Wednesday October 2, 2024

Olympics - Ipsos iris - adspend - SMI
Paris Olympics boost ad demand at Nine and QMS: SMI August

Cinema outperformed the market with revenue growth of 58.2%, while traditional Magazine spending was up a healthy 8.9%.

August 2024 highlighted another month of huge Olympic gains at host broadcaster Nine and outdoor partner QMS, with those results achieved in a market with ad demand back 6.3%, according to Guideline SMI’s ad demand data.

The data features slightly more days of Olympic broadcasts (11 compared to the seven in July), and as a result, Nine Entertainment achieved a second month of huge Olympic-related growth, with its August agency revenues up 32.3%, buoyed by huge growth at both its linear TV and Digital streaming businesses (with the latter’s ad spend more than doubling).

Similarly, outdoor group QMS – which was the official Outdoor partner of the Olympic and Paralympic teams – reported an 11.3% increase in August revenues.

Guideline SMI APAC managing director Jane Ractliffe said the Paris Olympics had again created an abnormal month for ad spend as bookings moved to the Olympic sponsors.

SMI - QMS - olympics

“Both NEC and QMS reported huge growth due to their Olympic associations, while the more than doubling of ad spend to Nine’s streaming sites also had the added impact of delivering a record level of August ad spend for Video ad format-based campaigns,’’ she said.

“The ongoing growth of Streaming TV services is continuing to challenge Display inventory’s historic dominance among the key Digital ad formats for which we report ad spend, with Video ad format spend now just $30 million below that of Display so far this year,” Ractliffe added.

Among the other major media this month, Cinema easily outperformed the market with revenue growth of 58.2%, while traditional Magazine spending was up a healthy 8.9%.

But total Digital ad spend is so far back by 10.6% (or by 11.5% if Digital spend related to traditional content is reassigned to it) but Ractliffe said she expects that figure to improve.

“As the market is currently very short we’re seeing a longer than usual delay in some Digital campaigns being paid, so we are expecting the Digital decline to improve and as that happens there will also be a small improvement in the current total market decline,’” she said.

Ractliffe said if the market was viewed with Digital ad spend removed, the underlying year-on-year decline is a much lower 2.8%. As for the key product category trends seen this month, the strongest growth came from the Government category (+33.4%) while both Household Supplies and Utilities increased their spend by more than 20%, while the largest decline came from the Restaurants category (-24.2%).

For the calendar year-to-date the data shows the market is back just 1.3% but Outdoor (+5%), Digital (+2.8%) Cinema (+8.8%) and Magazines (+8.4%) are all in positive territory.

mona - Robbie Brammall
Robbie Brammall announces departure from Mona after eight years as director of marketing and communications

By Alisha Buaya

Patrick Kelly: ‘We’ve been so lucky to have Robbie at Mona. He leaves a legacy of both commercial success and amazing creativity. We’re excited to see what he does next.’

Robbie Brammall has announced his departure from Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) after eight years as its director of marketing and communications.

The role saw him run 30 creatively motivated brands for art collector David Walsh, including the Museum of Old and New Art, Mofo festival, Moo Brew brewery, three wineries, four restaurants, eight bars, a fleet of ferries with fibreglass animals for seats, a recording studio with the original mixing desk from Abbey Road, a luxury hotel, and several eComm businesses.

“Eight years is officially enough nonsense. We had a good chat about Mona’s future, and as usual, David wants to experiment, so it feels like the right time to give someone else a crack,” Brammall said.

During his tenure, Brammall helped shape Mona’s in-house agency and was instrumental in steering the business through expansion, Covid, and a subsequent tourism and eCommerce-led recovery.

“I’m leaving behind one of the most talented and awarded marketing and comms teams in the country, so Mona’s in great hands. Better hands,” Brammall added.

Mona CEO Patrick Kelly said: “We’ve been so lucky to have Robbie at Mona. He leaves a legacy of both commercial success and amazing creativity. We’re excited to see what he does next.”
 
Highlights of Brammall’s time at Mona include launching an airline and giving all the seats away to Pentecostal Christians from Wollongong, inventing a beer-roulette vending machine that sporadically paid out with warm Fosters and generating zero complaints for a festival by floating the complaints box 100m off the museum.


 
Brammall also had a hand at memorialising Tasmania’s last three Video City employees on cans of similarly rare beer, sneaking a Torana into a pool in Bondi, creating a billboard that direct-dialled The Whitehouse, re-building Mona’s website with mostly in-jokes, and making a virtue out of Mona’s most unhinged one-star reviews that name-checked everything from yodelling and exotic cuttlefish to asthma attacks.
 
Looking ahead, Brammall said: “I haven’t had a proper holiday in eight years so I’m taking a break, then I’ll jump back into something that’s hopefully just as fun and challenging as Mona.
 
“Not sure if it’s going to be more on the marketing side or the comms side. I’ll cast the net out and have a play. Hit me up on my new email if you feel like plotting something,” he added.

Top image: Robbie Brammall

foxtel media
Foxtel Media promotes Rachel Miller to head of Sydney sales

By Jasper Baumann

Miller has previously held senior roles at Fairfax Media and Network Ten.

Foxtel Media has promoted Rachel Miller to head of Sydney sales, to lead the strategic direction for the company’s largest market.

A seasoned veteran of Australia’s media industry, Miller has previously held senior roles at Fairfax Media and Network Ten throughout her 20-year career.

She first joined Foxtel Media (then MCN) in 2015 and has served as senior group business director since November 2019.

In 2023, she was awarded Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Salesperson – Media for her contribution to the structure and performance of the Sydney sales team.

In her new role, Miller will lead sales across Foxtel Media’s portfolio for clients in the Sydney market. This includes overseeing sales for the Foxtel Group’s flagship streaming platforms Kayo Sports, BINGE, Foxtel GO and Foxtel Now (4.8 million collective subscribers), and Foxtel’s linear channels.

Reporting to chief sales officer, Nev Hasan, Miller will also be tasked with creating and implementing innovative sales solutions across the NSW market.

Miller said her focus will be on continuing to drive growth through streaming sales, forging client relationships and managing the transition to Foxtel Media’s new measurement solution, developed in conjunction with Kantar Media.

“The current economic landscape has been challenging, with an ever-expanding range of media options and consumer choice. The Foxtel Group and Foxtel Media have continually adapted, moving beyond traditional television to become a leader in streaming,” she said.

“What truly sets us apart is our team’s ability to embrace change, challenge the norm, and take bold, strategic risks whilst delivering best-in-class partnerships for our clients. This is what excites me most about stepping into this new role and I look forward to driving further growth and innovation alongside a talented and passionate team while pushing boundaries in an ever-changing market.”

Hasan said the promotion is a recognition of Miller’s outstanding leadership at Foxtel Media.

“Rachel’s promotion to Head of Sydney Sales is a significant step in our strategy to remain agile and future-focused in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. She has a rare ability to balance the demands of a rapidly shifting market while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and bold thinking—qualities that are essential as we continue to redefine what it means to lead in both linear and streaming media. I look forward to seeing how she shapes the role.”

Seven
Seven appoints Majella Hay as director of content, unscripted

By Jasper Baumann

Hay will head a team that includes head of reality Sylvia D’Souza, supervising executive producer Digby Mitchell and executive producer Ewa Dobrowolska.

The Seven Network has appointed Majella Hay to the new role of director of content, unscripted.

Hay will report to Seven’s chief content officer, Brook Hall, and will work closely with the network’s director of production operations Andrew Backwell; director of content, scripted, Julie McGauran; and head of production Mandy Roberts.

Hay will head a team that includes head of reality Sylvia D’Souza, supervising executive producer Digby Mitchell and executive producer Ewa Dobrowolska. She will be responsible for the creative direction and content of Seven’s unscripted entertainment programs, and work closely with the Seven sales team to drive new revenue and integration opportunities.

Hay joined Seven as head of entertainment in June 2022. She had previously been head of entertainment at ITV Studios Australia for more than four years. Her resume also includes senior roles at Endemol Shine Australia, Nine Network, Network 10 and Southern Star.

Hall said: “As Head of Entertainment, Majella had led some of our biggest and most successful shows, including The Voice, Australian Idol, The 1% Club, Dancing With The Stars and The Chase Australia. Her talent and passion for making great content have made a real difference to our entertainment slate.

“Majella will now also lead the creative direction of key shows such as Farmer Wants A Wife, My Kitchen Rules, Better Homes and Gardens, the TV WEEK Logie Awards and Stranded On Honeymoon Island. I’m looking forward to working with her to take our unscripted content to even greater heights.”

Hay said: “This new role looking after all of Seven’s unscripted content could not have come at a better time. Our production team internally, and the production companies we work with, deliver exceptional shows and results. But we also have a fresh approach, to look at opportunities with our programs to go beyond what we have done before. To think differently. It’s about aligning and being smart about how we use our content to continue to entertain but also to benefit all parts of the Seven business.”

Her credits include The Voice, Operation Live, Beat The Chasers, This Is Your Life, Shark Tank, Love Island, This Time Next Year, Last Chance Surgery, Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, The Cube and The Great Australian Spelling Bee.

ABC MD David Anderson
ABC review into racism tabled: ‘Systematic’ issues found that disadvantaged diverse staff, 15 recommendations to improve

ABC managing director David Anderson: ‘testimonies provided to Dr Janke were disturbing and the details of racist behaviour were unacceptable’.

The ABC has released the Independent Review into Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism and announced the next steps to improve those processes.

The Independent Review was announced by ABC managing director David Anderson (above) in May 2023 and is informed by interviews with 120 current and former ABC staff.

Led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaighana and Meriam woman, the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly review has made 15 recommendations to improve the ABC’s systems and processes.

ABC MD issues apology to staff who experienced racism

Anderson has issued an apology to any current or former employee who has experienced racism and has committed the ABC to accept in principle all 15 recommendations. Anderson also announced former Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has been engaged to continue this work.

Anderson told staff the testimonies provided to Dr Janke were disturbing and the details of racist behaviour were unacceptable to the ABC.

“On behalf of everyone at the ABC, I am sorry for any and all racist behaviour and past harms experienced by our Indigenous and CALD employees, either currently or formerly employed,” Anderson told staff.

“We all need to do better for our colleagues on our commitment to zero tolerance for racism in our workplace.

“We all need to do better for our colleagues by preventing or acting on behaviour that seeks to discriminate against, bully or demean them.

“We all need to do better for our colleagues by remaining vigilant against racism or discrimination of any kind in our workplace.”

The Review is available here and the 15 recommendations and the ABC’s response here. The ABC has also developed a list of Action Items, available here.

The ABC will launch an internal campaign to raise awareness of racism and discrimination and to make it easier for staff to report instances of racism and discrimination. In addition to current anti-bullying and harassment training, and inclusion training, the ABC will begin specific anti-racism training with staff. 

The ABC has also created a new role to lead this work, director First Nations strategy, to join the ABC’s leadership team reporting directly to the managing director, developing the plan to implement actions in response to the recommendations set out in the report.

The ABC’s current head of Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion Kelly Williams has been asked to step into this role until a new managing director can initiate a recruitment process. However, the role will be ongoing.

Dan Bouchier

Chair of the ABC Bonner Committee Dan Bouchier said: “Thank you to David Anderson for the courage to listen deeply and launch this review, and releasing Listen Loudly, Act Strongly today, and thanks to David and the board for committing to implementing all recommendations.

“Dr Terri Janke and her team took great care in conducting this review – thank you.

“We are especially grateful to everyone who bravely shared their experiences, as well as what they saw as solutions to make the ABC stronger.

“I’m inspired to see Kelly Williams as the inaugural director First Nations Strategy – and fully support her. We all back Kelly in the important work ahead, as she continues to build on the significant change she has already accomplished.

“I asked David to call for this review because it was clear there were big challenges. This report is a turning point and seeks to strengthen and reform the ABC.

“It’s a line in the sand – we need to do better.

“The ABC’s First Nations and CALD staff need this to be acted on across the organisation, and the Australian people expect more from the ABC, to ensure it remains the important institution it is.

“This review exposes the depth of the problems. To achieve the crucial work of Listen Loudly, Act Strongly will require the entire ABC to work to embed meaningful change.”

4BC Nine Radio's Radio Ratings
Nine Radio's Greg Byrnes on the future of 4BC, 2GB's tumble and 3AW's survey six success

By Jasper Baumann

Byrnes: ‘I think it’d be safe to say that we’re returning more to news and opinion [at 4BC].’

Building 4BC from scratch

Nine Radio’s head of content, Greg Byrnes says off the back of a string of departures seen at 4BC in the last month, including Laurel, Gary and Mark in Breakfast and Peter Gleeson in Drive, the station will be returning to something “audiences clearly want”. 

“I think it’d be safe to say that we’re returning more to news and opinion [at 4BC],” he told Mediaweek following the release of the sixth radio ratings survey of the year.

“Audiences have made it fairly clear that’s what they’d like to have at 4BC and I think given the changes, certainly Peter [Fagan] into Breakfast and Gary [Hargrave] into Drive, that’s playing to that strength. News and opinion is their default.

“While we obviously need the entertainment and the companionship [aspect in our programming], you will find going forward that news and opinion will be at the core with a strong ingredient of entertainment and companionship.”

Laurel Gary and Mark

Laurel, Gary and Mark

4BC rose 0.4 points in this survey for a share of 5%. In one of their last surveys, Breakfast with Laurel, Gary and Mark rose 0.8 points for a share of 5.1% while Peter Gleeson’s Drive was up 0.3 points for a 4% share.

Laurel, Gary and Mark made the move from 4KQ to 4BC just over two years ago and saw them replace Neil Breen in the breakfast slot.

Before joining 4BC, Laurel, Gary and Mark had been part of the morning routine for millions of Brisbane listeners for over 30 years.

Byrnes visited 4BC last week during Laurel, Gary and Mark’s last week on air and says it was pleasing to to see how the team had been accepted within the station itself.

“We are building pretty much from scratch in Brisbane, so the culture we need [is there] and while ratings this year have been pretty tough, within just the corridors of the station, there’s [already] a great sense of teamwork and commitment for success.”

2GB’s tumble: ‘Don’t just blame the Olympics’

2GB saw a notable slip in this survey, with the station dropping 3.1 points for a 10.2% share. Breakfast saw a 3.4-point drop to 12.2%, but Ben Fordham’s flagship program remains firmly on top in talk. 

Ray Hadley once again made history in Sydney, recording his 160th consecutive survey win in the Mornings slot with a 12.4 share. 

“Despite the 2GB fall overall, Ray is still number one in Mornings and it signals 160 straight. [It’s] a lifetime worth of commitment to post results like that,” Byrnes said. 

The Daily Telegraph’s Brenden Wood reported this morning that Ben Fordham told him he knows what listeners prefer to hear. 

4BC

Ben Fordham

“The Olympics provided lots of memorable moments but they also interrupted our normal programming and that pushes a few people away”, Fordham said in a text message sent to Wood.

“2GB listeners love news and opinions and when you take those things away and replace them with live sport there’s a risk they’ll switch off or listen to something else. The good news is that everything is back to normal now so hopefully the results will reflect that by the end of the year. If not, we’ll just have to work even harder.

However, Byrnes told Mediaweek that as a result of Melbourne’s success this survey, it paints a slightly different picture.

“If you look at Melbourne, [the Olympics] had a wonderful impact but if you look at Sydney, it’s somewhat soft. I don’t think we can just blame [yesterday’s] 2GB result solely on the Olympics,” he said.

“In Sydney, and for the first time ever, positions one to four are only separated by 0.6 points! It’s a great time to be in talk radio.”

3AW: ‘Remarkable what the team has managed’

In Melbourne, 3AW’s Ross and Russ further increased their lead as the undisputed No.1, rising to a 23.0 share (up 1.3), while Tom Elliott cleared the Melbourne Mornings slot with a winning 18.3.

“3AW was a standout. Ross and Russ have had a great result and it’s quite remarkable what the team at 3AW has managed to do in Melbourne,” Byrnes said.

Ross and Russ recorded their largest audience in over 18 months and also gave 3AW its best breakfast radio ratings share since Survey 1, 2023.

Kyle and Jackie O
Sydney Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: Ben & K&J slip, Jonesy & Amanda climb at WSFM, Bogart too at smooth

By James Manning

Kyle and Jackie O lead breakfast overall, next best in order Ben Fordham, Jonesy & Amanda, and Bogart Torelli.

GfK Survey 6 2024

Radio ratings survey period: Sunday July 7 to Saturday September 14

UP: WSFM +1.3
DOWN: 2GB -3.1

KIIS 1065 10.8% (10.9%)
Cume: 1,210,000 (-23,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 13.0% (10.0%)
Best Breakfast 17.9% (13.9%)

The only trends down on weekdays belonged to breakfast and drive. KIIS is again #1 in Sydney overall as are Kyle and Jackie O. In drive, KIIS falls from #1 to #3. KIIS remains leader in all key radio ratings demos under 55.

2GB 10.2% (13.3%)
Cume: 686,000 (-23,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 14.3% (11.0%)
Best Breakfast 18.1% (14.0%)

In four of the five first surveys this year, 2GB improved on the previous year’s result.
Ben Fordham’s breakfast result followed that pattern too unsurprisingly.
This survey, not so much. Share plunged overall with breakfast falling 3.4 to 12.2%. 2GB breakfast is now #2 overall behind only KIIS. This is the station’s lowest overall share for a long, long time, maybe back to pre-Alan Jones and Ray Hadley days. Morning slipped too, as did all dayparts, with evening down the most – falling 4.8 to 14.4%. Evening however, remains the highest-rating daypart.

WSFM 10.7% (9.4%)
Cume: 885,000 (-1,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.4% (7.6%)
Best Breakfast 10.2% (7.7%)

Such a strong survey for the station with huge bump overall with all dayparts jumping. The station is able to boast its best radio ratings result since mid-2018. Jonesy and Amanda have taken off in breakfast with their improved share of 10.6% their best since 2017. It must be close to their second-best ever. WSFM is a strong #1 FM in morning, #1 overall in afternoon and equal #1 overall alongside smooth in drive. WSFM is a strong #2 40-54 and still leader 55-64. Cume was steady close to 900,000.

smoothfm 95.3 10.3% (9.3%)
Cume: 1,288,000 (+44,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 11.4% (9.1%)
Best Breakfast 8.3% (6.5%)

Smooth was up and one of three FM stations which have overrun 2GB. This is smooth’s fourth time in double figures this year after doing it five times in 2023. Breakfast with Bogart Torelli lifted 0.5 to 8.4% where it continues to rank #3 FM. All dayparts drifted higher with morning and afternoon both up to 11.2%. All demos except 25-39 grew with the station up most 55-64 where it is +4.8 to 14.0%. It’s higher cume of 1,288,000 gives it the biggest audience of any station in Australia.

Nova 96.9 7.1% (7.0%)
Cume: 1,183,000 (-23,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 7.7% (6.4%)
Best Breakfast 7.3% (6.3%)

Breakfast is now 1.0 shy of its best last year which means it’s equal lowest with last year’s softest result. Morning, afternoon and drive all managed to trade higher. Not much movement in demos except with the under 18s where Nova now ranks #1 on 16.7%. Cume has turned around and drifted lower.

104.1 2Day FM 4.7% (4.9%)
Cume: 731,000 (-41,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 5.8% (4.7%)
Best Breakfast 5.4% (4.0%)

Nothing surprising happening here. Down, down the radio ratings are down…or steady on 4.2% in breakfast. That’s nearly 10 points behind the leader and clearly not acceptable. Who will be given the challenge for next year? We have a few ideas, but don’t want to jinx anybody!

104.9 Triple M 4.0% (4.7%)
Cume: 646,000 (+8,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 6.1% (5.0%)
Best Breakfast 5.8% (4.6%)

Equal lowest station share in close to 10 years and you can’t escape the feeling change might be in the air here too. But would SCA blow-up both Sydney breakfasts ahead of the new survey year? If Christian O’Connell is networked elsewhere there is one obvious team to consider if Mick and MG don’t go again. Breakfast share is on 4.6% which is equal lowest in 18 months. Triple M is most competitive 40-54, and we don’t get a breakdown of the male/female split which is important for its clients.

2UE 954 3.8% (3.8%)
Cume: 286,000 (+26,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 4.5% (3.3%)
Best Breakfast 2.9% (1.7%)

Breakfast with Trevor Sinclair was up again, this time +0.2 to 2.8%.
The station is not back to its opening results of the survey year, but it’s getting closer and has stabilised.

SEN 1170 2.1% (2.6%)
Cume: 155,000 (+17.000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 0.7% (0.4%)
Best Breakfast 0.8% (0.2%)

Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy was steady on 2.6% which remains the equal best since the sports format was introduced after 2CH exited. Drive continues to be the highest-rating daypart with 3.2% (down 0.5 this survey). SEN is most competitive 40-54, but share dipped 1.4 to 2.9%.

Sky Sports Radio 1.7% (1.3%)
Cume: 204,000 (+22,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 1.7% (1.2%)
Best Breakfast 2.3% (1.2%)

Meaningful growth here in terms of the target crowd. This is the best overall share result in two years. This looks like close to the best breakfast result in a decade though with share up 0.2 to 2.8% as Sky Sports pushes ahead of SEN with its team of Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton.

See also: Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: Highlights + Full Results

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Radio Ratings
Melbourne Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: 3AW and smooth market leaders, Ross & Russ and Fifi, Fev & Nick flying, K&J slump

By James Manning

Ross and Russ lead breakfast overall, other majors in order are Fifi Fev & Nick, Jase & Lauren and then Christian O’Connell.

GfK Survey 6 2024

Radio ratings survey period: Sunday July 7 to Saturday September 14

Biggest radio ratings movers
UP:
Magic 1278 +0.9
DOWN:
Nova 100 -1.2

3AW 14.9% (14.7%)
Cume: 787,000 (+20,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 16.6% (13.5%)
Best Breakfast 22.7% (18.1%)

Breakfast was a monster 21.3% last survey. This survey period Ross and Russ were on an even bigger number – 22.5% which included their broadcast from Paris during the Olympic Games. It’s the station’s best breakfast radio ratings share since Survey 1, 2023. Morning, afternoon and evening slipped. Drive with Jacqui Felgate and weekends were up.
Last survey was also the station’s best 10+ this year – 14.7% – and that share is now 14.9%.

smoothfm 91.5 11.0% (10.2%)
Cume 1,205,000 (+41,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.9% (8.5%)
Best Breakfast 8.9% (6.6%)

After ranking #2 FM last survey, this time out smoothfm has hit top spot with what looks like its equal-best station share ever. The big mover was evenings where share was up 3.1 to 11.4%. Morning, drive and weekends were also up.
Cume bounced nicely too and is now over 1.2m, second only behind Fox.

Gold 104.3 10.0% (10.3%)
Cume 1,134,000 (+6,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 12.7% (9.6%)
Best Breakfast 12.2% (8.4%)

There was a market watch on Gold this survey after the ARN outfit recorded it’s equal second-lowest share in the past couple of years. The downward trend continued to 10.0% and Gold is now ranked #2 FM behind smooth.
Breakfast with Christian O’Connell was steady and stayed on his recent low of 8.3%. Gold is the new #1 in drive with the smallest possible lead over former champ Fox.

101.9 Fox FM 9.1% (9.1%)
Cume 1,242,000 (-26,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 10.5% (8.8%)
Best Breakfast 11.0% (9.4%)

Let’s back away from “radio wars” 2024 gimmickry – there is always a battle for listeners as radio searches for excellence. Central always to that FM fight in Melbourne is Fox FM which this survey sees it ranked #3 FM. However, where it matters most – breakfast with Fifi, Fev and Nick, the station is again #1 FM, overtaking Nova. Cume slipped a little, but Fox still holds at #1.

Nova 100 7.4% (8.6%)
Cume 1,133,000 (-91,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 8.5% (5.7%)
Best Breakfast 7.3% (5.0%)

To the doubters about the chances of Jase and Lauren continuing at the top the FM radio chart, we can report this week that they have backed off just a teeny bit with share down from 9.9% to 9.6%. They now rank #2 FM breakfast, behind only Fox. It will be interesting what lies ahead though, as station cume slipped nearly 100,000 this survey. Breakfast cume was down too.

105.1 Triple M 6.4% (6.6%)
Cume 741,000 (-20,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 6.9% (5.3%)
Best Breakfast 7.2% (4.7%)

The breakfast show with Rosie, Wil and Daisy has survived the AFL Finals month, although this survey only accounts for the first week and a half of finals. The breakfast average this year has hovered just over 6.0%, but this survey the temp breakfast show slipped from 5.8% to 5.4%. Morning and afternoon held ground, while drive with JB and Billy was up 0.3 to 9.1%.

KIIS 101.1 FM 4.6% (5.6%)
Cume 951,000 (-72,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 7.6% (6.5%)
Best Breakfast 9.1% (6.5%)

Has a breakfast show ever had so much advice or been so under the media microscope? Probably not…and that’s not about to stop here! You sort of get the feeling The Kyle and Jackie O Show needs to back off from some of its marketing hype and let the audience do the talking. Look for a bit of organic growth. But marketing people we talk to reckon that’s also a dangerous strategy. K&J drifted lower from 6.1% to 5.2%. They took the station with them with falls right across the day.

SEN 3.9% (3.9%)
Cume 385,000 (no change)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 3.7% (1.8%)
Best Breakfast 3.1% (2.3%)

Before today, SEN was having a strong year. In the first five surveys it had just one result under 3.5% with listeners 10+. In 2023, seven of the eight surveys were below 3.5%. Breakfast too with Garry and Tim has been strong, with two surveys close or better than 5.0% and last survey it was on 4.1%.
Survey 6 sees the station steady on 3.9% and no change in cume either. Garry and Tim are in their last week of the year, with breakfast share also steady on 4.1%.

Magic 1278 2.4% (1.5%)
Cume 230,000 (+64,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 1.6% (0.8%)
Best Breakfast 0.8% (0.3%)

All the AM minnows reported growth this survey. Magic was up right across the board with breakfast up from 0.7% to 1.2%.

3MP 1377 1.8% (1.4%)
Cume 178,000 (+22,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 1.6% (0.6%)
Best Breakfast 0.8% (0.3%)

Good improvement here too with lifts in all dayparts. Breakfast lifted from 1.0% to 1.7%.

RSN 927 0.7% (0.5%)
Cume 87,000 (+31,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 1.2% (0.6%)
Best Breakfast 1.3% (0.8%)

It’s not even Spring Carnival yet share surged to 0.7%. Breakfast was up from 0.8% to 1.0%

See also: Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: Highlights + Full Results

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SCA Brisbane Radio Ratings
Brisbane Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: B105 & Nova edge lower

By Jasper Baumann

Stav, Abby & Matt #1 brekky, BBQ Bob on fire

Brisbane Radio Ratings
GfK Survey 6 2024
Survey Period: Sun Jul 7 to Sat Sep 14.

UP: Triple M +1.1
DOWN: Nova -0.8

B105 12.7% (13.3%)
Cume: 576,000 (-50,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 12.8% (11.1%)
Best Breakfast 14.3% (11.7%)

B105 has stayed at the top of the market despite dropping 0.6 points for a share of 12.7%.

The breakfast show of Stav, Abby and Matt has maintained the top spot in the daypart, despite a 1-point drop with a 14% share.

In Drive, Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have dropped 2.5 points for a share of 15%.

104.5 Triple M 11.8% (10.7%)
Cume: 516,000 (+10,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 13.3% (9.5%)
Best Breakfast 13.2% (9.2%)

Rising 1.1 points, Triple M has recorded an 11.8% share.

The Big Breakfast with Margaux, Marto, and Dan Anstey rose 0.5 points and recorded a total share of 11.3%. The drive show, The Rush Hour with Liesel, Liam and Dobbo was down 0.9 points for a 10.1% share.

4BH 11.2% (10.3%)
Cume: 256,000 (+17,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.8% (7.9%)
Best Breakfast 8.2% (6.6%)

4BH is up 0.9 points for 11.2%. In this survey, breakfast with Bob Gallagher rose to a 11.2% share.

The station has maintained its top spot in the 65+ demo. 4BH has kept the 55-64 demo where it has a 16.4% share – down 1.2 points.

Nova 106.9 10.5% (11.3%)
Cume: 594,000 (-63,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 12.7% (11.6%)
Best Breakfast 14.1% (12.1%)

A drop of 0.8 points has seen Nova move to fourth in the market with a 10.5% share.

The breakfast team of Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill has dropped 0.9 points, bringing them to a share of 11.6%.

The drive slot has risen 0.5 points with the national team of Ricki-Lee, Tim and Joel finishing with 13.8%. This puts the show at number two in the daypart.

KIIS 97.3FM 10% (9.7%)
Cume: 501,000 (-18,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 11.8% (9.7%)
Best Breakfast 11.5% (9.5%)

Rising 0.3 points, KIIS has recorded a share of 10%. 

In breakfast, Robin and Kip have dropped 0.2 points to record a 10.5% share. In drive, Will and Woody have risen 1.4 points for a total of 9.8%.

4BC 5% (4.6%)
Cume: 138,000 (-15,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 8.4% (6.2%)
Best Breakfast 9.0% (6.4%)

4BC has risen 0.4 points in this survey for a share of 5%. Breakfast with Laurel, Gary and Mark rose 0.8 points for a share of 5.1%.

In Drive, Peter Gleeson’s show is up 0.3 points for a 4% share.

SENQ 1.1% (1%)
Cume: 61,000 (+14,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 1.1% (0.3%)
Best Breakfast 1.4% (0.2%)

Survey six has seen SENQ rise 0.1 points for a 1.1% share. Cume has lifted 14,000, up to 61,000. Breakfast with Pat and Heals remains stagnant for a share of 1.8%.

Brisbane Radio Ratings:

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Adelaide Radio Ratings: Mix102.3 - Ali Clarke and Max Burford
Adelaide Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: Mix topples Triple M as #1 station

By Jasper Baumann

Roo, Ditts & Loz still rule breakfast. 

Adelaide Radio Ratings
GfK Survey 6 2024
Survey Period: Sun Jul 7 to Sat Sep 14.

UP: Nova +1.6
DOWN: Cruise1323 -1.0

Mix 102.3 13.5% (12.2%)
Cume: 375,000 (+4,000)

Mix 102.3 has risen to the first slot in Adelaide, rising 1.3 points to take a 13.5% share. 

Max & Ali in the Morning dropped by 0.3 points for a 9.6% share. The station’s strongest time slot in this survey is still the Afternoon slot, with a 15.7% share, rising 2.1 points.

The station rose by 4.7 points in the 55-64 demo. Mix 102.3 saw a 1.6-point decrease in the 10-17 demo. 

5MMM 12.7% (13.2%)
Cume: 300,000 (-9,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 14.9% (10.7%)
Best Breakfast 16.9% (12.2%)

Adelaide’s Triple M station has dropped to second place for survey six, with a 12.7% share.

The breakfast team of Roo, Ditts, and Loz rose by 0.7 points, to a total of 13%, keeping first among the commercial networks.

Among the 25-39 demographic, 5MMM dropped by 3.0 points for an 8.5% share and stayed in third position for that demo. 

Nova 91.9 11.2% (9.6%) 
Cume: 361,000 (+11,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 12.1% (9.3%)
Best Breakfast 11.7% (9.1%)

Nova 91.9 has stayed in third for this survey.

The network’s biggest rise in the demos was in 25-39 with 6.4 points for a 21.2% share.

See Also: Bringing the laughs on air and off air with Adelaide’s Jodie & Hayesy

Ricki Lee, Tim & Joel in Adelaide’s drive spot is up 1.9 points with an 12.6% share.

SAFM 8.6% (9.4%)
Cume: 300,000 (-7,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 10.1% (8.7%)
Best Breakfast 10.6% (8.2%)

SAFM has dropped 0.8 points for a share of 8.6%. 

In this survey, the breakfast slot dropped 0.9 points for a 9% share.

Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little’s national drive show dropped to 9.3%, stayign fourth in the Adelaide market. 

SAFM has decreased in the 40-54 demographic by 2.4 points for 9.8%.

Cruise 1323 7.8% (8.8%)
Cume: 198,000 (-2,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.1% (8.3%)
Best Breakfast 7.9% (6.6%)

Cruise 1323 dropped by 1 point for a 7.8% share. 

Craig Huggins’ drive has dropped 0.8 points for a share of 5.2%. The station dropped 1.2 points in the 10-17 slot for a 2.3% share and dropped 1.7 points in 65+ for a 16.9% share.

FIVEaa 7.7% (8.4%)
Cume: 138,000 (-16,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.7% (7.5%)
Best Breakfast 14.2% (10.9%)

FIVEaa has listed 0.1 points for a 7.8% share.

In the breakfast slot, David and Will dropped 0.1 points for 11.2%. The network’s breakfast program has stayed in third place in the Adelaide market. In drive, Rowey and Timmy G have a 1.7 increase, their total share now being 8.7%.

Adelaide Radio Ratings:

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perth radio ratings
Perth Radio Ratings 2024, Survey 6: 96FM new #1 in market

By Jasper Baumann

Nathan, Nat & Shaun still brekky champs.

Perth Radio Ratings
GfK Survey 6 2024
Survey Period: Sun Jul 7 to Sat Sep 14.

UP: 92.9 Triple M: +1.5
DOWN: 6PR -0.5

96FM 15.2% (14.3%)
Cume: 495,000 (-10,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 15.3% (12.1%)
Best Breakfast 13.4% (9.8%)

96FM has taken the first position back in Perth, rising 0.9 points for a 15.2% share.

The station rose 1.1 points in the 55-64 demo, for 28%.

The station’s breakfast show, Clairsy and Lisa, dropped by 0.2 points for a share of 12.4%. The national drive show of Will and Woody rose 1.4 points in Perth for a 13.4% share.

Nova 93.7 14.1% (14.6%)
Cume: 661,000 (-5,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 18.1% (13.2%)
Best Breakfast 22.5% (15.7%)

Nova’s Perth station has dropped to second position, dropping 0.5 points from the last survey. It now holds a 14.1% share.

For another survey, Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun continue to top the Perth breakfast slot with a 16.4% share, dropping 0.5 points. Nova’s national drive program of Ricki-LeeTim and Joel came in first with a 18.3% share, rising 0.7 points.

See also: Dominating Perth Radio: In the studio with Nova’s Nathan, Nat and Shaun

Mix 94.5 11.7% (12%)
Cume: 573,000 (-24,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 13.4% (11.1%)
Best Breakfast 13.8% (10.4%)

Hit Network’s Mix 94.5 has stayed in third place in Perth, dropping 0.3 points for an 11.7% share.

Mix 94.5’s breakfast lineup of Pete and Kymba has dropped 0.6 points for an 11.7% share, staying third in the breakfast slot in this survey.

The national drive show of Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little has dropped to 12.2%, dropping to third in the drive slot.

92.9 Triple M 10.7% (9.2%)
Cume: 419,000 (+46,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 9.2% (6.1%)
Best Breakfast 9.1% (6.8%)

92.9 Triple M rose by 1.5 points, for a 10.7% share, staying fourth in stations. 

The station experienced a 0.2 decrease in the 40-54 demo to take a 13.7% share.

The breakfast team of Xav and Michelle have increased by 1.4 points in the breakfast slot, bringing in a share of 10.7%.

Katie Lamb and Andrew ‘Embers’ Embley’s drive show slot increased 1 point for a 10.3% share.

6PR 6.8% (7.3%)
Cume: 201,000 (-17,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 7.2% (5.8%)
Best Breakfast 11.5% (8.8%)

Nine’s Perth Radio station dropped 0.5 points from the fifth survey of 2024 for a 6.8% share.

6PR Breakfast with Millsy and Karl decreased by 1.2 points for an 9.8% share.

6iX 5.4% (4.2%)
Cume: 143,000 (+3,000)
2023 results Best (Worst)
Best 10+ 5.3% (3.7%)
Best Breakfast 4.9% (2.7%)

6iX has risen 1.2 points for a 5.4% share.

The station’s breakfast slot with Westo and Nat rose by 0.7 points for a 5% share.

Perth Radio Ratings:

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oOh!media x ANZ Falcon_
oOh!media launches 3D out of home campaign with ANZ Falcon

By Alisha Buaya

Chris Freel: “ANZ’s innovative approach showcases the full creative potential of 3D digital OOH at scale, driving brand fame by engaging audiences across our network.”

oOh!media has launched its 3D out of home campaign with ANZ Falcon taking flight in an unprecedented nationwide multi-format digital execution. 

Running across more than 2,100 full-motion digital out of home media company’s screens in five environments – Retail, Rail, Fly, Office, and Study – it marks the first time any advertiser has delivered a mass-reach, scalable 3D OOH campaign anywhere in Australia. 

Timed to coincide with Cyber Security Awareness Month, the campaign for ANZ’s fraud detection and prevention technology follows the ANZ Falcon activation on out of home media company’s iconic 3D Anamorphic site ‘The Bourke’ in Melbourne early this year. 

Scalable 3D OOH executions leverage depth and full motion to drive creative impact, higher engagement, brand reputation and consideration compared to other OOH formats. With 41% of the return on investment in OOH attributed to the creative, ANZ’s investment reflects the impact of high-quality creativity in driving brand fame and impact.

oOh! has a network of more than 4,000 full motion 3D enabled screens in Australia, the most of any OOH company in the country. 

In addition to launching the national 3D OOH campaign, ANZ is also executing a retail domination strategy at Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast, the second-largest shopping centre in Queensland and fifth-largest nationally.  

This media activity is the latest phase of the ANZ Falcon campaign that launched earlier in the year and was created by Special Australia, with visual effects by Alt VFX, and media strategy from PHD Media Australia.
 
Sian Chadwick
, general manager of marketing at ANZ, said: “Cyber-crime continues to have a significant impact on Australians and ANZ is committed to protecting its customers from fraudsters and criminal networks with its security capabilities.”
 
“Partnering with oOh!media with this innovative 3D Out of Home execution demonstrates how we provide 24/7 protection from fraud with ANZ Falcon technology, in a contextually relevant way.”
 
Chris Freel
, group sales director, oOh!, added: “We’re thrilled to see ANZ Falcon leverage our national network of 3D-enabled digital screens to make this campaign fly. ANZ’s innovative approach showcases the full creative potential of 3D digital OOH at scale, driving brand fame by engaging audiences across our network.”

Style
Family affair: Style Media promotes Kiri Johnston to be new editor of Style magazine

By James Manning

Brisbane publication evolving with integrated print, online and social media presence under new editor.

Content and creative agency Style Media has announced the appointment of Kiri Johnston as the new editor of Style magazine.

The publishers are looking for a fresh perspective and bold energy in a new chapter for the Brisbane-based monthly lifestyle publication.

Johnston is returning to the family business. She grew up alongside the family-owned Style since its inception 23 years ago as the daughter of founders Tracy Sinclair and Paul Johnston.

Kiri Johnston arrives with insights into the world of publishing and more than eight years’ marketing and partnership experience across fashion, travel, athletic and beauty brands in the UK and Australia.

She worked most recently serving as Style Media marketing & partnerships manager. Johnston has also worked with high-profile companies Harrods, Shiseido Group, Space NK, Floral Street and Adidas.

Honing her skills in digital marketing, partnerships and social media strategy during a five-year stint in London, she is ready to apply her international experience to the Style brand, focusing on connection and alignment.

Style Media director, and Kiri’s mum, Tracy Sinclair she’s ready to introduce Kiri as the next generation of creative innovators and the new editor of Style.

Style is in her blood, and she clearly understands what our business needs. Kiri’s perspective will bring about change for both the magazine and the entire operation,” Sinclair said.

Of her new role, Johnston said: “Style has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I watched my parents transform a local magazine into a thriving creative agency with a national presence, so my connection runs deep.”

“Now, it’s time for my mum, Tracy, to hand the baton over to me as editor, which is super exciting.

“I look forward to working creatively with the team and seeing where we can take the brand next. There’s so much opportunity ahead,” she said.

Kiri’s editorial journey has commenced with an evolution for the publication with an integrated print, online and social media presence.

“Expect to see the latest in fashion, wellness and beauty; cool travel stories; inspiring interiors and new dining experiences and events. We’re bringing you bold stories, fresh faces and a touch of the unexpected,” she said.

Discover more at stylemagazines.com.au

About Style Media

Style Media is a full-service content and creative agency based in Brisbane that began with the establishment of the local Style magazine in 2001. Style Media now offers a full spectrum of bespoke communications, content and creative services across advertising, brand, content, marketing, design and social media strategy, working with brands and businesses to achieve strategic growth.

gaming
Gareth Leeding: Audiences are ready and waiting for gaming-native CMO’s to rise up

‘The gaming-native CMO understands that brand love isn’t built on static marketing anymore.’

By Gareth Leeding, Chief Strategy Officer at Livewire

Your CMO needs to get gaming.

Gen Alpha, Gen Z and Millennial audiences identify gaming as their No. 1 entertainment format, and those next-gen audiences – especially Gen A and Gen Z – expect immersive, interactive and playable brand executions. According to Livewire’s “2024 Next-Gen Attention Study,” Next Gen consumers are also more likely to purchase brands they’ve seen advertising in gaming spaces.

This dynamic means it’s more important than ever for your marketing leaders to not just understand but be embedded in the gaming landscape. A CMO who knows this audience as well as they know other key categories like sports, consumer tech, or retail, will be able to leapfrog their competition before this new era of digital entertainment takes root not just among Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen A, but the generations to come.

This audience hasn’t just shifted the primary platform for entertainment: The Next Gen also thinks about entertainment differently. Here’s how to keep up, and how to identify the right kind of leader to reach an invaluable, tough-to-capture audience.

What is a gaming-native CMO?

Maybe they grew up gaming; maybe they didn’t. Either way, they understand that connecting authentically with passion points involves a deep understanding of the culture their consumers’ interests come from. The gaming-native CMO understands that brand love isn’t built on static marketing anymore; it needs to be cultivated through deep and immersive experiences that align with their audience’s tastes. And finally, they understand that handing over the keys of their brand to the audience is an enabler of creator culture at scale – just look at the impact of the Lego and Fortnite partnership.

LEGO

Why do I need a gaming-native CMO?

Gaming is a complex and nuanced environment. If you haven’t grown up with it, don’t spend the time needed to truly understand the mindset of players and have an authentic passion for the game, then there’s a chance you’re going to leave it off your media plan for fear of failure. This move will lead you to miss out on the 3.2 billion people who play games for, on average, 8.5 hours per week. 

Gaming has a fast-evolving measurement approach. There’s a wide range of gaming-native formats out there, from in-game billboards, in-game audio, rewarded video, playables, integrations, and world builds. There’s also a wide range of gaming-native communication channels, including Discord, Reddit, Twitch, Kick and more. 

The challenge is also the opportunity: Finding the right media mix to not just reach gaming audiences but drive action for your business is imperative. The key is to weave what’s right for your brand, what’s going to add value for the audience, something that requires a good deal of nuance and expertise, especially when you’re talking about in-game marketing.

The gaming-native CMO isn’t afraid to experiment and find that perfect mix for two reasons: They know how valuable the audience is, and they know the kind of messaging that the audience prefers. They also understand that marketing to gamers is a long-term strategy. Meanwhile, an unfamiliar marketing exec might take a shot at a campaign, see little immediate return because it comes off as inauthentic, and then run the other way. 

Now, think five years down the road. Which leader would you rather be: the CMO who built inroads with a key audience on the biggest entertainment platform in the world, or the one still scrambling to figure out the formula for reaching everyone under 40?

What can a gaming-native CMO do for my brand?

A CMO that understands gaming also understands what it has to offer for their company and their consumers. Here’s a look at just some of the opportunities gaming presents, and how a marketing leader that understands the industry can leverage those opportunities.

Gaming offers unparalleled audience reach and diversity in audience. You genuinely can reach any target demographic through gaming. From Call of Duty to Candy Crush, Animal Crossing to Wordle, Football Manager to Fortnite, there’s a game with a huge number of players that, based on their preferences, will be interested in your brand. With deep audience insights, you can find ways to tap into the extreme fandom that exists around the IP.

Gaming offers deeper engagement and immersion. We need to move past the days where a view is counted at 2 seconds and start to look at the immersion opportunity that gaming offers. What we’ve learned is that when done right, gaming has the opportunity to capture the attention of millions of eyeballs for 50+ minutes.

Gaming

Gaming offers cultural relevance. From Fallout to The Last of Us, Arcane, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and more, the biggest films, TV shows and memes have their roots in gaming. Sports stars, film stars and music artists are desperate to find ways to extend their appeal outside of the stadium, with many leaning on their status as gamers to connect with new fans. Never before has cultural convergence been accelerated by one form of media in such a way, and marketers who can adapt to this reality can come to the forefront of culture and capture the imagination of consumers.

Gaming offers unparalleled creativity. This year at Cannes, there were 407 gaming marketing entries and 45 campaigns awarded a Lion. Platforms like Fortnite and Roblox mean you can literally build anything you want to represent your brand. You can take your existing brand cues and narratives and weave them powerfully into them both in-game and around game.

Gaming offers an alternative take on bottom of the funnel. In a world where brands can get paid for a high-performing Fortnite experience or selling UGC items in Roblox the possibilities for driving bottom-of-funnel objectives evolves. Future-proofing your brand for the monetisation opportunities that are becoming available needs a forward-thinking CMO to see the power in gaming to achieve both awareness and performance metrics.

When do I need a gaming-native CMO?

Right now. Like, NOW. We’ve hit the crossover point where the world is moving on from social platforms, and gaming is here as the present and the future for creating meaningful connection opportunities for brands and audiences. If your brand is to capitalise on this opportunity, then you’re going to need the right leader to bring you in line with the audience. 

As the marketing landscape evolves, the fundamental unit of consumer communication is shifting. Now is the time to find the right leaders and collaborators with a shared understanding of gaming to capture this once-in-a-generation opportunity. 

carexpert - Matt Buchanan & Marton Pettendy
CarExpert grows editorial team, secures talent from Carsales and Nine

By Jasper Baumann

Matt Buchanan & Marton Pettendy join as director of editorial content and managing editor.

CarExpert has completed a restructure of its editorial and content team that company CEO, Damon Rielly, says underscores CarExpert’s unique proposition as a “content-led marketplace for new cars”.

Among the changes, CarExpert has created two new roles which it has filled with candidates from Carsales and Nine/Microsoft. A director of editorial content will lead the content strategy of both editorial and video content, while a managing editor has also been added.

“The changes we’re making demonstrate our commitment to our unique proposition of being a content-led marketplace for new cars and the additional investment comes at a time when other automotive websites are reducing their expenditure on quality, unique content,” said Rielly.

“In creating a new ‘Director of Editorial Content’ role, we set out to find a leader from outside the automotive industry. Someone who was a content expert in both editorial and video and had already been working at the forefront of AI. We are excited to say that we have found our ideal candidate.”

Filling the newly-created director of editorial content role is Matt Buchanan, an award-winning editorial director and journalist with experience in leading content teams at major media and technology companies, including The Sydney Morning Herald [Nine] and Microsoft. Buchanan  joins CarExpert in November.

“It’s wonderful to be joining a business that not only values content, but also innovation,” said Buchanan. “It has been very clear to me throughout the process that CarExpert is hungry for continued growth and is not afraid of looking outside the box to develop content that makes buying the right car quicker and easier. I am thrilled to be joining such a terrific, multi-talented and ambitious team.”

Marton Pettendy – formerly the managing editor at Carsales – has commenced in the role of managing editor at CarExpert, bringing over 30 years of automotive journalism experience to CarExpert.

“It’s great to be part of a business that believes in the power of content,” said Pettendy. “Having joined from an equivalent position at Carsales, the two things I’ve noticed is the business’ appetite to go to the next level and the team’s enthusiasm to remain Australia’s biggest new car website. I look forward to the challenge and am excited to join an already high-performing team.”

Further to the new appointments, CarExpert has also promoted from within with James Wong, who assumes the role of marketplace editor and is tasked with leading the business’ continued expansion into content that drives new car sales.

The changes come at a time when the company is also undertaking a $4m advertising investment in a multi- format media campaign that emphasises the brand’s position as “Australia’s Biggest New Car Website.”

“All that we are doing is designed to enhance our content and make it easier for consumers to identify and buy
the right new car for them,” said Rielly. “We’ve always believed in content’s ability to inform, persuade and
influence. We are confident that we’ll continue to see growth as both choice and competition in the new car sector
explode.”

Top image: Matt Buchanan & Marton Pettendy

Jaecoo Appoints MC Saatchi Group
M&C Saatchi Group appointed to launch Jaecoo in Australia by Chery Motors

By Alisha Buaya

Lewis Lu: “Their strategic approach and understanding of our brand have already begun to elevate our narrative and how we will connect with customers.”

M&C Saatchi Group has been appointed to launch the Jaecoo brand in Australia by global automotive manufacturer Chery Motors.

The new partnership will see the agency’s various disciplines across creative, PR, influencer, and social come together as a bespoke team to bring the Jaecoo brand to the Australian market.

Following a competitive pitch earlier this year, M&C Saatchi Group has been tasked with a full strategic and creative remit to launch the brand, with the J7 launching in early 2025 and further models through 2025 and beyond.

The Jaecoo range will offer the Australian consumer a range of premium vehicles that seamlessly blend luxury, performance, and versatility. With a global presence and a growing reputation for stylish, reliable SUVs, Jaecoo caters to drivers who demand both sophistication and strength.

Lewis Lu, CEO of Chery Motor Australia, said: “Selecting to partner with M&C Saatchi as our creative agency was a natural decision, driven by their ability to blend innovation with impactful storytelling. Their strategic approach and understanding of our brand have already begun to elevate our narrative and how we will connect with customers.’

“It’s a truly rare and privileged opportunity to help creatively announce the new Jaecoo brand to Australia,” Michael McEwan, M&C Saatchi Agency CEO, said. “The Jaecoo team have big ambitions and a brilliant product packed with innovation.”

McEwan added: “Together with the team at Chery Motors, we have been creating a bespoke team with the full complement of capability from across the M&C Saatchi Group to deliver on their ambition.”

M&C Saatchi Group’s remit covers all brand and model specific creative development as well as social, PR, influencer strategy.  Jaecoo joins other M&C Saatchi Group recent new business wins for MYOB and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Jaecoo was born at the Shanghai International Auto Show in April 2023. Its debut model, the urban and adventure-oriented J7, immediately captured worldwide attention with a powerful aesthetic and innovative technologies.

The name Jaecoo derives from the German word “Jäger”, which signifies always seeking adventure, freedom, and a connection with nature. Ruggedly styled, technologically advanced, and luxurious, Jaecoo SUVs are designed for those who dare to explore.

Ikea
Ikea launches 24-hour sleep billboard with 'Australia's worst sleeper' in Sydney Circular Quay

By Alisha Buaya

The Ikea Sleep Billboard was developed and executed by Maverick, Havas Host, Mindshare and Mango Communications.

Ikea has launched a 24-hour sleep billboard at Circular Quay featuring Australia’s worst sleeper, Jack Ngu, inside and living an entire 24-hour day and night in a glass-sided box on display to passers-by on Sydney Harbour.

After a nationwide search for Australia’s worst sleeper, the Swedish furniture giant found Ngu was still sleeping in a single bed and reported waking up with no energy despite getting a good 8 hours of sleep a night.

Ngu will experience everything he needs to get a perfect night’s sleep inside the billboard, designed by Ikea, the sleep experts.

Ikea - Jack Ngu

Jack Ngu

In the retailer’s year-long focus on sleep, the Sleep Billboard puts Ikea products, solutions and expertise to the ultimate test and shows how the Swedish furniture giant can help anyone, even a terrible sleeper, get a great night’s rest.

Ngu has a variety of activities to keep him busy and help him relax and prepare for the night ahead. He has already been tasked with assembling furniture and enjoying breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered to his door from the iconic furniture store’s Swedish Restaurant.

He will work through a bedtime wind-down routine featuring puppy yoga, a Booktok discussion and getting ready to sleep with the Ikea six sleep essentials.

The Ikea Sleep Billboard was developed and executed by Ikea Australia, Maverick, Havas Host, Mindshare and Mango Communications.

The Ikea Sleep Billboard is at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, Sydney, for 24 hours from 9am Tuesday 1 October till 9am Wednesday 2 October.

Earlier this year, the Swedish furniture company launched its latest brand campaign, ‘Do Try This at Home’ locally, through global agency McCann Worldgroup.

The campaign roll out began in April and marked a first for IKEA Australia, as it debuts the same creative used in the 31 markets also within the Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest franchisee and co-creator of the campaign.

See also: IKEA Australia airs ‘Do Try This at Home’ campaign via McCann

 

End Food Waste teams up with Hopeful Monsters to launch The Great Unwaste campaign

By Alisha Buaya

Mandy Hall: “Hopeful Monsters was a standout in the pitch, creating a platform that immediately captures the energy needed to tackle this enormous challenge.”

Not-for-profit organisation End Food Waste Australia has teamed up with independent creative agency Hopeful Monsters to launch its nationwide campaign, ‘The Great Unwaste’.

The collaborative food waste campaign aims to speak to Australian households and has been designed to unite people across the country in a movement to reduce food waste collectively.

The campaign demonstrates how relatable and easy-to-adopt lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the amount of food households throw away, saving money and creating a more sustainable future for Australia.

Mandy Hall, campaign director at End Food Waste Australia, said: “Our brief was to use the evidence and science to create an inclusive campaign that, first and foremost helps Australians and asks them to consider the role they can play in reducing the 2.5 million tonnes of food wasted in households each year. We know that nobody sets out to intentionally waste food but it still happens.

“Hopeful Monsters was a standout in the pitch, creating a platform – The Great Unwaste – that immediately captures the energy needed to tackle this enormous challenge with a positive and empowering spirit. It’s a movement we’re inviting all Australians to get behind – from consumers to local councils and wider industry partners, so together we can be part of the change we need to see in homes and communities across the country.”

The launch follows the completion of a significant body of research by End Food Waste Australia into Australians’ food waste habits, which revealed the average household wastes more than twice as much food each week than they think.

The 30-second spot for The Great Unwaste, created in collaboration with Mint Films, serves as a rallying cry asking Australians to stop and think about food waste in their own homes with the question ‘Are you wasting more than you think?’.
 
Taking viewers through typical Aussie homes, it showcases the common ways we unintentionally throw food in the bin, inviting Aussies to join The Great Unwaste and ‘turn food waste around’.

Katie Barclay, CEO of Hopeful Monsters, said: “There’s no doubt food waste is a serious issue but until now, most food waste campaigns have focused on the size of the problem at hand. The Great Unwaste takes a more relatable, optimistic tone, showing the everyday moments that can lead to food waste – like dad always cooking too much pasta – and how together, with some simple lifestyle changes we can start unwasting food.”

The campaign launches across Australia and will run across digital TV, OOH, print, radio and social, with media planning and buying from Hatched Media.

Behaviour-led out of home spots in shopping centres and in close proximity to supermarkets will show consumers easy ways to start ‘unwasting’ alongside The Great Unwaste website and extensive activity across owned, earned and shared channels and stakeholder communications.

For businesses and organisations looking to support and get involved in The Great Unwaste extensive partnership opportunities are available.

The Great Unwaste has set an ambitious target to reduce the 2.5 million tonnes figure by approximately 20% by 2030, as part of Australia’s goal to halve food waste by that year.

The Great Unwaste

End Food Waste Australia
Mandy Hall, Campaign Director
Ella Winnall, Campaign Manager

Hopeful Monsters
Katie Barclay, CEO
Carl Moggridge, Creative Partner
Alycia Raco, Strategy Director
Sophie Morris, Business Director
Brendan McGovern, Creative Lead
Kate Morgan, Creative
Leah Spadone, Designer
Blair Ellis, Account Director
Kat Taylor, Account Director
Garry Dawson, Account Manager
Martina Mera, Senior Account Executive
Connor Sprague, Account Executive
Hela Gomulwal, Account Executive

Mint Films – Production Company
Executive Producers: Andrew Seaton & Matt Samperi
Director: Andrew Seaton
Producer: Jessica Ameduri
Director of Photography: Matt Samperi
Post Production – Mint Films
Photographer: Seiya Taguchi
Post Sound – Rumble Studios

Hatched Media
Berlian Ayudya, Strategy Director
Laura Comber, Business Director

History Will Be Kind and Deepend Group team
History Will Be Kind and Deepend achieve B Corp certification

By Alisha Buaya

EJ Granleese: “At HWBK and Deepend we’ve always believed that design, creativity and communication can… reshape perspectives, influence policy and culture, and contribute to a better world.”

History Will Be Kind (HWBK) and Deepend have achieved B Corporation Certification, joining a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. 

Achieving the Certification means the Deepend Group agencies have been verified as meeting B Lab’s high standards for social and environmental impact, made a legal commitment to stakeholder governance, and are demonstrating accountability and transparency by disclosing this record of performance in a public B Corp profile.  

HWBK and Deepend undertook a rigorous 18-month process, embracing the opportunity to review, refresh and improve their collective impact across multiple dimensions, including team and community, environmental impact, client and supplier partnerships and business practices to achieve the certifications.

Changes formalised included launching History Matters, a strategic Impact and ESG offering; evolving industry-leading ‘BeKIND’ team benefits (including a range of supported leave, volunteer days and training academy); committing more time to the community (including external mentoring and teaching, industry advocacy and group volunteering); and evolving recruitment and retention strategies to support a more diverse workforce.

B Corp certification also aligns with HWBK and Deepend’s mission to partner with more likeminded organisations driving change in their respective fields. This builds on work with current and former clients ranging from NFPs Australian Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul and McGrath Foundation, to sustainability innovators including MCI Carbon, Google and ISPT, DEI champions Randstad and Hilton, and B Corps including Sharesies and Koskela. 

EJ Granleese, CEO of HWBK, said of the certification: “At HWBK and Deepend we’ve always believed that design, creativity and communication can do more than solve commercial challenges, they can reshape perspectives, influence policy and culture, and contribute to a better world.

“For this reason, we see becoming a B Corporation as not just a goal, but a responsibility. We couldn’t be more delighted to join this global community of changemakers and commit to holding ourselves to the same high standards.”

Matt Griffin, CEO of Deepend, added: “Becoming a B Corp certified has been a transformative process, and we’re only at the start of the journey.

“It has not only challenged us to raise the bar across our business and operations with a framework for continuous improvement, but also supports our capabilities and credibility to partner with other likeminded organisations who share in a commitment to deliver transformative impact across business, people and planet.”

Top image: History Will Be Kind and Deepend Group team

BCM Group spotlights student purpose in Griffith University's new 'Make it Matter' brand platform

By Alisha Buaya

Damien Musgrave: “It’s been special to work so collaboratively both with Griffith and the students themselves to create something truly unique to the category.”

BCM Group has put the spotlight on student purpose for Griffith University’s ‘Make it Matter’ brand platform.
 
The new campaign, directed by Griffith Film School alumni Maeve McKenna, highlights the university’s focus on delivering a purpose-driven student experience. It authentically features the stories of 10 current Griffith students.

The campaign shows how each student will ‘make it matter’ in their chosen field of study, demonstrating that Griffith students graduate not only with a degree, but with the drive to have a positive impact on the world and fulfil their own life purpose.

Shaun Egan, BCM Group creative director said: “Griffith students are so driven and determined, their stories really make you reflect on your own purpose. Students like Jenni, a final year law student committed to ending domestic violence. And Becky, an education student who wants to show deaf children their potential, just as her teachers showed her.”

“The campaign is about students’ personal journeys, their purpose and the experiences that have led them to where they are now. It was these stories of real Griffith students that really drove the campaign and telling them authentically that makes it as strong as it is.”

The campaign focusses on their personal stories and passions to demonstrate how Griffith University helps people discover their purpose and pursue careers with impact.

BCM X Griffith University

Phillip Stork, vice president, future students and strategic communications at Griffith University said: “The pursuit of purpose-driven careers with impact is what makes the Griffith student experience distinctive. These fantastic students are the embodiment of that. It’s been great to work with Maeve and the BCM team to bring these students’ stories to life.”
 
Damien Musgrave
, head of account management at BCM Group added: “We’re really very proud of this work, particularly as our first major campaign with Griffith. It’s been special to work so collaboratively both with Griffith and the students themselves to create something truly unique to the category.”
 
The campaign is Griffith University’s first major campaign since putting their creative and media accounts to pitch in 2023, and the first collaboration with BCM Group. It’s currently live across south-east Queensland on television, cinema, out-of-home and digital channels.

BCM X Griffith University

Credits:
Agency Team: BCM Group
Creative Directors: Sam Boyd and Shaun Egan
Senior Art Director: Stevan Shanks
Copywriter: Claire Bass
Head of Production: Ann Rilley
Head of Account Management: Damien Musgrave
Account Director: Madeline Lantz
Director: Maeve McKenna
Photographer: Sam Scoufos
Production company: Taxi Films
Producer: Imogen Dick
Media Agency: Wavemaker
Client: Griffith University
Director Marketing and Communications: Jamie Leonard
Associate Director, Marketing and Creative Services: Anita Hathaway
Senior Marketing Manager: Shaka Kane
Marketing Manager: Emmanuelle Bryant
Marketing Coordinator: Daniele Leao

DDB Melbourne - Mr Chen
Mr Chen's marks National Dumpling Day with 'Find Aunty Chen' via DDB Group Melbourne

By Alisha Buaya

Psembi Kinstan: “Trolley aunties also encourage you to be adventurous and try new things, so this character makes the perfect brand ambassador. If you can track her down, that is.”

DDB Group Melbourne and Mr Chen’s Dumplings are celebrating National Dumpling Day by serving a part of the yum cha dining experience to customers in Melbourne’s CBD.

The new brand character Aunty Chen – inspired by yum cha servers, ‘trolley aunties’, who dish up tasty dumplings from heated pushcarts – took her trolley to the streets of Melbourne to share the damn good dumplings Mr Chen’s has on offer.

Aunty Chen’s mission was to ensure all she encountered left feeling well-fed. All people needed to do to claim the free hot dumplings was to find her.

DDB Melbourne - Mr Chen's 1

Aunty Chen and her trolley started the campaign by roaming all around Melbourne, including visits to The Project, Paramount, Urban List, and Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev & Nick Show for surprise tastings.

The integrated campaign culminated with an activation on National Dumpling Day on Thursday, 26 September, where Aunty Chen delighted anyone who could find her at Queensbridge Square with free Mr Chen’s dumplings.

“Find Aunty Chen” is the first integrated campaign from DDB for Mr Chen’s, following the agency’s appointment to the account earlier this year.

DDB Melbourne - Mr Chen's 3

Meta, TikTok and influencer social content from creators like Conor Curran launched the campaign and inspired people to attend the event. Melburnian Queensbridge Square activation influencers and interstate creators shared recipe content encouraging Australians to #MakeItMrChens this National Dumpling Day.

Dominique Grainger, brand manager of Mr Chen, said: “Aunty Chen represents the commitment in delivering authentic Asian flavours and quality that Mr Chen’s brings to all our products, as well as the brand’s rich history as a family-owned business. We are thrilled to introduce her to the world.”

Psembi Kinstan, executive creative director, DDB Group Melbourne, added: “Trolley aunties also encourage you to be adventurous and try new things, so this character makes the perfect brand ambassador. If you can track her down, that is.”

DDB Melbourne - Mr Chen's

Credits
Client: Mr Chen’s
Co-CEO: Lucy Chen
Co-CEO: Nancy Chen
General Manager Sales & Marketing: Kevin McCudden
Marketing Manager: Lian Brouwer
Brand Manager: Dominique Grainger
In-House Graphic Design: Helen James

Agency: DDB Group Melbourne
Group Executive Creative Director: Psembi Kinstan
Senior Copywriter: Anneliese Sullivan
Senior Art Director: Josh Brown
Art Director: Phoenix Santamaria
Head of Production: Sonia McLaverty
Videographer/Editor: Tom Marley
Photographer: Alex Debely
Head of Social and Content: Sam Snowden
Social Strategist: Rosie Chong
General Manager: Khia Croy
Managing Partner: Marnie McKenzie
Senior Business Director: Lucy Shearer 

PR: Mango Communications
General Manager: Alex Lefley
Group Account Director: Emily Perry
Account Manager: Ruby Loosli

Sound: Bang Bang Studios
Sound design: Tristan Dewey

KFC X Ogilvy
KFC launches The Flavour Has Spoken campaign via Ogilvy

By Alisha Buaya

Aisling Colley: “This integrated body of work delivers on crave and un-matched experiences to satisfy the ever-changing needs of KFC’s customers – and in a very playful way.”

KFC has launched a new campaign claiming The Flavour Has Spoken to mark the return of its fan-favourite ‘Hot & Spicy’ range, via Ogilvy.

The new campaign, which is live this week across TV, OOH, radio, social, earned, in-restaurant, and digital, features a series of Hot and spicy eating moments that leave people unable to speak coherently—all because its flavour has literally spoken.

It was developed by the creative agency in conjunction with KFC agency partners Ogilvy PR, EssenceMediacom, AKQA and Design Intoto.

Tami Cunningham, CMO at KFC Australia, said the KFC Hot & Spicy range first debuted back in 1991, with fans calling for its return ever since.

“The return of our fan-favourite Hot & Spicy has not only enabled us to have some fun with our Did Someone Say KFC brand asset, but it’s also offering fans yet another unforgettable KFC flavour experience.”

As part of the campaign, an activation developed by Ogilvy PR will also see the Hot & Spicy range featured at a world-first ‘Colonel’s Spice House’ restaurant experience in Sydney’s Spice Alley in partnership with TikTok star Dimsimlum, along with a range of other pre-launch activities across multiple platforms.

Aisling Colley, managing partner Ogilvy Sydney added: “Using Did Someone Say KFC was a no brainer when it came to the problem we were aiming to solve – standing out as the original Hot & Spicy and showcasing the real flavour that is next level. Can’t-talk-properly-next-level.

“This integrated body of work delivers on crave and un-matched experiences to satisfy the ever-changing needs of KFC’s customers – and in a very playful way.”

This campaign launch comes after Ogilvy Melbourne recently won at the APAC Effies with its Til It’s Done campaign with Football Australia and the Matildas, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore on Friday.

Credits
Strategy and Creative – Ogilvy
PR – Ogilvy PR
Digital – AKQA
Media – Essence Mediacom
In Restaurant – Design Intoto
Production – Hogarth
Production Company – Hooves
Film Director – Jason Perini
Stills Photographer – Karima Asaad

Oxfam x Bullfrog
Oxfam and Bullfrog to launch ONLY SHAMPOO to take action on global food inequality

By Alisha Buaya

Dan Sparkes: “The campaign is designed to stir a sense of unease, to take something as familiar as shampoo and use it as a mirror to reflect on how disconnected we’ve become from the realities of inequality.”

Oxfam has teamed up with creative agency Bullfrog to launch ONLY SHAMPOO on National Hair Day to provoke change for an unacceptable food crisis and take action to create a more equal future without poverty.
 
By targeting one of the last quiet places our minds have to ponder – the shower – ONLY SHAMPOO prompts Australians to really think about the state of global food inequality with an unignorable truth.

Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgan said: “It’s staggering to think that, here in Australia, many shampoos contain more nutrients than millions of people have access to everyday.”

“We want every Australian, as they wash their hair today, to think about the global inequality that has led to tens of millions of people not having enough to eat – and to start conversations with their friends and colleagues, to get people talking about the unacceptable hunger crisis that is gripping East Africa and beyond.”

Australian beauty brand People Haircare worked in partnership with Oxfam and Bullfrog to develop the product formulation for ONLY SHAMPOO, founder Katherine Ruiz said: “As a brand that champions beauty and self-care, we recognise the glaring contrast between the abundance enjoyed by some and the scarcity faced by millions around the world.

“We believe in leveraging our platform to advocate for a more equal world, and we are honoured to play a vital role in bringing this campaign to life and shining a light on the inequality faced by so many.”

Bullfrog, in partnership with Praytell, set out to craft a compelling narrative linking everyday routines to a larger global issue.

Dan Sparkes, deputy ECD at Bullfrog, said: “The campaign is designed to stir a sense of unease, to take something as familiar as shampoo and use it as a mirror to reflect on how disconnected we’ve become from the realities of inequality. ONLY SHAMPOO illustrates just how unacceptable it is that in 2024, an inequality like this still exists. It contextualises a drastic contrast in access to basic needs, and reminds people that our hair doesn’t need food. People do.”

Oxfam x Bullfrog
To go one step further on launch day, Oxfam will take over popular subReddit r/showerthoughts to make ONLY SHAMPOO the top shower thought on National Hair Day and get hundreds of thousands of Aussie Redditor’s talking about the Hunger Crisis.
 
A limited run of ONLY SHAMPOO was specifically created for influencers, activists and media personalities like Daria Varlamova, Tarang Chwala and Kirstin Tibballs, who have helped to make food inequality something that millions of Australians think about the next time they’re in the shower.
 
This initiative is part of Oxfam’s ‘Unaccept Inequality’ platform which continues to push for a more equitable global future. The ONLY SHAMPOO campaign is now live across OOH, social media and digital platforms.

Oxfam x Bullfrog

Credits
Client: Oxfam Australia
Creative Agency: Bullfrog
PR Agency: Praytell
Media Agency: Initiative
Shampoo Partner: People Haircare
Founder – Katherine Ruiz
Photography: Lander Productions
Producer – Adair Lander
Photographer – Adrian Lander
Retoucher – Capas.studio
Radio partnership generously provided by: Southern Cross Austereo
Sound studio: Gusto Studios
Producer – Brigid Giles-Webb
Engineer – Colin Simkins
Website Development: Bone.Digital
MD & Co-Founder – Simon Hipgrave
CTO – James Burke
Digital Producer – Danielle Proctor
Print Partner: Dr Print
Founder – Dave Ryan
3D Development: Lumberfly
Creative Director – Henry Beeman
Creative Director – Josh Thomas

Amplify - Steph Balme and Kate Boekhorst - business directors
Amplify appoints Steph Balme and Kate Boekhorst as business directors

By Alisha Buaya

Gareth Davies: “Strong relationships are the foundation of Amplify’s business, which under Steph and Kate’s leadership will ensure our client service offering continues to go from strength to strength.”

Amplify has appointed Steph Balme and Kate Boekhorst to the newly created roles of senior business directors.

Balme and Boekhorst join the global creative agency from recent lengthy stints working in the UK, and their remit will be to oversee all senior client relationships.

Balme comes from global brand experience agency Imagination in London, where she held various roles, culminating in UK business development director. She is an experienced leader in the experiential marketing and creative industry, with a particular focus on integrated B2B and B2C campaigns. She held a pivotal role at Imagination, working on accounts such as MDLBLAST and Rolls-Royce.

Before her 10-plus years in London, Balme worked for Imagination in Sydney for more than four years where she started her industry career in 2010.

Meanwhile, Boekhorst spent the past seven years at Seed, Amplify’s specialist youth creative agency, where she worked with the likes of Adobe, lululemon, New Balance, Revolut and Spotify.

Her most recent role in the UK was as business director. The New Zealand native previously worked at Colenso BBDO in Auckland and began her career at Fuse, part of Omnicom Media Group.

“It’s a delight to be able to welcome Steph and Kate into the agency during a period of exciting growth for Amplify,” Gareth Davies, managing partner at Amplify Australia, said. “Strong relationships are the foundation of Amplify’s business, which under Steph and Kate’s leadership will ensure our client service offering continues to go from strength to strength,” he added.

Balme said of her new role: “Amplify’s forward-thinking approach to brand experience is driving significant value for clients both in Australia and globally. I’m excited to be joining the team at such a pivotal time of growth. I look forward to working with the Sydney team to seize new opportunities, strengthen existing partnerships, and expand our impressive client portfolio alongside this talented group!”

“I am thrilled to be joining the Amplify team in Sydney,” Boekhorst said of her appointment. With an amazing lineup of clients who are keen to produce innovative work and push boundaries, as well as big plans for continued growth as we look ahead to 2025, it’s a really exciting time to join the agency.”

Their appointments follow a number of new business wins for the agency, including Afterpay, Netflix, Nike, and Samsung, as the agency grows its Australian and APAC operations.

Top image: Steph Balme and Kate Boekhorst

tv ratings
TV Ratings 29 September 2024: MKR history made with highest instant restaurant score ever

By Jasper Baumann

The Block reached 1.9m.

Monday 29 September 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 1,909,000, a total TV national audience of 1,182,000, and a BVOD audience of 100,000.

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 1,945,000, a total TV national audience of 1,025,000, and a BVOD audience of 163,000.

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules recorded a total TV national reach of 1,613,000, a total TV national audience of 876,000, and a BVOD audience of 81,000.

Modern Italians Simone and Viviana made MKR history with the highest Instant Restaurant score in the show’s 14-year history.

The best friends served precision on a plate, resulting in a total score of 104 out of 110, including a near perfect 58 out of 60 from judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,209,000, a total TV national audience of 1,370,000, and a BVOD audience of 68,000.

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention? recorded a total TV national reach of 1,204,000, a total TV national audience of 715,000, and a BVOD audience of 31,000.


People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 770,000
• National Audience: 467,000
• BVOD Audience: 100,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 593,000
• National Audience: 331,000
• BVOD Audience: 36,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 510,000
• National Audience: 259,000
• BVOD Audience: 45,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 515,000
• National Audience: 324,000
• BVOD Audience: 19,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 348,000
• National Audience: 207,000
• BVOD Audience: 59,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 224,000
• National Audience: 125,000
• BVOD Audience: 18,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 199,000
• National Audience: 93,000
• BVOD Audience: 24,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 179,000
• National Audience: 121,000
• BVOD Audience: 10,000

TV Ratings

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,534,000
• National Audience: 821,000
• BVOD Audience: 131,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,766,000
• National Audience: 1,102,000
• BVOD Audience: 55,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,275,000
• National Audience: 714,000
• BVOD Audience: 65,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 957,000
• National Audience: 582,000
• BVOD Audience: 25,000

TV Ratings

Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2024. Not to be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without prior written consent of OzTAM and Regional TAM.

Business of Media

PE investor Straight Bat gets into the events marketing acquiring Click Click

Mid-market private equity firm Straight Bat has taken its next big swing, acquiring a majority stake in Sydney-based events and marketing company Click Click Marketing, reports The AFR’s Sarah ThompsonKanika Sood and Emma Rapaport.

Click Click was founded in 2007 as a one-stop events and marketing business. It had its fingerprints on more than 600 events and 750 lead-generation campaigns across Australia and the Asia Pacific in 2022. It turns over $23 million in revenue annually. Clients are primarily in the software and information technology sector, shelling out for services such as event management, lead generation, campaign design and copywriting.

It is not known what Steve Gledden’s shop paid for the stake. However, it typically invests in profitable, mid-sized businesses with up to $200 million in revenue; $50 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation; and 20 per cent-plus EBITDA margins.

[Read more]

Sony Pictures’ orderly transfer of power, after bumpy rides at Paramount & Disney

Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Monday that its chief executive, Tony Vinciquerra, will step down at the beginning of next year and be succeeded by the studio’s president and chief operating officer, Ravi Ahuja, reports The New York Times.

Ahuja, 53, will report to Kenichiro Yoshida, who runs the Sony Group, the Tokyo-based technology and entertainment giant. Vinciquerra, 70, will serve as nonexecutive chairman of Sony Pictures through the end of next year.

Ahuja’s appointment is a relatively tranquil change by the standards of Hollywood corner offices, where chief executives are sometimes replaced in a much less decorous fashion.

 

Bob Bakish, the chief executive of Paramount, was abruptly replaced in April during merger negotiations with Skydance, and Robert A. Iger’s succession at Disney has been a yearslong operatic struggle.

Ahuja joined Sony in 2021 to oversee all production businesses for Sony Pictures Television. Before that, he held executive roles at Disney, Fox Networks Group and Virgin Entertainment Group. He has helped steer some of Sony’s deal-making, including the acquisitions of the entertainment company Industrial Media and the British production company Bad Wolf.

[Read more]

‘Miserable joint’: Kyle Sandilands defends Tony Armstrong after ‘moonlighting’ claims

Radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O have come to Tony Armstrong’s defence after it was revealed the ABC star did not get permission from his employer before taking up a new side gig, report News Corp’s Brielle Burns and Benedict Brook.

Weighing in on the issue on The Kyle and Jackie O show, KIIS FM radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson defended Armstrong’s decision to pick up the extra job.

“Who cares? What is their mantra? ‘Work here and make no money anywhere else’,” Henderson said on the show.

“Yeah be an a**wipe forever that no one watches on TV,” Sandilands added. “It’s such a miserable joint to work at.”

[Read more]

News Brands

ABC disowns questions to Peter Dutton over Hezbollah’s status as a terrorist organisation

The ABC said an exchange between a female reporter and Peter Dutton was “not a piece of reporting” or a position taken by the ABC after she asked him to explain why Hezbollah was a terrorist organisation and Israeli flags were not banned.

At a tense lunchtime press conference on Tuesday, ABC reporter Anushri Sood asked the Opposition Leader why particular groups were listed as terrorist organisations and to respond to claims of hypocrisy in Australia over the treatment of Hezbollah supporters. “Just on that point with Hezbollah, you’re saying being responsible for the deaths of women and children,” Sood said.

A visibly frustrated Dutton replied: “Well, Israel is a democracy. It’s not run by a terrorist organisation. Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation.”

He asked the reporter to repeat her questions and to name the media outlet she was from.

Sood replied: “ABC.”

[Read more]

Former ABC newsreader says employee made ‘pretty awful comments’ about her Oxford University offer

Former ABC newsreader Brooke Boney says she is “not surprised” after a bombshell independent review found staff at the public broadcaster had experienced “entrenched” racism, reports news.com.au.

The popular Australian presenter took to Instagram on Tuesday night to detail derogatory comments she copped about her recent offer to attend Oxford University.

Boney worked as a newsreader for ABC’s Triple J from 2016 to 2018 and became known for using the traditional Gamilaroi greeting of “Yaama” when introducing herself before news bulletins.

She left the national broadcaster in 2019 when she was appointed entertainment reporter on the Nine Network’s breakfast program Today before ultimately becoming a host.

She announced her resignation in March 2024 to study a Masters of Public Policy in the UK.

“I settled on the Masters of Public Policy because I thought this is sort of what fits best with my journalistic career thus far,” Brooke said at the time.

“I thought if I don’t do this now, then I’m probably never going to. I am at that age where if I leave now and go and study and come back, I’ll still only be 38.”

But now, the 37-year-old has accused an ABC worker of making a “pretty awful comment” about her offer.

[Read more]

Radio

2GB’s ratings slide can be put down to many reasons

Talkback station 2GB finds itself staring down some of the worst radio ratings it has seen in the past 20 years, a stark contrast to the station’s consistent glory days under the ownership of John Singleton, or ‘Singo’, as he’s affectionately known, reports News Corp’s Brenden Wood.

Now under the ownership of Nine Entertainment, led by Tom Malone and Greg Byrnes, both of whom have decades of experience in the Sydney radio market, 2GB’s sudden decline would seem bewildering.

2GB breakfast presenter, Ben Fordham, has his finger on the pulse, and knows what listeners prefer to hear.

“The Olympics provided lots of memorable moments but they also interrupted our normal programming and that pushes a few people away”, Fordham said in a text message sent to me.

“2GB listeners love news and opinions and when you take those things away and replace them with live sport there’s a risk they’ll switch off or listen to something else. The good news is that everything is back to normal now so hopefully the results will reflect that by the end of the year. If not, we’ll just have to work even harder.”

Another question being asked in the industry is whether or not 2GB’s management has spread itself too thin?

[Read more]

In typical Sydney fashion, Kyle and Jackie O just don’t get Melbourne

Like an alien spaceship from Planet Porno, the arrival of Sydney breakfast shock jocks Kyle and Jackie O on Melbourne radio this year was an attempt to crash through ingrained media parochialism. Instead, they’ve just crashed, reports The Age’s Stephen Brook.

The latest ratings, released on Tuesday, are abysmal. According to ratings agency GfK, the pair, who have ruled Sydney FM breakfast radio for years with a mix of celebrity, sex, scandals and contests, dropped to eighth in the Melbourne breakfast market, sinking to a 5.2 per cent share, down from 6.1 per cent in the previous survey. Meanwhile, their audience dropped from 491,000 daily listeners in July to 420,000 in September.

The program’s national rollout strategy is in jeopardy, while the duo’s parent company, ARN, is in crisis.

Melbourne is a community. And while Kyle and Jackie O – just like your family WhatsApp group, local Facebook page, or newspaper letters section – has successfully fostered its own community, which adores its trashy fun, that community has proved incompatible with Melbourne’s.

The audience they seek is divided between those who find Sandilands’ obsession with sex, celebrity news and endless competitions addictively entertaining, and those who find the duo’s topics of conversation demeaning and misogynistic.

[Read more]

4BH shocks Brisbane radio market, surging past Nova and KIIS in ratings battle

In a dramatic shake-up of Brisbane’s fiercely competitive radio market, 4BH has stormed into third place, overtaking major players Nova 106.9 and KIIS 97.3, according to the latest radio survey results, reports News Corp’s Georgia Clelland.

The station’s “more music, less talk” strategy has clearly resonated with Brisbane listeners, cementing its place as a serious contender after years of being sidelined in fourth place or lower.

It is 4BH’s most significant rise since moving to 1116kHz in 2020, capturing an impressive 11.2 per cent of the market share and leapfrogging some of the biggest names in Brisbane radio, a major feat in one of the most cutthroat markets in the country.

While 4BH’s recent surge may come as a surprise to many, its success can be traced to a combination of a laser-focused strategy on an often-overlooked demographic and competition downfall.

When 4KQ was shut down in 2022, many of its loyal listeners — who had long enjoyed its classic hits — were left searching for an alternative.

4BH stepped in to fill that void, attracting a significant portion of 4KQ’s former audience. With a similar classic hits format, minimal chatter and familiar voices, like longtime radio veteran Bob Gallagher, who joined 4BH after 4KQ’s downfall, the station became the obvious new home for displaced listeners.

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Television

Netflix loses first battle in $170 million Baby Reindeer defamation case

Netflix should not have claimed Baby Reindeer was “a true story” at the beginning of each episode because the actions portrayed by the character Martha were worse than those of the real-life woman whose actions inspired the show, a US judge has said, reports Nine Publishing’s Karl Quinn.

In a massive blow to the streaming giant, US federal court judge Gary Klausner has ruled the defamation action brought by Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, the real-life inspiration for Martha, could proceed.

Harvey is seeking $US170 million ($245 million) in damages against the streaming giant. Her claim states that since the release of the series – in which “Martha” harasses and sexually assaults “Donny” (the show’s creator and star, Richard Gadd) – she had been “inundated … with threatening and harassing messages” from viewers, and had suffered “severe emotional distress in the form of anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, shame, depression, nervousness, stomach pains, loss of appetite, and fear. Specifically, a fear of going outside.”

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Sports Media

Melbourne legend in box seat after Mark Robinson sacked from AFL 360

Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon has emerged as the frontrunner to replace News Corp’s chief football writer, Mark Robinson, who was axed from Fox Sports’ popular AFL 360 talk show.

Robinson was informed by Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley last week that Monday’s show would be his last, becoming the latest talent change ahead of Fox and Seven’s new broadcast contract with the AFL kicking in, reports Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan.

However, he did not show up, fearing he might “say something or act in a way that I might regret”, he told radio station RSN on Tuesday morning.

Speaking on RSN on Tuesday morning, Robinson said he was informed by Crawley last week that changes were being made to the program – and that he was the change.

“Clearly, at the end, not everyone was in my corner. Well, if you’re going to get sacked from that show, clearly people aren’t in your corner,” he said.

Robinson said he was considering a number of Fox Footy proposals that Crawley had put to him.

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Channel 7 commentator Kate McCarthy hospitalised over heart issue

Former Brisbane Lions AFLW star Kate McCarthy’s celebration of the men’s team’s grand final triumph has been cut short after she was hospitalised over her ongoing heart issue, reports News Corp’s Andrew McMurtry.

The 31-year-old McCarthy was a 42-game veteran of the AFLW, playing for the Lions, St Kilda and Hawthorn over seven seasons before retiring.

However, McCarthy has continued her footy career behind the microphone, having become a member of Triple M and Channel 7’s commentary teams, including as part of Channel 7’s AFL grand final coverage over the weekend and co-hosting panel shows Armchair Experts and Talking W.

But McCarthy took to X on Tuesday, revealing she had been hospitalised to treat her heart issue.

When the @brisbanelions & @lionsaflw double over the weekend sends you into ventricular tachycardia,” she wrote.

“On the mend now but Monday night review shows pacemaker performing like the Swans on the big stage.”

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