Media
Guardian Australia editor exit raises timing questions
Lenore Taylor’s exit as editor of Guardian Australia after nearly 10 years didn’t surprise the industry, but the speed of it did.
As The Sydney Morning Herald’s Calum Jaspan recounts, the announcement came late Tuesday afternoon, and by the next day, she was gone, with staff learning the news via email rather than in person.
It was so sudden, in fact, that Guardian global editor in chief Katharine Viner accelerated travel plans from London to attend the farewell in Sydney, arriving earlier than originally scheduled.
Legal
Photographer files restraining order against Aussie singer
A US photographer has taken legal action against Amyl and the Sniffers’ lead singer Amy Taylor, filing a civil harassment restraining order petition in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Rolling Stone reports the dispute centres on Champagne Problems, a photo series Nelson shot of Taylor and later published in Vogue Portugal.
Nelson says she owns the copyright and claims that one of the images was shared publicly without permission, prompting cease-and-desist notices to Taylor and the band.
AI
Tech industry warns Australia unprepared for AI
Australia’s tech sector is pushing for closer collaboration with the government on AI, warning the country risks missing the moment.
The Australian Financial Review’s Paul Smith reports that Tech Council policy director Lucinda Longcroft said clearer alignment would help unlock local investment.
Just 7% of tech leaders believe Australia is ready for future AI demands, with the industry calling for simpler regulation and fewer barriers, particularly around data centre infrastructure.
Companies
Netflix trims product team amid leadership reshuffle
Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro, and Dade Hayes reports that Netflix has quietly cut roles across its product division, with several dozen middle management and administrative positions affected.
The layoffs represent less than 1% of the unit’s roughly 6,000 staff and did not include senior executives.
Retail Media
Barbeques Galore collapse puts jobs and gift cards at risk
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jessica Yun writes that Barbeques Galore has collapsed into administration after running out of cash, putting about 500 jobs at risk and limiting how customers can redeem gift cards.
Grant Thornton partners Philip Campbell-Wilson, Lisa Gibb and Matthew Byrnes have been appointed as voluntary administrators to assess the business and explore options, including a potential sale or restructure.
Entertainment
Sandra Bernhard joins cast of The White Lotus
If there was ever an actor born to stay at The White Lotus, it was Bernhard (oh, and Jennifer Coolidge, of course)
According to Deadline’s Denise Petski, her character remains tightly held, continuing the show’s tradition of secrecy ahead of production.