For weeks, listeners of Mix94.5’s breakfast show Pete & Kymba with Ben Cousins were left wondering, where’s Kymba?
No social media updates. No on-air sign-off. Just sudden silence.
Now, Kymba Cahill has returned to the mic and, in an exclusive conversation for Mediaweek’s Newsmakers podcast, she opens up about the toll of online bullying and the decision to step away from a job she deeply loves.
Cahill reveals that her absence was driven by intense, targeted online abuse, mostly from women, which left her mentally drained and emotionally exhausted.
“It was relentless,” she says. “It came from nowhere. And it was really hurtful.”
Despite a long career built on supporting and championing women, Cahill says the nature of the attacks, accusing her of being inauthentic, cut deeper than she anticipated. “I’ve always tried to use my platform to empower women. So for that to be turned back on me? It was devastating.”
Even with a supportive team and years of experience, returning wasn’t easy.
“The studio’s always been our safe space,” she says. “But it was hard to be away for so long, knowing Pete was carrying so much alone.”
She credits co-host Pete Curulli for not just holding the fort, but for standing by her publicly and privately. “When I came back, he wrapped his arms around me and said, ‘I’ve got you.’ And he meant it.”
In a world where professional boundaries are often misinterpreted, Cahill also highlights the importance of showcasing strong, platonic friendships between men and women in media. “It’s not suspicious. It’s support. And people need to see that.”
At the heart of Cahill’s story is a broader reckoning with online culture, how easily people weaponise platforms and how often women bear the brunt of digital aggression.
“We all have a right to our opinion,” she says. “But just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.”
Even after years in media, navigating difficult conversations both on-air and behind the scenes, she says this experience was unlike anything she’d faced.
“You try to block it out, but it still finds a way under your skin,” she admits. “The world’s different now. Everyone’s walking around on edge. And it’s getting harder to find a space where you can feel confident to take up the room you’ve earned.”
Cahill’s return isn’t just a personal reset, it’s an invitation to have the conversations many still avoid. She wants listeners and industry peers to understand the realities behind the headlines, the toll of staying silent, and the value of speaking up anyway.
And that’s exactly what she does on Newsmakers.
“I want people to know: I wasn’t OK. And I had to step back to get better.”
To hear Kymba’s full story, tune in to the latest episode of Mediaweek’s Newsmakers podcast right here
Remember if you or someone you know needs help, you can call LIFELINE on 13 11 15
Australia’s online audience turned to news in record numbers throughout April, as the countdown to the Federal Election and a string of dramatic international events collided to drive news consumption across all digital platforms.
According to new data from Ipsos iris, Australians spent an average of 4.9 hours on news websites and apps during April, with 96.4% of the online population aged 14+ accessing news content.
The Ipsos iris April rankings show how major publishers jockeyed for audience share during a month heavy with political tension, cultural moments, and fast-moving global developments.
With 22.1 million Australians aged 14+ going online, the competition for attention has never been more intense.
As Australia inched closer to polling day, readers were hungry for election coverage.
Leaders’ debates, campaign missteps, policy rollouts and the record-setting surge in early voting dominated national headlines.
Ipsos iris data reveals the Federal Election played a key role in lifting engagement across news platforms, positioning current affairs content as essential reading for millions.
This heightened interest underscores a broader trend: political advertising and campaign messaging are increasingly reliant on trusted digital news environments.
With high reach and sustained engagement, these platforms continue to offer advertisers targeted scale, particularly as voter sentiment shifts daily.
Beyond Australia’s borders, seismic global stories helped propel traffic.
The death of Pope Francis, followed by speculation on his successor, spurred massive interest, while the US-China tariff standoff involving President Donald Trump sparked conversation around how the trade war might hit Australian industries.
Tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine added further weight to international coverage, keeping publishers’ foreign desks in overdrive and readers deeply engaged.
Domestically, true crime continued to perform, led by the Erin Patterson mushroom poisoning trial and new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein fallout with the suicide of accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Meanwhile, cyberattacks targeting superannuation funds added urgency and personal relevance to financial reporting.
Entertainment stories also shaped digital behaviour.
Reality franchises like Married at First Sight, Farmer Wants a Wife and Australian Idol continued to generate click-heavy coverage, alongside celebrity marriages and splits.
As ever, sport remained a consistent traffic driver. Off-field sagas, such as the Lachlan Galvin bullying allegations and the heated exchange between Spencer Leniu and Johnathan Thurston dominated headlines.
AFL’s ANZAC Day matches delivered compelling content, while Aussie heroes like Oscar Piastri in F1 and Tim Tszyu in boxing rallied national pride and interest.
The potential resurrection of the North Sydney Bears as the “Perth Bears” was another storyline that kept fans coming back for updates.
Oscar Piastri
Beyond news, April’s top-performing website and app categories were social networking, search, retail, entertainment and tech, each with audiences of around 22 million users.
The strongest month-on-month growth came from travel, games, finance and education, boosted by the perfect storm of Easter holidays, ANZAC Day and school breaks.
Despite fewer working days, audiences in homes and property, career and travel showed robust year-on-year increases, indicating consistent demand for informative, lifestyle-driven content.
For the full report head to https://iris-au.ipsos.com/
McDonald’s and DDB Group Sydney have launched an integrated campaign for limited edition Blues and Maroons Meals ahead of the State of Origin.
As proud sponsors of the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons, McDonald’s is offering meals in either medium or large with a choice of a Big Mac or 10 piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, drink and one of six legendary Blues and Maroons collector cups, commemorating iconic moments from each state’s Origin history – from miracle tries to punch-the-air wins and everything in between.
The meals are available in NSW and ACT restaurants for Blues fans and in Queensland and the Northern Territory for Maroons fans, with campaign content targeting each state.
The campaign kicked off on socials with a cheeky back-and-forth between two of Origin’s most beloved legends and larrikins – Johnathan Thurston and Nathan Hindmarsh – who have brought their famous interstate rivalry to Instagram Stories for some good old-fashioned banter.
The seven-week fully integrated campaign spans TV, online video, digital, radio, in-store, social and broadcast integration across Nine, Fox League, Triple M and more, with bespoke creative in each state.
The campaign’s hero film – airing now on TV and online – features fans of every flavour gearing up for game day in wildly passionate ways. From jerseys, baby names to questionable face paint, it all leads to one place: the counter at Macca’s, where loyalty can now be served with fries.
As the campaign unfolds, footy tragics will see their collector’s cups become the key to unlock bonus Blues or Maroons content, giving fans the chance to win some surprise prizes.
Mary Vrancic, Senior Marketing Director for McDonald’s Australia, said: “The Macca’s Blues and Maroons Meals are all about celebrating our long-term partnership with both clubs and our fans.
“We know how much our customers love footy, and we are proud to provide a place for fans to meet before or after a game.
“Win or lose, we will always be there for footy fans and now these legendary new meals are the perfect expression of that.”
Jack Nunn, Creative Partner at DDB Group Sydney and unapologetic Blues tragic, said: “We could’ve done the usual sponsorship stuff.
“But where’s the fun in that? So we pushed and came up with a properly integrated campaign. I can’t wait to raise a cup to a Blues 3-0 whitewash.”
The campaign runs until 9 July 2025 with each meal being available at participating Macca’s restaurants in Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW and ACT.
Australians are increasingly feeling disconnected from social media, with new research from NordVPN showing that 35% would prefer to be removed from the internet entirely.
The findings stem from an analysis of millions of Google searches related to deleting accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and TikTok.
The study, which covered Australian search data between April 2024 and March 2025, pinpointed two peak periods of digital withdrawal: January and mid-summer.
January in particular sees account deletion searches spike by up to 24%, suggesting a post-holiday period of reflection often turns into a desire to disconnect.
“Every January, millions of Aussies search for ways to delete their social media accounts,” said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN. “Digital fatigue and concerns about sharing personal data tend to resurface in cycles, often aligning with periods of heightened social or political activity.”
The trend intensified around the 2024 US presidential election in November. During that time, searches by Australians for deleting their X (formerly Twitter) accounts spiked by 76%, amid Elon Musk’s public ties to Donald Trump.
“As major events unfold, people often seek to step away from the online noise to protect their mental health,” Briedis said.
Elon Musk and X
Supporting these behavioural patterns, the Global Digital Statshot report by Meltwater and We Are Social revealed falling social media engagement among Australians. Snapchat and TikTok reported an 11% and 9% drop respectively in monthly app sessions.
According to Briedis, digital disengagement is driven by mental overload and surveillance concerns: “People aren’t just tired of scrolling — they’re tired of being tracked, surveilled, and profiled,”
To support those looking to step back, Briedis recommends practical strategies such as disabling notifications, using grayscale phone settings, installing VPNs and tracker blockers, and replacing screen time with offline activities.
Fridayz Live is returning in 2025 with by US superstar Mariah Carey and international chart mainstay Pitbull set to headline.
The event, a collaboration between The Hit Network and Mushroom Group, marks Carey’s first Australian performance in over a decade and is the latest evolution of a live music property that’s steadily built equity with brands, broadcasters and fans alike.
Joining Carey and Pitbull on this year’s bill are Wiz Khalifa, Lil Jon, Eve, Tinie Tempah and Jordin Sparks, in a multi-city tour designed to capitalise on both nostalgia and live music’s strong post-pandemic resurgence.
The line-up suggests a continued investment in legacy RnB and hip-hop acts that appeal to the lucrative 25–44 demo, a segment that brands are increasingly eager to reach via live experience and content integrations.
Mariah Carey
Now in its eighth year, Fridayz Live began in 2016 as a spin-off of The Hit Network’s RnB Fridays programming initiative.
Since then, the event has grown into a recurring national tour, attracting over 600,000 fans to date and featuring acts such as Janet Jackson, Usher, TLC, 50 Cent and The Black Eyed Peas.
Amanda Lee, Head of Hit Metro Content, said the 2025 edition aligns with the 10-year anniversary of the RnB Fridays brand, and noted the tour’s increasing scale and reach.
“This is going to be an unforgettable tour,” she said. “Our partnership with Mushroom Group continues to strengthen and I’m so pleased we get to bring our audiences this amazing lineup and continue to celebrate RnB Fridays.”
Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski highlighted the tour’s commercial impact and brand value. “Fridayz Live has well and truly made its mark on our live entertainment scene,” he said. “We’re thrilled to team up again with The Hit Network as we raise the bar in 2025.”
The 2025 edition of Fridayz Live will tour four major markets in October:
• Brisbane – Friday, 17 October at Brisbane Showgrounds
• Sydney – Saturday, 18 October at ENGIE Stadium
• Perth – Friday, 24 October at Langley Park
• Melbourne – Saturday, 25 October at Marvel Stadium
Given its consistent audience draw and prime sponsorship appeal, Fridayz Live presents ongoing opportunities for advertisers looking to align with a music property that combines nostalgia, star power and national reach.
Previous iterations of the event have featured integrated campaigns across radio, digital, on-site activations and branded content.
oOh!media says more than 100 brands have already advertised on its fully digital Sydney Metro Out of Home network since its launch.
Among the brands are Hermes, L’Oreal, Swarovski, Audible, Amazon, New Balance, Airtasker and Mazda which have connected with more Sydney commuters on oOh!’s premium rail screens, with recent data showing a 16% surge in travellers using key Metro stations during peak commute times.
Across all seven CBD and North Shore stations – Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal, Central and Waterloo – average morning commuter numbers rose significantly compared to November last year, according to recent data from Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains.
This claim comes as the outdoor advertising company expanded its footprint in Sydney CBD, with a new large format screen launched at Gadigal Station on Pitt St, with an additional screen to go live in June.
Since the opening of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line, more than 36 million trips have been taken, highlighting its role in reshaping commuter behaviour and travel flows through the CBD.
“With Sydney Metro passenger numbers soaring, and new assets live in the Sydney CBD, the opportunity for brands to connect with urban audiences at scale has never been stronger,” Mark Fairhurst, chief revenue officer at oOh!, said.
“Demand for our Metro network has been exceptional, as advertisers look to capitalise on high-impact environments supported by deep data capabilities and flexible creative formats.”
oOh! won the major competitive Sydney Metro tender win in 2023 and is building a fully digital network, which includes more than 50 digital screens, including 20 large format sites and large format portrait panels.
Complementing Sydney Metro, oOh! also secured the landmark Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station and retail precinct that includes large format, full motion 3D-enabled assets.
The Sydney Metro adds to oOh!’s existing rail portfolio, which spans premium locations in Australia’s two biggest cities. Later this year Melbourne’s five new Metro Tunnel stations are due to open, with oOh! winning the long-term contract to deliver Out of Home advertising.
The Metro Tunnel rail line from Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the southeast will feature bigger and more modern trains and five new underground stations, each having retail opportunities.
Fairhurst added: “oOh! is uniquely positioned to help advertisers engage with commuters in Australia’s two largest cities.
“With Sydney Metro and Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, our growing rail portfolio offers brands an unmatched platform to deliver relevant, high-impact campaigns from premium CBD locations to across key commercial, retail, and education precincts.”
Artificial Intelligence has officially hit the mainstream.
According to new April data from Ipsos iris, the number of Australians using AI websites and apps has more than doubled over the past year, a staggering 109.3% year-on-year surge, as consumers across all demographics lean into new technology shaping how we search, write, create and communicate.
A total of 12.7 million Australians aged 14 and over, or 57% of the population, accessed an AI tool during the month.
That figure marks a 27.3% lift from March 2025 and adds a whopping 6.6 million new users compared to April 2024.
For advertisers, marketers and media owners alike, this trend is more than just a moment.
It’s a wake-up call about where audiences are spending their time, how content is being created and consumed, and what the next battleground for digital attention could look like.
While AI’s early adopters have largely skewed younger, Ipsos iris data reveals the uptake is broader than expected.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Australians aged 14 to 24 used AI websites or apps in April, and this cohort is also spending nearly double the average time on these platforms.
But older audiences are far from absent.
More than 1.7 million Australians aged 65 and up, or 40% of that demographic, also accessed the tools. The data suggests artificial intelligence is fast becoming a generational equaliser in digital behaviour, particularly as more tools are integrated into everyday apps and online platforms.
On average, Australians spent just under an hour using AI websites and apps across the month.
For the full report head to https://iris-au.ipsos.com/
ARN and UK-based Global have announced a new strategic partnership that will see ARN’s iHeart platform handle advertising sales for Global’s premium podcasts in Australia, while expanding the reach of ARN’s local content into the UK market.
The agreement, effective immediately, names ARN’s iHeart as the exclusive Australian sales representative for Global’s podcast portfolio.
This includes popular titles such as The News Agents, hosted by Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall, and My Therapist Ghosted Me with Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally.
Global’s slate also features The News Agents USA and The Sports Agents, hosted by Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, further extending the reach of UK-based news and sports commentary into the Australian advertising ecosystem.
In return, several of ARN’s top-performing Australian podcasts, including The Christian O’Connell Show, The Lady Vanishes, and Life Uncut with Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne, will be made available on Global Player, broadening access to expat and UK audiences.
ARN’s Head of Digital Audio, Corey Layton, said the collaboration builds on shared goals across the two companies: “Global and ARN share a passion for delivering world-class audio experiences across both markets. We’re excited to bring shows like My Therapist Ghosted Me and The News Agents to Australian advertisers while collaborating to support our shared ambitions.”
ARN’s iHeart, Australia’s top-ranked podcast publisher, reaches over 7 million listeners monthly and includes a diverse catalogue of local and global content.
This announcement builds on Global’s existing collaboration with iHeartMedia and comes as the two companies jointly headline The Podcast Show London this week.
Katie Bowden, Managing Director of Commercial Audio at Global, said: “Today marks another exciting new chapter for podcasts here at Global. Both Global and ARN see the potential to grow the commercial podcasting market across the world and connect with listeners everywhere through high-quality, premium podcasts and storytelling.”
DISCLAIMER: This article contains sensitive content, including references to suicide and individuals who have passed away. The continent of Australia remains unceded, and these lands, waters, and skies have always been Aboriginal and always will be. We pay our respects to First Nations elders past and present.
Apparent and Photoplay have teamed up with leading Aboriginal voices, from creatives and mental health professionals, to launch an awareness initiative – Change Direction – focused on the rate of suicide in Aboriginal communities and the role culture plays in reversing the crisis.
The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health, founded by psychologist Dr. Tracy Westerman AM (Nyamal), has partnered with Aboriginal creative talent including director Warwick Thornton (Kaytetye), poet Dakota Feirer (Bundjalung-Gumbaynggirr), actor Pedrea Jackson (Jingili-Mudburra-Waramungu) and songman Fred Leone (Butchulla), to develop a campaign aimed at the hearts and minds of all Australians.
The campaign, led by a short film, aims to change the direction of Aboriginal mental health by pointing to Jilya’s solution: more Aboriginal psychologists to improve screening and suicide prevention within Aboriginal communities. The Institute funds scholarships for Indigenous people in high-risk communities to become psychologists in places that desperately need them, with a vision to ‘build an army’ of Indigenous psychologists.
“The broken mental health system in this country has been built by the privileged; to favour the healing methods of the most privileged, but delivers its services to the least privileged of us,” said Dr. Westerman. “It’s time to rebuild it from the ground up, with Aboriginal excellence leading the way.”
The short film centres on a poem, written in collaboration between Apparent and Dakota Feirer, that uses a palindrome to turn from negative to positive through the power of cultural connection.
Hamish Stewart, chief creative officer at Apparent, said: “The team were committed to doing something to help address an issue that has been overlooked for too long, but were equally conscious that it’s not our story to tell. We’re so grateful to every member of the community who not only understood the intention, but embraced the project, brought their artistry to it, and truly made it their own.”
Jackson Long, creative director at Apparent, added: “Australia has gotten used to hearing from non-Aboriginal people about all the negative and failed ways to ‘fix’ Aboriginal issues. This initiative encourages all Australians to listen and respond to Aboriginal voices about Aboriginal issues.”
Dr. Westerman. ‘It’s time to rebuild it from the ground up, with Aboriginal excellence leading the way.’
One of Australia’s leading filmmakers, Cannes Film Festival winner Thornton, brought the poem to screen.
“You want this conversation to get to the breakfast table, to happen at a bar, amongst friends and strangers,” Thornton said. “To talk about what’s going on with the younger generation of Indigenous people. That’s what this project will do.”
Research from the Jilya Institute shows that 1 in 4 Indigenous youth who have presented for mental health services have attempted suicide, while 42% have had suicidal thoughts.
The suicide rate among Aboriginal adults has risen 30% in the past 5 years to an all time high – more than double that of non-Aboriginal Australians. Evidence also suggests the outcome of the ‘Voice’ referendum in 2023 has contributed to the rise.
Warwick Thornton: ‘You want this conversation to get to the breakfast table, to happen at a bar, amongst friends and strangers. To talk about what’s going on with the younger generation of Indigenous people. That’s what this project will do.’
The film and campaign launched nationwide leading into National Reconciliation Week 2025. It is an entirely pro-bono media plan across TV and streaming services (Seven Network, Nine Network, Foxtel, Binge, SBS, NITV, ABC) and OOH (oOh!media, QMS, JCDecaux, Val Morgan Outdoor).
Andrew Every, chief strategy and retail media officer and RAP executive sponsor at oOh!media said: “oOh!media is proud to support this vital initiative by amplifying it across our national digital network which we hope will support a lasting change for Indigenous mental health.”
Ads will run in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, Qantas Magazine, and 125 cinemas around the country (Val Morgan).
Qantas was also proud to get involved, ensuring Change Direction will play as a pre-show short feature before all Australian movies in June and July across the entire fleet.
“Change Direction”, Director Warrick Thornton, at Sunjive Studios Adelaide , Pic Ben Searcy 2024
There is also an accompanying social campaign featuring endorsements from Adam Goodes, Cathy Freeman, Tim Minchin, Zoe Foster Blake and many more high profile Australians.
The official launch took place at the Change Direction premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter (Val Morgan, Hoyts Group) on 21 May.
Florence Tourbier, executive producer at Photoplay, said: “It was a privilege to work on this project with Apparent and Warwick, and we’re so grateful to all the collaborators who brought their unwavering care and dedication to create this beautifully chilling, yet hopeful film. We wish for it to inspire meaningful change for a better mental health future.”
Credits
Client: The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health
Founder: Psychologist Dr. Tracy Westerman AM
Director & Cinematographer: Warwick Thornton
Poet: Dakota Feirer
Performer: Pedrea Jackson
Songman: Fred Leone
Agency: Apparent
Chief Executive Officer: Phil Smith
Managing Director: Suzy Smiley
Chief Creative and Experience Officer: Hamish Stewart
Executive Creative Director: Michelle Turchini
Creative Director: Jackson Long
Senior Creative: Theodora Gerakiteys
Design Director: Mikaelee Miller
Senior Designer: Jean-Paul Faint
Client Service Director: Matt Olanda
Group Business Director: Caroline Hutton
Account Director: Fraser Cotterill
Strategy Director: Josh Fardell
Chief Media Officer: Simon Pugh
Senior Integrated Producer: Jack Caldwell
Film production: Photoplay
Executive Producer: Florence Tourbier
Editor: Simon Njoo
Editor: Craig Deeker
Motion Designer: Mac Archibald
Timelapse Photographer: Murray Fredericks
On set Photographer: Ben Searcy
Casting Director: Anousha Zarkesh
Post production: KOJO
VFX & Colourist: Marty Pepper
Additional Online Editor: Jade Robinson
Post Production Coordinator: Georgia Lippe
Music and mix: OTIS
Director: Alejandro Gomez
Director: Lukas Farry
Executive Producer: Camille Yaptinchay
Sound Designer: Will Thackray
Instrumentation: Emma Greenhill
New data from Ipsos iris for April 2025 shows that News Corp Australia remains a key digital news and lifestyle publisher, reaching four in five Australians online and recording the highest levels of engaged* reach in its category.
The data indicates that 17.79 million Australians visited News Corp Australia’s sites during the month. The company recorded an engaged reach of 132 browser page views per person.
Pippa Leary, Managing Director and Publisher of Free News and Lifestyle at News Corp Australia, said the company’s editorial strategies had focused on increasing direct traffic and sustaining engagement across its network.
“High levels of engaged reach drive outcomes for our clients,” Leary said. “We continue to have three times more engaged reach than Nine and 15 times more engaged reach than the ABC.”
She added that the Free News and Lifestyle network played a role in maintaining performance during key periods, such as Easter and the school holidays.
“It’s pleasing to see our editorial strategies have successfully increased direct traffic to our sites by prioritising high-quality, engaging content that meets audience needs. Additionally, we leveraged the Free News and Lifestyle network to sustain engagement during Easter and school holidays.”
At the organisation level, News Corp Australia led the News category in both audience and engagement. The publisher recorded:
• A total audience of 14.6 million.
• 510 million browser page views.
• An engaged reach of 34 page views per person.
• An average time spent of 45 minutes per person.
• In video, the company reported a digital video audience of 1.9 million and 50 million video views for the month.
At the brand level within the News category, news.com.au recorded:
• An audience of 11.8 million.
• 258 million browser page views.
• An engaged reach of 21 page views per person.
• An average time spent of 26 minutes per person.
• 40.8 million video views.
This placed news.com.au ahead of nine.com.au and ABC News in terms of engaged reach. Nine.com.au recorded 16 page views per person, and ABC News recorded 8 page views per person.
Within the Lifestyle category, taste.com.au recorded the highest engaged reach among the top five lifestyle brands.
In April, the site attracted an audience of 4.5 million, with 61 million browser page views and an engaged reach of 13 page views per person, an increase of 13% year-on-year.
*Engaged reach, as reported by Ipsos iris, is measured by average browser page views per person. It is one of several metrics used to assess the strength of digital audience behaviour and engagement across news and lifestyle categories.
For the full report head here.
Feature image: Pippa Leary
Keno has partnered with Rolling Stone AU/NZ and dentsu Queensland to launch a campaign championing Australia’s live music scene, focusing on pubs as the cultural cornerstone.
The “Rolling Stone Local Legends, powered by Keno” initiative promotes emerging artists while revitalising the local music experience.
At the centre of the campaign is a dual-location music festival, held at Sydney’s Hotel Steyne and Brisbane’s Stock Exchange Hotel. The events are part of Keno’s longer-term commitment to supporting live entertainment in community venues.
Brisbane’s line-up includes Great Gable, Borderline, Charli Lucas, Molly Millington, and local act Steel Syndicate. Sydney’s festival will be headlined by Blusher, with performances from Borderline and Marvell.
The activations will see artists collaborate on-stage in acoustic sets, aligned with Keno’s brand platform, “Together We Play.” The performances aim to foster unique musical connections and communal experiences.
Scott Colvin, Head of Brand: Keno & Instants at The Lottery Corporation, said, “People don’t go to the pub specifically to play Keno. They go to catch up with friends, have a meal, watch a band or live sport… We love having a seat at the table and wanted to celebrate all that’s good about local venues and live music.”
Cameron Law, Head of Strategy at dentsu Queensland, added, “Festival cancellations and increasing touring costs have have resulted in just three of ARIA’s Top 100 albums coming from Australian artists… iconic local pubs and clubs like Stockies are the original home of music discovery.”
The campaign began earlier in May, with festival dates set for May 24 in Brisbane and May 31 in Sydney. It includes editorial profiles on headline acts and video content showcasing venue stories.
Private equity interest in the B2B services sector surged in 2024, with a 21% year-on-year increase in investment activity from the market downturn in 2023.
The new data from SI Global’s Q2 2025 Private Equity Insights Report, which analyses more than 220 global transactions across the marketing, consultancy, and technology services sectors, tracks shifting investment patterns across global markets and uncovers the structural changes shaping PE activity in the sector.
Now in its second year, other key findings from the report found that while private equity investment rose sharply in 2024, exits slowed by 27% and refinancing declined 57%. Twice as many firms were found to hold beyond the common five-year cycle compared to last year, raising questions about exit readiness and valuation strategy.
The report found first-money investments dominate with 87% of new PE activity in 2024 came from first-time investments rather than reinvestments or bolt-ons. The finding reflected both investor appetite and the increasing volume of newly available assets in the market, especially at the smaller end of the scale.
Digital, Social and Influencer agencies attract the bulk of capital, according to the report, with more than 50% of PE investments in B2B services went to digital businesses, a threefold (333%) increase on the previous year. Social and influencer-led agencies were in particular demand, reflecting broader shifts in brand spend and media engagement.
The report noted the number of firms making bolt-on acquisitions within their first year of investment fell by 92%, as funds pivoted away from multi-line roll-ups in favour of more focused go-to-market strategies, and platforms focused on margin improvement and organic growth.
SI Global also found that valuations remain resilient despite macroeconomic headwinds, intense competition for quality assets. The report noted that the tech-enabled sustained profit multiples well above pre-COVID levels.
“Private equity remains incredibly active in our space – but what they’re buying, how they’re buying it, and what they expect in return is changing,” Tristan Rice, Partner at SI Global, said of the findings.
“Investors are doubling down on quality, margin improvement and future-fit growth stories – particularly those that are tech-enabled and digitally mature.”
Alyssiah Tsui
Alyssiah Tsui, Partner at SI Global, said: “We’re seeing a strong appetite from Southeast Asia, the UK and the US – all of which continue to lead in PE investment.
“But each region has distinct drivers. From digital maturity in the UK to platform-building in Asia and increased first-money appetite in the US, global strategies are no longer one-size-fits-all.”
Joe Hine
Joe Hine, Managing Partner at SI Global, added: “The challenge now is readiness. The backlog of maturing assets will test valuation expectations, integration success and whether strategies like buy-and-build have truly delivered.
“This will be a defining year for platform exits – and for the advisors who guide them.”
Top image: Joe Hine and Alyssiah Tsui
Attivo has acquired The Next Practice (TNP), the New York and Austin, Texas-based tech-enabled, AI-powered growth agency.
Cam Murchison, Attivo Global CEO, said: “At Attivo, our obsession with what’s next drives us to reimagine the future of brand and consumer engagement. To stay ahead, we’re scaling and evolving our consumer and healthcare capabilities across the U.S. through the acquisition of The Next Practice,”
TNP was established five years ago and combines an ideas-based approach with personalized AI marketing integration, agile open architecture, data, and world-class execution to build scalable business solutions for clients.
In joining Attivo, TNP will work closely with all agencies within the Attivo group across North America, Australia and New Zealand to provide specialist digital and healthcare skills and AI-driven solutions, plus offer valuable capabilities in Asia.
In 2024 Attivo purchased iconic North American full-service creative agencies Hill Holliday and DNY (formerly Deutsch NY) as part of its ongoing global growth strategy. Attivo has since launched specialist subsidiaries including SociStudio (Social content and data) and Hill Holliday Quest (healthcare) among others.
Cam Murchsion: ‘Our obsession with what’s next drives us to reimagine the future of brand and consumer engagement.’
Murchison continued: “Like Attivo, TNP is always looking to innovate and create ideas that move people, that connect, inspire and lead to action.
“In an aggressively changing market and time of rapid AI evolution, it is important that businesses respond with rapid solutions and a flexible structure, which TNP has a proven track record in providing. We’re excited to have them join the group and contribute to future growth.”
As part of the acquisition, TNP CEO Chris Foster will become CEO of DNY, working to further evolve its offering to ensure brands are future ready to meet the changing consumer landscape.
Foster has more than 20 years of global experience building a career on establishing future-ready agencies with client centricity at the forefront. He is a multiple Cannes Lions and Effies Award winner who has held senior leadership roles including, CEO Fallon, Global COO Saatchi & Saatchi, President Global Clients Publicis Group and President of Y&R Asia.
Current DNY CEO Val DiFebo has been appointed to the Attivo North American Board and will take on the role of DNY Senior Advisor after transitioning the agency from IPG ownership to Attivo in 2024.
Her new role will utilise her strong business management and strong client relationship skills honed over 25 years of agency leadership, providing the opportunity to identify new areas for growth while remaining an important part of the DNY team.
Chris Foster: ‘Our core focus will be to drive innovative solutions through the implementation of technology platforms that drive growth for our clients.’
Foster said: “It’s a great pleasure to take on this exciting opportunity to lead DNY, an agency with a stellar reputation, talented team and industry legacy that I have long admired.
“Together with Attivo we relish the opportunity to bring new thinking and capabilities to the group, to continue to lead our clients to a rapidly changing marketing reality. Our core focus will be to drive innovative solutions through the implementation of technology platforms that drive growth for our clients.”
The TNP brand and leadership team will remain post-acquisition with Colin Foster moving into the CEO role of TNP, while Foster will also be Chairman of TNP.
Colin Foster said: “This is a meeting of entrepreneurial minds. Marketing has never been faster or smarter and this grouping enables complete solutions for clients fast!”
Colin Foster: ‘Marketing has never been faster or smarter and this grouping enables complete solutions for clients fast!’
Murchison said of DiFebo’s new role: “We thank Val for her incredible and continuing contribution to DNY. As it moves into a new phase of growth and evolution, we look forward to seeing the result of two powerful leaders joining forces to make it even better.”
DiFebo added: “Topping off three decades at Deutsch with an opportunity to sit on the Attivo Board and take on the role of Senior Strategic Advisor for DNY and our clients is the ideal model for success. I am beyond grateful for the longstanding, trailblazing career I’ve enjoyed at Deutsch/DNY, and I look forward to continuing to work with our amazing team and creating business wins with our client partners.”
The deal is effective immediately, with TNP to reside in DNY’s NY offices.
Top image: Cam Murchison, Chris Foster, Colin Foster
By Ryan Sullivan, Director of Partnerships ANZ at VIOOH
Programmatic digital out of home (pDOOH) advertising has transformed outdoor advertising from a niche media channel to an essential component of multi-channel strategies.
The statistics speak for themselves: 92% of Australian marketers now view pDOOH as offering the most innovative opportunities across all advertising channels. This isn’t just industry hype – it’s backed by significant growth, with pDOOH revenue in Australia projected to reach $100 million in 2025 according to JCDecaux, up from just $3 million in 2020.
What makes pDOOH so compelling is its unique combination of traditional OOH strengths with digital flexibility. Unlike traditional OOH buying, which required lengthy planning cycles and locked-in investments, programmatic offers unprecedented agility.
Recent ad campaigns have leveraged pDOOH’s speed to market, activating time-sensitive campaigns in hours rather than weeks. This agility is crucial for product launches, responding to competitor activities, or capitalising on timely market opportunities.
A great example is Vodafone in Australia, which has a strong requirement for speed to market. The telecoms brand knows it only has a 48 hr window to influence international students when they enter Australia to choose a mobile phone.
The agility of pDOOH offering allows brands such as Vodafone to achieve their goals through targeted messaging, quickly and efficiently. Campaigns can be deployed using audience targeting, proximity targeting to place ads near points of purchase, contextual triggers, scalable individual targeting, weather targeting and day-parting.
Creative possibilities are almost limitless with the integration of first and third party data. For example, campaigns can also capitalise on midweek product launches by activating pDOOH specifically on launch day, and then utilising sequential creative on subsequent days.
One of the most significant advantages of pDOOH is its measurability. For most campaigns, we look at standard media metrics such as impressions delivered and cost KPIs. Other metrics include attribution across both online and footfall traffic, mixed media modelling (MMM) results and weekly business results. This gives us an accurate picture of the market and how media performs beyond standard media KPIs. pDOOH allows us to also optimise based on real-time business insights, which is a true benefit for brands that need high levels of agility.
Channel selection is heavily guided by these data points, and brands have discovered that DOOH delivers significantly higher business outcomes than some other digital channels, which can be particularly valuable for brands with an extensive store footprint.
According to our recent State of the Nation report, pDOOH aligns effectively with both brand-led campaigns (85% adoption) and performance-led initiatives (91% adoption). What’s particularly powerful about pDOOH is how seamlessly it integrates with other channels, pairing exceptionally well with social media (88% for brand campaigns, 79% for performance campaigns), digital video (67% and 71% respectively), and display advertising (75% and 65%).
One great example is a recent campaign for Mars, which aimed to refresh Mars’s brand image in the Australian market, positioning it as the go-to reward for everyday achievements. The multi-channel campaign, which featured pDOOH, radio and TV, deployed audience targeting, proximity targeting to place ads near points of purchase, contextual triggers, weather targeting, and day-parting on the pDOOH.
Creative possibilities were almost limitless from the integration of 1st and 3rd party data, which resulted in dynamic content with highly relevant messages tailored to consumers based on location, weather conditions, and time of day. Following the campaign, there was a 32% increase in brand attribution, and crucially, a 30% increase in purchase intent, enabling Mars to connect with consumers in a relevant and meaningful way.
This capability to integrate pDOOH alongside other channels allows brands to create truly connected customer journeys. For example, advertisers can target audiences with awareness messaging via pDOOH screens during their morning commute, then re-engage those exposed audiences through mobile, desktop and connected TV as the day progresses.
Brands are typically seeing much higher engagement across digital channels from audiences first exposed to our pDOOH activity, which demonstrates the power of a multichannel approach in creating a seamless experience as consumers move through their day – from getting up and travelling to work – to walking down the street and enjoying home entertainment.
Investment in pDOOH is projected to increase by 28% across the industry in the next 18 months, with pDOOH expected to be included in 35% of digital campaigns, up from 27% previously.
So, what’s driving this growth? In my view, it’s innovation in several key areas:
Dynamic creative optimisation (DCO), allowing for weather triggers, countdowns and time-based messaging.
Agile activation, enabling quick campaign turnarounds to seize opportunities.
Eye-catching 3D content delivering immersive visuals.
Smart screen selection for targeting specific audiences.
Beyond performance benefits, there’s also a sustainability angle – pDOOH with VIOOH is on average more than 10x carbon emission efficient compared to programmatic display and 13x more efficient than programmatic video.
We’re seeing pDOOH play a starring role in multi-channel campaigns that drive consumers down the funnel to conversions or in-store foot traffic, completing the ecosystem alongside display, video, radio and TV. The uplift and engagement results across digital activity reached by an exposed pDOOH audience speak for themselves.
By combining the premium, brand-safe environment of traditional OOH with the flexibility, targeting capabilities and measurability of digital channels, pDOOH truly supercharges ad campaigns in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago.
News Corp Australia and the AFL have joined forces to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, an initiative that honours the legacy and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to Australian football.
Introduced as Indigenous Round in 2006 and renamed in 2015, it honours Sir Doug Nicholls, a trailblazing Fitzroy footballer, pastor, activist and the first Aboriginal person to serve as a state governor.
Running across Rounds 10 and 11 of the AFL season, the collaboration will feature dedicated editorial content across News Corp’s metropolitan mastheads (The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail, and The Advertiser) as well as Code Sports. The coverage spans digital, video, print and social media, spotlighting both historical figures and current Indigenous stars in the league.
The editorial package includes features on the design inspiration behind each club’s commemorative guernsey and player profiles, alongside a preview of the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G clash between Essendon and Richmond.
Will Hogan, News Sport National AFL Editor, said: “At News Sport we’re proud to support and celebrate this important milestone by amplifying Indigenous stories and voices through our storytelling. Our coverage aims to go beyond the field exploring the rich history that Indigenous players bring to the game.”
As part of the celebration, GQ Australia has released a special digital edition of its GQ Hype cover, showcasing three prominent Indigenous AFL players: Jarman Impey of Hawthorn, Jesse Motlop of Carlton, and Lawson Humphries of Geelong.
The feature includes a styled photo shoot and interviews with the athletes discussing the significance of the round.
GQ Hype, AFL Indigenous Round cover
The players are featured in fashion by leading Indigenous designers including Atyene, Solid Ochre, Ngali and By Josh Deane, blending sporting achievement with cultural expression.
V Energy has launched its brand new range of slow-release energy drinks, V Riise, and teamed up with Thinkerbell for the campaign.
With V Riise’s all new slow-release energy technology, consumers have a longer-lasting, smoother energy delivery to get through all the big energy moments of the work day.
To bring this benefit to life, the agency’s campaign visualises the unique feeling of slow-release energy – a flow state that lets you glide through your day with ease.
Thinkerbell’s Executive Creative Tinker, Sesh Moodley, said: “We wanted to capture the kind of energy that doesn’t spike – it flows.
“V Riise isn’t about the rush, it’s about the rhythm, so lucky it’s got a banger track to go with it.”
Mariko Inoue, Director of V Energy, added: “This is an exciting development for the V Energy brand, with V Riise building on the success of V Energy – Oceania’s number one energy drink. V Riise was developed in response to a clear consumer need for a more sustained energy.
“The research shows that two thirds of people experience energy dips throughout the day and are seeking products that meet their energy needs.”
The creative is now rolling out across TV/BVOD, cinema, social, online, out-of-home and shopper in Australia and New Zealand.
Credits
Creative agency: Thinkerbell
Client: Suntory Oceania
Director: James Chappell
Production/Post production: Clockwork Films
CGI Elements: Heckler HQ
Music Composition and Sound: Electric Sheep Music
The 4BC host was still flogging himself as an “award-winning journalist” for private gigs, even though those awards were revoked after his now-infamous false claims about former MP Andrew Laming.
But after Steve Jackson discussed the claims in The Australian, that little embellishment had disappeared from his Crowd Pleaser profile.
Fair enough, if you’re not the one poring over the travel policy.
As David Ross writes in The Australian, the documents, released under FOI, show Buttrose leaned on Corporate Cars Australia, think luxury sedans and limos with a 24/7 chauffeur vibe, for at least 14 trips.
As Amanda Meade writes in The Guardian Australia, Houda is suing over two Bolt Report broadcasts and an article from January this year, which he says have seriously damaged his reputation.
Houda maintains the claims are false and defamatory.
According to new data from Ipsos iris, Australians spent an average of 4.9 hours on news websites and apps during April, with 96.4% of the online population aged 14+ accessing news content.
Last month;s rankings show how major publishers jockeyed for audience share during a month heavy with political tension, cultural moments, and fast-moving global developments.
The move ropes in the legendary ex-Apple designer, yes, the iPhone guy, who’ll now lead a new division focused on building AI-powered devices.
As Mark Gurman and Shirin Ghaffary report in The Sydney Morning Herald, it’s the biggest acquisition in OpenAI’s history and brings with it not just Ive’s minimalist magic, but a squad of former Apple design stars.
As Amelia McGuire reports in The Australian Financial Review, the company, once valued at $3.5 billion, has turned to AI to help fill the gaps, particularly across design, content, engineering and product roles.
A spokesperson confirmed the shake-up, saying AI is now firmly embedded across commercial and creative teams.
The move, according to news.com.au, answers the looming question: how do you monetise AI without wrecking the vibe?
So far, generative AI tools have mostly dodged the ad game, offering cleaner, ad-free answers.
No social media updates. No on-air sign-off. Just sudden silence.
Now, Kymba Cahill‘s returned to the mic and, in an exclusive conversation for Mediaweek’s Newsmakers podcast, she opens up about the toll of online bullying and the decision to step away from a job she deeply loves.
At 73, the radio legend has decided it’s finally time to swap studio lights for something a little softer.
As Sarah Patterson reports for Radio Today, Graham’s voice has been a fixture on Australian radio since the vinyl days, holding court across more than a dozen stations, including a top-rated run on 2WS breakfast.
In a public letter sent Monday, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden raised alarm over reports that Paramount may be negotiating a resolution to Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit tied to a 60 Minutes interview with then-vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.