our audiences. Our brands play a relevant role in the lives of our consumers. Our brands are trusted advisers in the myriad decisions Australian women make about what to wear, what to buy, what to cook, what to read, where to go, how to take best care of themselves and their families, and plenty more.

“We know that content legitimises transactions. Every day, across our range of brands, we create cultural capital that influences buying behaviour. Many people come to our brands with the intent to buy. It’s our job to work with our partners to turn that intent into action,” Huxley said.

Are Media head of affiliate partnerships, Lauren Leisk, said the growth of the company’s content commerce would not be possible without the inherent trust Australians have in its brands and its writers.

“In a world where trust is currency, the success of our shopping content, buyers’ guides and product reviews all boils down to how much our readers trust us as subject-matter experts, to recommend products they should buy to solve their problems. People are struggling at the moment. They don’t want to part with their money unless it’s worth it. That is where the true value of our content lies for our audience.”

Are Media director of sales, Andrew Cook, said: “Are Media’s content commerce strategy means we deliver conversion-ready consumers at scale. Through our expanded digital presence, social engagement, and in-store experiences, we’re setting the bar for what full- funnel content commerce can achieve. Imagine a path to purchase that includes high-quality editorial, direct shopping links, live promo codes, and real-time pricing.

“We’re not just serving your ads; we’re creating entire ecosystems that close the loop between content and commerce, delivering real returns. Our omnichannel approach doesn’t just deliver impressions; it delivers intent, engagement, and action. This is not reach for the sake of reach. It’s about deeply understanding what our audiences want and meeting them there with relevance, influence, and trust.”

–

Top image: Andrew Cook

With the US election over, the world is watching closely to see how America’s new leadership priorities will affect global alliances, policy trends, and media relationships. The effects are particularly relevant to Australia, where political strategies, media, and cultural narratives often draw inspiration from US campaigns and leadership approaches. Understanding these ripple effects is essential for Australian marketers, as shifting political sentiments and media consumption patterns can shape audience behaviour and influence marketing strategies in the year ahead.

It’s no secret that the political atmosphere in the US influences our own discourse here in Australia. As the US grapples with economic reform, environmental challenges, and an evolving stance on tech regulations, similar themes will likely emerge in the Australian political landscape. Suppose the new US administration doubles down on climate action or tech regulation. In that case, Australian politicians may face increased pressure to address these issues meaningfully, especially with an election around the corner.

For marketers, this creates both opportunities and challenges. Messages aligning with rising consumer concerns, such as sustainability, data privacy, or fair economic policy, will resonate strongly. Brands with clear commitments to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles may benefit from increased consumer trust and loyalty. By taking cues from US brand and agency strategies, Australian marketers can anticipate shifts and proactively adapt campaigns that reflect evolving priorities.

Kamala Harris

The media and messaging focus

One of the most significant issues of the US election for Australian marketers is the shift in media focus and narrative. US elections often bring new digital innovations in targeting, outreach, and media spending, techniques Australian political campaigns and advertisers can observe and learn from. From data-driven voter targeting to AI-enhanced content, the US election cycle introduced forward-thinking approaches that redefine audience engagement. For Australian marketers, this is an opportunity to refine their own multi-channel strategies, using real-time data and personalisation to create more impactful campaigns.

Additionally, as the US political climate influences global social media and digital conversations, Australian brands must remain responsive to how these shifts affect their audiences’ attention spans, sentiments, and trust. For instance, if misinformation narratives dominate US media channels, Australian marketers may need to double down on transparency and credibility in their messaging to differentiate their brands in an environment wary of spin and sensationalism.

So, where are the opportunities for marketers?

Australian brands and agencies have an opportunity to position themselves as leaders in ethical and responsible advertising. With data privacy and misinformation at the forefront of the US election discussions, Australian marketers can draw inspiration to introduce more transparent data practices, clear consumer consent protocols, and honest communication that fosters trust.

Moreover, the cultural exportation of the US election, a trend in global coverage, memes, and online debates, creates a fertile ground for brands to build campaigns that tap into a wider, global narrative. Suppose Australian audiences are consuming content that connects US and Australian political themes. In that case, brands can respond by creating thoughtful campaigns that address these shared issues, whether it’s through branded content, influencer partnerships, or social media conversations.

Donald Trump

Preparing for Australia’s election year

The US election serves as a reminder of how rapidly political environments can shift and how those shifts influence consumer attitudes. With the Australian election on the horizon, marketers have a chance to engage with audiences on issues that matter to them in an informed, respectful, and responsive way. By watching how American brands navigate a politically charged environment, Australian marketers can apply lessons learned, aligning their campaigns with values that resonate with increasingly perceptive and value-driven consumers.

Ultimately, the US election is more than just a political event; it’s a glimpse into potential futures for connecting with audiences, the strategies we adopt, and the values we champion. Australian marketers who understand and adapt to these changes will be well-positioned to create campaigns that connect to audiences deeply, inspire loyalty, and stand out in a cut-throat landscape.

The re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States enters the record books as the biggest ever day for Sky News Australia.

The election coverage at the News Corp-owned news channel saw it mobilise its resources to cover every aspect of the vote on the first Tuesday in November.

The Sky News’ election team promised to deliver more than eight hours of live rolling coverage as Americans decided they wanted more President Donald Trump.

Chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert led the channel’s America Decides coverage with a big team from the channel in the United States.

Paul Murray took his Paul Murray Live show on the road for the entire week, coming live from Dallas and Washington DC at 5am local time each day. James Morrow co-hosted Outsiders from the Mexican-US border, and also presented his weekly program The US Report on location during the election period.

On election day, Danica De Giorgio started coverage with a special edition of First Edition: America Decides. Washington correspondent Annelise Nielsen was live from Washington DC, joined for analysis on election night by Paul Murray.

First Edition anchor Peter Stefanovic got inside Trump headquarters in West Palm Beach, the only Australian TV journalist granted access.

AM Agenda anchor Laura Jayes presented updates from Harris headquarters. James Morrow was in the key swing state North Carolina, and from New York business editor Ross Greenwood delivered the latest US and global market updates and reactions as the markets embraced the return of Trump.

Election night coverage on the channel

Trumped! Election day records

Sky News was the #1 channel on Foxtel, recording its highest share ever at 10.7%, reaching almost 500,000 unique viewers on subscription television.

Sky News Regional recorded its highest audience share ever at 7.3%, reaching 421,000 unique regional free-to-air viewers.

Sky News surged on digital platforms. Visitors to SkyNews.com.au were up +47% on Wednesday average.

Sky News blitzed YouTube. Video reporting of the US election had more than 35 million views since rolling coverage Wednesday, resulting in the highest-performing day of Sky News Australia on YouTube since it launched on the platform in 2019. The channel now has just under 5 million subscribers on that platform.

Sky News chief election analyst Tom Connell accurately called the result live on air 15 minutes before any major US or Australian network.

Sky News was first to call Trump victory

Sky News First Edition anchor Peter Stefanovic was the only Australian TV reporter inside Trump HQ and present for his victory speech.

Sources: Linear – OzTAM National STV & Reg Panel, All Day, Ave Aud, Share %, 1min Cume Reach, & Overnight. Source: Chartbeat

Sky News viewers get ‘a front-row seat to history’

Paul Whittaker, chief executive officer of Sky News Australia told Mediaweek: “Sky News has been there for every step of the 2024 US Presidential Election and campaign trail, giving our audiences across broadcast and digital platforms a front-row seat to history in the making.

“Our seamless and world-class coverage provided an Australian lens that captivated audiences in unprecedented numbers, delivering our highest audience share days on Sky News on Foxtel and free-to-air channel Sky News Regional, as well as holding our position as Australia’s most engaging digital news brand.”

Megyn Kelly on Paul Murray Live

Paul Murray wrapped his time in Washington last night and again featured special guest Megyn Kelly who will help Murray’s YouTube numbers soar again across the US.

Murray also had another significant scoop last night, an extended interview with 2GB’s outgoing morning host Ray Hadley.

See also: ABC win US Election FTA coverage

Are Media reveals that the shopping journey has evolved and sped up, with many people now in a constant state of searching for – and sharing – information about products and services.

The new Heart of Influence research study, conducted in partnership with the strategic insights business Pollinate, has found that word of mouth (WOM) still has the biggest influence on consumers’ shopping journeys and is the main way people share recommendations about what they buy.

Are Media’s research set out to uncover the most important elements when it comes to brands being successful with word of mouth (WOM) marketing, a historically difficult source to influence in paid media. It unearthed what Are Media has called “the three Cs”: clout, curation and confidence.

Clout refers to leveraging trusted experts; curation involves tapping into the zeitgeist, allowing for the discovery of new and beloved items; and confidence is about empowering individuals to share their purchases, whether for homewares, fashion or beauty.

Are Media director of sales, Andrew Cook, said: “This study really showed us the changing nature of online shopping today, and how in a digital space dictated by algorithms that favour attention and not intent, marketers need to refocus on how they genuinely connect with, and influence, potential customers. The first step is understanding the most important elements of word of mouth.”Mr Cook said Are Media’s omnichannel brands are particularly effective in supporting WOM.

“In a market where eCommerce is saturated and advertising budgets are under pressure, marketers have a unique opportunity to leverage Are Media’s omnichannel brands and content commerce capabilities,” he said.

“Our trusted editors, stylists, and contributors excel in delivering clout; our curated content aligns with passions for curation; and our platforms empower communities to share with confidence.”

“Our readers trust our brands, making them more inclined to follow our product recommendations,” Cook said.

“With the path to purchase embedded within editorial content, we simplify shopping decisions, fostering confidence at every stage of the marketing funnel – from awareness to action and advocacy.”

Natalie Bettini, Are Media’s head of research, added: “Our study underscores the need for brands to continuously cultivate and accumulate their influence. Authenticity stems from familiarity and loyalty, and WOM plays a critical role. A recommendation or endorsement from a trusted source can significantly amplify a brand’s influence.

“Are Media’s audiences are highly influential, and our research underscores the need for brands to cultivate a constant presence, accumulate influence, and leverage the power of sharing.”

Pollinate CEO and founder, Howard Parry-Husbands, said: “The act of searching and sharing by consumers is a state of gardening. It’s where they are gathering knowledge, sifting through the volume and deciding what is trusted. For brands to become present and relevant in the lives of consumers and their conversations, they need to be constantly watering the garden, that is, cultivating and accumulating influence.

“Magazine brands have come out as a strong winner when it comes to delivering word of influence through the three Cs. The research clearly shows magazine brands are a trusted source of recommendation in a cluttered media landscape.”

The Heart of Influence research also explored the impact of mood, context, and the factors behind the decision to buy across five key categories: travel, beauty, fashion, large furniture and small home accessories.

Many Australian organisations are still struggling to realise the full potential of their CX programs, which is attributed to persistent, systemic challenges, the latest State of the CX Nation report has found.

The report revealed that although 80% of CX leaders see brand alignment as essential, only 55% feel their customer experiences live up to their brand’s promise. Disturbingly, 37% believe their brand experiences actually fall short of what they pledge to customers,

The report is based on survey data collected from 190 CX professionals nationwide, along with in-depth interviews with national CX leaders in various sectors including finance, insurance, automotive, retail, healthcare, consumer packaged goods and telecommunications.

Results from Ipsos and Ashton Media 2024 State of the CX Nation report aim to set the benchmark for customer experience in Australia. The report, introduced in 2023, offers first-of-its-kind research insights into Australia’s CX industry as companies increasingly recognise the importance of embedding customer experience into the fabric of their operations.

It noted that while Australia’s CX progression has become inert over the past 12 months, with many organisations lacking the necessary formal governance structures and data sets to take their CX to the next level. The report found more than half of organisations (54%) still deliver CX in silos, resulting in an ad hoc, inconsistent experience.

More than half of those surveyed (51%) pointed to CX strategy and governance, particularly competing priorities, as the top challenge to progressing on CX, along with data challenges (32%) like siloed customer data and incomplete customer profiles. Another 23% blamed the lack of actionable insights, specifically the ability to create actionable insights from data, while 31% said their organisations needed to build a customer-first culture.

CX and governance

When it comes to governance, 35% of survey respondents said while their organisation had a formal CX governance structure, there was no clear definition of accountability for CX objectives and activities. Another 15% said their organisation had no clear person or team governing CX.

Additionally, just 27% said their organisation had a long-term, strategic CX roadmap, leaving most CX programs without a clear vision or direction.

Data challenges

Data challenges are also still plaguing CX progression, with just 16% of organisations saying they have a data ecosystem that is designed and managed to enable CX integration. Most (63%) said they were only able to integrate data sources on an ad hoc basis.

The need for a customer-first culture

Building a customer-first culture was cited as another key challenge to CX growth. Most organisations said the issue was being compounded by low employee awareness and engagement. And while half of respondents said their organisation actively provided employees with access to customer feedback, just 16% said employees regularly ‘speak the language’ of CX.

AI and the future of CX

The report revealed 13% of organisations surveyed currently have no plans to incorporate AI in their operations, and just over a third (34%) said they were planning to invest in AI tools and solutions to improve efficiency. More than half (51%) said they were beginning to integrate some AI tools into certain tasks.

The research, which was conducted by Ipsos between March and May this year, focuses on identifying future trends, best practices and challenges facing CX leaders in Australia, and the evolving nature of customer experience.

This year’s report revealed that without executive engagement and strategic investment to overcome the barriers to CX implementation, the industry could “struggle to evolve beyond tactical plays and short-term quick fixes.”

Rollo Grayson, Ipsos CX Advisory Australia director, said: “CX has seen a wave of momentum for over 10 years. During that time, I have seen amazing developments from Australia and around the globe, but this report is a wake-up call for CX teams and executives; if they want that momentum to continue, things need to change. CX needs to become more strategic and integrated with other parts of the business.

“With the arrival of AI, the need for strategic thinking becomes even more critical. For years, CX technology has been the focus and organisations dived in with no clear plan – it’s these organisations that are now struggling. We hope this report is a rallying cry – the potential value gains from CX remain huge, we just need to realise that value.”

“It’s worth recognising our progress in elevating CX and making it part of the boardroom dialogue in most organisations,” Melissa Yow, Ipsos CX Australia director, said. “We’ve made significant strides in eliminating major friction points and demonstrating CX’s tangible benefits to the C-suite. However, we seem to have reached a plateau and the instances of CX as a true brand differentiator are few and far between.

“Our annual State of the CX Nation report validates this, showing little change in the proportion of organisations at a foundational CX maturity level. The ask of CX leaders is ever-increasing, encompassing mastery of strategy, data, technology, people management and now AI. However, a clear CX strategy with solid governance is crucial to avoiding misguided investments and efforts.”

Ashton Media CX Portfolio director, Stacy Goater, said: “Ashton Media are thrilled to partner with Ipsos on the State of the CX Nation report for a second year. As leaders in facilitating connections and knowledge sharing among senior CX professionals, we’re proud to support this thriving industry and to continue driving the thought leadership and discussion that shapes its future.

“Over the past 11 years, we’ve had the privilege of bringing the CX community together at our industry-leading events, and we’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth in both the size and maturity of the profession. But, as has been highlighted by the findings in this report, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to operationalise a customer-first mindset throughout all levels of the organisation. But with strong foundations to build upon, it’s an exciting time for the profession.”

See also: Ipsos: Australian professionals lacking CX strategies

IAB Australia’s Ad Effectiveness Council has unveiled evidence for marketers of why multi-channel advertising campaigns are more effective at delivering business outcomes.

The paper ‘Elevating brands through multi-channel excellence’ is a collaborative effort of the council members and offers guidance for creating and measuring successful multi-channel campaigns.

The research synthesis covers a range of topics in relation to multi-channel advertising campaigns, including evidence of the beneficial synergistic effects on brand and ROI, the strong role that creative execution and contextual environments play in effectiveness, and the importance of reach.

It also reviews how to mitigate the risks of adding new channels to the media mix and ways to figure out the right mix for end-to-end advertising messaging, as well as balancing conversion-focused initiatives with long-term, brand building needs. The paper includes an Optus case study and another on BIG4 Holiday Parks.

Natalie Stanbury

Natalie Stanbury, research director at IAB Australia, said: “Our goal with this whitepaper is to highlight the role the diverse variety of media channels play in optimising advertising investments. Given current market challenges, it is critical that brands have the tools in place to understand the impact that all channels are having on business outcomes.

“The paper advocates not waiting out tough economic conditions by continuing heavily skewed investment towards performance or single channel campaigns but instead, rebalancing budget across the funnel.”

The IAB Ad Effectiveness Council undertakes various activities to guide the industry on the best methods to assess the impact of marketing activities along with insight and inspiration to help marketers optimise their digital advertising investment. The Council includes representatives from 34 companies spanning media owners, data agencies, media agencies, research companies, tech vendors and advertisers.

Special thanks are offered to IAB Ad Effectiveness Council Members Bench Media, IAS, Kantar, Mutinex, Neuro-Insight, Nielsen, RyvalMedia and SambaTV, and for their contributions to this white paper.

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Top image: Natalie Stanbury

Wednesday 6 November 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 2,077,000, a total TV national audience of 1,219,000, and a BVOD audience of 197,000.

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,869,000, a total TV national audience of 1,133,000, and a BVOD audience of 94,000.

Seven’s Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,028,000, a total TV national audience of 1,251,000, and a BVOD audience of 64,000.

Also on Seven, Home & Away recorded a total TV national reach of 1,668,000, a total TV national audience of 932,000, and a BVOD audience of 85,000.

ABC won election coverage amongst the networks, with ABC News: USA Votes One Hour Special recording a total TV national reach of 1,863,000, a total TV national audience of 905,000, and a BVOD audience of 65,000.

10’s airing of The Project recorded a total TV national reach of 884,000, a total TV national audience of 472,000, and a BVOD audience of 13,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 903,000
• National Audience: 507,000
• BVOD Audience: 102,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 565,000
• National Audience: 310,000
• BVOD Audience: 38,000

Seven’s Home and Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 486,000
• National Audience: 292,000
• BVOD Audience: 67,000

10’s The Project:
• Total TV nation reach: 351,000
• National Audience: 94,000
• BVOD Audience: 9,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 411,000
• National Audience: 219,000
• BVOD Audience: 58,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 231,000
• National Audience: 122,000
• BVOD Audience: 19,000

Seven’s Home and Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 197,000
• National Audience: 124,000
• BVOD Audience: 39,000

10’s The Project:
• Total TV nation reach: 162,000
• National Audience: 46,000
• BVOD Audience: 4,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,764,000
• National Audience: 936,000
• BVOD Audience: 136,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,630,000
• National Audience: 954,000
• BVOD Audience: 57,000

Seven’s Home and Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,283,000
• National Audience: 713,000
• BVOD Audience: 98,000

10’s The Project:
• Total TV nation reach: 714,000
• National Audience: 175,000
• BVOD Audience: 12,000

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.

Sanctuary Media Group has partnered with fintech company SumUp and Nine Radio as an official launch partner of Nine Audio: Finance.

Peter Stowe, head of trading at Sanctuary Media Group, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Nine Radio on this first-to-market collaboration.

“This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for SumUp as they continue to supercharge their retail launch across Australia. It really has been a remarkable journey so far, with much more to come. The whole team is very proud to be part of it.”

Formally announced as part of the Nine 2025 Upfronts a fortnight ago, Nine Audio: Finance is a new premium short-form, high-frequency ad solution adjacent to their network’s finance reports.

The network said the finance offering is designed to meet growing demand in the finance category and will provide an additional 10-second high-frequency, standalone audio advertising solutions and prominently feature across Nine’s audio assets.

This new initiative will debut alongside existing premium finance content, with reports airing hourly. Brands will be able to leverage the Nine Audio: Finance reports.

“We’re really looking forward to the launch,” said SumUp managing director Malcolm Areington. “We are excited to partner with Nine Audio and Sanctuary Media Group to bring this innovative, media-first solution to a national market. The collaboration allows us to connect with our target audience of small, micro, and nano merchants, as well as mid-tier SMEs. It’s a significant step forward in our mission to empower small businesses.”

Areington noted that SumUp offers merchants a simple, accessible, and inexpensive way to accept payments, with a flat fee per transaction, irrespective of the card used.

Ashley Earnshaw, director of sales – Total Audio at Nine Radio, said: “This partnership showcases how Nine Audio’s financial content is delivered for listeners, providing a seamless and engaging experience.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with SumUp on the launch of Nine Audio Finance, a customised solution to drive deeper brand consideration and ROI. This partnership showcases our focus on premium contextual audio solutions for advertisers creating a unique, brand safe platform, to own the financial conversation across the day.”

See also: Nine Upfront 2025: Nine Audio launches contextual short form finance ad solution

Storm Day has been appointed as the New Zealand lead of Accenture Song and CEO of The Monkeys Aotearoa, soon to become Droga5.

Day has led The Monkeys Aotearoa, part of Accenture Song, and the Song New Zealand Marketing Practice since she joined in early 2022. The Monkeys Aotearoa was started in New Zealand by Damon Stapleton and Justin Mowday in 2021. With Mowday now at the helm of Accenture New Zealand, Day has taken over the reins of Accenture Song and The Monkeys Aotearoa.

Day has more than two decades of experience in the New Zealand marketing and consulting industry and has worked on global award-winning brands such as Tourism New Zealand, ASB, New Zealand Story, Fonterra, Mazda, and Asahi.

Day’s appointment comes a month before The Monkeys Aotearoa will rebrand as Droga5 on 1 December 2024, and follows the promotion of Bronwyn van der Merwe to Accenture Song ANZ lead and Matt Michael as CEO Droga5 ANZ.

Justin Mowday, country managing director, Accenture New Zealand said: “Storm has been instrumental in expanding the team at The Monkeys Aotearoa and making Accenture Song’s global expertise relevant to the New Zealand market.

“She is a formidable leader with unbeatable local knowledge and experience and is the best person to help steer us into the future as we continue to champion purpose led growth for our clients in New Zealand.”

Day said: “I am extremely excited to be leading this very talented team and working with our clients to join up purpose and customer experience.

“We help Kiwi organisations put a meaningful purpose at the heart of their culture, operations and experiences to drive growth.

“Combined with the Droga5 name and our incredible creative leader, Damon Stapleton, we will continue to build and sustain Aotearoa’s most influential brands.”