Media
Seven News flare-up fuels industry chatter
The Australian’s Steve Jackson has the scoop on a Seven News reporter’s very public blow-up at a crime presser.
It happened about two weeks ago in Lake Cargelligo, where crews were covering the manhunt linked to the alleged murders of Sophie Quinn, John Harris and Nerida Quinn.
The rumoured trigger? Off-duty reality.
Speaking of hot mics….
An announcer for NBC was caught over the weekend calling the Winter Olympics’ big air finals ‘so boring’.
ASIO pushes back ahead of Four Corners probe
The Australian’s Joanna Panagopoulos reports that ASIO has issued a rare public warning to the ABC ahead of an upcoming Four Corners episode on the Bondi attack, rejecting suggestions of intelligence failures as uncorroborated claims from a disgruntled source.
The agency said it would reserve its right to take further action if allegations it has already flagged as untrue are broadcast. In media terms, it is a clear shot across the bow before transmission.
The episode, part two of a two-part investigation, is set to examine possible intelligence and counter-terrorism failures and the private lives of the attackers.
GetUp recruits David Sharaz
Progressive campaigning group GetUp has made a senior hire, bringing in former journalist David Sharaz.
The Guardian’s Tom McIlroy reports that Sharaz comes from a recent stint in public relations and is married to Brittany Higgins, whose case has loomed large over federal politics since 2021.
Advertising
MOVE 2.0 sharpens out-of-home growth story
As The Australian’s Danielle Long reports, out-of-home is talking itself up again, with buyers and planners tipping stronger ad spend now that a long-awaited measurement upgrade is finally live.
MOVE 2.0 launched this week and is being positioned as a turning point for confidence in the channel, reinforcing OOH’s status as one of the ad market’s fastest growers.
Radio
Hadley snub overshadows Continuous Call Team anniversary
A planned celebration of the Continuous Call Team’s 40th anniversary has been knocked off course after founder Ray Hadley revealed he was not invited to the event.
According to The Daily Telegraph’s Matthew Benns, the former 2GB star said he was disappointed to be left out of the February 19 function, given he helped establish the iconic rugby league broadcast.
Companies
Sarandos shrugs off Trump interest in Netflix Warner deal
On the DGA Awards red carpet, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was asked about reports that Donald Trump is watching the proposed Netflix and Warner Bros. merger.
According to Variety’s Marc Malkin, Pat Saperstein, Sarandos said Trump has a long-standing interest in the entertainment business and cares about the health of the industry, but that interest should not be read as influence.