By James Manning

He was key to Nine’s success 20 years ago and has also worked with Seven (twice) and 10 since then. Not mention his extensive international work in Asia and the US.

He’s back in Australia now, judging on House Rules, as the first part of his new long-term deal with Seven.

Below are some of the highlights of a Mediaweek podcast we recorded last week.

Listen to the complete unedited interview here.

Joining House Rules lets Durie loose on one of his passions – interior design.

“I have been in the design industry for 22 years now and been running a design office. My secret passion has always been more interior design than exterior design, although my training is in horticulture,” Durie told Mediaweek.

“The TV audience these days understands DIY design much more. People have good design sense and understand what it takes to renovate a house, renovate a garden, choose furniture and put together a beautiful kitchen.

“Australians will never get sick of fresh ideas when it comes to feathering our own nests and this show is abundant with ideas…it’s full of them. The ideas are fast and furious and they are coming from people who have experience in the trade.

“That’s what our audience is looking for. We are dealing with a far more educated audience than when I started 20 years ago on Backyard Blitz.”

Although House Rules is the first show Durie and Johanna Griggs have done together, they have been part of the Seven family at different times.

“I spent a fair bit of time with Seven last time on everything from Dancing With The Stars to Australia’s Best Backyards to The Outdoor Room. This is a whole different league though with us working on the same show together fulltime.”

Durie knows Wendy Moore well too after writing for Home Beautiful for five years. [Moore recently moved from Pacific, the publisher of the magazine, to Foxtel where she is general manager of the Lifestyle brands.]

“I now write for The Australian on Mansion magazine, the monthly prestige homes title.

“Wendy and I have a great relationship and we even created a magazine together, The Outdoor Room. We go way back. We are family – like brother and sister.

“And Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and I did a show together in Singapore called The Apartment, another interior design show.

“Lawrence can be a little prickly at times and we do butt heads. He knows I won’t take any of his crap and he won’t take any of mine, there is a lot of healthy design jousting going on.”

52 shows and more to come

Mediaweek knew Durie had made a lot of TV, but this much?

“I’ve been on 52 different programs – not episodes – over a 22-year span of television,” said Durie.

“I haven’t been off television in 22 years which is tough in the lifestyle arena. This is a genre now that is as accepted as sports or news. Lifestyle and the way we decorate our homes is important to us.”

Durie first found fame and ratings on Backyard Blitz, which predated the first season of The Block by a couple of years. For a time they were on air together. “They certainly were,” he recalled. “I was working around the clock.”

Durie and his Backyard Blitz colleague Scotty Cam are still mates. The two had lunch in Melbourne recently and they share the same manager – Bravo Talent’s Chris Giannopoulos. “I never laugh so hard as when I’m having a beer with Scotty.”

Nine chose Scott Cam to host The Block when it was relaunched several years later while Durie at that time was with Seven.

So what does the first host of The Block and think about his replacement? “I think he might be even better. He’s older and wiser than me.” [Laughs]

Out of his 52 shows it is hard to pick the one that has the most impact. Or is it.

Backyard Blitz was massive for Nine nearly 20 years ago and anchored its winning Sunday Night line-up in the 6.30pm timeslot back when News was a 30-minute bulletin.

Durie still counts his Backyard Blitz colleagues, which included Scott Cam, as friends.

“I spoke to Jody Rigby just a week ago. We built relationships on that show that will last a lifetime. It’s hard to replicate that on air chemistry and we all fitted into our roles beautifully. I was the punching bag for Scott and [landscaper] Nigel Ruck continuously delivered the jokes. Jody is one of the best horticulturists I have ever worked with.”

As to what Durie might be doing next with Seven, this comment was a hint to one possibility.

“On the FTA networks there isn’t a lot of gardening going on and there is more space for it.”

Listen to our full 30-minute podcast with Jamie Durie.

• Therese Hegarty (pictured), currently director, content distribution & rights, has been appointed chief executive.
• Andrew Backwell, who has been consulting at Seven since late 2018, has been appointed director of production.
• Richard Henson, current head of content sales, has been promoted to director of content sales.

The changes come after Seven hit maker Rikkie Proost recently departed the organisation. Proost had been with Seven for a decade and was one of creators of the network’s biggest hit in that time, My Kitchen Rules.

Rikkie Proost

Seven Studios developed more than 1000 hours of television in 2018 across all genres, with 14 new original titles commissioned in the year and more than 20 series returning or in production across the group’s production division.

Seven recently announced the launch of Seven Studios UK, strengthening its presence in the UK and complementing its investment in London-based scripted specialists, Slim Film + Television. This international expansion builds on Seven’s production hubs in Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney & Melbourne.

Worner said: “The Seven Studios story is a truly remarkable one. Our productions are now seen in over 190 countries worldwide across myriad local broadcasters, and are proving wildly popular on global streaming platforms.

“But we are only scratching the surface of Seven Studios’ potential. To build on our strong growth trajectory, we are investing in both our team and our production slate.

“I’m delighted to announce Therese as Seven Studios’ chief executive. That we are on track to deliver a seventh consecutive year of EBIT growth is down to Therese’s outstanding leadership.

“She has led the evolution of the company into a truly global player, expanding our international production footprint to London, Los Angeles and Auckland, and ensuring our local hubs in Sydney and Melbourne go from strength to strength.

“Therese is putting together a world-class team, and the promotions of Andrew and Richard, together with the recent announcements of Damon Pattison as leader of Seven Studios UK, and Simon Shalgosky as our head of global development, put us in the best position to profit from the unrelenting global demand for premium long-form entertainment.”

Hegarty said: “I’m thrilled to take on the chief executive role, and thank Tim, the SWM team and board for their ongoing support.

“I’m pleased to announce the appointments of Andrew and Richard. Andrew will be responsible for unscripted content and Richard will continue to lead the charge in monetising our content far and wide all over the world.”

Hegarty began her career at George Patterson Advertising before moving into television production early in her career. Prior to joining Seven in 2012 she was vice president production for ASX listed Beyond International, where she managed operational and business affairs across the company’s US and Australian production business. She joined the Seven Network in 2012 and most recently held the title of director, content distribution and rights.

Backwell has over 30 years’ experience in media across the major Australian television networks, centred on development, programming and production.

Prior to joining Seven in October 2018, he consulted at Sony/Playmaker and MediaWorks, and spent 13 years at the Nine Network most notably as managing director, programming and production, responsible for the entire content budget including production, acquisitions, news, and sport.

Henson joined Seven Studios in August 2015, to manage the sales and distribution arrangements of Seven’s significant and rapidly growing catalogue of content rights. Prior to joining Seven he was APAC regional director, program sales and consumer products for Discovery Networks International, and held various sales, strategy and communications roles with Nickelodeon, MCN, OMD and Universal McCann.

Hosted by Zenith CEO, Nickie Scriven, the panel discussion featured speakers Kim Portrate, CEO, Think TV; Carolyn Bollaci, Head of Agency, Facebook and Geraldine Van Der Merwe, Head of Marketing, GHD Australia & New Zealand.

Nickie Scriven, Zenith; Kim Protrate, Think TV; Geraldine Van Der Merwe, GHD; Carolyn Bollaci, Facebook

The panellists examined the challenges brands are facing attracting these socially conscious, digital natives whose affinity with technology has shaped how they shop, and their expectations around customer experience. The discussion also turned to the make-up of the modern media mix, and what brands need to do to ensure their advertising and marketing efforts remain relevant and effective.

Adam Forbes, Seven; Hannah Shorter, Seven; Anthony Ellis, Zenith; Bill Athanassiou, QMS Media

Scriven said: “Beyond understanding consumers by their age, marketers can create more meaningful and powerful brand interactions when they have a deep understanding of how consumers think and behave within different media environments, from social media to television. It’s from these insights that brands will be able to add real value to audiences within those environments.

Adam Forbes, Seven; Hannah Shorter, Seven; Anthony Ellis, Zenith; Bill Athanassiou, QMS Media

“Knowing the right platforms and media environments to engage with your target consumers is key to building customer relationships and creating loyalty for your brand.”

Jonny Cordony, Zenith; Angus Leech, ARN; Kate Blakeley, ARN

Earlier this year, Zenith released a global report, Generation Z is Not the Next Big Thing, which advocates rethinking targeting to take a “perennial” approach – a term coined by marketing guru Gina Pell. Embracing this, Zenith believes that marketers need to shift their focus from just age, to consumers’ mindset, behavioural change and disposable income.

Kylie Sneddon, Zenith; Nickie Scriven, Zenith; Anthony Ellis, Zenith

News Corp Australia’s print and digital mastheads The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Courier-Mail and kidsnews.com.au have united in launching an intense Adopt a Farmer – a campaign to boost awareness and provide financial relief for farming communities battling crippling drought in NSW and VIC, and both drought and floods in QLD.

The front pages and editorial coverage featuring in The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail and on kidsnews.com.au will highlight the dire conditions experienced by farming regions in each state, and will focus on inspiring readers to take action inspired by stories of efforts undertaken by school children around the country.

AGL, NAB, IGA and Qantas have all joined forces with News Corp to show support for farming communities and help educate and engage Australians, particularly school children in capital cities, about the issues being faced as a result of the drought.

Ben English, editor of The Daily Telegraph said: “Deputy editor Gemma Jones and I knew we needed to take action to help give our farming communities – who feel no-one is listening – a stronger voice.

“We are listening and we are taking action. Adopt a Farmer is calling on schools to hold a gold coin mufti day on Wednesday May 8 to support 8,000 farmers registered with Rural Aid who are doing it tough. Sponsors AGL and NAB have already kicked in $200,000 to get the ball rolling, to inject some money back into local economies and to give farmers a small reprieve from the financial pressures they face.

“By schools taking the initiative to adopt a farmer, the stories become very real. We want students to write to the farmers they are adopting, tell them what they’re doing to show support, and then we want to give children an opportunity to visit a rural community and meet the farmers they are supporting.”

Qantas will fly five students and their teacher to a drought affected community to meet the farmers. They just need to write in to [email protected] why their school should be selected. And IGA is giving away $1,000 gift cards to 20 students in rural communities who write in and share their stories about how the drought is affecting them.

Registered charity, Rural Aid will collect the funds, by providing $100 Visa gift cards to farmers in need. The hope is that these gift cards can be spent within the local economies, helping sustain small businesses also facing the full brunt of the effects of the drought.

News Corp is also encouraging readers to get involved in their workplace on May 8 by hosting a mufti day and donating via www.adoptafarmer.com.au

Toni Lamond’s various credits include performing on the very first night of Australian television, becoming the first woman in the world to host her own tonight show with In Melbourne Tonight, and playing a witch out to sacrifice virginal Bev (Abigail) to the Devil on Number 96. Now “Lolly Legs” Lamond has come out of retirement for one last appearance on The Recording Studio (Tuesday on ABC).

This beautiful series is the antithesis to all those shiny floor singing competitions but the one thing they have in common is “the journey”. Lamond records a song she once had to sing in the most tragic of circumstances, and she did it because she’s a professional and a survivor. It’s an inspiring lesson for the series’ other terrific singers. There has to be a soundtrack album coming out from them all, right?

Not quite sure what sort of merchandising can spin off from Mr Black (Tuesday on 10) though, given it is a black comedy. Nine and Seven are risk averse when it comes to Aussie sitcoms, but 10 could be on a roll with comedy after the success last year of How To Stay Married.

Get ready for Stephen Curry being really nasty in Mr Black as he goes head to head with his daughter’s “snowflake” boyfriend. Hilariously, Fin (Nick Russell) gives as good as he gets, and ex-wife Mrs Black (Nadine Garner), who arrives in the second episode, has her own ideas on how to handle the cranky old bastard.

The only bum note in all this is daughter Angela (Sophie Wright), who seems oblivious to much of what is going on. The pilot episode even directly addresses her lack of support, but given today’s #metoo movement, it seems odd that she is not stronger.

Look back at Til Death Us Do Part, the UK sitcom that was remade as All In The Family, and inspired Aussie shows The Last of the Australians and Kingswood Country. Despite being much smarter, there is a touch of Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell) to Mr Black, but Angela is a non-event compared to Alf’s firecracker daughter Rita (Una Stubbs). Maybe Toni Lamond can be sent in to toughen her up.

Thursday: Week 18 2019

By James Manning

• Seven News 988,000/953,000
• Nine News 874,000/833,000
• A Current Affair 664,000
• ABC News 682,000
• 7.30 546,000
• The Project 245,000/443,000
• 10 News First 405,000
• SBS World News 130,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 260,000
• Today 193,000

Seven

At 7pm Home And Away was on 610,000 for three Thursday episodes back-to-back after peaking on 748,000 earlier in the week.

With Seven now the home of the Got Talent franchise again, Britain’s Got Talent is now also with Seven. A new season went to air at different times around the network. The metro audience was 373,000. Interestingly the Melbourne audience (131,000) was bigger at 9.30pm than Sydney at 8.30pm (94,000).

That was partly thanks to a strong lead-in – The Front Bar. The metro audience was 427,000 with 278,000 in Melbourne where it was #1 show for the day. Patrick Dangerfield and Nicky Winmar were guests.

Nine

A Current Affair dropped below 700,000 for its penultimate episode of the week.

Nine’s NRL coverage then did 445,000 for what became a very one-sided match between Souths and Broncos.

The Footy Show is back on life support after a metro audience of 97,000 with just 53,000 in Melbourne. Nine’s Melbourne share was just 12.7%.

10

The channel ranked #1 under 50 for the night with the top three shows in that and the other key demos.

MasterChef managed 680,000 last night as Tim took the first immunity pin in a four-way cook off. Although the show was above 700,000 twice earlier in the week, it was only outrated by the Seven and Nine last night.

The last episode of this season of Bachelor In Paradise couldn’t quite make it to half a million with 454,000 tuning in. An additional Tell All program after the GF did 417,000.

ABC

Berowra Waters was the location for house hunting on Escape From The City with 423,000 watching.

The second season of Doctor Foster then continued on 223,000.

SBS

Two back-to-back episodes of Secrets Of Britain covered Scotland Yard and MI6 with an average audience of 227,000.

Project Blue Book then did 106,000.