Triple M has announced the launch of two new Rush Hour Drive shows focused on delivering localised NRL coverage for New South Wales and Queensland, beginning Monday, 28 April.

The new shows, airing weekdays from 4pm to 6pm, represent a significant expansion for Triple M’s sport-focused programming and comes in the wake of the departure of broadcaster Marty Sheargold.

NRL Focus in NSW with Anthony Maroon and co-hosts

Audiences in NSW will soon hear a lot more of rugby league commentator and seasoned radio veteran Anthony Maroon, when he takes on the hosting duties of Triple M’s Rush Hour.

Maroon will be joined by a sport focused team of co-hosts, including former Parramatta Eels captain Nathan ‘Hiney’ Hindmarsh, four-time NRLW premiership winner Millie Elliott, and other key figures from the NRLW such as Sam Bremner and Keeley Davis. Maroon will also continue his role as the anchor on Triple M Sydney’s Dead Set Legends on Saturdays.

The company’s strategic move to amplify female voices on-air follows Sheargold’s exit, which was sparked by the comedian’s controversial comments surrounding women’s sport.

Maroon shared his excitement about the new role: “I’m genuinely pumped to be working with Hindy, we’ve been mates for years, both wearing the blue and gold, him with Parra and me with the Waterloo Waratahs.

“But I’m equally excited to team up with Millie, Sam, and Keeley, all of whom bring tremendous talent and insight. I think listeners will love what they bring to the show.”

Triple M’s Queensland Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott

In Queensland, the Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott will air across both metro and regional stations, hosted by seasoned NRL commentators Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin and Elliott Lovejoy.

Dobbo, a former Rush Hour host and regular on Triple M Breakfast with Marto, Margaux & Dan, will team up with Elliott, a commentator and broadcaster who has extensive experience in regional Queensland’s Rush Hour.

The pair will be joined by a rotating lineup of NRLW stars, including Brisbane Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw, Romy Teitzel, Jaime Chapman, and Mackenzie Weale.

Dobbo commented: “I’m excited to be driving listeners home again in 2025. Rugby league and sport have always been my passions, and it’s an honour to share that with listeners daily.

“Elliott is one of the good guys in this industry, but make no mistake, we have some very different opinions, and we won’t shy away from taking each other on. Adding some of the toughest minds in NRLW to the lineup will bring fresh perspectives and elevate the show.”

Elliott shared her appreciation for the opportunity, saying: “I’m struggling to put into words how appreciative I am to broadcast across Queensland, a place I’ve called home after growing up in the Torres Strait.

“It’s a real privilege to share stories from the sport I love alongside Ben Dobbin, and now with some of the most accomplished women in rugby league joining us, it’s going to be an exciting show. I can’t wait to push Dobbo’s buttons every afternoon and bring Queensland a show where everyone’s welcome.”

Rush Hour brand continues to thrive

The launch of these new Rush Hour shows follows the success of The Rush Hour with JB & Billy, which has rapidly become a fan favourite in states like Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.

Hosted by James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless, JB & Billy has seen substantial growth, particularly in Adelaide and Perth, with the duo achieving an 18-year ratings high in Melbourne during the 4-6 pm slot.

The show’s popularity has extended beyond broadcast, with its LiSTNR podcast ranking among the Top 50 Australian podcasts.

The growing demand for rugby league content across both New South Wales and Queensland continues to rage on, with Triple M’s current NRL coverage reaching a combined weekly audience of 376,000 listeners across Sydney and Brisbane.

The figure positions Triple M as the #1 station for NRL across all key demographics, including P10+ and P25-54.

Dave Cameron, SCA’s Chief Content Officer, spoke about the significance of these new shows: “Triple M’s Rush Hour brand is already synonymous with compelling sport-focused programming, and the creation of these two new shows for Triple M New South Wales and Queensland NRL fans further strengthens our commitment as a premium partner to the NRL.

“Our existing Rush Hour show in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania continues to deliver AFL-focused content, and now we’’e ensuring that the Rush Hour brand resonates with NRL audiences as well. Triple M remains the home of Australia’s biggest sporting codes with these new show launches.”

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

March saw a significant surge in digital news consumption, with a 4.3% increase in audience engagement as 21.6 million Australians flocked to news websites and apps.

According to the latest Ipsos iris data, the surge was driven by a potent mix of breaking weather coverage, major news stories, and pop culture TV.

Cyclone Alfred dominated attention in Queensland and northern NSW, prompting real-time searches for emergency alerts and service disruptions.

Meanwhile, headlines involving Shane Warne, struggling retailers, and TV shows like Married at First Sight and Australian Idol kept eyeballs glued to screens.

Utilities, auto and property brands benefit from digital shift

The uptick wasn’t limited to news: utilities platforms saw a 12.7% year-on-year increase in usage, with Queensland alone spiking 47.4% as locals sought updates during the storm’s aftermath.

Automotive sites rose 13.4%, homes & property lifted 8.3%, and career and gaming platforms also saw solid gains, signalling increased opportunity for brands to capture audiences during high-engagement news cycles.

Global headlines add fuel to local engagement

It wasn’t just local stories capturing attention, international news played a key role in lifting Australian digital audiences.

March saw high engagement with global events including a tense standoff in the Oval Office involving Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, along with widespread disruption at Heathrow Airport following the Hayes substation fire.

The 2025 Oscars, the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, and broader geopolitical tensions added further momentum.

Time online climbs

Australians spent an average of 4.8 hours online per day in March, that’s up 12.3% on last year.

The most visited digital categories were search, social networking, technology, retail and entertainment. With 22.1 million Australians aged 14+ now active across digital platforms.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

One of Australia’s largest strategic influencer agencies, Hoozu, has announced a new partnership, selecting Fabulate as its preferred technology provider.

The deal will see Hoozu integrate Fabulate’s platform across its Discovery, Outreach, Workflow, Analytic and SparQ AI tools, supporting campaigns for clients including Bunnings, Freedom Furniture, Marley Spoon, Ryobi, Pinnacle, and Supercheap Auto.

“At its core, Hoozu provides strategic valued service by understanding client objectives — identifying the right talent, crafting content that drives action, and delivering it on the right platforms at the right time,” said Nathan Ruff, Hoozu Founder and Director.

“We reviewed a wide range of platforms that could meet the needs of both our clients and talent, and found that Fabulate offers the key functionality we were looking for—particularly in leveraging AI for brand safety and campaign reporting.

“Integrating Fabulate into our business has reduced manual admin, allowing our team to focus more on strategic servicing and delivering greater value to our clients.”

‘A true partner’

Fabulate CEO Toby Kennett welcomed the partnership: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Hoozu as a partner. The decision to select Fabulate as their technology provider is a testament to the market-leading tools we’ve built to empower the influencer and creator economy. We’ve always believed in working alongside agencies — not just as a platform, but as a true partner to help elevate campaign execution through smarter automation, better data, and AI-powered insights.

“We are proud to help build Australia’s $900m creator economy through the use of world-class technology to scale their operations.”

The announcement follows a strong run for Fabulate, which recently won Best Influencer Marketing Technology at the AiMCO Awards for the second year running, and secured 10th place in the 2024 Deloitte Tech Fast 50 rankings.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

New research reveals a sharp decline in click-through rates (CTR) for traditional search results when Google’s AI Overviews are in play.

While Google insists its AI Overviews improve engagement, fresh research paints a different picture, showing they may be changing how users interact with search results.

Recent analysis by Ahrefs, a data platform which researches website performance and SEO, reveals that Google’s AI Overviews are significantly impacting organic search traffic, with a 34.5% reduction in click-through rates (CTR) for top-ranking pages.

The study analysed 300,000 keywords, comparing those that triggered AI Overviews with similar informational keywords that did not. The results showed a notable decline in CTR for the top-ranking pages when AI Overviews were present.

“We used aggregated GSC data to get each keyword’s average desktop clickthrough rate (CTR) per month (sum of clicks/sum of impressions). We then compared the clickthrough rates for both samples for March 2024 (before the US rollout of AI overviews) and March 2025 (after),” said Ryan Law about the research.

Specifically, for keywords with AI Overviews, the average position one CTR dropped from 0.073 in March 2024 to 0.026 in March 2025.

This finding challenges Google’s claims that AI Overviews improves user engagement.

In a statement, published by Ahrefs, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, claimed: “In fact, if you put content and links within AI Overviews, they get higher clickthrough rates than if you put it outside of AI Overviews.”

Featured snippets

However, Ahrefs’ data suggests otherwise. The study also suggests that AI Overviews functions similarly to Featured Snippets, aiming to resolve user queries directly on the search results page – potentially contributing to an increase in zero-click searches.

“Although AI Overviews often contain citation links, there can be many of these links cited, making it less likely for any single link to earn the lion’s share of clicks,” said Law who wrote the study with data from Xibeijia Guan.

Similarly marketing company amsive, completed a larger study based on 700K keywords across 10 total websites in five key industries: finance, education, SaaS, healthcare and pets.

The focus was on 10K keywords that triggered AI Overviews, and were already ranking organically.

According to them, keywords that now trigger AI Overviews saw a CTR decline of -15.49% on average. This means that AI Overviews look like they’re routinely taking a significant share of visibility away from organic results.

Branded keywords

However, one key takeaway from the data shows an interesting move with branded keywords. According to the amsive research, branded keywords that triggered AI Overviews saw a CTR increase of +18.68% on average.

“Unlike non-branded terms, branded queries seem to benefit from AI Overviews, and according to amsive this could be due to increased brand recognition and user intent,” said Will Guevara, SEO strategist.

It’s clear as AI Overviews become more prevalent, content creators and marketers need to adapt their strategies.

Ensuring that content is authoritative and likely to be cited in AI summaries could mitigate some potential traffic losses. Additionally, focusing on queries less likely to trigger AI Overviews may help maintain higher CTRs. 

In a recent roundtable Dan Taylor, Vice President of Google Ads, said that in his 20 years with the tech giant, he has seen many different shifts that have impacted and shaped the industry.

“Each of these shifts has expanded what people can do with Google and has also led to great opportunities for businesses. I think we’re in the middle of one of those shifts right now with AI.”

He later added, “We see more than five trillion searches on Google annually. Each day, 15% of the searches that we see on Google are new.”

He noted that people who use AI Overviews search more, are more satisfied with the results and visit a greater diversity of websites, but there is yet to be detailed analysis on this from Google with any reliable data.

In a recent op-ed for Mediaweek, Bruno Rodriguez, Head of Organic, Orange Line outlined the difficulties faced for marketers with AI Overview, but believes SEO is still king during this period of change.

“Ultimately, the formula for success will still come down to ranking well organically – through the tried-and-true principles of good content, authority, and user experience,” he said.

These are his four tips to succeed:

• SEO is still a brand’s top priority: Brands that don’t perform well in SEO won’t perform well in AI overviews. There are no shortcuts here.
• Start tracking AI-driven traffic: Brands should ensure they are tracking traffic from AI, chatbots, and LLMs. Australian brands have been generating traffic, leads, and sales from these for some time now. There are easy guides available to help you set up tracking.
• Content should serve brand narrative: Informational content is most valuable when it aligns with the brand’s narrative, not when it exists just for the sake of it. If it doesn’t tell a story, it won’t stick.
• Be part of the conversation: Third parties are already part of the conversation about brands or industries. From listicles and rankings to Reddit and Quora, discussions, influencing these spaces will allow brands to shape the content that LLMs use for training.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has locked in its biggest podcasting asset for the long haul, signing Hamish & Andy to an early long-term extension that will keep the nation’s most successful podcast exclusive to the LiSTNR audience network for years to come.

The duo, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, boast a 25-year history with SCA across both radio and podcasting, and have cemented their place as audio powerhouses with their flagship Hamish & Andy podcast and fan-favourite spin-off Hamish & Andy’s Remembering Project.

A consistent No.1 performer

Since transitioning from broadcast radio to podcasting in 2018, Hamish & Andy has become one of the most downloaded and consistently top-ranked podcasts in the country.

Over the past three years, it has attracted more than 800,000 monthly listeners and topped the Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 an unprecedented 26 times.

Backing brand-friendly content

John Kelly, SCA CEO, said the pair’s appeal is as strong as ever: “Hamish & Andy aren’t just one of Australia’s most beloved media duos, they’re consistently one of the most listened-to podcasts in Australia. Their authenticity and one-of-a-kind connection with audiences is unmatched, and we are proud to continue our long-standing partnership.

“Hamish & Andy continue to play a vital role in LiSTNR’s success, and as the country’s #1 podcast network, we’re doubling down on what we do best: delivering premium brand-friendly content to the audiences that matter. SCA is all about audio, and this extended partnership with Hamish & Andy exemplifies that commitment.”

Unserious content, serious loyalty

In typical self-deprecating style, Hamish & Andy credited LiSTNR for supporting their “heroic missions” over the years, including brokering peace between rival crocodile tour operators in the NT and investigating the phonetic mystery of Maltesers.

“We are thrilled to be continuing the podcast with LiSTNR,” the pair said.

“They have been an immense support in the past across all of our extremely important endeavours… It just makes sense that LiSTNR continues to back these heroic missions. Glad we’ll be able to have many more years of this service to the people.”

The podcast equivalent of a blue-chip brand

Meanwhile, Dave Cameron, SCA’s Chief Content Officer, added: “We are insanely excited that Australia’s greatest ever media duo, Hamish & Andy, often replicated but never matched, will deliver their world-famous, seriously unserious nonsense for many years to come. It’s the perfect, inseparable partnership with their home at LiSTNR, the home of Australia’s biggest podcasts and creators.”

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Internet and mobile data challenger brand Tangerine has partnered with BINGE to offer a three-month standard subscription with any nbn plan.

The promotion, available to new and returning customers from between 17 April and 30 June, and redeem by 31 July 2025, gives customers a streaming service add-on and the chance to try Tangerine and BINGE at the same time, with a hassle-free cost competitive nbn plan, starting from $47.90 / month.

The plan shows small businesses, homeowners and consumers that a complicated contract isn’t necessary to get reliable no fuss data and a huge selection of content in one homegrown Aussie package.

Tangerine is known for taking on the big brands and has already given Aussies a reason to snuggle up with them by being the first outside of Optus, Vodafone and Telstra to offer a Shared Number plan for companion e-sim on a smartwatch and delivering entertainment in sports as the official telco partner of the National Basketball League (NBL).

Andy Branson, Chief Executive Officer of Tangerine, said that the new BINGE partnership is another first in Tangerine’s strategy to uncomplicate the internet and meet customer feedback of what is important to them to have included with their nbn plan.

“Our teams have worked hard to meet our customer feedback that kept highlighting to us that Australians love their chill time with the family and friends, and they don’t have time to figure out a complex system to be able to enjoy their time at home streaming their favourite shows – and we’re proud to have achieved hassle-free internet and streaming for them partnering with another Aussie success story in BINGE.”

Cost of living pressure

Branson added that cost of living pressures meant that customers have had to reduce their streaming services, and the partnership was a way to give customers more entertainment value without spending more.

“We know cost of living is biting, and that means that date night and family night has gone from going out to staying in, cooking at home, and streaming great TV, but people can’t afford to have multiple streaming subscriptions.

“We are giving people the opportunity to get BINGE included with their Tangerine nbn plan and giving people more choice at home for their next night in with friends and family and across the school holidays.”

The BINGE partnership offer is simple for new Tangerine customers who are new and returning to BINGE that activate their eligible nbn plan between 17 April and 30 June and redeem before 31 July. New Tangerine customers will receive an automatic email from Tangerine with a BINGE code that they enter when signing up to BINGE’s website, and are then set for hours of streaming straight away.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Bunnings has launched an integrated campaign celebrating local legends who fire up the BBQ weekly at Aussie rules footy clubs.

Legend of the Tongs was developed and delivered by marketing and communications agency Bastion, with the support of full-service agency The Brand Agency and Bunnings’ internal marketing and communications teams.

The campaign leverages the garden and hardware chain’s 11-year partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL). Legend of the Tongs rewards and recognises volunteers and their local clubs to ensure they are set up to support their players and raise much-needed funds.

Throughout the 18-week AFL season, clubs nationwide will be encouraged to nominate their local “BBQ legends” through a national competition hosted on the Bunnings website. Five winners will receive a BBQ prize pack for their club each week, including a Jumbuck 6-Burner BBQ and a Bunnings pop-up marquee.

As the campaign builds, eight finalists will be selected to attend the Toyota AFL Grand Final, where one will be crowned the “Legend of the Golden Tongs”, receiving $25,000 worth of Bunnings products and materials to enhance their local club’s facilities.

Katie Hynes, Head of Community, Partnerships & Events at Bunnings, said Bunnings is proud of its partnership with the AFL and its connection with local Australian rules footy clubs.

“We know the heart of Australian rules footy lives in local communities. With more than 200,000 volunteers across the country, it’s these unsung heroes who tirelessly show up week in and week out do things like fire up the BBQ, support their players and raise much needed funds for their clubs,” said Hynes.

“Aussies have told us that local sport clubs are looking for improved access to equipment to support their volunteers and our aim with Legend of the Tongs will be to offer our support to community clubs where it matters,” she added.

The campaign features AFL legend Matthew Richardson as ambassador and was launched during Gather Round, one of the biggest occasions on the AFL calendar.

The campaign came to life via a TVC, across social, digital, in-store, PR, experiential, content as well as Bunnings’ AFL partnership assets and touchpoints.

Richard Chapman, Bastion Managing Director of Corporate Communications and PR, said the campaign was grounded in this community insight and cultural relevance, an approach which reflects Bastion’s broader philosophy of building campaigns that not only connect with culture but also strengthen businesses.

“We wanted to build a campaign that wasn’t just about prizes or promotion, but about honouring the people who roll up their sleeves every weekend across Australia and tirelessly give their time to ensure their clubs keep going,” said Chapman.

“This campaign reflects Bunnings’ deep understanding that the spirit of footy lives in local canteens, clubrooms, and sidelines, wherever volunteers are hard at work, making local sports matter.”

Nominations for Legend of the Tongs are open now and the first round of winners announced on 28 April 2025. The campaign will run until 24 August 2025.

Credits:

Bunnings Warehouse
Hannah Bremner, Senior Partnerships Manager
Alex Willaims, Partnerships Lead

Bastion
Richard Chapman, MD of Corporate Communications and PR
James Bartold, General Manager of Strategy and Partnerships
Alex O’Shaughnessy, Head of Strategic Partnerships
Natalie Arnull, Head of Earned Strategy
Bridget O’Sullivan, Head of Experiences
Samantha Hansen, Partnerships Marketing Director
Morgan Sutherland, Senior Advocacy Director
Chloe Dunn, Client Director – PR
Alyssa Allen, Media Director
Alexandra Stopp, Senior Client Manager
Jonathan Lambros, Client Manager
Kate Shelton, Creative Strategist
Chris Searle, Creative Director
Gus Magee, Creative Director
Tom Clapin, Associate Creative Director
Harry Roth, Senior Content Creative
Matt Gould, Design Director
Kaelene Morton, Head of Production
Amina Soubjaki, Senior Social Producer
Nicole Lobosco, Senior Client Director – Insights
Annabel Pittendrigh, Senior Client Executive – Insights

The Brand Agency
Emma Donaldson, Senior Producer
Rachel Wilson, Senior Producer
Jon Mahney, Senior Producer
Jessica Harold, Creative Group Director
Damien Kelly, Senior Copywriter
Beth Fletcher, Head of Account Management
Marlo Dutton, Account Director
Robert Crescenzio, Head of Studio

Production
Ian Reiser, Director / Editor
Manimal Post, Post
Sonic Playground, Sound Services
Aaron Farrugia, DOP

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

News Corp Australia (NCA) has emerged as the country’s most engaging digital news publisher, reaching four in five online Australians in March, according to the latest Ipsos iris data.

The media giant attracted 18.4 million unique visitors, marking a 4.3% increase month-on-month, and an average of 149 browser page views per person, up 3.3% from February.

Pippa Leary, Managing Director and Publisher, Free News and Lifestyle, pointed to the company’s consistent focus on meaningful metrics as being responsible for the growth.

“News’ engaged reach continues to be the key driver of outcomes for our clients,” she said.

Leary added: “I’m happy to say we have three times the engaged reach of Nine and 15 times the engaged reach of the ABC. One of the reasons that we are so focused on engagement and high levels of engaged reach is because, as we showed at our recent D_Coded events, this business is about delivering results for our clients.”

Category dominance

In the News category at an organisation level, NCA held firm at the top, pulling in an audience of 15.19 million, generating 574 million browser page views, and achieving an engaged reach of 37 page views per person.

Australians spent an average of 48 minutes and 39 seconds with the company’s news content over the month.

On the video front, NCA also proved a strong performer, attracting an audience of 2.4 million viewers and delivering 67 million video views in March alone.

At the brand level, news.com.au delivered the highest engagement among the top 10 news brands. The site reached an audience of 12.3 million, recorded 292 million page views, and boasted an engaged reach of 23 page views per person.

For comparison, nine.com.au posted an engaged reach of 17, and ABC News came in at 10 page views per person. Users spent an average of 29 minutes and 2 seconds on the platform in March.

Regional and lifestyle brands also on the rise

News Corp’s state-based brands also saw significant uplifts. The Courier-Mail experienced a strong bounce, with a 22% increase in audience month-on-month, reaching 3.9 million users.

The site saw 37 million page views (up 23%) and an engaged reach of 9 page views per person. Average time spent on site rose to 18 minutes and 16 seconds, up 22% from February.

In the Lifestyle category, digital food and fashion brands also saw strong engagement:

• taste.com.au drew 4.5 million users, generating 65 million page views and an engaged reach of 14.

• delicious. attracted 790,000 users and delivered 9 million page views, with an engaged reach of 10.

• Vogue Australia saw 565,000 unique visitors, also with 9 million page views, and an engaged reach of 16 page views per person.

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

In this episode of Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut, we sit down with Clive Burcham, Founder of Compadres, and firm believer that life’s toughest moments are often our most valuable teachers.

Clive shares his raw and relatable journey through the highs of building and selling businesses, the lows of burnout, and the unexpected clarity that came from stepping away.

Clive’s story begins with his impressive achievements in the business world. He has started and sold agency businesses to holding companies and played a pivotal role in the success of Global Citizen. Despite these accomplishments, Clive’s journey has been anything but smooth.

One of the key themes of our conversation was the concept of imposter syndrome. Clive candidly discusses how even seasoned entrepreneurs like himself experience fear and doubt.

However, he now views these feelings as indicators that one is on the right path, and on the verge of something significant, so it’s a sign to keep going.  He emphasises the importance of taking action despite these feelings, as inaction only amplifies fear.

Clive also sheds light on the impact of social media on mental health. He points out that even if individuals are not actively using social media, they are still passively consuming through others.

This constant exposure to curated perfection can lead to increased feelings of inadequacy and doubt driven by “comparisonitis”. Clive’s advice is to recognise these societal pressures but focus on your own journey and growth and that the real markers of success, peace, connection, and living in alignment with your values come from inside you, not from comparing yourself to others.

Clive’s reflections are a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t always look like hustle; sometimes it looks like slowing down, taking a breath, and choosing what matters most.

You can listen to the whole chat here.

My three favourite quotes from Clive’s story are:

“We are all faulty devices.”

“No scars, no wisdom, no pain, no gain.”

“If you feel peace, you’re on the right track. If you don’t feel peace, take a breath until the right path shows up for you.”

This episode is full of wisdom, vulnerability, and encouragement for anyone navigating change or questioning their next step.

The world doesn’t need more stories of success; it needs honest conversations about hard challenges, vulnerability, and proof that trials can ultimately become triumphs.

That’s why the Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut podcast was born. It’s a reminder that struggle and success are intrinsically linked, that growth is rarely easy, and that the moments we feel most uncomfortable are where our greatest breakthroughs lie

Learn more about Uncomfortable Growth® & Rowena here.

.Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Farmer Wants a Wife is back on for a new season on Seven.

We’ve already met the farmers, now it’s time to meet the women who’ve caught their eye and made it through the first cut.

The race for romance is officially on as these hopefuls head into the heart of the competition on this season of Farmer Wants a Wife.

Farmer Corey’s ladies

Chelsea

Age: 26

From: Victoria

Occupation: Registered Nurse

How she describes herself: “I am a happy and positive person. I try to see the good in everyone”.

Rosie

Age: 22

From: Tasmania

Occupation: Dental Assistant

How she describes herself: I’m kind, gentle, strong, resilient, caring, assertive, hardworking, honest, loyal,

mature and motivated.

Hunter

Age: 23

From: Queensland

Occupation: Administration Officer

How she describes herself: I’m confident. I won’t let life pass me by just because I don’t have other people to hold my hand along the way.

Keeley

Age: 22

From: Victoria

Occupation: Optometrist

How she describes herself: I’m adventurous and spontaneous, yet also structured and organised. I am optimistic by nature and can connect with people from all walks of life.

Jadee-Lee

Age: 26

From: Queensland

Occupation: Primary School Teacher

How she describes herself: I’m very passionate and positive, I put everything into all I do. I am a very trusting and understanding person who froths life.

Farmer Tom’s ladies

Emmie-Rose

Age: 29

From: New South Wales

Occupation: Fitness Coach

How she describes herself: I’m very driven and independent. I’ve done well in my 20s, so the next missing piece in my life is marriage and kids; it means so much to me.

Georgie

Age: 28

From: Victoria

Occupation: Registered Nurse

How she describes herself: I’m very good at whistling, great at first aid, and willing to give anything a go!

Emma

Age: 27

From: Western Australia

Occupation: Registered Nurse

How she describes herself: I am driven, goal-oriented and a big believer in “what will be will be.” I am super caring but will also stick up for what is right.

Bridget

Age: 34

From: New South Wales

Occupation: Lawyer

How she describes herself: I love animals, I’m empathic and I have a great sense of humour. And I love adventure.

Eliza

Age: 28

From: Victoria

Occupation: Primary School Teacher

How she describes herself: I love trying new things, even taking a leap like moving to a farm for love.

Farmer Jarred’s ladies

Chloe

Age: 21

From: Queensland

Occupation: Bartender

How she describes herself: Honest, kind, generous, determined and family-oriented.

Lucy

Age: 23

From: Victoria

Occupation: Jillaroo

How she describes herself: I have a special connection to and understanding of the natural world (woo-woo sounding, I know). I’m open-minded and able to connect with any human being, no matter the context.

Maneesha

Age: 25

From: New South Wales

Occupation: Jewellery Business Owner

How she describes herself: With my soprano voice and creative and inventive ideas, I can speak confidently and take the lead.

Brianna

Age: 22

From: Queensland

Occupation: Jewellery Store Manager

How she describes herself: I have a zest for life that lights up any room. My honesty, communication skills and loyalty set me apart from other people.

Ashlee

Age: 22

From: Victoria

Occupation: Education Support Worker

How she describes herself: I can always find the good in people, and I will always be supportive no matter what. I don’t give up on people. I love easily. When I say I care, I care.

Farmer Thomas’ ladies

Clarette

Age: 35

From: New South Wales

Occupation: Teacher

How she describes herself: I like to do special things for people that are important to me; I get pleasure from making other people happy. I have an optimistic outlook on life and I like to give back where I can.

Claire

Age: 31

From: Western Australia

Occupation: FIFO Mine Site Admin

How she describes herself: I’m hardworking, I always find the positives in bad situations and love making people laugh.

Rachael

Age: 34

From: Victoria

Occupation: Construction Coordinator

How she describes herself: I have a positive outlook on life and a warm, empathetic and resilient nature. I’m generous, dependable, supportive, open- minded, and I can talk about anything!

Nathania

Age: 33

From: Queensland

Occupation: Blasting Specialist

How she describes herself: I am patient, considerate, a caretaker and very passionate in all that I do.

Ellen

Age: 32

From: Western Australia

Occupation: Public Servant

How she describes herself: I am caring and empathetic. I love to make others feel supported and special. I also think I can be pretty funny!

When is Farmer Wants a Wife on TV?

Farmer Wants a Wife airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Seven and 7plus

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Australian mothers are the ultimate gatekeepers of household spending, controlling a remarkable 75% of the nation’s $132 billion household economy, a new survey says.

Predictions on where they will choose to spend that money is something of a moveable feast, given their purchasing power spans various sectors, including food, fashion, health, and entertainment.

In fact, according to the Mumpower Australian Mums Today 2025 report, they’re the primary decision-makers for 93% of beauty purchases, 85% of baby and children’s products under $100, and 79% of fashion buys.

But as cost-of-living pressures continue to put the squeeze on family budgets, mother’s are becoming more selective in their spending, tightening the purse strings on discretionary items like fashion and entertainment.

That said, essentials such as utilities, financial services, and children’s education remain top priorities.

Finding out what makes these discerning consumers tick can be somewhat of a minefield for advertisers as they aren’t easily swayed by conventional advertising tactics.

The mum-buying journey: Trust, reviews, and social media

According to the report from Mumpower, things like word-of-mouth recommendations, online reviews, and fundamental trust are the key motivators for Australian mothers when it comes to making purchases.

In fact, one in four mothers report that their most recent purchase was prompted by a recommendation from a trusted source.

Meanwhile, 92% of mums have avoided a product due to negative reviews, and 82% have made a purchase based on a positive review.

Social media is also a vital touchpoint, with 34% of mums saying they first discovered brands or products through social media content.

That statistic is further evidenced by the fact that 6 out of 10 mums actively promote brands they love online, becoming organic brand advocates in their communities.

A case of inauthenticity

A recent Kmart campaign, featuring radio personalities FiFi Box and Carrie Bickmore, was a stark reminder of how critical authenticity is when marketing to this group.

The ad, which showcased the pair shopping for home décor at Kmart, quickly drew backlash.

Viewers pointed out that the duo appeared unfamiliar with the brand, with one critic highlighting the absence of shopping trolleys. The campaign quickly became a source of ridicule online, with many accusing the pair of being “rookies” who rarely shop at the retailer.

Meeting mums where they are

Christie Nicholas, CEO of Mumpower, stresses the importance of trust, value, and credibility for brands seeking to win mums over.

“From brand discovery to selection, mums are gathering information from multiple trusted channels. They are still spending, but they’re doing their research and spending much more carefully. Validation from online communities, family, and friends often gives mums peace of mind and the final nudge they need to make a purchase, particularly when budgets are tight and buying the “wrong” product can have disastrous consequences,” she said.

Nicholas urged advertisers to meet mums where they are, warning that failing to do so will see them left behind.

“Brands that understand this and meet mums where they are, digitally, emotionally, and financially, will earn loyalty and repeat purchases,” she said.

Pictured: Christie Nicholas, CEO of Mumpower

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Linktree has unveiled a series of product and partnership updates that aim to allow creators to monetise directly from their Linktrees, whether full-time or just getting started.

These new releases come as the link-in-bio company’s 2024 Creator Commerce report discovered that most creators don’t make a sustainable income, with 70% earning less than $49,000.

Alex Zaccaria, Linktree CEO and Co-Founder, said: “For too long creators have had to piece together tools to monetise their content — and brands have had to gamble on where to spend. We fixed that. Our platform brings both sides together with a system that actually works: creators earn, brands convert, and everyone grows.”

The new courses and digital products include the ability to offer courses, digital products, brand-sponsored links, earn bonus rewards, and the expansion of its social commerce program Linktree Shops. The products will be available in the U.S. before expanding more broadly, including as Australia.

Leading the new offerings from Linktree are courses in partnership with Kajabi – the creator commerce platform equipping entrepreneurial creators with the digital tools they need to scale their businesses and generate revenue. Creators will be able to monetise their expertise by easily building and selling courses directly on their Linktree.

Courses include an introductory photography course from celebrity photographer Carianne Older, thrifting tips from Macy Eleni, actress Shenae-Grimes Beech’s content creation 101 to journalist Gabriela Ulloa’s course on how to pitch a story as a freelance writer.

Linktree has also introduced the ability to sell digital content like eBooks, templates, a guide, or something exclusive for your audience like a freebie. For example, soldier and fitness enthusiast Dan Fahey has a nutrition guide available to download.

Social commerce marketplace Linktree Shops is now open in the U.S. allowing people build a shop on their Linktree and earn commission on products they feature. With millions of items from 150+ brands and retailers – including Amazon, Anthropologie, Lululemon, Revolve, Target, UGG, and Vuori – it’s easy to curate and get paid.

Linktree is also introducing a tiered incentive program that rewards creators with perks like bonus commissions and direct outreach from brands for hitting milestones.

Digital Creator Alli Weatherly, who’s launching a Linktree course on how to grow your social media and make money doing it, said: “With courses, I can now offer structured, actionable guidance to my audience. Whether it’s teaching affiliate marketing strategies or helping other creators build their brand.

Magnite, the largest independent sell-side advertising company, has launched the next generation of its SpringServe video platform, combining its award-winning ad server with the programmatic strength of the Magnite Streaming SSP.

The upgraded CTV/OTT solution is designed to meet the evolving needs of premium streaming clients, with early adopters being Disney Advertising, LG Ad Solutions, Paramount, Roku, Samsung, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to Jounce Media’s March 2025 Supply Path Benchmarking Report, the unified platform connects buyers to 99% of US streaming supply on a dollar-weighted basis. Media owners will benefit from enhanced tools for streamlined workflows and smarter yield optimisation.

‘Lays the foundation for more effective monetisation and yield management’

“As the CTV space matures, there’s a significant opportunity to enhance the advertising process for media owners and buyers,” said Sean Buckley, President, Revenue at Magnite. “We’re building this next generation of SpringServe specifically to help our clients and partners stay ahead of these emerging opportunities.

“By unifying the programmatic layer as a complementary step in the buying process, not only does it give buyers greater transparency, predictability, and control over their ad placements, but it lays the foundation for more effective monetisation and yield management for media owners.”

Jamie Power, SVP, Addressable Sales at Disney, added: “Disney continues to expand our global streaming footprint in collaboration with Magnite—unlocking more premium inventory and making it even easier for advertisers to access our portfolio at scale. Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for innovation—one that prioritises automation, flexibility, and smarter tools to help our partners drive meaningful impact in the live streaming space.”

Other major media players also praised the platform’s capabilities.

“Controlling demand sources and optimising ad placements in real time is essential to our strategy,” said Kelly McMahon, SVP of Operations at LG Ad Solutions. “SpringServe gives us the power to orchestrate everything in one platform—balancing programmatic demand and direct deals more effectively, without compromising the viewer experience.”

Christopher Owen, SVP, Partnerships at Paramount, said: “Working with valuable partners like Magnite has enabled Paramount to further optimise our programmatic demand sources, driving greater efficiency and performance while preserving a seamless viewing experience for our audiences.”

“Together with Magnite, we can create more opportunities for advertisers that offer platform transparency and flexibility across monetisation, demand access, and user experience optimisation,” said Jay Askinasi, SVP of Global Media Revenue and Growth at Roku.

Jill Steinhauser, SVP Revenue Strategy and Operations at Warner Bros. Discovery, added: “Our long-standing partnership with Magnite has been instrumental in shaping our video monetisation strategy, and we’re excited to partner with Magnite as they advance the SpringServe video platform.”

On the buy-side, agencies and tech companies welcomed the launch as a step forward for the industry.

Will Doherty, SVP of Inventory Development at The Trade Desk, said: “Magnite helps fuel the premium, open internet… the next generation of SpringServe is accretive to advertisers and publishers and most importantly – so consumers can continue to enjoy the content we all love like CTV, journalism and more.”

Key updates to the SpringServe platform include:

• Intelligent ad decisioning and dynamic mediation

• Automated ad routing to top-performing channels

• Centralised deal management for direct and programmatic demand

• Integrated access to first- and third-party data

• A refreshed UI with enhanced reporting for ad ops teams

  Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

In a bold move blending luxury real estate with high-impact print advertising, The Australian has launched a four-page gloss wrap to promote a single residential listing, the St. Moritz Penthouse in Melbourne, owned by media executive and investor Antony Catalano.

It’s the first time the publication has featured an individual property in this format, marking a significant evolution in print-led property campaigns.

Catalano, who is the Executive Chairman of Australian Community Media, said the decision to include the gloss wrap as part of his property’s marketing strategy was driven by the calibre of The Australian’s audience.

“I included The Australian‘s gloss wrap in my marketing campaign because it offers a unique way to connect with an affluent, influential audience in a visually striking, high-impact way,” Catalano said.

“While we live in an increasingly digital world, I believe high-quality print remains a vital part of the marketing mix.”

A premium environment for prestige brands

The campaign builds on The Australian‘s recent gloss wrap executions for luxury icons including Cartier, Ralph Lauren and Moët & Chandon, further reinforcing the brand’s positioning as a key partner for high-end advertisers.

Nicholas Gray, The Australian’s Managing Director and Publisher, said the campaign exemplifies how the brand offers advertisers a unique opportunity to connect with Australia’s most affluent readers.

“Mr Catalano’s choice of our gloss wrap for the St. Moritz Penthouse campaign marks a first, showcasing a single residential property to this influential audience,” Gray said.

“This innovative approach underscores the value we offer luxury brands seeking to connect with discerning readers.”

Integrated reach across print and digital

The property campaign includes a four-page gloss wrap in today’s Sydney and Melbourne metro editions of The Australian, paired with a digital billboard takeover on theaustralian.com.au, ensuring cross-platform visibility.

With over four million Australians engaging with The Australian each month across print and digital, the campaign places Catalano’s luxury penthouse in front of one of the country’s most valuable media audiences

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.