The Media Federation of Australia’s (MFA) NGEN community wrapped up its 2025 training calendar with Halloween celebrations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, supported by leading media owners including News Australia, Nova Entertainment, Nine, Seven, Mamamia and QMS.
Tubi, News Australia’s free streaming service, headlined the festivities, hosting the Sydney event in partnership with Nova Entertainment. The partnership spotlighted Tubi’s growing footprint in Australia, including its expansive free horror library, while also extending to sponsorship of the Melbourne and Brisbane events.
Minor sponsors included Nova Entertainment, Nine and QMS in Brisbane, and Seven, Nine, Mamamia and QMS in Melbourne.
A celebration of NGEN’s 2025 achievements
Now in its 16th year, NGEN is the MFA’s flagship training and development program for media professionals with less than five years’ experience. Since launching in 2009, it has supported the careers of eight in ten people currently working in the media industry, with 3,000 active members nationwide.
The Halloween parties are among the most anticipated events on the NGEN calendar, open to those who have participated in at least three workshops throughout the year. The 2025 program included sessions on public speaking, pitching and inclusive leadership.
Costumes, drag and horror
More than 350 Sydney NGENers joined RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Trinity the Tuck and Nova’s Joel Creasey for a night of drag, horror and industry fun, with special guest Jack Charles from The Chrissie Swan Show. Around 200 more attended the Melbourne and Brisbane events combined.
Across all cities, costumes ranged from nostalgic cartoon characters to ghoulish creations. Best-dressed winners included the Dentsu team as the Scooby-Doo crew in Brisbane, Damon Tomlinson (Seven Network) as Kim Possible in Melbourne, and Rhys Taylor (Spark Foundry Australia) as Darla from Finding Nemo in Sydney.
Rhys Taylor (Spark Foundry Australia) as Darla from Finding Nemo in Sydney
Industry leaders on connection and community
Melanie Aslanidis, MFA’s head of NGEN, said: “What an incredible turnout! Huge thanks to our media partners for making these celebrations possible. Throughout the year, NGEN empowers the industry’s future leaders with essential skills, strong networks and the tools for long-term success.”
She added that the Halloween events remain “a highlight for the NGEN community – bringing together NGENers from across our diverse community of small and large agencies and media owners to celebrate their progress after an intense year packed with learning and connection.”
Jessica Gilby, News Australia’s general manager of digital, said Tubi’s involvement reflected its growing connection with younger audiences. “We’ve seen extraordinary momentum since News began representing Tubi in Australia, with viewer hours up 50 per cent since March,” Gilby said. “Gen Z, millennial audiences and our fabulous NGENers are drawn to experiences that blend culture, community and content. That’s exactly what this night delivered.”
The 2026 NGEN calendar is set to launch next month, introducing new workshops and industry experiences for emerging professionals.
Top image: Dentsu team as the Scooby-Doo crew