She has started off 2019 at a furious pace with six new episodes of her Birth, Baby & Beyond podcast.

The podcasts include a massive amount of information on parenting with deep insights from people with incredible experiences to share.

Among the people speaking with Midwife Cath in these new recordings are Katie and Tom Rattigan who reveal the amazing lengths they went to try and get a baby. After many unsuccessful rounds of IVF they managed to get a surrogate in Europe with Cath estimating they could have spent seven figures in total with their quest to start a family, but no doubt worth it given the result.

Two fathers of children with special needs also tell their story and there is an interview with a mother living in remote Australia who details some of the challenges she faces trying to get resources people in cities never think twice about. There are also two episodes where Cath speaks with Dr Sue Hiscock about sex after birth, (“And how much fun it is…not,” said Cath with a long pause) and contraception.

Although Melbourne-based, she is taking her popular Midwife Cath Masterclass around Australia again in 2019. She is also preparing for the translation of one of her books into Chinese ahead of an author tour there later this year.

Listen to Birth, Baby & Beyond here.

Audible reveals major Australian originals program

Last week Audible.com.au announced the launch of its Australian and New Zealand Audible Originals program.

Over the next nine months the platform will be releasing at least nine new podcast series for Audible subscribers.

Local Audible Originals are promising compelling narrative arcs, ranging from snackable, episodic audio shows to substantial audiobooks, all focused on sparking broader conversations and shining a light on local experiences.

The content will be crafted by Australian creators for a local audience and will complement the 300,000+ audiobooks and audio shows already available from Audible.

The first title to be released will be It Burns: The Scandal-Plagued Race to Breed the World’s Hottest Chili (April 2019). It is hosted by busy SBS and ABC podcaster Marc Fennell who delves into the wild, extreme and cut-throat world of competitive chilli eating and the race to breed the hottest chilli. He reports on what attracts people to melt-your-face-off pain and gives a glimpse into how people use pain to define themselves and help feel more alive.

Ben Naparstek, director of original content at Audible.com.au, said: “Audible Originals are immersive audio experiences that capture the Australian voice, tackle important and timely issues and, most importantly, entertain and inspire our listeners. Audio is booming and we couldn’t be more excited to bring such an array of gripping, funny and insightful Audible Originals to audio lovers across Australia.”

Read more soon from Naparstek on mediaweek.com.au

UK music label celebrates anniversary with RPM

This year sees one of the most iconic record labels in the world, Decca Records, turning 90 years old. Since its formation, on 28 February 1929, Decca has burgeoned from a prosperous British company to a fully-fledged international powerhouse –earning the title as “The Supreme Record Company” – a statement that still resonates 90 years on.

Decca has been the home to legendary musicians from Luciano Pavarotti to David Bowie, Dame Vera Lynn to Bing Crosby, Tom Jones to Billie Holiday, The Rolling Stones to Mantovani and is now providing the platform for a new generation of ambitious artists at the forefront of their scenes – names such as Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Gregory Porter, who continue to represent the label’s cultural legacy.

Throughout 2019, Decca will be celebrating its nine decades of excellence, marking the occasion with 45 unique 90-second podcasts – 45 RPM (Recorded Podcast Moments) that outline key aspects of the label’s history, to appear on www.decca90.com.

Can Luminary really be the Netflix of podcasts?

In between an appearance onstage at last week’s Hot Pod Summit and a major feature in The New York Times, details about the launch of a major US podcast platform launch have become public. Although the Luminary website has now been launched the first podcasts apparently won’t be available until June this year.

It is expected there will be an initial offer of 40 ad-free podcasts that listeners can access via a US $8 monthly subscription charge.

Luminary has been able to lure some well known US podcast names to its roster as part of US$100m of start-up investment it attracted. However that won’t all be going to podcasters – the company already has close to 70 staff including 40 engineers.

There aren’t too many big names that will resonate with Australian audiences. Two that will though are Girls creator Lena Dunham and comedian Russell Brand.

Part of a new movement of socially-conscious businesses, Primer is aimed at millennially-minded women.

The site is promising to publish a “thought-provoking and stylish mix of feature stories, beauty and fashion, with a trusted and inclusive voice”.

The site’s co-founders are Felicity Robinson, a former deputy editor of marie claire, and Anna Saunders, who last year left her role as executive editor of marie claire and digital content manager, fashion and beauty, at Pacific Magazines. Saunders has also worked in senior positions for British marie claire and London’s Sunday Telegraph magazine, Stella. Anne-Marie Cheney, former head of fashion and beauty at Pacific Magazines, has worked on the commercial side of the business in an advisory role.

Sydney agency Smack Bang created the site, and launch contributors include Lucy Adams (ex beauty director marie claire), travel influencer Georgia Hopkins, fashion journalist Clare Press, and journalists Clementine Ford and Anna Murphy (fashion director of London’s The Times).

And get ready for this editorial shocker – there will be no celebrity gossip! Plus every shopping story will include ethical or sustainable options.

“We felt there was a gap in the market for smart and considered features that both entertained and enriched, as well as fun and informed fashion and beauty,” said Saunders.

The founders describe Primer, with its philanthropic focus, as a “purpose-driven media business”, with Robinson adding: “Women’s empowerment has always been important to us, and we were determined to adopt a business model that enabled us to help women in a real, tangible way.”

As to who is funding the venture, Saunders told Mediaweek: “In the initial stages, ourselves. However, we approached advertisers very early on – before the site was developed – to determine proof of concept and financial viability. Fortunately we had an excellent reception from advertisers.”

Saunders pointed to research showing millennials care deeply about making a difference, and that this affects which brands they interact with. “There’s little doubt that we’re in the midst of a ‘global ethical awakening’, where millennials are using their voices and their wallets to help shape the world they want to live in.”

In its first year, Primer will support the Women And Girls’ Emergency Centre in Sydney, and the Against Malaria Foundation, which distributes mosquito nets. Globally, malaria is the number one killer of pregnant women.

Saunders: “We have a number of premium luxury advertisers signed on that will be unveiled over the next quarter. We’re really excited to launch with support from Dermalogica, Kate Spade and Volkswagen first up.”

Primer is working with brands to create content-led solutions to engage their audience. “We understand that consumers today want to support businesses whose values align with theirs, including the media they consume. Brands that align with Primer will benefit from the halo effect of investing in a media site that truly cares,” said Cheney. As well as post-campaign reporting, Primer will also report back to clients the annual social impact of their investment.

Saunders said revenue would be generated by native and integrated editorial. “We felt that there was an opportunity to create high-calibre sponsored content for clients. Banner ads are a very small part of the mix, and we aren’t looking at donations. In time, we’ll be launching community-led brand extensions like events.”

The team are setting a cracking pace, telling Mediaweek they have set a target of the end of 2019 to deliver funds to their nominated NGOs.

For more visit primer.com.au

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Top Photo: Primer’s Anna Saunders and Felicity Robinson

This week whimn.com.au launched its inaugural Power Women series. Revealing the next generation of Power Women, the series has been profiling 25 of the brightest names of the future on their paths to power.

This series celebrates the achievements of these women and looks at how they choose to use their power to make the lives of Australian women and girls better in the move to gender equity.

New whimn.com.au editor Melissa Shedden said: “Our goal through the Power Women series is to unearth and give a platform to the female voices of the future. We’re a young brand, turning two on International Women’s Day, so it’s important to us to support the women we consider a ‘whimn woman’, that is, someone who is living our editorial philosophy of smart, honest and fun. It’s our pledge to share their stories.

“Whether it’s through a single act, adversity, self-acceptance, humour, influence, sport, or finding your voice – there are so many unique and sometimes unorthodox paths to power and ways to use it. Through these diverse profiles, Australian women can learn ways that speak personally to them, to feel that bit more powerful.”

whimn.com.au will celebrate the site’s second birthday on International Women’s Day with their first consumer event. Being held in Sydney and now sold out, the afternoon will see three of the featured Power Women share their stories and advice on power and what we can learn.

Guests will hear about the history-making power of a single act, from Senator Larissa Waters, the first politician to breastfeed in parliament, while Paralympian Kelly Cartwright will share how she found her power through overcoming adversity and accepting her body, losing her leg to cancer at age 15, then going on to win not one, but two Paralympic medals. Presenter and author Yumi Stynes will open up about the power of visibility and losing the must-please gene.

All ticket sale proceeds will be donated to the charity organisation Infoxchange which powers Ask Izzy a mobile website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, health and wellbeing services, counselling and much more.

Griff Off the Rails: Down Under (6 x 60’), will feature the host exploring the Australian landscape through its iconic railways. The series has been acquired by ABC TV in Australia. Kew Media Distribution is handling international distribution for the series.

Produced and directed by Julia Peters (Miracle Hospital, Nolan, Becoming Superhuman), the program will also follow Griff Rhys Jones as he discovers the origins of the railroads, the stories of the people who operate them and the communities that rely on them.

The series should find an audience given Australians’ appetite for programs like Great British Railway Journeys, which is never off air at SBS. Michael Portillo is also hosting Great Australian Railway Journeys on SBS this year.

Griff Rhys Jones is known for his love of trains, rivers and waterways through programs such as Slow Train Through Africa and Three Men in a Boat. He also writes a travel column for the UK’s Telegraph newspaper.

The series is executive produced by Brendan Dahill, Essential Media’s general manager.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Griff to create a very distinctive series that will offer viewers an entertaining outsider’s perspective on the foundation of a modern country and the origins of what it means to be an Australian today,” said Dahill.

“It’s great to be back in Australia. It presents an opportunity I’ve never had before to explore every corner of this wonderful place and to get out into the wild areas that trains will take me to,” said Griff Rhys Jones.

“This fascinating story will be told about the way Australia built a huge infrastructure to unite the country and its people. It is history, commentary, and adventure all wound into one.”

Griff Off the Rails: Down Under is filming across Australia over eight weeks from March.

Wednesday: Week 10 2019

By James Manning

• Seven News 948,000/956,000
• Nine News 868,000/871,000
• A Current Affair 806,000
• ABC News 670,000
• 7.30 612,000
• The Project 201,000/369,000
• 10 News First 375,000
• SBS World News 124,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 293,000
• Today 192,000

Seven

After 7pm Home And Away jumped a little higher last night to 634,000.

My Kitchen Rules had another night close to 750,000 as Stacey & Ash were forced to withdraw from the competition on doctor’s orders, with Ash suffering from an infected eye socket. Andy & Ruby showcased farm fresh lamb, winning Farmers’ Choice and Pete’s praise for their quinoa. Guest chef last night was Curtis Stone.

The final episode of Undercurrent: Real Murder Investigation then did 444,000.

Nine

Dan and Jessika shared a “magical” kiss on another dinner party episode of Married At First Sight, which will be firing watercooler chat around the nation today. The series has wrapped another ratings dominating week with a Wednesday audience over 1.3m.

New Amsterdam then followed with 443,000.

10

Another tough night for the channel with a 6-7pm audience close to 200,000,

The Project did 369,000 after 7pm with Peking Duk and Russell Howard on the show.

Bondi Recue then managed to keep the audience above 300,000 until 8pm with a repeat episode then on 247,000.

Law & Order: SVU was then on duty after 8.30pm with 182,000.

ABC

Hard Quiz continues to be a midweek champion with just under 700,000 last night. The quiz show proved more popular in Sydney than MKR and it only trailed it narrowly in Melbourne.

Rosehaven had an audience of 470,000 and Get Krackin’ did 220,000.

SBS

Gourmet Farmer followed the SBS World News into primetime with 130,000 watching a repeat of life on the Tasmanian farm.

A repeat of Great British Railway Journeys then lifted the audience to 208,000.

The first of the four-part Australia In Colour saw the channel’s biggest crowd with 337,000.