The Business of Media
Rex Validakis-Betar joins Network 10 as group strategy manager
Network 10 has appointed Rex Validakis-Betar (pictured) as its new group strategy manager, reporting to chief operating officer Annabelle Herd.
In his new role, Validakis-Betar is responsible for helping shape and evolve Network 10’s strategy, working closely with the executive leadership and teams across the business.
Herd said: “Rex is passionate about solving the big problems, innovating constantly and helping 10 succeed in a rapidly-changing media world so I am very happy he has decided to take this role.
“We launched our Rocket Strategy in 2018 with the goal of connecting our platforms, connecting with our audiences, reconnecting with our clients, and refreshing the way we work together.
“Our multi-platform strategy is delivering great results, with strong growth from 10 Play and 10 Daily this year and the launch of 10 All Access and 10 Speaks over the past seven months. Rex will ensure that we keep hitting our strategic goals,” she said.
Validakis-Betar said: “I’m thrilled to be joining at an exciting time for Network 10 and television globally. With a great line-up of content for the rest of 2019 and into 2020, the launch of addressable advertising, the Rugby World Cup around the corner and the early success of our new platforms, the future looks bright.”
Nine prepares to keep NZ business, but sale processing ongoing
New Zealand publisher Stuff will come under the umbrella of Nine managing director of publishing Chris Janz as the Australian media company continues to look for a buyer, but prepares to run the business itself, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.
The sales process for Stuff is still underway and there are conversations with a number of parties. However, Nine has failed to get an acceptable offer and is preparing to run Stuff itself if it does not.
Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher addressed Stuff staff in Auckland and nationally via teleconference on Tuesday to update them on where the process was up to and give the business a new reporting line into Janz.
“As we get into this next six months, obviously there are still discussions afoot, but if we aren’t able to bring those to any satisfactory conclusion I think we will move on at that point. What’s important for the business is to effectively start moving on anyway,” Marks said.
Woolworths billboard network to harness shopping data
Woolworths is rolling out a new digital billboard advertising network across its supermarkets, liquor stores BWS and Dan Murphy’s, and retailer Big W as part of the retail giant’s overall shake-up to capitalise on its assets and partner with other businesses looking to tap into its scale, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.
On Tuesday, Woolworths’ new media business, Cartology, announced the rollout of the Woolworths Screen Network and new search advertising tool Cartology Promoted Products, effectively letting brands buy the top-placed search results on Woolworths and BWS online.
Cartology managing director Mike Tyquin, who ran outdoor advertising business Adshel prior to its purchase by oOh!media last year, joined Woolworths in March to lead the newly established media business.
News Brands
The Times and Sunday Times merger gets UK government OK
Rupert Murdoch’s News UK has been given final approval to share resources across the Times and the Sunday Times, paving the way for journalists to work across both titles and for potential job cuts, reports The Guardian.
Until now the two publications have operated as strictly independent news outlets, as part of a series of agreements guaranteeing the titles’ editorial independence, signed by Murdoch when he bought them in 1981.
The long-awaited final decision was made on “taking out the trash” day – an informal name for the rush of announcements typically made at the tail end of a parliamentary session or government to avoid scrutiny when attention is elsewhere.
News UK has said the titles would continue to be run independently with their own newsrooms and their own editors: John Witherow at the Times and Martin Ivens at the Sunday paper.
Television
Big names in frame as MasterChef seeks new recipe for success
10’s decision not to renew the MasterChef trio’s contracts is about money, reports The Australian’s Nick Tabakoff. With Preston, Calombaris and Mehigan negotiating as a bloc, the network felt it could not afford a 40 per cent pay rise on their $1 million-plus annual salaries.
10 chief executive Paul Anderson told The Australian last night: “There comes a point where 40 per cent is a lot in anyone’s language, which forces us into a corner and gives us no alternative (but to move on).
“We’re taking a long-term approach to the show that we want to be around for another decade,” he said.
Still, the network will have to dip into its pockets to make sure next year’s rebranded version makes a splash.
Diary understands there are four names at the top of the list: Nigella Lawson, Curtis Stone, and two former runners-up on the show, Poh Ling Yeow and Matt Sinclair.
MasterChef judges could sign deal with Netflix or Amazon Prime
George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan are now believed to be eyeing a multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix or Amazon Prime, reports News Corp’s Holly Byrnes and Sally Coates.
It comes after the trio formed their own production company, GGM Pty Ltd, to sell themselves to 10 as a package deal.
It had made contract talks “difficult,” 10’s chief executive Paul Anderson said, denying the network had sought to dump Calombaris after the wages scandal.
The three judges are understood to have wanted more time off to pursue other projects, while almost doubling their TV earnings estimated currently about $400,000 to $600,000 per judge each season.
Mehigan on Tuesday night said the contract dispute “was never about the money and never will be about the money” but rather having “more free time to explore our own creativity”.
“The opportunity to work with Matt and George has been a blessing and something I cherish,” he said.
“Working together will continue to be the most important thing for us … the three musketeers.”
Amanda Keller’s big problem with Tom Gleeson’s Logies speech
Gold Logie nominee Amanda Keller has revealed what she really thought of winner Tom Gleeson’s speech during a candid appearance on Andrew Denton’s Interview on Tuesday night, reports News.com.au’s Nick Bond.
The TV veteran, 57, was one of several high-profile “victims” of Gleeson’s tongue-in-cheek smear campaign during Logies voting. Taking to the stage to accept his Gold Logie, glass of wine in hand, Gleeson had taunted those in the room who “wanted it” – while cameras cut to a less-than-impressed Keller.
Denton asked his friend of 40 years what she was thinking in that moment.
“I wasn’t unimpressed that he won – I think I was a little unimpressed with the speech. There was a lack of graciousness. He wanted to make it a joke, and I get that … (But) I thought it was unfortunate that we were made to feel that we were needy or up ourselves for wanting it, or for thinking it mattered. I didn’t mind that I didn’t win – I’d been nominated before and didn’t win, that’s fine. This felt more personal this year.”
Keller admitted that Gleeson’s sarcastic smear campaign in the lead-up to the awards had taken a toll.
ABC Commercial sells Aussie drama Pulse to Channel 5’s My5 in UK
ABC Commercial has reached a new agreement with UK free-to-air Channel 5 to bring the Australian medical drama Pulse (8 x 60 min) to its VOD streaming service My5. Originally airing on ABC TV in Australia, Channel 5 has secured broadcast rights to the series for two years, with the acclaimed medical drama set to make its UK premiere on My5 in August 2019.
Pulse attracted critical acclaim in Australia with the media praising the series for its realism, diversity and socially charged storytelling. The internationally renowned cast are led by Claire van der Boom (The Pacific, Hawaii Five-O, Masters of Sex and Sisters of War), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Line of Duty) and Pallavi Sharda (Lion). Also starring are Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: War of the Damned), Andrea Demetriades (Janet King), Arka Das (Top of The Lake), Blessing Mokgohloa (Hunters), Susie Porter (Seven Types of Ambiguity), Penny Cook (A Country Practice) and Renee Lim (Please Like Me).
“ABC Commercial is pleased to partner with Channel Five to bring Pulse to UK audiences,” said Jessica Ellis, Head of Content Sales & Distribution, ABC Commercial. “This top-quality Aussie drama was a ratings success when it premiered on the ABC. We are certain international audiences will enjoy Pulse as much as audiences here in Australia.”
Oliver Thomas, Vice President of Digital, Viacom International Media Networks UK said, “Pulse is a gripping medical drama and we’re thrilled to be bringing this acclaimed series to My5, as part of the continued expansion of our scripted offering.”
Pulse is a Clandestine Beyond Production, in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Screen Australia and Screen NSW. Created by Kris Wyld, Michael Miller and Mel Hill, produced by Kris Wyld and Antony l Ginnane with Sally Riley and Kym Goldsworthy serving as Executive Producers for ABC TV and David Ogilvy as Executive Producer for Clandestine Beyond.