There’s lots of smart comments from the group, but Mediaweek found itself nodding the most with Konrad Benjamin’s comment: “I’m drawn to stories that give context. I never liked the whole 30-second news approach of “here’s what happened”. Like, “the US bombed Iran”. OK. But tell me why it’s important: why is the US involved, how did they get into it? New formats – YouTube and online media – have come and plugged that gap and legacy media companies have to reformat what they’re doing. The ABC has pivoted a bit: Matt Bevan does If You’re Listening, a YouTube channel and podcast. That’s the change we’re looking for: 10-15 minute context-driven work. The format is YouTube first.”
Wednesday July 2, 2025
Kyle Sandilands storms off radio show after censor dump
Kyle Sandilands walked off the air mid-show today after KIIS dumped a live segment discussing a high-profile court case. The rare full broadcast interruption prompted an on-air outburst from Sandilands.
Broadcasting from home, Sandilands expressed frustration that television and newspapers could report details of the case, while radio was subject to tighter scrutiny under contempt of court rules.
“Radio laws should be overhauled,” Sandilands said, before the feed was cut.
The prerecorded dump message played during the interruption: “This means someone has said something inappropriate and is currently getting in trouble. The broadcast will return in seconds.”
Upon returning, Sandilands confronted the show’s censor, questioning why the segment was pulled despite what he claimed was legal vetting. The censor clarified that show director Bruno Bouchet had ordered the dump. Sandilands responded by announcing he was leaving.
“You know what? I’m going home.” said Sandilands, before realising that he was already at home.
“I’m not interested in being puppetered by losers,” he said. “Until this show runs the way I intend it to be run, I will not be back on the air at all, in any way, shape or form.”
Mediaweek understands that ARN’s legal department regularly circulates internal directives instructing on-air staff and producers not to reference specifics of ongoing cases, particularly when contempt of court risks are heightened. Such directives can be followed by instructions to execute a full dump if breached, a rare measure on the Kyle & Jackie O Show, which usually relies on live censorship tools.
Wednesday’s incident comes as the program is already under heightened scrutiny due to separate contempt of court proceedings relating to earlier remarks about another case involving mushroom cook Erin Patterson.
In a heated exchange, Sandilands said he would rather face jail than be told what to do. The segment ended with him saying he would be off the air until at least Monday: “Enjoy the rest of the week, guys. Arrivederci from me.”
Seven points finger at WIN over regional TV outage
Large areas of regional New South Wales and South Australia have lost access to free-to-air programming from the Seven Network, including AFL, cricket and news, after a commercial standoff with the WIN Network led to the signal being shut off on Monday.
The affected regions include Griffith, Riverland, and Mount Gambier. As of 1 July, residents are no longer able to receive Seven’s programming over traditional aerial transmission, including live sport and local news bulletins.
The graphic appearing on WIN 7 channels in SA (Credit: Eugene Boisvert)
The dispute arises from a failure to agree on new commercial terms between the two broadcasters. Seven West Media said it continues to supply its content to WIN, but that the regional affiliate made the call to cease broadcasts.
“Despite our best endeavours, we have been unable to reach a mutually acceptable commercial agreement with the WIN Network to provide access to Seven via aerial transmission,” said Jeff Howard, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seven West Media.
“Seven has not turned off our signal. We continue to provide our content to WIN for broadcast into these markets and WIN has made the decision to switch off the Seven signal to these communities.”
Howard added that Seven is seeking assistance from the Federal Government and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to help resolve the issue quickly. In the interim, affected viewers are being directed to watch content via 7plus.
Government weighs in
The signal shutdown prompted a strong response from both sides of federal politics during a segment on Sunrise, with concerns raised about the growing difficulty of ensuring regional Australians retain access to major cultural events and information.
The Sunrise segment about the Seven v WIN regional TV issue
Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, described the development as “concerning,” adding: “We want footy to flow freely across the country… the government is working with networks to try to resolve this.”
She said Communications Minister Annika Wells had already been in touch with both parties and was reviewing regulatory options.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie went further, calling for stronger intervention: “This is our cultural practice, particularly in the regions – it’s our bread-and-butter,” she said. “The Government needs to get involved, not just ‘Annika, sit ‘em down for a little chat’. These are commercial entities having to make commercial decisions because the environment they’re operating in isn’t financially sustainable.”
Responding to McKenzie’s criticism, Clare O’Neil defended the Government’s handling of the issue, saying Communications Minister Annika Wells was “completely on top of this.”
“I don’t think Annika needs any advice from me or respectfully from Bridget about how to handle this matter,” O’Neil said. “I agree with a lot of what Bridget has said there – we do want sport flowing free into our suburbs but also into our regions and the government is working with the networks to try to get this corrected.”
Both politicians stressed the importance of protecting free-to-air access to live sport and news, especially in communities with limited digital connectivity.
Top image: Jeff Howard, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seven West Media.
Network 10 streaming claims biggest year yet
While reporting on its first half of the 2025 calendar year, Network 10 has reported a 16% year-on-year growth for its streaming platforms. It’s biggest year to date.
The network has said that combined, 10 linear and streaming has reached 22.5 million viewers in 2025, with 15 million Australians watching every month.
Earlier this week it exhibited confidence by rebranding its 10play.com.au service as 10, the first Australian network to unify its BVOD platform brand with its main broadcast brand. This was part of a broader evolution of its whole-of-network branding.
Further wins identified by 10:
• 10 has eight of the top 15 regular programs in 16 to 39s.
• 10 has seven of the top 15 regular programs in 25 to 54s.
• Sam Pang Tonight: 10’s biggest new show launch since 2022.
• 10 News: Total TV audience up 12% on 2024.
• Formula 1® Louis Vuitton® Australian Grand Prix 2025: Up 34%. Biggest race audience since 2016.
• Have You Been Paying Attention?: Up 5%.
• The Cheap Seats: Up 7%.
• Gogglebox: Up 5%.
• Football: Paramount Australia’s entire coverage has reached 6.34 million Australians.
• Football: Isuzu UTE A-League home and away season up 9% year-on-year.
• Nickelodeon: #1 commercial multi-channel in kids.
• FAST channels up 16% on 2024.
In a statement to media, Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content and Programming, Paramount Australia, said: “10 is home to the most popular comedies in Australia as well as family-friendly entertainment and fan-favourite reality TV.
“Audiences love to laugh with our weekly comedies Have You Been Paying Attention? and The Cheap Seats up year-on-year plus Australia’s favourite funny man launched Sam Pang Tonight that delivered our biggest new show launch since 2022.
“From celebrity hi-jinks in the jungle, survival on Samoan beaches, masterful kitchen wins, to hilarious quips from couch critics, our reality formats have connected with die-hard fans and engaged new audiences in H1.
“There were epic launches, strong seasons and huge finales but one stand out success was Gogglebox which, in its first season exclusive to 10, saw an astonishing 170% growth in streaming.
“But there’s more to come in the second half of the year with Survivor: Australia V The World premiering straight after we crown the winner of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, The Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition jets off soon, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly is back, Talkin’ Bout Your Gen launches with fearless new host Anne Edmonds, Ghosts Australia will hit our screens, Gogglebox returns to the couches, Sam Pang Tonight goes for round 2, and of course Big Brother is returning to its original home on 10.”
Rod Prosser, Chief Sales Officer, Paramount Australia, said: “Our major event sport and growing news programming rounds out 10’s compelling content slate, plus with streaming up 16% year-on-year, 2025 has already seen an elevated market offering. And now our clients have easy access to important 10 Regional markets, all in one expert team at 10.
“Formula 1 set the pace with our entire coverage up 18% year-on-year and the race up 34%, plus football has been scoring with the Subway Socceroos having their biggest audiences ever on 10 up 72% on 2024 and Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s competition up 9%.
“10 News is also up across all bulletins and platforms, and we’ve just launched 10 News+ giving audiences even more in-depth news, current affairs and insights.
“Our Total TV offering provides unparalleled premium, brand-safe and diverse content on 10.
“The addition of strategic regional TV licenses and complementary sales expertise has created our powerful and unified national sales proposition.
“Combined with the power of our market-leading brand content and integrations, led by Paramount Brand Studio, along with our innovative digital advertising solutions including the expansion of our contextual CTV advertising experiences, we have impactful commercial opportunities for brands and campaigns of any size and target audience.”
Behind the renewed focus on news
This week has seen 10 re-emphasise its commitment to news with the launch of the new hour-long 10 News+. It is clear why the network is so bull-ish on ramping up its news coverage when considering the gains 10 are reporting for the first half of the year:
• 10 News 3.27 million total viewers reached – up 14% on 2024
• 10 News streaming audiences up 37%.
• 10 Late News total viewers up 18%.
• 10 Lunchtime total viewers up 35%.
• 10 Afternoons total viewers up 47%.
Kicking goals in football
Football continues to be an important audience pull for 10, with the network reporting 6.34 million Australians watching Paramount Australia’s football coverage across the CommBank Matildas, Subway Socceroos and Ninja A-League Women’s and Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s competitions.
The network reports:
• Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s home and away competition up 9% year-on-year.
• Biggest national total audience ever on 10.
• Grand Final reached 1.1 million total national viewers and was #1 in its timeslot.
• Subway Socceroos reached 2.39 million total national viewers so far in 2025.
• Biggest audiences ever on 10 – up 72% vs 2024.
• CommBank Matildas reached 2.7 million total national viewers so far in 2025.
Driving viewership to F1
There’s an increased attention on Formula1 right now with Brad Pitt luring audiences to cinemas with the widely promoted, box office hit F1. Interest in the sport is clear in Australia with 10 reporting its three-day coverage of the Formula 1® Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix reached 3.7 million national viewers, up 18% year-on-year.
The race itself had a national total audience of 1.06 million, up 34% on 2024. 10 said it was the #1 sport of the day and the biggest race audience since 2016. Notably, it reports a 97% increase in streaming viewership over 2024.
Nova’s Skyline Sessions announces artist schedule led by a winner from The Voice Australia
Nova Entertainment is set to launch a new live music initiative in Melbourne with the debut of Nova’s Skyline Sessions, transforming QT Melbourne’s rooftop into an open-air acoustic performance space across four Saturday nights in July and August.
Nova’s Skyline Sessions
Free and open to the public (18+), the series begins Saturday 5 July with Lachie Gill, winner of The Voice Australia, performing an exclusive 30-minute acoustic set. Gill will be followed by Jem Cassar-Daley (12 July), Chris Lanzon (2 August), and Sam McGovern (16 August), each delivering stripped-back performances from 8:00pm to 8:30pm.
“I’m excited to be playing for you at Nova’s Skyline Sessions. For the last year I have been working on new material and can’t wait to share it with you first,” said Gill ahead of his performance.
The evolution of Nova’s Red Room
The concept marks the first time Nova has launched a live music event series of this kind. While its established Nova’s Red Room has brought global artists like Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish and The Kid Laroi to intimate stages, Skyline Sessions opens up Nova’s live music offering to a general audience without ticketing barriers.
The Kid Laroi performing at Nova’s Red Room at SXSW, 2025.
Brendan Taylor, Group Programming Director at Nova Network, said the collaboration with QT Melbourne was a natural evolution. “Nova has always been committed to bringing great live music experiences to Australian audiences, and Nova’s Skyline Sessions is the next chapter. We’re proud to partner with QT Melbourne to offer Melburnians a unique music experience under the stars.”
Who is playing, and when?
Saturday 5 July: Lachie Gill, 8:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday 12 July: Jem Cassar-Daley, 8:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday 2 August: Chris Lanzon, 8:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday 16 August: Sam McGovern, 8:00pm to 8:30pm
Owned by Event Hospitality & Entertainment (EVT), The Rooftop at QT is located on Level 11 at 133 Russell Street, Melbourne. The venue will be open from midday on Saturdays, with live music continuing throughout the night until 12:30am. Nova’s Skyline Sessions feature during the peak evening set time.
More information is available at QT Melbourne.
OBMedia sale leader Ian Ball promoted to Enero Group CEO
Enero Group has promoted Ian Ball to Group CEO.
His promotion comes after he led the sale of OBMedia and the development of a plan to reposition Enero as a focused three-agency business, built around Hotwire Global, Orchard and BMF.
Ball, joined the business as Chief Operating Officer in early 2025 and has led a number of significant initiatives, including the successful refinancing of the business and key senior appointments across Enero’s agency portfolio.
He has also played a central role in the development of Enero’s FY26 growth plan, introduced a renewed focus on operational excellence, and identified opportunities for greater value creation across the Group.
Ian Rowden, Enero Group, Chair, said: “Ian has made a substantial impact in a remarkably short period of time, stepping seamlessly into a complex leadership transition and immediately bringing clarity, structure and momentum to the business.
“From leading the successful refinancing of the Group to restructuring OBMedia, appointing new leadership, and aligning our agency teams around a clear plan for operational excellence and value creation, he has demonstrated the kind of strategic foresight and decisive execution that’s essential in today’s environment.
“Ian’s ability to build strong relationships across the executive team, Board and shareholder base has been equally critical. The Board is confident that under Ian’s leadership, Enero is well positioned to deliver long-term growth and performance as we move into this next chapter.”
Ball said of his promotion: “I’m honoured to take on the role of Group CEO and continue building on the strong foundations we’ve put in place.
“Enero is home to three world-class agencies, each with distinct capabilities and shared ambition. I’m excited to work with our leaders and teams globally to unlock the next phase of growth and value creation.”
Top image: Ian Ball
Enigma nabs Howatson+Company’s Dom Hickey as Chief Strategy Officer
Enigma has appointed Dom Hickey as Chief Strategy Officer to oversee the Central Intelligence department, providing clients with integrated strategy across brand, creative, connections, CX and media disciplines.
Hickey’s career spans more than two decades and she has led the strategy on some of the country’s biggest brands including Domain, Westpac, Coles and J&J.
She joins the indie creative and media agency from Howatson+Company where she was Chief Strategy Officer for the past three years where she built the agency’s strategic product and attracting key new business wins, leading to transformational growth.
During her time at Howatson, the agency was recognised as a Contagious Pioneer, received multiple Independent Agency of the Year accolades and scored four wins across the APAC and Australian Effies. Notable work includes Domain’s brand platform ‘Know What We Know’, Modibodi’s ‘I’m Dying Inside’ and ‘The Great Unsubscribe’ for the ABC.
Lisa Sutton Gardner, Enigma Founder & Director, said: “The only way to have true media and creative integration is for the insights and thinking that guide and drive them to be coming from the same brains trust. We’ve scoured the country (and a fair few others) to find the best leader for this department and have more than found what we’re looking for in Dom.
“From our first conversation, it was clear that we have a shared view of how deep strategic insight can deliver the most potent impact for our clients but also shared values on how we like to work and the kind of business we want to build. Dom’s appointment is a key step in Enigma’s ongoing evolution; I’m delighted to have her on board.”
Hickey said of her new role: “Enigma is a 30-year-old challenger brand with huge ambition, and Lisa’s vision and investment for what’s next are super compelling in a market where many are running scared. With their strong regional heritage, Enigma has a deep understanding of real Australians.
“I’m excited about leading a department that continuously deepens this understanding and so enables us to connect our clients’ brands with their audiences in unignorably meaningful ways.”
Justin Ladmore, Enigma Chief Media Officer, added: “We’ve always had a passion for understanding and connecting with real Australia. It drives everything we do. With Dom’s arrival and the strategic firepower of her Central Intelligence team we’re better equipped than ever to deliver truly integrated campaigns for our clients that move real Australians and shape Australian culture. Bring it on!”
Dom’s appointment as CSO follows that of Simon Lee as CCO in March and Justin Ladmore’s promotion to Chief Media Officer in February. Hickey and Lee worked together previously at Lavender, forming a creative partnership that Hickey describes as “one of the strongest of my career.”
Top image: Dom Hickey
Promotion for Richard Brett as Emily Poon steps down as President of Ogilvy PR APAC
Richard Brett has been appointed President of Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific, in addition to his role as CEO of Ogilvy PR ANZ and Ogilvy Health Australia.
His promotion comes as Emily Poon, President of Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific steps back from her role to pursue new ventures after a 17-years at Ogilvy PR – including five years in her current role.
Brett takes over from 1st August and will continue to be based in Sydney.
Richard Brett: ‘I’m excited to lead our talented teams into the future – both within Australia and New Zealand, and now the broader region.’
He first joined the agency in 2013, and was appointed to the CEO role in 2018, taking on the additional leadership of Ogilvy Health Australia in 2021. He has more than 25 years of experience leading communications consultancies and as an in-house communications and marketing leader.
Chris Reitermann, CEO, Ogilvy APAC, said of the changes: “I’d first like to thank Emily’s huge contribution to Ogilvy PR over the past 17 years which have been invaluable. Emily came to us in the beginning of the year with her desire to take a break and plan for the next chapter of her career. During her tenure, Emily has been a driving force behind Ogilvy PR’s strength and evolution in the region.
“Her leadership and dedication have shaped not only our agency’s success and culture but also the careers of many who worked with her. We wish her all the best in her next adventures.
“As a planned succession, we are excited to have Richard, who has been leading a world-class PR operation in Australia and New Zealand, to lead Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific into our next phase of growth. We are always delighted when our capable internal talent can step up into larger leadership roles.”
Under Brett’s leadership, the agency has received many accolades, and was most recently awarded Silver at Campaign’s Global Campaign PR Agency of the Year.
“I’m honoured to step into this role and build upon the momentum Emily and our Asia and Australia teams have established,” said Richard. “Ogilvy PR’s legacy is built on a people-first culture, bold creativity and cutting-edge innovations, and I’m excited to lead our talented teams into the future – both within Australia and New Zealand, and now the broader region.
“Continuing my leadership positions as CEO of Ogilvy PR ANZ and Ogilvy Health Australia in addition to my new role as President of Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific will also allow me to spend more time with all the talented teams across the business, providing an opportunity to foster even greater collaboration throughout the region.”
Emily Poon: ‘It has also been my privilege leading Ogilvy PR in APAC for the past five years. Ogilvy is more than a workplace, it is a community where I found lifelong learnings and lasting bonds in shared purpose.’
Julianna Richter, Global CEO, Ogilvy PR, added: “Richard’s strategic brilliance and passion for integrated, earned-first creativity make him the perfect fit to guide Ogilvy PR forward in the region. We are confident he will elevate our capabilities in APAC and inspire our team to continue achieving great things. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Emily for her charismatic leadership, she will be greatly missed.”
Poon said of her time with the agency: “My past 17 years at Ogilvy have been truly transformative and enriching on so many levels. It has also been my privilege leading Ogilvy PR in APAC for the past five years. Ogilvy is more than a workplace, it is a community where I found lifelong learnings and lasting bonds in shared purpose. While I’m excited for new horizons ahead, my heart remains with friends at Ogilvy.
She added of her successor: “Richard is an extremely talented and values-driven leader, I couldn’t be happier with him taking on the role. I will be cheering him and our exceptional team on as they soar to even greater heights.”
During Poon’s tenure, Ogilvy PR saw significant growth and expanded its PR and Influencer offering in diverse markets, strengthening the network’s coverage across 26 locations in the region.
Cheuk Chiang promotion at Bastion to Group CEO as co-founder moves on to Executive role
Bastion has promoted Cheuk Chiang as Group Chief Executive Officer, as co-founder and current Group CEO, Jack Watts steps into the role of Executive Director where he will focus on strategic growth opportunities.
The leadership change marks a new era for the agency, as marketing and communications network in Australasia. Founded in 2009, by brothers Fergus and Jack Watts, the agency operates in 10 cities and 5 countries with over 350 employees.
Bastion services local and global brands such as Kellogg’s, Air New Zealand, Spotify, L’Oreal, Ferrari, Unilever, Mars, Salesforce and Bunnings Warehouse across 6 key services; Advertising, Communications, Digital, Experience, Insights and its recently launched Media Planning and Buying offering across Australia and New Zealand, led by Anna Cherry.
“The past 16 years have been an extraordinary journey; to build a global business from scratch in any industry is something rare,” said Jack Watts. “An integral part of the growth and longevity of Bastion has been our continued evolution, knowing that what got us here, won’t get us there.”
“Working with Cheuk as CEO of our ANZ business over the past year has been eye-wateringly fun. He possesses a remarkable skill set, with the proven experience to lead not just a team of 350, but teams as large as 3,000.
“I’m excited to see the impact that Cheuk will now have across our broader group. Personally, I’m energised to spend a lot more time working with our people to solve our clients’ biggest problems with new offerings and capabilities that help give them a competitive advantage.”
Cheuk will focus on driving the continued growth of the global Bastion business with key clients, services, regional expansion and multi market integrated campaigns.
He brings decades of experience leading some of the world’s most successful marketing and communications organisations across Dentsu and Omnicom. He also has deep experience working across the APAC region and has successfully led creative, media, data and technology businesses building integrated models that deliver end-to-end solutions for modern marketers.
With his expanded global remit and sound understanding of Bastion ANZ, Bastion reinforces its commitment to global excellence underpinned by independent thinking.
“It’s an honour to take the reins from Jack and lead Bastion into its next phase,” said Chiang.
“We are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the modern marketer through our world-class integrated end-to-end offering. Our global platform enables us to deliver truly integrated, best- in-class work with local insight and I’m energised to build on this strong foundation. Looking ahead, our vision is to scale Bastion to be the world’s strongest independent network driving innovation, embracing emerging technologies and expanding our global footprint while staying true to our entrepreneurial spirit.
Chiang added: “A lot of agencies talk a good game when it comes to integration however very few can deliver that with deep expertise. At Bastion, we are proud to consistently deliver truly integrated campaigns that put our clients in a position of strength. Bastion has always been very humble when it comes to promoting itself, however it’s time that the world sees what we are truly capable of.”
New era of AI at Bastion
Bastion will continue to invest in forward-looking capabilities that leverage data and technology and using AI to power up audience insights, media, experiential, communications, creative and campaign delivery therefore driving faster, smarter and more measurable outcomes for clients.
It continues to launch into new areas like digital brand experience, e-commerce and marketing automation.
“Our end-to-end offering is being supercharged by AI, enabling us to deliver smarter strategies and more effective results for our clients,” said Chiang. “This is not just evolution, it’s transformation and it will be central to Bastion’s global growth strategy.”
The leadership transition will be overseen by Bastion’s Chair, Fergus Watts, who was Group CEO for the first 10 years of Bastion’s growth. As Chair, Fergus continues to guide the business with a long-term vision rooted in purpose and performance.
“This is more than just a leadership change, it’s a natural progression for our business,” said Fergus Watts. “Cheuk’s appointment is the culmination of a 5-year plan to ensure Bastion does not fall victim to what hampers most agency’s growth, which is an ongoing dependency on the founders. This business is bigger than any one person. It is and always has been about delivering exceptional results for our clients.
“Our ambition is to build one of the strongest independent agencies in the world. Having done that across Australia and New Zealand, it is now time to cement our strategy across the USA and focus our further expansion into Asia.
“Cheuk is the right person to lead our people, clients and partners into the next chapter putting them in a position of strength and I look forward to supporting him in unlocking the full potential of our global network.”
Top image: Cheuk Chiang and Fergus Watts
Red Rooster wants to be a serious burger restaurant with Cheeseburger relaunch
Red Rooster is stepping up its burger game with the launch of a new Cheeseburger, supported by a cross-channel campaign developed by Leo Australia and backed by media from Atomic 212.
The campaign debuted with a 15-second TVC and is rolling out across digital, online video, and social, with production handled by Prodigious Australia. The effort aims to reposition Red Rooster as a serious contender in the burger space, tapping into what the brand says is the strongest growth category in QSR.
“We’re making a deliberate move into burger territory with something that’s familiar and unforgettable,” said Ashley Hughes, Director of Marketing at Red Rooster. “The Cheeseburger is aimed at attracting new customers with a familiar cheeseburger flavour hit, while winning back lapsed fans, particularly 18–34-year-olds, with a new take on the crowd-pleasing classic.”
Using nostalgic cues and indulgent food visuals, the creative leans into the brand’s signature irreverence to position the burger as a crave-worthy alternative in a competitive space.
The Cheeseburger is available nationally from 2 July for a limited time across dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, click-and-collect, and delivery.
Credit List
Client: Red Rooster
Ashley Hughes, Director of Marketing, Red Rooster
Jane Hillsdon, Marketing Manager, Red Rooster
Julia Lo Presti, Senior Brand Manager, Red Rooster
Rebeccah Sowden, Assistant Brand Manager, Red Rooster
Stella Katsaros, PR & Communications Manager, Red Rooster
Creative Agency: Leo Australia
Group Business Director: Shae Jones
Business Director: Daniella Garabedian
Business Manager: Max Reiser
Creative Director: Michelle Walsh
Copywriter: Bill Scheggia
Art Director: Lewis Catalano
PXP Senior Integrated Producer: Laura Midalia
Production Company: Prodigious
Director: Josh Logue
Executive Producer: Tim Pietranski
Producer: Lucy Burne
New SafeWork NSW campaign on how workplace safety protects families
SafeWork NSW and 303 MullenLowe have launched a new campaign that pulls at the heartstrings, highlights the impact of workplace safety on home and loved ones.
The campaign, developed by the agency since its appointment by SafeWork NSW earlier this year, aims to tackle the challenge of people collectively embracing workplace safety under a new platform of ‘Safe at work. There for them’.
The wide-reaching integrated campaign emphasises the key relationships at stake when it comes to staying safe at work, by contrasting empty workplaces against positive moments of reconnection as loved ones return home at the end of a workday.
Real families were cast in the campaign which will be seen across TV/BVOD, OOH, radio, online and social from this week, targeting multiple audiences including CALD communities (First Nations peoples, Arabic, Vietnamese, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean among others).
303 MullenLowe Sydney CEO Joanna Gray said the campaign aimed to reduce the number of workplace fatalities, injuries, illnesses and serious claims related to both physical and psycho-social incidents such as workplace bullying across NSW.
“Even if people’s instinct for self-preservation isn’t enough to drive a significant change in workplace behaviours, reframing it as ultimately impacting those they love transforms the message into a powerful reminder that’s difficult to ignore,” she said.
The SafeWork NSW campaign is spearheaded by hero films created in collaboration with Finch and director Paola Morabito.
Joanna Gray: ‘Even if people’s instinct for self-preservation isn’t enough to drive a significant change in workplace behaviours, reframing it as ultimately impacting those they love transforms the message into a powerful reminder that’s difficult to ignore.’
303 MullenLowe Sydney Chief Creative Officer Bart Pawlak said: “The films are intended to create a visceral response as much as anything else, by contrasting moments of conspicuous absence in the workplace, that aren’t necessarily explained, with joyful moments of presence and reconnection at home.
“This sets up the fundamental observation that you are important at work, and your absence will be felt, but that it’s at home where you’re irreplaceable. And, consequently, landing the primary motivation for why people should always keep themselves and those around them safe – there are others depending on it.”
Gray added: “We are honoured to work with the team at Department of Customer Services to bring this campaign to market. The agency has come together with the client team in a meeting of the minds – both teams senior, streamlined, nimble and delivering a campaign of complexity and scale with excellence.”
Gray: ‘The agency has come together with the client team in a meeting of the minds – both teams senior, streamlined, nimble and delivering a campaign of complexity and scale with excellence.’
Credits:
303 MullenLowe
Chief Executive Officer Sydney – Joanna Gray
Chief Strategy Officer Sydney – Jody Elston
Chief Creative Officer Sydney – Bart Pawlak
Executive Creative Director Perth – Sara Oteri
Senior Copywriter – Glenn Dalton
Senior Copywriter – Robin Feiner
Senior Art Director – Simon Cox
Head of Production – Skye Lanser
Client Lead – Jen Hird
Account Manager – Taylor Murchison
Head of Design – Alby Furfaro
NSW Government, Department of Customer Service
Director, Customer Brand and Marketing – Taline Megerditchian
Marketing & Campaign Manager – Jacqueline Stuban
Senior Marketing & Campaigns Advisor – Vesna IIic
Senior Marketing & Campaigns Advisor – Avonlea Cannone
Marketing Advisor – Ryan Henderson
Production Company – Finch
Director – Paola Morabito
Executive Producer – Nick Simkins
Producer – Marge McInnes
DOP – Gregoire Liere
Post Production – ARC
Editor – Simon Price
Online – White Chocolate
Casting – Felicity Byrne
Audio Production – Squeak E Clean
Photographer – Toby Burrows
Deb Knight returns to TV full-time at Nine
Nine has confirmed that broadcaster Deb Knight will step away from the nightly Money News radio program on the Nine Radio network to return to a full-time TV role.
Knight will present the Money News show for the final time on Thursday. A replacement host has not yet been announced.
Knight will present the national 9News Morning bulletin at 11:30 AM each weekday, along with 9News Afternoon each weekday in Sydney. She will continue to host A Current Affair on Saturday nights.
“Deb is an exceptional journalist and a beloved figure on Australian screens, said Fiona Dear, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs. “Her extensive experience, versatility and deep connection with audiences make her the perfect fit for these key news presenting roles. We are thrilled to have her back full-time in our 9News and Current Affairs family,” Dear said, welcoming her back to TV.
“Deb has been an integral part of the 2GB on-air team since 2020, but her ties to talk radio stretch back much further,” said Greg Byrnes, National Content Manager of Nine Radio. He continued: “Nationally, the Money News program with Deb as host, has recorded some of its best ratings on record and she finishes up as No. 1 overall in Sydney. We’ll miss Deb on and off the air but as she’s remaining in the Nine family she’ll never be too far away.”
Deb Knight expressed enthusiasm: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping back into a full-time television role with 9News and Current Affairs. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of the daily news cycle and connect with viewers during these important bulletins. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in radio, particularly hosting Money News, and I’m grateful for the wonderful listeners who tuned in. I’m also very pleased to continue hosting A Current Affair on Saturday nights.”
Deb will tell listeners about her departure from the Money News program tonight from 7pm when it airs across 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, and 6PR.
Her final Money News show will be this Thursday with a new host to be announced in coming weeks.
Donna Hay returns to Disney+ with new local original
Donna Hay will return to Disney+ with a new four-part lifestyle series, Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, set to stream in 2026.
The Disney+ Australian Original is currently in production and filmed at various Sydney harbourside locations. The series builds on Hay’s established presence on the platform, following the 2022 release of Donna Hay Christmas.
Produced by Donna Hay Productions, the new series features Hay as both host and producer, with direction by long-time collaborator Benjamin Jones. Each episode will see Hay craft menus and style entertaining moments designed for sharing, drawing inspiration from the surrounding coastal scenery.
“I am so excited to be working again with Disney+ and to be creating incredible food, beautiful tablescapes, and magical moments with my family and friends,” said Hay. “I can’t wait to share this amazing new series with you all.”
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, said: “We’re thrilled Donna Hay is returning to Disney+ to share her signature style in beautifully curated celebrations. The four-part series is filmed on locations around the iconic Sydney Harbourside and will be a sumptuous feast for the senses and a real treat to enjoy, only on Disney+.”
Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations joins a growing slate of locally-produced content on Disney+, which includes scripted titles The Artful Dodger, The Clearing, and Last Days of the Space Age, alongside docuseries Matildas: The World at Our Feet and Shipwreck Hunters Australia. A second season of The Artful Dodger is also in production.
Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations will debut on Disney+ in 2026.
The Pistol strengthens leadership bench with new account directors
The Pistol has strengthened its client service team with the appointment of two new account directors, Rachel Fyfe and Amy Peddlesden, as the agency closes out a strong financial year marked by both high client retention and new business wins.
Rachel Fyfe promoted
Rachel Fyfe, a long-standing member of the team, has been promoted to account director.
Fyfe, who first joined The Pistol in 2021 as a senior account manager, will now focus on mentoring emerging account leaders while continuing to lead key client relationships. Her past roles include Social and Content Lead at GrowthOps and Social Media Account Manager at FWRD Agency.
Ashley Grey, group account director at The Pistol, said the promotion reflects Fyfe’s evolution within the agency: “Rachel’s promotion reflects her incredible growth and dedication to our agency and clients’ business. She is a natural leader and strategic thinker, with a deep understanding of our clients, team culture and the way we work.”
“Her approach is rooted in innovation and a relentless drive to deliver meaningful results. She has successfully led the growth of some of our most complex client groups, while simultaneously nurturing and elevating the team around her. This promotion is a natural next step.”
Amy Peddlesden joins the agency
Joining her in the leadership ranks is Amy Peddlesden, who comes to the agency from her previous role as Senior Client Strategy Director at Impressive Digital.
Peddlesden brings extensive experience in digital strategy, having worked across FMCG, retail and financial services at both Impressive Digital and GrowthOps. In her new role, she will lead key accounts, drive strategic initiatives and focus on performance outcomes.
“I’m excited to be part of a team that values creativity and performance,” said Peddlesden. “I look forward to contributing to our clients’ success and driving meaningful results.”
The Pistol CEO Jamie Nosworthy added: “We are thrilled to have Amy join our team. Her strategic insight and dedication to client success make her a valuable asset as we continue to innovate and grow.”
“We’re excited to have both Amy and Rachel in these important roles. Rachel’s deep connection to our business and Amy’s fresh perspective are a powerful combination that will help us continue to evolve and deliver exceptional work.”
Jamie Nosworthy
The appointments follow a strong FY25 for The Pistol, with extended partnerships across major clients including MARS, Liquor Legends, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Forty Winks, and Prime Super. New business wins included Jura, Bosch eBike Systems, and UK retail brands Cotswold Outdoor, Runner’s Need and Snow + Rock.
Both appointments are effective immediately.
Top image (L-R): Rachel Fyfe, Ashley Grey and Amy Peddlesden
These are the five eCommerce marketing trends reshaping 2025
As global retail eCommerce sales are projected to surpass $US4.3 trillion, marketers are leaning into new technologies and consumer behaviours to drive performance.
Taboola has identified five key trends influencing eCommerce marketing in 2025, spanning personalisation, mobile commerce, social shopping, automation, and SEO-driven strategies.
Taboola report: Most important elements in online shopping according to consumers
1. Personalisation and customer experience remain paramount
The fusion of AI, big data, and digital ad technology is enabling tailored consumer journeys. Brands are deploying predictive analytics and first-party data to deliver customised recommendations and dynamic content.
With 60% of consumers switching brands due to pricing concerns, marketers are also prioritising price transparency and real-time offers to retain shoppers.
Frictionless design is equally important. Fast-loading, mobile-optimised sites with intuitive navigation and simplified checkouts have become essential.
According to Taboola, reducing load time by one second can improve conversion rates by up to 17%, while improved checkout design could recover up to $260 billion in lost orders globally.
2. Mobile commerce and shoppable content dominate
Mobile now accounts for nearly 80% of retail website visits, with 75% of consumers completing purchases on their phones.
Marketers are enhancing mobile UX and exploring shoppable formats like live-streamed product demos and app-exclusive deals.
Augmented reality (AR) is also gaining traction, with 40% of consumers willing to pay more for products they can customise in AR environments.
3. Social commerce and influencer marketing prove effective
Social platforms are increasingly central to eCommerce strategies, with brands activating direct-sales features on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Influencer marketing is a major driver, with 33% of consumers trusting influencer recommendations. The right partnerships can deliver high engagement and conversion, particularly when integrated with shoppable content and live events.
Taboola report: Starting points for online shopping journeys in the last 6 months
4. Data analytics and marketing automation power smarter decisions
In the post-cookie landscape, brands are turning to first-party data to inform strategy.
Automation tools help streamline customer communication across channels, while AI chatbots and predictive modelling improve efficiency and ROI, with 51% of shoppers preferring businesses with live chat support.
Email remains a standout channel, delivering an average return of $36 for every $1 spent.
5. SEO and content marketing evolve for AI and voice search
Search engine optimisation (SEO) and answer engine optimisation (AEO) are increasingly important for discoverability.
Voice search usage is on the rise, with 32% of consumers using voice assistants weekly.
Brands optimising for natural language queries and long-tail keywords are better positioned to capture voice-driven commerce. High-performing product pages, informative content, and user-generated media are key to ranking well and building trust.
As eCommerce continues to blur the lines between content, commerce, and community, brands that embrace data-driven personalisation, omnichannel engagement, and emerging technologies are poised to lead.
Ad industry decarbonisation project Ad Net Zero appoints local leader
Arum Nixon has been appointed to lead the Australian chapter of Ad Net Zero.
The joint initiative was launched in October 2024 by the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), Advertising Council Australia (ACA), Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia (IAB) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA). It aims to support the decarbonisation of the advertising industry and marks the first time all four peak bodies have united behind a common sustainability goal.
Nixon will focus on growing the initiative’s supporter base and accelerating adoption of the Ad Net Zero 5-point action plan in Australia, driving more sustainable behaviours in how the advertising industry operates and in the work it produces.
He brings valuable experience from senior roles at major media agencies in London and Sydney, most recently as Head of Product at Foundation. He has been consulting with Ad Net Zero over the past three months in the lead-up to this appointment.
To date, 30 organisations across all areas of the industry – including advertisers, agencies and vendors – have signed as Ad Net Zero supporters. The initiative is further strengthened by working groups aligned to each of the five pillars of the Ad Net Zero Action Plan, with 29 industry representatives actively involved in driving progress.
Nixon said the opportunity to align his professional work with his personal values is what makes the role especially meaningful.
“For the past few years, I’ve been passionate about finding ways to use marketing’s power of influence for good,” he said.
“So many people I speak to across the industry feel the same way – they want to make a positive difference through their work but don’t know where to start. Leading Ad Net Zero gives me a platform to help them take that first step and support them along the way.”
Media Federation of Australia CEO Sophie Madden said: “Arum is exactly the right person to lead Ad Net Zero Australia as we drive meaningful, long-term change across the advertising industry. His energy, passion and commitment to addressing the climate challenge is unmatched.
“I encourage every organisation working in the Australian advertising market to join the Ad Net Zero movement – because only through collective action can we create the scale and momentum needed to make a real difference.
Gai Le Roy, IAB Australia CEO, added: “I’m delighted to see Arum Nixon take the helm of Ad Net Zero Australia. Arum’s strong track record – driving sustainability initiatives while balancing industry needs – brings exactly the clarity and momentum our industry needs.
“With Arum leading the charge, we now have a pragmatic roadmap for agencies, brands, media and tech to better measure their impact and make real progress towards a lower carbon future.”
Key projects by Ad Net Zero Australia so far include a comprehensive training and events program designed to upskill teams and embed sustainable practices across the industry. These initiatives are supported by a robust library of global and local tools, frameworks and guides to help measure and reduce the environmental impact of advertising across the supply chain.
Last month in Cannes, Ad Net Zero unveiled the first major update to the Global Media Sustainability Framework (GMSF), establishing voluntary global standards for calculating and reporting advertising-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The framework now covers six media channels – Digital, TV, OOH, Print, Audio and Cinema – and provides a consistent methodology for brands to follow as they work towards their sustainability goals.
Ad Net Zero Australia supporters are actively involved in the development and rollout of the GMSF as it continues to evolve, with Arum Nixon leading the local process. A key focus is ensuring the framework remains relevant and practical for the Australian market.
Top image: Arum Nixon
DoubleVerify expands Authentic Attention measurement to social, launching with Snapchat
DoubleVerify has introduced its Authentic Attention product to social media, debuting the attention measurement solution on Snapchat. The launch marks the first time DV’s proprietary metrics, which include viewable time, screen share, and eye-tracking data, have been extended to a social environment.
The solution, developed in collaboration with Lumen Research, combines DV’s scalable ad exposure analytics with Lumen’s eyes-on-screen tracking to provide detailed insight into how users engage with ads. The platform-level integration with Snapchat offers advertisers the ability to measure ad performance at the impression level, a first for the social platform.
“Snap’s immersive, high-impact environment makes it an ideal platform to demonstrate how attention can drive better outcomes across social environments,” said Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify. “This will give advertisers further visibility into how users engage with their campaigns, transforming how performance is measured and empowering smarter, more impactful media investment decisions.”
The launch expands DV Authentic Attention’s coverage beyond the open web and connected TV (CTV), completing a cross-platform measurement suite that now spans digital, streaming, and social. For Snapchat, this builds on DV’s existing tools for fraud detection, brand suitability, and viewability measurement.
Key metrics for social attention
DV Authentic Attention® on Snapchat introduces three core metrics:
- Ad Focus: Measures an ad’s capacity to capture user gaze, indicating potential visibility and impact.
- Dwell Time: Tracks the duration of user attention, helping inform creative and placement decisions.
- Attention Index: A composite benchmark score that contextualises ad attention within category norms.
These metrics are based on impression-level data, offering more granularity than aggregated reporting models. Advertisers can use this data to refine campaign strategies, optimise budgets, and validate creative performance in real time.
The product forms part of DoubleVerify’s Media AdVantage Platform, which integrates media verification, optimisation, and outcomes measurement. According to DV, attention signals are increasingly predictive of campaign ROI, making precise measurement essential for performance-driven brands.
What’s next
DV Authentic Attention® for Social is now available globally on Snapchat, with integrations for additional social platforms expected later in 2025.
Top image: Mark Zagorski, CEO, DoubleVerify
Paul Henderson puts skin in the game, joining AFFINITY as Head of Operations
AFFINITY has welcomed Paul Henderson as Head of Operations and member of the Executive Leadership Team.
He brings over two decades of operational and commercial leadership experience to the agency spanning Australia’s most ambitious marketers including Toyota, MasterCard, Foxtel, Qantas, and American Express.
“Plenty of agencies talk about transformation. Few are willing to put real skin in the game,” said Angela Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of AFFINITY. “Paul is that rare breed. Brilliantly commercial, unfailingly rigorous, and genuinely passionate about building systems where client and employee experience are equally prioritised.
“He brings a forensic focus to operational excellence that most agencies talk about, but few ever deliver.”
His career includes co-leading MercerBell under Julie Dormand, and more recently, steering high-growth operations at Smrtr, where he ran a rigorous ISO process and built foundations for scale.
On Henderson’s appointment, Dormand shared: “Paul is an operational asset to a business. His commercial strength, operational due diligence and hunger to learn deeply about new technology and data make him one of the best in the business.
“In a world where operational leaders need to adapt beyond the old rule book, meet stringent ethical and risk procedures whilst also being kind, Paul’s deep expertise will build strong trust for the AFFINITY team and clients.”
Henderson said joining AFFINITY “was a no-brainer”.
“This is a business that does what it says, identifies the right opportunities, executes with precision, and stays until the results are in. The opportunity to help scale this kind of ambition and do it with a leadership team that genuinely values delivering tangible growth, is a rare thing.”
Henderson has also hand-picked Heather Cox to lead the Delivery and Operations team as Delivery Director. Her background includes Enero group agencies Orchard and BMF, as well as Ogilvy. Cox has also managed projects for accounts including KFC and Mitsubishi.
“Heather’s ability to get up to speed and deliver every project with grace and precision has set a new bar for the kind of talent we want at AFFINITY,” said Henderson. “She’s already making us better, and that’s the standard we’re setting.”
Top image: Paul Henderson and Heather Cox
Radio
ABC Head of Music Emily Copeland to exit
According to Lars Brindle at The Music Network, ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer wrote an email to staff on Friday where he lauded the outgoing executive’s tireless contributions, and her efforts in shaping the landscape of Australian music.
Craig Hutchison says he’s unfazed by Usman snub
In a report by the Herald Sun’s Jackie Epstein, Hutchison said: “That’s his prerogative. That’s his right. I’ve got a lot of respect for Usman.
“And if he doesn’t want to talk to us, he doesn’t have to. It doesn’t mean a thing really in terms of our ability to broadcast the cricket. So if he didn’t want to talk to us, I don’t know why.”
Television
Australians stream docos more than any other country
David Knox at TV Tonight reports that research by British-based Digital i. found 75% of Australian subscribers to Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Max watched at least 20 minutes of a documentary or docu-series between January and March 2025.
AI
Cloudflare block AI scraping as a default setting
Natallie Rocha at The New York Times reports that Cloudflare says its network of servers handles about 20 percent of internet traffic.
To Top