Business of Media
ABC swings an axe through archives
The ABC is axing dozens of jobs across its archival and research departments, as part of its push to transform itself into a “digital-first media organisation”, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the national broadcaster outlined its proposal to “remove approximately 58 roles and introduce 30 new roles”.
The number of staff to be offered redundancies as part of the restructure is still to be determined.
Channel 10 reporter Tegan George expands bullying claim against network and Peter van Onselen
The Channel 10 political reporter Tegan George has expanded her bullying claim against the network, alleging it has failed to stop Peter van Onselen from “tormenting” her in social media posts, reports Amanda Meade.
In February George accused the 10 political editor of undermining and humiliating her, including by backgrounding other journalists against her, according to the statement of claim filed against the network in the federal court.
George has now updated that claim to allege she has been further victimised because she exercised her right to go to court under the Fair Work Act.
According to the statement of claim, George has been unable to work since June last year and was recently in hospital. She claims she suffered “hurt, humiliation and distress” and the loss of opportunity to advance her career at the network, in part due to her alleged treatment by Van Onselen.
Booktopia appoints new head of performance marketing
Australia’s biggest online bookstore, Booktopia, has appointed Pathum Wanigasekara as its new head of performance marketing.
Wanigasekara joins as the company seeks to continue to scale up its marketing capabilities and further enhance its customer experience to align with the company’s growth trajectory.
Wanigasekara will have responsibility for the acquisition and retention of customers through paid search, paid social, affiliate marketing and other performance channels. A key part of the role will be shaping Booktopia’s marketing activities in real-time to contribute to traffic and product sales flow, in line with the company’s proprietary algorithmic modelling.
The goal is to ensure customers receive the best possible experience while also staying true to advertising principles and ROI protocols, as well as ensuring a consistent strategic positioning for the Booktopia brand.
The role will see Wanigasekara work alongside other channels and departments including Booktopia’s organic search, social, CRM and partnerships teams, to maximise impact. There is also a focus on leading Booktopia’s adoption of marketing technologies, cross-channel analysis, inventory planning and buying and exploring opportunities in emerging channels to reach and engage customers.
Wanigasekara’s most recent role was as account director at global digital marketing agency, Incubeta, while he has also served as head of paid & optimisation at social technology company, Digivizer and as senior planner and buyer at Mediacom both in Australia and the UK.
News Brands
Second attempt to access SMH, Age, 60 Minutes stories dismissed
A second attempt to force The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes to hand over draft copies of an investigation into the cosmetic surgery industry by Gold Walkley award-winner Adele Ferguson has been dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court, reports AFR‘s Max Mason.
Lawyers for Double Bay cosmetic surgeon Joseph Ajaka had launched a new application for preliminary discovery on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to see the stories before publication, after the Court of Appeal set aside a previous order for preliminary discovery that morning.
The Court of Appeal set aside the order on the basis that Dr Ajaka and his legal team were broadly aware of what legal recourse might be available to them in relation to the investigation.
Justice Stephen Rothman heard the arguments for the new application on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday afternoon he gave his judgment dismissing Dr Ajaka’s application and ordering he pay the media outlets’ costs.
Television
Farewell to Neighbours: “We are all sad, but we’re also enormously proud.”
Neighbours cast and crew share their last ever day of filming today at their longtime home at Nunawading, reports TV Tonight.
It marks the end of a 37 year run in the Victorian screen industry, briefly on Seven, before being famously picked up by 10 in 1985.
It went on to become the longest running drama in Australian history, uncovering global superstars, training thousands of actors, crew and creatives.
Entertainment
Top Gun: Maverick brings in 1.5 million Australian admissions to date
Top Gun: Maverick has amassed 1.5 million admissions across Australia in its first 11 days and delivered $557 million at the global box office.
The film hit cinemas globally on May 26, 36 years on from its first release and has been put on course to be Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing film of all time.
In its first week on screens, the film brought in $13.8 million to the Australian box office, averaging a massive $15,236 across 905 screens.
Sport Media
How far will The Front Bar go to win Logie?
The Front Bar is going to great lengths to win a Logie after surprising with a nomination in the category of most popular panel or current affairs program, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.
Panellists Andy Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang are chuffed to be put up for consideration alongside ABC’s 7.30, Australian Story and Four Corners, Nine’s A Current Affair and Ten’s The Project.
“I knew our hard hitting interview style would eventually pay off,’’ Molloy said.
“There’s been more fake votes than the time Sam Pang won Best New Talent.
“No-one covers issues of global importance like us.”
He added, tongue in cheek: “Leigh Sales. One word. Lightweight”.