Mediaweek Morning Report: 22 August 2024

Thursday August 22, 2024

ARN Media reports modest revenue growth, but profit dips 19% to $10m

By James Manning

Targeting Triple M: Broadcaster reminds market why it feels industry needs consolidation.

ARN Media, the home of Kyle and Jackie O, Jonesy and Amanda and Christian O’Connell, has released its half-year results.

The company reported modest revenue growth and improved EBITDA. Total revenue for the half year was up marginally to $152.8% (+1%).

Regarding the progress of the Kyle and Jackie O show in Melbourne, ARN commented it was “in line with expectations”. Group costs were up 2% YOY, with the rise linked to the costs of launching K&J into Melbourne.

Digital radio revenues continued to flourish, with growth of 26% to $11.0m.

Critical lens on costs

In a release accompanying the results, ARN chief executive and managing director, Ciaran Davis, said,

“At ARN, we have an ongoing critical lens on costs particularly given difficult market conditions, and our cost out program is on track to limit total people and operating cost growth to between 2-4%, that will deliver $6.5 million permanent cost out in 2024. We have also commenced an additional efficiency review, targeting $5-10 million over two years.

“Our focus has been on operational performance as we navigate current economic conditions, and the investments we’ve historically made in long-term talent contracts, the long-standing partnership for iHeartRadio and nationalising core enabling operations, means we have been able to deliver our core product more efficiently.

ARN: Kyle and Jackie O will take time down south

“With Kyle and Jackie O recognised globally as one of the best breakfast shows in the world, we laun

Hamish McLennan

ched their program into the Melbourne market in the first half. We know it will take time to build a loyal audience, but brand tracking results are promising.

“Our investment in digital audio is buoyed by the ongoing growth in the industry at a time when other parts of the media sector are struggling. It is a dynamic, strong, and evolving landscape with radio reaching 81% of the population, Australian podcast listenership one of the highest globally, and streaming radio listening in cars has risen by 75% in two years.

“Looking ahead we are investing in new digital audio formats and technologies for commercialisation as we continue to build an integrated audio business. We believe there is potential for further efficiencies for the remainder of this year and into 2025 and are continuing to evaluate our operating model including exploring how the business can benefit from using Al.”

Why ARN wanted SCA

ARN Media chairman, Hamish McLennan, addressed the (so far) unsuccessful bid to acquire some of the SCA assets:

“ARN Media has delivered a competitive operational performance in 2024 despite the economic challenges faced by the Australian media sector. Critical to our performance were a number of key programs delivering increased and sustainable operating efficiencies, which are part of our $10 million annualised cost out program, ensuring we limit cost growth.

“These cuts reflect the tough environment facing Australian media. The industry needs market restructure and consolidation given the increasing pressures from global technology and media platforms and a government regulatory environment that has not kept pace. We have made no secret of the fact that we want to be part of industry consolidation and are very disappointed that our Indicative Proposal to acquire SCA was unsuccessful as it represented a compelling proposition for both ARN Media and SCA shareholders.”

Podcast Week: Hold The Moment, Up the Creek!, Talking Media

Sam Landsberger, Call Her Daddy, Let’s Trot.

Deadset Studios and Dementia Australia partner for a podcast exploring living with dementia

The new podcast, titled Hold The Moment is hosted by Jim Rogers, who lives with younger onset dementia and journalist Hamish Macdonald, whose father has dementia.

Throughout seven episodes they explore the experiences of people living with dementia, carers and health experts – from being diagnosed to managing sleep disturbance and hallucinations, travelling, staying active and managing relationships.

“I felt very lonely after my dementia diagnosis. It’s pretty scary, scary territory,” Jim says.

“Being able to hear about others’ experiences in a positive way on a podcast like this would have been an amazing thing for me when I was diagnosed.”

Rogers and Macdonald will be joined on the podcast by Heather Cooper, Catherine Daskalakis, Pam Eade, Juanita Hughes, Ann Pietsch, Anthony Pollock and Kevyn Morris – who all live with different forms of dementia, as well as Dom O’Leary, who cared for her father with dementia.

[Listen here]

ADMA Global Forum: Talking Media

At the ADMA Global Forum on Tuesday, Nine for Brands hosted its ‘Talking Media’ podcast booth, which featured the brightest marketing minds speaking to Nine’s CMO, Liana Dubois.

Paul Sinkinson, Analytic Partners, Michelle Klein, IAG, Tom Goodwin, All We Have Is Now, Sarla Fernando, ADMA, Mim Haysom, Suncorp Group all sat with Dubois throughout the day and will be available on ADMA’s socials when the episodes drop.

Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper signs $185 million deal with SiriusXM

Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy has signed an agreement with SiriusXM giving the platform exclusive advertising and distribution rights, as well as other content.

The deal marks the end of her partnership with Spotify. According to CNN, the multi-year deal is worth $125 million (approximately $185 million AUD) across three years, which is double her previous deal with Spotify.

[Listen here]

Let’s Trot Podcast scraps Taylan May interview

Josh Mansour’s Lets Trot podcast has scrapped an already filmed interview with exiled NRL player Taylan May after fan backlash.

May is currently fighting a legal case after he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking. Due to these charges, he was let go by the Panthers earlier this year.

Mansour posted to his Instagram story: “I wholeheartedly apologise for the lack of foresight and timing to interview Taylan, especially before court proceedings could take place.

“My intention was to get a better understanding of Taylan as a person, and his upbringing around rugby league.

“Again, the timing was poor, and it was poor judgement on my behalf, and I own that.”

New Up the Creek! episode explores Seven’s Four Corners episode

In the newest episode of Up the Creek!, the podcast by Icon Reputation, Mark Forbes and Benjamin Haslem examine current media conflicts including Four Corners targeting Channel Seven and the reputational implications of contact media conflicts over culture, coverage and high-stakes defamation cases.

Podcast

The team also dissects the CFMEU, and racism complaints casting a shadow over the AFL.

[Listen here]

Tributes to Herald Sun’s Sam Landsberger

The tragic death of Herald Sun journalist Sam Landsberger has triggered tributes to him across radio and TV this week. Those tributes are available to listen to on a number of podcasts of the various programs. Just some of them are:

• AFL 360 with Gerard Whateley and Jordan Lewis.
• Footyology with RoCo (Rohan Connolly) and Rocket (Rodney Eade).
• SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson. RIP Sam.
• Gerard Whateley’s tribute to Sam on his SEN morning show.
• Sam McClure’s tribute to Sam on his 3AW Wide World of Sports show.
• Dawyne’s World where Dawyne Russell heard from Sam’s former colleague Sam Edmund.
• Jon Anderson from the Herald Sun and 3AW Breakfast remembers Sam.

Inside Toni & Ryan’s podcast party: Over 1,000 fans make it to mystery location

By James Manning

‘There were tears, there were blisters…and there were many emotions’.

Australian podcast duo Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon celebrated three years of content, laughs and chaos with the ultimate birthday bash on Saturday 17 August.

We didn’t know where the podcast party would be held when we first wrote about it. And we didn’t get an invite either! The party was in fact held in the UK, where the clues dropped across the week before hinted at.

Fans, known as TARPers (Toni and Ryan Podcasters), from around the world were invited to join their birthday bash if they could work out where it was.

Toni and Ryan arrived at People’s Park Tavern in London to find hundreds of eager TARPers already waiting, some having queued for up to four hours before the party began. Over the next seven-plus hours, Toni and Ryan greeted over 1,000 festive fans, including some who had travelled from as far as Washington DC, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Paris, and loads who’d travelled for hours on flights, trains, buses and cars to attend.

Amidst all the excitement, a few fans took a tumble on their way into the party, but they didn’t let it hold them back. TARPer Amberleigh, who slipped and rolled her ankle while running for the bus and was ushered straight to the front of the queue telling Toni and Ryan, “I hope you don’t mind me skipping the line, but I’ve got to go to hospital”. Despite her injury, she texted Toni the following morning saying, “I didn’t go, I kept drinking but I might go today cause it’s getting really sore now.”

Another guest, Phoebe, met the love of her life on the train ride to the party. He joined the party, waited in line for a few hours before leaving for another event but they made plans to meet up later. Ryan predicted, “I think they’ll get married.”

Security described the TARPers as the most patient, friendly and happy crowd, with many making friends while waiting for hours in line. With the party due to end at 5pm, fans were still queuing to meet the duo. Ryan declared that he would rather die before leaving people waiting, much to the relief of their fans.

As they got into the Uber after 8pm, seven hours after the party started, Toni, Ryan and their team remarked, “There were tears, there were blisters, there were many emotions”.

News.com.au reclaims top news brands ranking as Paris 2024 Olympics dominates cycle: Ipsos iris

By Alisha Buaya

The News Corp title took back pole position in the news brands rankings with 12.9 million unique visitors, followed by the broadcaster’s newly refreshed online news offering with 12.7 million.

News.com.au reclaimed the top news brands ranking from ABC NEWS on the News brands’ ranking during July 2024, according to Ipsos iris data.

In June, the data reported that ABC NEWS had almost 12.6 million unique visitors in June compared to news.com.au, which had 12.4 million unique visitors.

The News Corp title took back pole position in the news brands rankings with 12.9 million unique visitors, followed by the broadcaster’s newly refreshed online news offering with 12.7 million and nine.com.au with 10.7 million.

The Paris Olympics dominated the news and sports cycle throughout July as Australians sought out all the results from the games. According to the data, more than 20.8 million people used a news website or app in July, reaching 97% of online Australians aged 14+.

Extensive coverage of the start of the 2024 Games in late July across multiple outlets was highlighted by a slew of key moments, including performances from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion at the Opening Ceremony and fan-favourite sports, particularly swimming and football, which experienced a surge in people visiting news websites and apps for up-to-the-minute updates.

Online usage time peaked nationwide in July, with Australians spending more time online last month than any month to-date in 2024, the data revealed.

Ipsos iris found that many online categories also notched up record audience numbers for 2024 in July, including sports, games, events and attractions, the business and finance sectors, energy suppliers and social networking.

While the Olympics was the mainstay across major headlines, local and international events also captured Australians’ attention on news websites and apps including the July 13 shooting at a Trump rally, Joe Biden dropping out of the US presidential race, the worldwide CrowdStrike tech outage that affected many businesses globally, and the French and UK election results.

Locally, Australians flocked to digital news websites and apps for the final game of the 2024 State of Origin series, the CFMEU corruption scandal and the series finale of Masterchef Australia.

The chart below shows the News brands’ ranking during July 2024 by online audience size.

Ipsos iris, digital audience measurement currency endorsed by IAB Australia, showed that overall, 21.4 million Australians aged 14+ used the internet in July, spending an average of 4.6 hours online per day, or almost 142 hours for the month – the most time notched up so far in 2024.

Search engines was the most consumed category in July at 21.4 million, followed by social networking and technology (21.3 million respectively), retail and commerce (21.1 million) and entertainment (21 million).

The Paris Olympics, along with the deciding clash of the State of Origin and the annual Wimbledon tennis contest, significantly boosted online sports content consumption, with the sports category up 7% (a whopping 962,000 audience) on June figures.

The chart below shows the Sports brands’ ranking during July 2024 by online audience size.

Ipsos iris July data - top 10 news category chart

The business and finance sectors recorded their biggest audience numbers for the year so far in July. It reached 20.4 million and 20.7 million respectively for the month, driven by end-of-financial-year activities, with many Australians using tax time to seek out business and finance advice.

Changes to electricity prices, introduced nationwide on July 1, contributed to the largest audience this year for the energy suppliers category (a record 9.7 million audience in July) with time spent increasing 18% year on year

The technology category also saw a 16% increase in average time spent per person in July, up on average 40 minutes on the previous month. The average person spent 294 minutes browsing the category.

The timing of the spike coincides with the CrowdStrike outage, with people spending longer on these sites and apps searching for updates and information on possible effects to their business and any solutions to the issue.

delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards 2024 winners revealed

By Jasper Baumann

Winners were recognised across four major categories – Dairy, Earth, Paddock and Sea.

Australian premium food-lifestyle brand delicious. has revealed the winners of the 2024 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards.

Chris Bolton Fishing from Queensland has been named the overall Producer of the Year, presented by Harvey Norman. The full list of winners features in the September issue of delicious., which goes on sale today.

The food industry awards focus on Australia’s best producers – the people who grow, cultivate, harvest and catch the produce supplied to the country’s leading chefs, hospitality venues and food retailers.

delicious. editor-in-chief Krysia Bonkowski said: “The delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards is the only national program to recognise the dedication and skill of Australian primary producers.

“For the past 19 years, the awards have unearthed the finest farmers, makers, fishers and growers in the nation and, in the process, captured the evolution of the Australian food industry. The pool of finalists this year represented producers at the very forefront of the industry, at a time when sustainability and transparency have never been more important.

“Congratulations to all of our finalists and the outstanding 2024 winners. I also thank each of our judges for dedicating their time and vast expertise to the campaign.

“I look forward to joining chef Matt Moran and his talented team, led by Laura Baratto, at Chiswick restaurant tonight for a beautiful evening celebrating the best produce in the country, joined by our winners, esteemed judges and valued delicious. readers.”

A total of six winners were named by the national judging panel, which included chefs such as Danielle Alvarez, Karena Armstrong, Jo Barrett, Peter Gilmore, Lennox Hastie, Andrew McConnell, Matt Moran, Josh Niland, Matt Stone and Alla Wolf-Tasker.

Winners were recognised across four major categories – Dairy, Earth, Paddock and Sea – and the judges also gave a special award to one particular producer for outstanding innovation in sustainability.

CHEP Network appointed creative agency for Bupa

By Alisha Buaya

Lee Leggett: “It is incredibly meaningful to us to become a partner of an iconic brand that cares deeply about the wellbeing of Australians and creating healthier, happier lives.”

Bupa has appointed CHEP Network as its creative agency for Australia as it unveils plans for a strategic shift in its creative approach.

The new model aims to streamline the insurance brand’s marketing operations and will see CHEP Network partner with support agencies, including 2045, Six Black Pens, and Scooter.

CHEP Network will support Bupa across all its Australian businesses , including health insurance, dental, optical, hearing and aged care.

Naomi Driver, Bupa Health Insurance marketing general manager, said the new agency model would help support the development and execution of the insurance brand’s creative campaign needs.

“As we continue to evolve our brand and vision, we wanted to refresh our approach to how we work with our creative agencies,” Driver said.

“Our new network brings together a tight suite of agencies who will understand us, our brands and our customers intimately and work with us to collaborate on some exciting future projects.

“This new ‘partner’ model aligns to our broader business objectives and brand ambition of being the most customer-centric health care company. It will bring a consistency in market across our businesses, and help us achieve greater efficiency and value to our 4.3 million customers.”

Driver thanked incumbent Thinkerbell for its partnership over the almost four years. The agency was behind its recent campaigns, ‘Good health is contagious.’

She said: “We’ve had an incredible partnership with Thinkerbell. I want to thank the team for working with us to produce some memorable and successful campaigns, but also for their commitment to our brand and our people.”

“It is incredibly meaningful to us to become a partner of an iconic brand that cares deeply about the wellbeing of Australians and creating healthier, happier lives,” Lee Leggett, CHEP Network chief executive officer, said.

“We’re ready to support Bupa’s ambition to provide care to their millions of customers and transform the way healthcare is done.”

Out of Home industry half year results for 2024 reveal solid outdoor sector growth

By James Manning

Year-on-year growth fuelled by transport ad dollars with ad dollars up over 20%.

The out of home (OOH) industry has announced half-year net media revenue of $593.1 million, up 8.0% from $549.2 million for the same period in 2023. (The data for YOY comparison has been adjusted to reflect OMA membership changes.)

Digital out of home (DOOH) revenue accounts for 74.4% of total net media revenue year-to-date, an increase over the recorded 71.9% for the same period last year.

Half-year net media revenue category figures are provided from 2023 to capture the growth of the industry including OMA membership up to April 2024.

out of home

How outdoor sector calculates data

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) estimates that it represents approximately 95% of the Out of Home (OOH) industry in Australia. Figures provided are net figures (exclusive of commission, production and installation). Figures represent advertiser campaigns posted in each quarter. Figures also include all direct sales which are estimated at 10 per cent of total bookings.

About the Outdoor Media Association

The OMA is the peak industry body that represents most of Australia’s Outdoor Media, display companies and production facilities, and some media display asset owners.

The OMA operates nationally and prior to July 2005 traded as the Outdoor Advertising Association of Australia (OAAA). It was first incorporated in 1939.

The OMA’s charter is to serve its members by promoting the out of home industry and developing constructive relations with its primary stakeholders. Its core functions are Marketing and Research (including audience measurement), Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Media Relations, and Member Services.

The OMA is governed by a board of directors which is elected by the membership. The chair I Charles Parry Okeden – co-founder and global CEO, Executive Channel Holdings. The chief executive officer is Elizabeth McIntyre.

Members of the OMA adhere to a Code of Ethics and abide by the regulatory frameworks in which they operate.

NFL Game Pass launches Prime Video add-on subscription in Australia

By Jasper Baumann

The subscription will be available as an add-on for $49.99 per month.

Amazon and DAZN have agreed to a distribution partnership to make NFL Game Pass (NFL GP) available on Prime Video as an add-on subscription in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Mexico and Brazil.

NFL GP is launching this week on Prime Video and enables fans outside of the USA to watch every NFL matchup throughout the regular season and postseason, including the Super Bowl.

“Our expanded partnership with DAZN will bring the drama and excitement of the NFL to customers in many countries around the world,” said Jay Marine, global head of sports, Prime Video.

“Our goal is to make Prime Video the number one destination for sports fans to watch the biggest live sports events, through the Prime membership, partner subscriptions and pay-per-view. Adding the NFL Game Pass subscription is another step towards that goal.”

Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said: “DAZN is delighted to continue to deepen and broaden our partnership with Prime Video. DAZN is already available in multiple territories through Prime Video, so to add NFL Game Pass is a real sign of a successful relationship.

“DAZN wants our premium sports content, products and services to be as widely available as possible, so collaborations like this help drive that strategy forward and allow even more sports fans to discover what DAZN has to offer.”

The subscription will be available as an add-on for $49.99 per month.

Prime Video’s new NFL distribution partnership comes off the back of a Prime Video, NBA, and WNBA deal that will see the streamer present exclusive global coverage of 66 regular-season NBA games, including an opening week doubleheader, a new Black Friday NBA game, and all games from the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup, including the in-season tournament’s Semifinals and Finals.

The Prime Video media agreement is in place for 11 years, beginning with the 2025-26 NBA season.

NBL Sunday games to be broadcast on 10 BOLD

By Jasper Baumann

The first Channel 10 game of the season will be the Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings on September 22.

The 4:30 pm NBL Sunday games will be broadcast live and in HD on 10 BOLD this 2024-25 season.

The announcement follows NBL’s return to a main free-to-air channel for the first time in a decade, with the 2:30 pm marquee Sunday game to be broadcast on 10 in HD.

“Network 10 have been tremendous partners of our League, and we are thrilled to see that commitment and trust in our game continue with the addition of the 10 BOLD games on Sunday afternoon,” NBL chief strategic partnerships and investment officer Brad Joyner said.

“This is yet another sign of major validation in the League’s growth and direction, and we look forward to another strong campaign of expanding the NBL’s footprint across Australia.

“I want to thank Network 10’s Beverley McGarvey, and her entire team, for their continued support in the NBL and can’t wait to see Sunday’s double-headers come to life.”

Adam Cush, sport production director at Paramount Australia and New Zealand said: “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the NBL by broadcasting a second match every week on 10 BOLD and 10 Play.

“Ensuring broad reach on free-to-air, we are committed to showcasing the NBL in innovative ways and exposing it to a plethora of programming opportunities across all our platforms.”

The NBL’s broadcast audience increased by 26 per cent this past season, off the back of a similar rise last season.

The League has also come off a landmark year for attendances with 40 sell-outs across the campaign and more than a million attendees at games for the first time in League history.

The first Channel 10 game of the season will be the Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings at HoopsFest on September 22, while the first 10 BOLD game will come in round two when the New Zealand Breakers host the South East Melbourne Phoenix on September 29.

INVNT and Live Nation team up launch The Weeknd’s Australian stadium tour

By Alisha Buaya

The experience featured cryptic messages like “Everything Will Fade” and “The End Is Near” appearing through 3D-mapped projections on Melbourne’s Nylex Plastics Factory.

Live Nation Australia has teamed up with experiential agency INVNT for a light installation launching The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn global stadium tour in Australia this October.

The experience began on Sunday evening with cryptic messages like “Everything Will Fade” and “The End Is Near” appearing through 3D-mapped projections on Melbourne’s Nylex Plastics Factory.

The hints soon revealed themselves as part of the artist’s global tour announcement, and a further series of roaming guerilla projections followed. This culminated in a grand reveal of the Australian tour dates and locations, along with details for exclusive content and ticket information.

Nathan Thompson, VP of marketing for Live Nation Australia and New Zealand, said: “By casting a larger-than-life projection onto one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings, we aimed to ignite curiosity and anticipation, setting the stage for a tour announcement that would reverberate far beyond traditional channels.

“Through strategic partnerships with Pedestrian TV and fan communities, we’ve amplified the buzz, creating a groundswell of excitement for the tour.”

Adam Harriden, group executive creative director, INVNT GROUP APAC, added: “Culture defining moments are created when you bring together two elements of the opposite kind, something we’re big on at INVNT.

“In this case, it’s projecting one of the world’s biggest pop icons on a heritage listed infrastructure such as the Nylex Clock.

We’re blending the old with the new, the traditional with the upcoming to create that spark and creative rebellion that we’re excited to bring to life with Live Nation Australia.”

Live Nation Australia has previously partnered with INVNT on tour announcements. Thompson said: “We chose to partner with INVNT again because they understand what we do. They’re not just marketers, they’re music people, and that shared passion translates into campaigns that resonate deeply with fans.

“Our previous Push for Pearl Jam campaign was a huge success, and we were excited to see what we could achieve together this time around.

The Weeknd said: “I feel a strong pull to perform in Australia before moving on to the next chapter and want to make sure you all know I hadn’t forgotten about you. When I return now, it will be the right time, and I promise it will be such a special experience. I can’t wait to see you all!”

Credits:

Agency: INVNT
Client: Live Nation Australia
Creative Lead: Adam Harriden, INVNT
Partnerships Lead: Heath Mawson, INVNT
Marketing Lead: Nathan Thompson, Live Nation

Increase in “juniorisation” of digital advertising and ad tech industry workforce: IAB

By Alisha Buaya

Over three-quarters of open positions in the industry target people with one to five years of experience.

There has been a significant shift toward the “juniorisation” of the Australian digital advertising and ad tech industry workforce.

According to the 2024 IAB Industry Talent Report, over three-quarters of open positions in the industry target people with one to five years of experience, with the most in-demand group being people with three to five years of experience.

This comes as the rate of job vacancies across the Australian digital advertising and ad tech industry slightly rose from 4.5% in to 4.6% in 2024. The report noted that redundancies across the sector, which reduced the population base, mean there are fewer available jobs compared to 2023.

However, IAB noted that there is cautious optimism, with more than six in ten companies looking to make modest increases to staffing levels and only 11% looking to slightly decrease their workforce.

There has also been a shift in perspective on the impact of AI. In 2023, a range of companies indicated they thought AI might directly reduce the number of people in their teams. However, this year, most companies plan to use AI to improve productivity without impacting current staffing levels.

The report noted that the average salary increase over the last twelve months was 3.8%, down from 4.2% in the previous year.

However overall, the cumulative increase in digital advertising specialist salaries over the last few years has increased the cost of talent significantly and Australia remains a premium job market with higher employee costs than many other markets.

Gai Le Roy, CEO of IAB Australia, said: “Over the last 12 months the digital advertising industry and ad tech talent market has felt the impact of ongoing global and local layoffs, but it is encouraging to see there’s increased optimism for modest increases in staffing levels from well over half of the industry.

“As workforces become leaner in the executive ranks, there’s been a significant shift to the hiring of more junior members of staff. Unfortunately, there has been a dip in the number of women in senior management positions, although it’s encouraging to see continued positive movement in gender representation across the wider industry particularly in product and engineering roles.

“With the increase of less tenured employees who are experiencing rapid promotion, companies in the industry are looking to support and upskill staff in leadership and management skills. With the shift in composition in the workforce only 5% of the digital advertising and ad tech employees are now aged over 50 years of age.”

The report also found that women in senior management roles reduced to 34% from 38% in 2023. But it also found growth in the representation of women in commercial roles increase from 49% to 53% over the last year. While women in product roles over the last few years rose from 36% in 2021 to 48% in 2024.

Although men dominate tech and engineering roles, there has been an increase of women stepping into the space from 13% in 2022 to 22% in 2024.

The data also revealed 48% of organisations require most staff members to be in the office three days a week, while 22% of organisations have increased their part-time staff employee numbers over the last two years.

–

Top image: Gai Le Roy

F*ck The Cupcakes launches second instalment of Yeah the Pies

By Alisha Buaya

The event will see men from the industry cook up pies and have conversations about gender equality.

F*ck The Cupcakes has launched the second instalment of Yeah the Pies as part of an all-year-round program to “cook up conversations” between men on the topic of gender equality.

The upcoming second instalment, to be held on September 19, will see executive coach Iain Schmidt, alongside a professional chef, welcome men in the industry and beyond to cook up pies and have conversations about gender equality.

“We’ve struck a chord with our sentiment that International Women’s Day is meaningless if women continue just to talk to other women,” Jasmin Bedir, Innocean CEO and founder of F*ck The Cupcakes. “But it is incredibly difficult to get men engaged in the topic of gender equality.”

“Yeah the Pies is an activity-based event that gives men a safe space to talk about questions they may have, shoulder to shoulder and get involved in gender equality in a way that benefits us all – while making and eating some good old humble pie,” she added.

The Yeah the Pies events are created for men who belong to the 30% of ‘the movable middle’ men in Australia. They are defined by their openness to progress, new ideas, are liberal-leaning and empathic.

These men are more likely to be younger, successful, educated, and exposed to new ideas through their children. They know that masculinity is in crisis and want to engage in the equality debate but don’t necessarily know where to start.

Chris Waite, key account manager at XR Extreme Reach, who attended the launch event in April, said it was a great way for men to have conversations about gender equality in a relaxed atmosphere and he hopes others in the industry will get behind the initiative.

Yeah the Pies 3 LR

“Back in April, I was fortunate to be invited to the first Yeah the Pies session. Not knowing what to expect, I arrived with both nervous anticipation but also excitement and interest. I needn’t have worried,” Waite said.

“The task of cooking pastries in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, along with fabulous hosts Brent Draper and Iain Schmidt, meant the conversation between all of the attendees flowed.

“It didn’t matter what level you were at with the company you worked at (whether Account Director or CEO), we all shared our opinions in an open and free manner. A great couple of hours and I personally learnt so much,” he added.

Yeah the Pies 3 LR

The Core Agency launches new campaign for Just Better Care

By Alisha Buaya

Ryan McMahon: “This latest work from the team is consistent with the Core Agency process to get to the core of a brand strategy and nail it.”

The Core Agency has launched a new integrated campaign for Just Better Care that highlights the personalised services to customers.

The creative agency’s campaign for the in-home aged care and disability support services provider features 15-second vignettes highlights how the provider offers individual services to every customer.

“Our latest campaign authentically demonstrates the individuality in which Just Better Care empowers its customers,” Jon Skinner, co-founder and creative partner at The Core Agency, said.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHK723MUugE

“It’s great to show older Australians and people living with disability continuing to be active with their hobbies and passions all whilst remaining engaged in their communities.”

Alison Chandler, chief executive officer of Just Better Care Australia, added: “One brand value that has remained consistent in our 19 years of operation is that the customer always comes first, and that each person has choice and control over their services, this campaign only serves to reinforce and celebrate this benefit for all our customers.”

“We have a longstanding and valued relationship with The Core Agency and this latest work from the team is consistent with the Core Agency process to get to the core of a brand strategy and nail it,” Ryan McMahon, general manager – brand and marketing at Just Better Care, said.

“Our franchise owners are thrilled that it rallies against the parody of material from other providers” he added.

Screenshot

Credits

Client: Just Better Care Australia
Chief Executive Officer: Alison Chandler
General Manager – Brand and Marketing: Ryan McMahon

Agency: The Core Agency
Founder & Creative Partner: Jon Skinner
Founder & Creative Partner: Christian Finucane
Managing Partner: Rebecca Turner
Copywriter: Nick Timms
Art Director: Callum Foot
Senior Account Director: Joseph Rosslind
Account Manager: Milton Kim
Head of Design: Nick Williams
Senior Designer: Daniella Williams
Senior Agency Producer: Meredyth Judd

Production: The Woodshed
Director: Brad Sayers
Producer – Victoria Beck
Cinematographer – Evan Papageorgiou
Stylist – Lydia Saunders
Editor – Brad Sayers
Post House – Carve & Stitch
Music: Mosaic Music & Sound

TV Ratings 20 August 2024: Hamish Blake appears on The Cheap Seats

By Jasper Baumann

The Block reaches 1.8m.

Tuesday 20 August 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 1,881,000, a total TV national audience of 950,000, and a BVOD audience of 153,000.

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,047,000, a total TV national audience of 1,236,000, and a BVOD audience of 100,000.

Also on Seven, The Voice recorded a total TV national reach of 1,821,000, a total TV national audience of 901,000, and a BVOD audience of 81,000.

10’s airing of Hunted recorded a total TV national reach of 1,018,000, a total TV national audience of 492,000, and a BVOD audience of 36,000.

10’s airing of The Cheap Seats recorded a total TV national reach of 935,000, a total TV national audience of 442,000, and a BVOD audience of 15,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 707,000
• National Audience: 415,000
• BVOD Audience: 94,000

10’s Hunted:
• Total TV nation reach: 439,000
• National Audience: 229,000
• BVOD Audience: 22,000

Seven’s Home & Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 424,000
• National Audience: 293,000
• BVOD Audience: 78,000

10’s The Cheap Seats:
• Total TV nation reach: 397,000
• National Audience: 212,000
• BVOD Audience: 9,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 343,000
• National Audience: 208,000
• BVOD Audience: 57,000

10’s Hunted:
• Total TV nation reach: 178,000
• National Audience: 84,000
• BVOD Audience: 12,000

Seven’s Home & Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 179,000
• National Audience: 130,000
• BVOD Audience: 48,000

10’s The Cheap Seats:
• Total TV nation reach: 135,000
• National Audience: 80,000
• BVOD Audience: 4,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,451,000
• National Audience: 727,000
• BVOD Audience: 122,000

10’s Hunted:
• Total TV nation reach: 769,000
• National Audience: 368,000
• BVOD Audience: 29,000

Seven’s Home & Away:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,071,000
• National Audience: 717,000
• BVOD Audience: 109,000

10’s The Cheap Seats:
• Total TV nation reach: 739,000
• National Audience: 347,000
• BVOD Audience: 12,000

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

The faces behind Sydney’s new $10m members’ club for tech entrepreneurs

A Sydney group of six investors is developing The Pillars, Australia’s first membership club for entrepreneurs in the tech world, their investors and other supporters – for a $20,000-a-year membership fee, reports The AFR’s Michael Bleby.

The group, which includes Tank Stream Labs chief executive Bradley Delamare and Black Nova Venture Capital managing partner Matthew Browne, is spending $10 million to renovate and fit out historic 11 Barrack Street in central Sydney before opening next year.

The Pillars, which the owners hope to expand beyond Sydney, is the latest in a burgeoning array of clubs including wine-focused 67 Pall Mall and creative industry-focused Soho House that are challenging the traditional – and largely male-only – private members’ clubs offering networks and access to resources.

[Read more]

Bread, milk, MAFS? Media giants want supermarkets to hire them

Under-pressure media companies are approaching major retailers to try and sell in-store and online advertising on their behalf, in a bid to tap the rapidly growing $1.6 billion retail media sector for a potential new revenue stream, reports The AFR’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.

Two of Australia’s largest listed media companies, Nine Entertainment and oOh!media, have pitched to work with retailer Metcash, which owns the IGA and Mitre 10 brands, to monetise advertising in and around its stores.

Metcash is looking to join Woolworths and Coles in the lucrative retail media sector, which Morgan Stanley estimates is currently worth $1.6 billion – $600 million of which is from Chemist Warehouse alone.

[Read more]

Radio

Liberal MPs deny leaking to 2GB’s Ray Hadley in fallout from council bungle

Two of the most senior NSW Liberal MPs have denied white-anting Mark Speakman after a radio shock jock alleged they were leaking against both the state opposition leader and division president Don Harwin, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Max Maddison.

Veteran 2GB radio host Ray Hadley on Wednesday claimed senior Liberals Anthony Roberts and Alister Henskens were leaking to undermine the moderate leaders and capitalise on the party’s council election bungle.

Their denials follow a disastrous week in which state director Richard Shields was sacked over Liberal headquarters’ failure to submit the nomination forms for 140 council candidates across 16 local government areas. Former federal director Brian Loughnane will undertake a two-week review of the fiasco.

Hadley took umbrage with two “cowardly” senior MPs who he said were leaking as a vehicle to undermine the moderate leaders.

“Look, I’ve got leaks from the left, right and centre from the right wing. One of you people get the balls to actually come on this program and say what you’re saying to me privately … Stop sending me text messages. Cowardly. Letting me be your mouthpiece,” Hadley said live on his program.

News Brands

Journalist Samantha Maiden testifies on breaking Higgins story

A recording of an interview between Brittany Higgins and the journalist who would break the story about her alleged rape in former defence minister Linda Reynolds’ office has laid bare how the young political staffer felt the incident had rendered her “toxic”, reports WAtoday’s Jesinta Burton.

Journalist Samantha Maiden was played portions of the hour-long talk with Higgins after being called to give evidence in Reynolds’ defamation case against the former staffer.

Flanked by three lawyers, Maiden told the WA Supreme Court she recalled hosting Higgins at her home for an interview over dinner on January 21, 2021, where Higgins would detail an incident she said had made her a “problem” for her then boss.

[Read more]

Veteran journalist Steve Hart leaves Channel 7 for rival network

7News Brisbane has suffered another significant loss with veteran journalist Steve Hart announcing his departure from the network to join WIN News in Wollongong, reports The Courier-Mail’s Georgia Clelland.

The news, revealed in an internal email to staff on Tuesday, cited “family reasons” as the driving force behind Hart’s decision.

Hart’s exit is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from the embattled Brisbane newsroom.

It is understood that Hart’s wife has been living in Sydney, and his regular weekend commutes to be with her have played a significant role in his choice to relocate closer to his family.

[Read more]

Democratic National Convention 2024 Roll Call: The Full Song List

On what was a raucous, joyous night inside the hall, the roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention set social media abuzz with the innovative use of a live DJ and music to introduce each state and territory.

During night two of the Chicago convention, DJ Cassidy took on the role of setting up each state and territory with short intro music, as each representative got a chance to talk up their home before declaring their delegates. The song choices ranged from expected (“Empire State of Mind” for New York, “I’m Shipping up to Boston” for Massachusetts), to some truly inspired choices (“Raise Up” by Petey Pablo for North Carolina and “The Way I Are” by Timbaland for Virginia).

The Hollywood Reporter has the complete song list on this link.

[Read more]

Television

Meet the daughter of Simon Townsend who helped a 15-year-old win two Logies

Nadia Townsend missed the moment when Felix Cameron, the young star of Boy Swallows Universe, thanked the acting coach for the first of his two Logie wins on Sunday night, reports The Age’s Karl Quinn.

Townsend, who lives on the NSW Central Coast, is the daughter of Simon Townsend, whose afternoon show Simon Townsend’s Wonder World! was a breeding ground for talent in the 1970s and 80s. Alumni include ABC radio’s Angela Catterns, Oscar-winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, and the late radio announcer Jonathan Coleman. The relaunched version (sans Townsend) of the 1990s gave starts to TV presenters Catriona Rowntree and Sonia Kruger.

The biggest influence on Nadia Townsend’s work as a dramaturg, though, is Nico Lathouris, the actor and screenwriter (he co-wrote the Mad Max films Fury Road and Furiosa).

Townsend was 19 when she landed a role on a series called Head Start, produced by Heartbreak High’s Ben Gannon. Though Lathouris does not appear in that show’s credits, he was, she says, critical to helping the young cast get their head around the material.

[Read more]

Reality show contestant escapes conviction for intimidating ex-partner

An eastern suburbs boxing trainer and dating show contestant who loitered around his ex-partner’s apartment and messaged her “what the f–k are you doing you f–king s–t” when she arrived home in the early hours of the morning has escaped a conviction, reports Wentworth Courier’s Aymon Bertah and Elliott Stewart.

Sam Maree, who features in an advertisement for the upcoming Channel 7 dating show Stranded on Honeymoon Island, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday wearing all black sunglasses inside the courthouse before he was sentenced for intimidation.

The 31-year-old had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge along with a single count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend which was later dismissed after he pleaded guilty to intimidation.

A Channel 7 spokeswoman said the media company was unaware of the matter and production conducted extensive background checks on contestants and “did not find any issues in relation to Sam Maree”.

[Read more]

Meet the 76-year-old who’s been on TV every week for 46 years

As media veterans go, there are few who can match the quiet achiever records of Better Homes & Gardens’ Graham Ross, reports TV Tonight.

At 44 years his 2GB radio show The Garden Clinic is the longest running radio show in Australia to remain in the same slot, on the same station with the same presenter.

He’s been a staple on Australian television screens for over four decades.

“I’ve been on television pretty much every week, on one program or another for 46 years. The thing that’s interesting from my perspective, is that I now have grandchildren whose parents were children, watching Better Homes with their parents,” he tells TV Tonight.

Behind the scenes, 76 year old Ross is a founder and Chair of the Australian Garden Council, been President of Horticultural Media Association Australia NSW branch, Principal of Ryde School of Horticultural TAFE and an ambassador for numerous charities. His list of accolades and awards, including an Order of Australia, is extensive.

[Read more]

Sports Media

Indian boss to take over world cricket amid $4.5 billion TV rights fight

India’s Jay Shah will take over as chair of the International Cricket Council after forcing the resignation of the incumbent Greg Barclay, amid a $US3 billion ($4.46 billion) dispute between the governing body and its major broadcast rights holder Star.

New Zealander Barclay told ICC directors, including Cricket Australia’s chair Mike Baird, of his intention to resign during a video conference, after being informed by Shah in recent days that the BCCI secretary wished to replace him in November and had the numbers to do so.

Before Tuesday night’s video call, the ICC had faced criticism from member countries for the USA-based leg of this year’s Twenty20 World Cup going $US20 million over the agreed operational budget. There is also uncertainty about the likelihood of India travelling to Pakistan to contest the ODI Champions Trophy in February next year.

Shah’s ascension has arrived at the same time Star is seeking relief from the enormous deal it signed with the ICC in late 2022 for the rights to broadcast global cricket events into India from 2024 to 2027.

While Australia (CA signed a $1.5 billion deal with Foxtel and Seven in January last year) and England have healthy domestic broadcast deals that bankroll the game in each country, ICC distributions make up the lion’s share of revenue for most member countries. Their reduction by millions of dollars would be disastrous for the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

[Read more]

Sam Landsberger’s father Jake talks his son’s final moments after tragic death

Sam Landsberger was talking to his mother Anne on his mobile when the Herald Sun sports journalist was struck and killed by a truck on Tuesday morning, reports Herald Sun colleague Mark Robinson.

A devastated Jake Landsberger, Sam’s father, confirmed the tragic circumstances after the family was inundated with hundreds of messages of tribute for their beloved son.

The truck driver that fatally struck the respected Herald Sun sports journalist has been charged after he allegedly refused to provide police with a blood sample.

Jake said there was some comfort that his son’s final moments were spent with his mother.

“Anne was on the phone with Sam when it happened, heard the hit, she heard the commotion, and we’ve been beside ourselves worrying whether she actually possibly distracted him,” Jake said.

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