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Media Roundup: Meta's Twiggy trouble, News Corp's AI push, Tourism Australia's new series, 'Hammer Media' launches and Webjet's loyalty drive

See the top industry stories trending today.

By Natasha LeePublished Mar 20, 2025
6 min read
metatwiggy

Social Media

Meta hit with fraud ruling over Twiggy's image

A US judge has ordered Meta to disclose how fraudsters use its platform after the company admitted to hosting 230,000 scam ads featuring billionaire Andrew Forrest's image since 2019.

As Tess Bennett writes in The Australian Financial Review, the ruling came during a California court hearing in Forrest's legal battle against Meta over cryptocurrency scam ads that have cost Australians millions.

The judge ordered the tech giant to provide electronic records of when the ads appeared, along with metadata to track their reach and the tools used to create and distribute them.

Publishing

Student newspaper slammed over anti-Semitic cartoon

A satirical student newspaper that federal Labor MPs called "funny" and "hysterical" has apologised after Jewish leaders criticised its front-page cartoon for promoting anti-Semitic tropes.

As Paul Garvey reports in The Australian, published by the University of Western Australia Student Guild, Prosh featured a crude illustration of Elon Musk and Donald Trump in a compromising position, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - drawn with glowing red eyes - watching on.

The cartoon was headlined, "Lobbied up the a$$."

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Tech

News Corp's AI push shakes up Australian media

News Corp's launch of its own AI model, NewsGPT, has rattled Australian newsrooms, many of which have been slower to embrace generative AI.

As Daanyal Saeed reports in Crikey, chief technology officer Julian Delany described it as a tool to "support the creative process" and "streamline daily tasks" in an internal memo to staff.

Meanwhile, Google's News Initiative has been training Australian journalists in generative AI, with industry figures like former news.com.au editor Lisa Muxworthy involved.

Microsoft and BlackRock team up with Musk's AI rival

Microsoft and BlackRock, both tied to OpenAI, are now backing one of its biggest competitors. They've joined forces with Abu Dhabi's MGX to support Elon Musk's xAI in a $47.4 billion push to build AI infrastructure, alongside chip giant Nvidia.

As Mark Bergen and Alex Dooler write in The Australian Financial Review, Microsoft, despite pouring $13 billion into OpenAI, has been developing its own AI models, while Musk, a former OpenAI co-founder, continues his public feud with Sam Altman over the company’s shift to a for-profit model.

MGX, which has also invested in OpenAI and xAI, is playing both sides while funding Donald Trump's $100 billion AI initiative, Stargate.

EU takes aim at Apple and Google in tech crackdown

The European Commission has accused Apple and Google of violating its digital rules, setting the stage for a showdown with the US.

The move comes despite pressure from Donald Trump, who has warned of potential trade retaliation if the EU tightens its grip on American tech giants, reports Rob Davies in The Guardian.

Brushing off the threat, EU regulators are pursuing enforcement action under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to rein in the power of dominant tech firms.

Agencies

Tourism Australia swaps clichés for a global TV series

Tourism Australia has ditched bikini-clad models and stuffed kangaroos in favour of a 10-episode TV series to showcase the country's best experiences.

Narrated by actor Rachel Griffiths, Experience Australia blends stunning documentary-style footage with travel show flair.

As Robyn Ironside writes in The Australian, the $12 million project supplied fresh marketing materials to 1,500 tourism operators across 57 regions, generating a vast content library.

Streaming

Stan announces star-studded adaptation of David Walliams' 'FING'

Stan is bringing a literary favourite to life, announcing a high-profile adaptation of David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book, FING!

Walliams, who has sold more than 60 million books in 55 languages, said he "can’t wait to see it come to life on screen” as it’s “such a fun and visual story with so many flights of fancy."

Filming started in February in Brisbane in conjunction with Screen Queensland.

Retail

Sabo lands in Sydney with first Bondi store

Sabo is bringing its signature resort-style fashion to Sydney, opening its first store at Westfield Bondi Junction next week.

As Sean Cao writes in Inside Retail, the move expands the brand's physical presence after launching online in 2011 and growing into a global label shipping to over 200 countries.

Founded by Yiota Kouzoukas and Thessy Batsinilas, the Brisbane-based brand made its retail debut last year with stores in Chermside and Pacific Fair. Strong demand from Sydney shoppers made the Harbour City the next logical step.

Bunnings swings big with 'Hammer Media' launch

Bunnings is staking its claim in the booming $1.6 billion retail media market with Hammer Media, a new advertising arm designed to give suppliers prime exposure.

The hardware giant quietly trademarked the name last year and unveiled the platform to suppliers this week, ahead of a full investor briefing, reports Eli Greenblat in The Australian.

The initiative will offer brands advertising space inside Bunnings stores - on LED screens and shelf displays - as well as across digital channels, magazines, and social media.

Events

SXSW Sydney unveils most affordable Early Bird tickets ever with new pass options

South by Southwest Sydney 2025 has announced its most affordable Early Bird ticket release ever, introducing new passes and pricing in response to customer feedback on tickets last year.

This year, organisers have confirmed there will be 1,600 sessions and events – 400+ conference sessions, 150+ professional development sessions, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games and more than 400 brand-led events.

The event will take place between 13 -19 October, 2025 in the heart of Sydney.

Brands

Webjet plots loyalty push to double bookings by 2030

Webjet is gearing up for a major shake-up, unveiling plans for a loyalty program to boost bookings in international flights, hotels, and business travel.

As Robyn Ironside reports in The Australian, the move is part of a broader strategy to revitalise the brand and double total transaction value to $3.2 billion by 2030.

CEO Katrina Barry acknowledged the company could coast on its steady cash flow but sees an opportunity for growth.

Publishing

First Nations author makes history with Australia's top literary prize

Wanda Gibson has won Australia's richest literary award for Three Dresses, a touching children's book about life on a Lutheran mission in the 1950s.

The Nukgal Wurra author-artist took home the $100,000 Victorian Prize for Literature, marking the first time a children’s book has claimed the top honour.

As Kelly Burke reports in The Guardian, the autobiographical story reflects Gibson's upbringing on Cape York's Hope Vale mission, where girls received three secondhand dresses each Christmas - "one to wash, one to wear, and one spare."

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