Duane Hatherly has been appointed as Head of Editorial of Mediaweek, leading the publication into its next phase of editorial and audience growth.

Hatherly joins Mediaweek with more than two decades of experience across Australia’s leading broadcasters, including Foxtel, the ABC, and the Seven Network, and has also created original programming for Network 10.

Most recently, he produced and directed high-profile national and international investigations and feature stories for Seven Network’s acclaimed 7NEWS Spotlight.

He is widely recognised for his collaborative leadership, strategic direction, and editorial vision.

In his new role, Hatherly will oversee Mediaweek’s editorial strategy, audience development, and content innovation, strengthening the publication’s authority as Australia’s most trusted voice in media, marketing, and tech.

Sarah Chapman, Head of Editorial Operations at Vinyl Media, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Duane to the team.

His leadership, creative experience, and deep understanding of audiences make him the ideal person to guide Mediaweek’s editorial direction. We’re excited for the fresh perspective and momentum he’ll bring to this next chapter.”

Hatherly succeeds Frances Sheen, Head of Content, who has overseen significant developments at Mediaweek during her tenure, including re-establishing the brand’s editorial direction and building a strong foundation for future growth.

Under her leadership, Mediaweek has expanded its coverage, strengthened its market position, and set the stage for continued editorial innovation.

“Fran has been instrumental in helping us reach this point, and we’re incredibly grateful for the foundation she leaves behind. Her passion and professionalism have made a lasting impact,” said Chapman.

Sheen said, “It’s been a privilege to lead Mediaweek through such a period of growth and to work alongside the incredible team at Vinyl Media.

“Together, we’ve built real momentum, grown our audience, and collaborated with some of the industry’s finest. This feels like the perfect point for me to step away, but I’m looking forward to watching where the team takes Mediaweek from here.”

Supporting Hatherly is Natasha Lee, who now leads Mediaweek’s newsroom and daily editorial operations as Media Editor.

Following Dan Barrett’s departure, she oversees coverage, manages contributors, and ensures reporting remains timely, relevant, and authoritative.

She is joined by newly appointed Junior Writer, Vihaan Mathur, alongside experienced contributors Makayla Muskat (ex-Ad News) and Lauren McNamara (ex-Mumbrella).

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Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) which owns HBO, CNN and other streaming and studio businesses, has announced it will put itself up for sale after receiving “unsolicited interest” from multiple parties.

This comes just months after the company revealed plans to separate into two publicly traded entities by mid-2026.

In a press release on Tuesday, WBD said it had initiated “a review of strategic alternatives to maximise shareholder value.”

“We continue to make important strides to position our business to succeed in today’s evolving media landscape by advancing our strategic initiatives, returning our studios to industry leadership, and scaling HBO Max globally,” said chief executive David Zaslav.

The company said it will continue pursuing the planned split of its cable networks from its streaming and studio businesses, even as it explores potential sale or merger options.

Sale talk

Last month, reports surfaced that Paramount, owner of Network 10, was preparing a majority-cash bid for WBD, backed by the Ellison family.

The speculation sent WBD shares soaring by almost 30% in late trading, despite no confirmation from either company.

If the deal goes ahead, it would reshape the global media and entertainment industry, bringing two of Hollywood’s most storied studios under the same roof.

In Australia, CNN and Discovery channels are currently carried by Foxtel and Fetch TV. Max launched in March 2025 and continues to post strong TV and movie library sales across the market.

The newly split companies have not yet been named but will continue operating as they are until the separation is complete.

“The cultural significance of this great company and the impactful stories it has brought to life for more than a century have touched countless people all over the world,” said Zaslav.

“It’s a treasured legacy we will proudly continue in this next chapter of our celebrated history.”

Mediaweek has reached out to WBD for comment.

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Hamish & Andy have once again claimed the top spot in the Australian Podcast Ranker for September, recording 813,500 monthly listeners. That’s a drop from August, when they pulled in 855,315 listeners.

Meanwhile, ABC News Top Stories sits in second with 767,032 listeners, narrowing the gap significantly.

News surges as listeners tune in for daily updates

While Hamish & Andy and Mamamia Out Loud (563,785 listeners) maintain steady numbers, the real story this month is the dominance of news.

ABC News Top Stories isn’t the only news podcast to have made an imprint. Sky News Australia Update climbed to fifth with 484,254, and ABC News Daily and The Front both held firm inside the top 20.

Together, news-driven titles now occupy seven of the top 20 positions, it’s a significant lift compared with August’s rankings. It’s a reflection of Australians’ growing tendency to “snack” on short-form updates rather than long-form talk formats.

Breakouts, fallbacks, and one big mover

Among entertainment podcasts, Shameless (537,803) and Life Uncut (386,342) both continue their steady climb, while Dan Does Footy made a surprise leap into the top 15, landing at No. 11 with 342,958 listeners – a strong sign of sports content’s off-season pull.

Elsewhere, The Kyle & Jackie O Show sits at No. 14, holding its audience through September, while The Imperfects (No. 12, 338,201) remains one of the most consistent performers in the lifestyle and wellbeing category.

Lower down, Australian True Crime (No. 20, 261,809) and It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield (No. 21, 260,114) continue to trade places in the true crime and personality space, both drawing loyal, high-engagement audiences despite a crowded genre.

Rankings coverting to ad dollars

High ratings are one thing – but do they actually translate to ad dollars? Not necessarily, according to audio ad agency Oxford Road.

The company has unveiled what it calls the first-ever podcast leaderboard based on real sales outcomes, ranking shows by how effectively they convert listeners into customers.

The “ORBIT Top 15 Podcasts Measured by Ad Performance” draws from $1.6 billion in campaign data across hundreds of advertisers.

The findings flip traditional rankings on their head: while comedy still dominates locally, Oxford Road’s data shows that controversial content, particularly comedy and politics, delivers stronger ROI.

“Every other ranking tells you who has the most listeners,” said Oxford Road CEO Dan Granger. “We’re telling you which shows deliver ROI.”

Niche beats mass appeal

Big-name hits like The Joe Rogan Experience were nowhere to be found, with only three major shows cracking the top 15.

Instead, the #1 spot went to Critical Role, the Dungeons & Dragons podcast-turned-cultural phenomenon.

For advertisers, it’s a reminder that smaller, highly engaged audiences often deliver more value than mass appeal.

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Former TV host Don Burke has broken his eight-year silence following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, arguing he was the target of a media-driven “vendetta”.

The gardener, who hosted the hugely popular Burke’s Backyard from 1987 to 2004, was one of Australia’s most popular TV personalities but he fell from grace in 2017 when a joint ABC and Fairfax investigation detailed allegations from more than 50 journalists, production crew and TV personalities.

Among those to speak out were Kerri-Anne Kennerley, sports reporter Caroline Wilson and Olympian Susie O’Neill.

Burke has always denied all accusations against him and was interviewed on A Current Affair by Tracy Grimshaw defending himself from all accusations. He hasn’t appeared on TV since then.

But in a new interview, Burke has insisted his “cancellation” was driven by industry enemies.

“It was people in the media who hated my guts and ganged up against me,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“Most of it was media. TV is dying, newspapers are dying, and [they] were forced to go out and find the most horrible stuff of all time that they could.”

“People that know us knew it was horrible and that it wasn’t true,” he added.

“There was one court case which we don’t bother with. It went to the High Court and they said it was nonsense. We got costs.”

Two former TV researchers claim Burke groped their breasts, while a young actress claims he told her she would have to do an audition topless for his G-rated show.

After the allegations of sexual harrassment that ended his career, Burke said, “I never let it get to me.”

The 78-year-old has now written a new book on the genetics of breeding budgies but claims he still makes Burke’s Backyard episodes for YouTube.

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Pizza Hut Australia has appointed jnr. to lead its brand strategy and creative duties following a competitive pitch.

Flynn Group ANZ CEO Richard Wallis said the agency stood out for its deep QSR experience, innovative model, and relaxed, fun attitude.

“As Flynn Group ANZ continues to grow, we’re focused on building the Pizza Hut brand that moves as fast and boldly as our business ambitions,” Wallis said, adding that jnr. impressed with its ability “to turn commercial strategy into creative ideas that connect with our guests and fuel growth.”

Pizza Hut CMO Wendy Leung said the appointment marks “an exciting new chapter” for the brand, praising jnr.’s “creativity, agility and collaborative spirit, as well as their true challenger mindset.”

She said both teams are ready “to bring bold ideas to life, challenge conventions, and turbocharge the next phase of growth for the brand.”

Reviving an Aussie icon

For jnr. founder Ryan O’Connell, the win represents a chance to help revive one of Australia’s most recognisable names.

“The words ‘iconic brand’ are thrown around a little too liberally these days, but Pizza Hut is genuinely that,” he said. “A lot of Australians have very fond memories of Pizza Hut, including its advertising, and we’re looking forward to helping the brand get back to the lofty position it once held in Australian culture.”

jnr. ECD Jenny Mak described the partnership as “the start of something truly exciting,” adding that there’s a shared ambition “to create bold, distinctive work” and a commitment to “shape what’s next” for the brand.

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Man of Many has released its latest digital edition, Visionaries, spotlighting creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of purpose in an age defined by change and disruption.

Fronting the new issue are three digital cover stars: Australian actor Eric Bana, British performer Scott Rose-Marsh, and Hollywood’s Lee Pace. Each is profiled in long-form interviews that explore reinvention and creative courage.

Bana discusses his latest Netflix project, Untamed, while Rose-Marsh gives an Australian-exclusive interview amid speculation linking him to the next James Bond. Pace reflects on returning to Apple TV+’s Foundation as a ruler transformed by philosophy and power.

“Visionaries is a nod to those who see an opportunity and dive headfirst into the unknown,” said Nick Hall, Editor-in-Chief, Man of Many. “Every feature in this issue, from Bana’s wild new journey to Rose-Marsh’s overnight rise, demonstrates that success isn’t always an accident; it’s usually the product of years of hard work, clarity, and a willingness to take risks.”

Defining creativity and innovation

Beyond its high-profile covers, Visionaries also features a diverse mix of creators, athletes and entrepreneurs shaping contemporary culture. Highlights include Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri reflecting on his rapid ascent, Matthew McConaughey discussing family and storytelling in The Lost Bus for Apple TV+, and an exclusive look at a creative collaboration between Deus Ex Machina and MINI.

Australian surfing icon Tyler Wright speaks about mental health and solitude, while artisans, designers and innovators – from boutique perfumers to watchmakers – explore how they are reshaping tradition through authenticity.

Hall said the issue was designed to “speak to the importance of purpose.” He added: “Whether it’s authenticity in art, creativity in whisky-making, or innovation in design, the profiles and people at the heart of this issue understand that creativity and courage are inherently linked.”

Man of Many’s growing influence

Founded in 2012, Man of Many has grown into Australia’s largest men’s lifestyle publication, reaching more than six million people monthly. The independent, carbon-neutral publisher has earned numerous accolades, including Media Brand of the Year at the 2025 Mumbrella Awards and Website of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards in 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Its purpose, Hall said, remains clear: to inform, engage and empower readers to invest positively in themselves and their communities.

Top image: Eric Bana, Scott Rose-Marsh and Lee Pace

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Wavemaker has unveiled a nationwide media campaign to power the launch of ALDI delivery on DoorDash, one of the biggest partnerships in Australia’s retail and delivery landscape.

The multi-channel campaign combines scale and precision to drive awareness and action among Australian shoppers.

Spanning outdoor, broadcast, digital screens, audio and social, the strategy is built around the highest-impact formats in each channel, designed to build mass awareness while driving trial among ALDI’s core audience segments, families and value-conscious households.

In out-of-home, the campaign comes to life through a multi-format 3D execution across oOh!media’s national network, supported by high-impact Transit and Commuter formats across the country.

On screen, Wavemaker used interactive video and pause ads, along with homepage takeovers across every major metro masthead and sponsorship of three leading FM radio Drive shows.

The ALDI–DoorDash campaign builds on the recent “Your Door to More” brand platform developed by DDB Sydney, which continues to shape DoorDash’s positioning as a convenience-driven retail destination.

Wavemaker group client director Aaron Hampson said the launch required a campaign of equal scale, noting that the strategy delivers impact across every channel Australians use to make shopping decisions.

“The launch of ALDI on DoorDash is massive, and it needed a media campaign of the same magnitude. Our strategy delivers impact across every channel Australians use to make shopping decisions.

“This is not just about reach, it’s about relevance, showing families that ALDI value is now only a click away.”

DoorDash offline media marketing manager Mary Wang said the campaign amplifies the launch with the right mix of creativity and targeting, adding that Wavemaker had brought the story to life in an unmissable way that connects directly with Australian shoppers.

“Wavemaker has brought the story to life in an unmissable way that connects directly with Australian shoppers.”

Creative agency credit: DDB Sydney

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Orange Line has announced a series of major client wins spanning Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, underscoring the independent digital marketing agency’s growing international presence.

Leading the expansion is Orange Line’s new partnership with Udacity, the online education platform known for its professional skills courses. The agency has been appointed to deliver performance marketing and creative campaigns aimed at driving student acquisition and brand growth in the US and other key markets.

In Australia, TVSN has enlisted Orange Line to enhance its SEO and organic growth strategies. The partnership will focus on improving visibility, engagement and conversions across the home shopping network’s digital channels.

Meanwhile, global baby products supplier Dreambaby has appointed Orange Line as its digital marketing partner across the US, UK and Australia. The agency will oversee Dreambaby’s Amazon presence, SEO, branding and organic social campaigns to build global awareness and scale.

“Clients choose Orange Line not just because we’re good at what we do, but because we focus on the nuanced, niche challenges unique to each brand,” said David Klein, Co-Founder, Orange Line. “These wins reflect our continued commitment to solving complex marketing challenges across local and global markets.”

Global growth driven by bespoke strategy

Patrick Donovan, Senior Director, Marketing at Udacity, said: “Udacity is committed to equipping professionals with the skills they need to thrive in the future of work, and partnering with Orange Line allows us to accelerate that mission. By contextualizing performance media within a more holistic vision for the brand, Orange Line has helped us not only lower the initial cost of acquiring new students in the US, our largest market, but also build a foundation for incremental brand growth worldwide.”

Anthony Del-Grande, Digital Marketing Manager at TVSN, added: “At TVSN, connecting with customers in new and meaningful ways is at the heart of what we do, so we are excited to work with Orange Line to strengthen our digital visibility and engagement. Their tailored approach to SEO and organic growth will help us deliver a richer shopping experience.”

Expanding capabilities through AI and automation

The agency is also investing in proprietary technology to enhance its problem-solving capabilities. These tools will be rolled out across clients as Orange Line integrates AI and automation into its service model to deliver scalable, bespoke solutions.

In addition to its headline appointments, Orange Line has added several other clients across Australia and the US, including Orana Car & Truck Rental, Revestio, ProSpend, Hire A Mover and Voices (US).

“Our significantly expanded client roster demonstrates Orange Line’s continued growth and ability to meet the evolving demands of brands across diverse industries and geographies,” Klein said.

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