‘We have agreed that the Company is now ready for new leadership.’
oOh!media has announced Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cathy O’Connor, will step down in the second half of 2025.
After leading the company for more than four years, O’Connor and the Board have agreed that with the company performing strongly, it is the right time to hand over to new leadership for the next phase of growth.
O’Connor said: “Leading oOh! for the past four years has been one of the most rewarding periods of my career, and I am incredibly proud of the team’s achievements, including the unrivalled success in attracting new asset contracts which underpin our future growth and the industry-leading margins we delivered in an inflationary environment.
“The Company now has real momentum, and a depth and breadth of new talent, to chart the course for continued growth. Having discussed with the Board the next multi-year phase of execution ahead of oOh!, we have agreed that the Company is now ready for new leadership.”
The ASX announcement, released this morning, says the decision follows a period of improvement for oOh!media.
In the second half of 2024, the company’s performance strengthened, and this momentum has continued into early 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, oOh!media reported a 13% rise in total revenue and a 16% increase in Australian media revenue, matching the growth rates of the broader outdoor advertising industry, as tracked by the Outdoor Media Association (OMA).
Business as usual
The company expects the second quarter of 2025 to show similar results to the first, thanks to focused efforts to boost revenue and win market share. oOh!media also expects to continue improving its position throughout the rest of 2025, helped by new advertising sites secured through contracts announced in 2023 and 2024.
Reflecting on the company’s future, O’Connor added: “oOh! has developed one of the strongest teams in Australian media, including a leadership group that is among the industry’s most experienced, and I thank the team for their commitment and hard work.
“I strongly believe in the future growth and growing prominence of the Out of Home industry and that oOh! has the right strategy to lead this evolution and generate long-term value for our customers, our people and our shareholders. I remain absolutely focused on the execution of oOh!’s strategy.”
Of O’Connor’s departure, oOh! Chair, Tony Faure, said: “After more than four years leading oOh!, and with the business performing strongly in CY25, Cathy has decided, and the Board has agreed, that the time is right for new leadership to deliver the Company’s next multi-year phase of strategy execution and growth.
“Cathy joined oOh! as CEO in the middle of the COVID pandemic and has been instrumental in leading the business through a period of significant change. She led oOh! through its most successful period of major contract wins, while implementing a disciplined commercial mindset and setting the platform for oOh!’s ongoing digital evolution.
“The Board remains highly confident in the Company’s strategy, focused on energising oOh!’s sales and go-to-market approach, unlocking the full potential of our market leading network of 35,000 assets, and positioning the business to lead in the retail media segment.
“The Board thanks Cathy for her leadership of oOh! through a transformative period. We are delighted that she will remain with the Company until the second half of CY25 to facilitate an orderly transition.”
The Board has commenced a process with a leading global executive search firm to appoint a new Managing Director and CEO, with the process overseen by Faure, and Chair of the Talent & Culture Committee, Philippa Kelly.
Kyle Sandilands unleashes on Welcome to Country debate
By Natasha Lee
‘We all think things and no one ever says anything’.
Kyle Sandilands has again stirred discussion around Welcome to Country ceremonies, as the conversation intensifies in the lead-up to the Federal Election.
Speaking on his KIIS FM host breakfast show on Monday, The Kyle & Jackie O Show, Sandilands urged Australians to focus more attention on pressing issues affecting First Nations communities, particularly domestic violence rates, rather than the ceremony’s frequent use.
Referencing a Daily Mail Australia poll, which found 90 per cent of nearly 8,000 respondents did not support a Welcome to Country at Anzac Day services, he questioned why political leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were not being asked about domestic violence issues within Indigenous communities.
“This is what p***es me off about this election and this whole country. We all think things and no one ever says anything,” he said.
The radio host continued: “Why isn’t anyone going to ask the Prime Minister what he’s going to do about the huge domestic violence problem in Aboriginal communities? That’s their problem. I speak to Aborigines. I’ve got family that are living in those communities. That’s their big issue.”
When pressed on clarification, Sandilands emphasised that while he values Welcome to Country ceremonies, he believes they should be reserved for major events rather than becoming a routine occurrence, such as at Zoom meetings.
“I just think it should be something big and should be done as a beautiful experience for people to enjoy. I know there were some people booing at the Anzac parade. All I read about that was “neo-Nazis” were doing it,” he said.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and Kyle Sandilands have been working together in breeakfast radio for more than 20 years.
Anzac Day incident sparks outrage
Sandilands’ comments come amid renewed controversy after a Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Anzac Day dawn service was disrupted by hecklers.
A small group, reportedly linked to neo-Nazi figure Jacob Hersant and the National Socialist Network, booed and shouted through Bunurong elder Mark Brown’s address.
The incident drew swift condemnation across the political spectrum.
Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner, who later acknowledged Aboriginal Australians in her speech, was also heckled. Hersant was seen engaging in a heated exchange with a reporter, claiming Anzac Day should exclude Indigenous acknowledgements.
Earlier that day, thousands of Australians had gathered before dawn to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, making the disruption particularly jarring.
During the televised debate, Dutton described Anzac Day as “our most sacred day” and criticised any form of disruption to the commemorations.
He indicated that, if elected, he would be selective about including Welcome to Country ceremonies at official events, suggesting many Australians feel they have become “overdone” and risk “cheapening” their intended significance.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said it was up to organisers to decide, but reaffirmed his view that acknowledging traditional custodians at major events remains a respectful practice.
Uncle Colin Hunter delivers Welcome to Country during the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG
Second coming
This is not the first time Sandilands has raised concerns about Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Last June, following the first game of the 2024 Men’s State of Origin series at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, he delivered a similar critique on The Kyle & Jackie O Show, according to Sky News Australia.
After 21-year-old Savannah Fynn performed an acknowledgment before the match, Sandilands lamented that constant repetition of the ceremony at events like sports matches, shopping centres, and meetings had diluted its impact.
“You can’t go to the shopping centre without someone welcoming you to country as you walk into Westfield,” he said, calling for a more considered, meaningful approach to the tradition.
The event returns from October 13 – 19, 2025 featuring 1,600 sessions and events in the heart of Sydney.
SXSW Sydney has announced its first keynote speaker for 2025 – Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal.
A leading figure in the global conversation on artificial intelligence, privacy, and internet policy, Whittaker will join an impressive line-up of speakers for the SXSW Tech & Innovation Festival, celebrating innovators and emerging local talent from Australia’s tertiary education sector.
With more than 17 years of experience across tech, academia and government, Whittaker has played an instrumental role in shaping the public narrative on AI, emphasising the need for greater transparency in the tech industry.
Her research and advocacy have been pivotal in reframing the discussion around the surveillance business practices that often underpin modern AI, as well as the concentration of power within major tech companies and she has advised the White House, the European Parliament, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on matters of security, privacy, and artificial intelligence.
In a time when AI is shaping industries at an unprecedented pace, Whittaker’s insights will be invaluable for industry leaders, policymakers, and attendees looking to understand the broader societal impacts of emerging technologies.
Meredith Whittaker
As newly announced SXSW speaker Sandy Carter, international authority on AI & Blockchain, says: “Stop fearing AI—fear the businesses that refuse to embrace it. The real threat isn’t machines overtaking humans, but companies missing out on transformative potential.”
Carter is a best-selling author and tech industry authority and the COO of Unstoppable Domains, providing user-owned digital identities using Web3 technology.
SXSW Sydney has also confirmed other AI experts to the line-up at the event between October 13 – 19, 2025. Ivan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of Notion, Paige Costello, Vice President of Product at Figma and Rohit Agarwal, the MD of Peak XV Partners (Formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), all join the line-up.
Providing local insight is Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator leading national cyber security policy.
Alongside the Conference, this year’s event maintains its cornerstone competitions with the SXSW Sydney Pitch and Hackathon. There are also two exciting new initiatives: the Student Pitch and Tech & Innovation Showcase.
These spotlight the brilliance emerging from universities and technical institutions, providing tomorrow’s leaders with unprecedented exposure to industry figures, investors and media.
SXSW Sydney 2025 returns from October 13 – 19th, featuring 1,600 sessions and events – 400+ conference sessions, 150+ professional development sessions, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games, and more than 400 brand-led events.
More information about the Tech & Innovation Festival can be found here, and more about the Conference can be found here.
Gai Le Roy: ‘Together they enable us to grow sustainable and diverse investment in digital advertising in Australia.’
IABAustralia has welcomed 13 new members to the industry body from brands, publishers, agencies and adtech companies.
The new members were drawn to the IAB by the opportunity to engage in industry discussions and initiatives, either through participation in Councils and Working Groups or as general members.
The ability to access policy advice on regulatory issues, industry best practice guidelines and advertising and measurement standards, as well as attend all IAB events free of charge are other popular benefits of membership.
Joining IAB Australia are Adgile Media, AdFixus, Quora, Reddit, Australian Venue Co, StackAdapt, TechMedia, Hype & Dexter, Thanks, Audience Group, FreeWheel, Smartly and Captify. They join the 175 existing IABAustraliamembers including Terry White Chemmart, Metcash and Fetch TV who joined late last year.
Gai Le Roy: ‘Everything we do is designed to enable better business for our members by tackling vital challenges, showing what great advertising can do, and looking ahead to help them prepare for the future.’
“One of the IAB’s greatest strengths is the breadth of the industry represented by our members both locally and internationally,” Gai Le Roy, CEO of IABAustralia, said.
“Together they enable us to grow sustainable and diverse investment in digital advertising in Australia. Everything we do is designed to enable better business for our members by tackling vital challenges, showing what great advertising can do, and looking ahead to help them prepare for the future.”
Much of the success achieved by IABAustralia originates from the work conducted by the IAB Councils and Working Groups which are comprised of a wide range of IAB Member companies.
The participants provide a broad, collective voice to address key issues and challenges faced by the industry, by marketers and by the members’ own organisations. Their work includes helping set Australian specific standards and guidelines, driving education initiatives and developing key industry resources.
Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell launch ‘Lamestream’ podcast challenging Australian media
By Tom Gosby
Award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell have launched Lamestream to look at the challenges facing the Australian media industry.
Award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell have launched Lamestream, a new independent podcast and newsletter looking at the challenges facing the Australian media industry.
Produced in partnership with Acast, Lamestream aims to offer a bold alternative to legacy outlets, addressing issues such as collapsing trust in traditional news, the ABC’s shifting audience priorities, and the influence of global political trends on local media.
Weekly episodes will be released in both audio and video formats, with the first now live on the Lamestream website.
Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell.
Faruqi, former Culture Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and former Head of Audio at Schwartz Media, said the idea for Lamestream grew out of frustrations from working inside Australia’s largest media organisations.
“Lamestream is the result of Scott and me spending the last decade watching the media industry crumble from within, and realising we wanted to build something to try and course-correct,” Faruqi said. “There are lots of smart and engaged Australians who deserve a smart and engaged news product that’s accessible, fun and doesn’t patronise them.”
Mitchell, who previously served as Editor and Executive Producer of 7am and as a founding producer of the ABC’s You Can’t Ask That, added that the pair were inspired by the growth of independent news podcasts overseas.
“Os and I have been talking a lot about how independent podcasts starting up overseas have been able to give audiences completely new ways of getting their news and having meaningful conversations,” Mitchell said. “We really want to bring some of that spirit to Australian audiences.”
Fiona Lang announces new role after leaving BBC Studios
By Natasha Lee
Lang surprised staff during an “all hands” meeting in September 2024 by revealing she would be stepping down from her role.
BBC Studios former Managing Director Australia Fiona Lang has announced her next career move, taking to LinkedIn to share that she will be joining Nielsen as Managing Director Australia, Television Audience Measurement.
Fiona Lang’s job announcement on LinkedIn
Lang’s appointment follows her departure from the BBC last year, where she surprised staff during an “all hands” meeting in September 2024 by revealing she would be stepping down from her role.
In a subsequent note to colleagues, Lang reflected on her tenure, highlighting milestones including the launch of BBC First, BBC Studios Productions, BritBox, the Bluey commercial team, the expansion of BBC News on BBC.com, and broader digital transformation initiatives.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but having led the business through a critical stage in ANZ’s evolution, I feel that the time is right for me to pursue my next career opportunity,” she said at the time.
Lang had been with the BBC since 2014, and was also a board member of BritBox International.
Lang’s move to Nielsen comes as competition intensifies across Australia’s television and streaming landscape.
Leadership changes at the BBC
Lang’s announcement comes off the back of the BBC Studios also making several leadership changes following her departure.
In March, Robi Stanton was appointed executive vice president and general manager of global media and streaming for Australia and New Zealand. In her role, Stanton oversees content sales, channels and streaming, and advertising sales across the region.
Prior to joining BBC Studios, Stanton served as commercial director, content sales & strategic partnerships at CNN International, responsible for business development, distribution, and monetisation across Asia-Pacific.
Her career has also included leadership roles at Warner Bros. Discovery and Turner International, with a focus on content, commercial strategy, marketing, digital, and business transformation.
Robi Stanton
Recent developments include enhancements to BBC.com and the BBC app, the launch of six FAST channels with Nine, the arrival of BBC First on Sky NZ, and renewed partnerships with Nine, TVNZ, and ABC across genres including natural history, drama, entertainment, and children’s programming.
oOh!media expands regional Victorian network with nine new sites
By Alisha Buaya
Robbie Dery: ‘We’re giving brands even more opportunities to reach Australians at scale, with premium and unmissable out of home large format assets.’
oOh!media has expanded its regional Out of Home network with nine large format billboards across key Victorian regional locations including Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The new additions bring the network’s representation to 3,800 strong, large format locations across every state and territory, includung coverage in the top 30 regional centres throughout the country.
“Regional is an important part of our overall business and the addition of these premium digital sites in Victoria’s largest regional centres, means oOh! continues to extend into key growth areas which enhance and extend our true national footprint,” Robbie Dery, oOh!’s chief commercial operating officer, said.
“With the imminent launch of MOVE2 and regional inventory having audience measurement for the first time, we are committed to making regional easy to access and buy as part of a holistic national campaign.
“Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo are thriving, with over 530,000 citizens and consumers. In addition, by expanding coverage areas like Traralgon and Bairnsdale, we’re giving brands even more opportunities to reach Australians at scale, with premium and unmissable out of home large format assets.”
Robbie Dery: ‘The addition of these premium digital sites in Victoria’s largest regional centres, means oOh! continues to extend into key growth areas which enhance and extend our true national footprint.’
This most recent regional win is part of a long-term agreement with Wildstone Australia, which recently acquired Victoria’s premiere regional operator, TOM.
It includes two classic billboards and seven landmark digital sites, among them, a double-sided digital spectacular on the Geelong Ring Road, one of Victoria’s busiest gateways. This site is not only seen by over 40,000 vehicles daily but is also widely recognised as the most iconic Out of Home locations in regional Victoria.
In Ballarat, the new digital billboard will join oOh!’s recent addition of a double-sided digital site along the Midland Highway, one of Victoria’s major highways.
The large format digital sites in Bairnsdale and Traralgon provide new opportunities for brands wanting to target the thriving Gippsland region, while the Warrnambool billboard further supplements oOh!’s existing presence at the western endpoint of the Great Ocean Road.
Dery: ‘We’re giving brands even more opportunities to reach Australians at scale, with premium and unmissable out of home large format assets.’
How News Corp Australia and NRMA Insurance drove change through ‘positive influence’
By Natasha Lee
Renee Sycamore: ‘Our results speak for themselves, and it’s exciting to see what’s possible’.
In a bold move that would typically take a year of traditional marketing to achieve, NRMA Insurance’s powerful advocacy campaign, in collaboration with News Corp Australia (NCA), not only turned heads but drove real change in Queensland’s highway safety conversation, specifically the Bruce Highway.
Launched with a statewide editorial blitz across The Courier-Mail and regional Queensland mastheads, the campaign captured the attention of Queenslanders, raising awareness of the region’s pressing highway safety issues.
Data driven empathy fuels action
The campaign spotlighted NRMA’s claims data, which showed a 48% increase in highway incidents, and featured creative formats like an ‘Open Letter to Queenslanders’, urging swift action.
This comprehensive effort elevated NRMA Insurance from a market outsider to a trusted community advocate.
Through exclusive editorial, advertorials, digital takeovers, platinum cover wraps, social amplification, and premium branded articles, the partnership successfully brought critical attention to the Bruce Highway’s dangers and the need for urgent improvements.
What unfolded over three short months was, arguably, remarkable.
Some of the coverage in The Courier-Mail
A new standard in brand advocacy
NRMA’s research highlighted that 58% of drivers were negatively impacted by conditions on the Bruce Highway underscoring the urgent need for action. Devastatingly, the survey also revealed 1 in 10 had been involved or impacted by a fatality on the highway.
The federal government ended up jumping onboard, pledging an additional $7.2 billion to upgrade and fix the highway.
The announcement followed previous funding initiatives, including a $467 million boost for the highway in May 2024, and a $21 million commitment to a National Road Safety Data Hub.
General Manager of Client Growth and Experience at NCA, Renee Sycamore, highlights the critical role that authenticity , community impact and the company’s Frontiers program played in driving the campaign’s success.
“Our Frontiers program is about bringing together core agency personnel, stakeholders, and partners for meaningful, two-way conversations,” Sycamore said. “In this case, we worked closely with NRMA to understand their challenges and create a campaign that resonated with Queenslanders on a personal level.”
What made this partnership so effective was both parties deep understanding of Queensland’s unique identity.
As Sycamore reflects, “To drive significant mindset or behavioural change in Queensland, we couldn’t just out-shout competitors in the market. The people of Queensland are incredibly proud of their state, and they wanted to hear from someone who truly understood their needs. That’s where NRMA connected authentically with the Help Our Highway campaign.”
With input from Chris Jones, editor of The Courier-Mail, and other key stakeholders, the team recognised the urgency of the issue and knew the time to act was now.
General Manager of Client Growth and Experience at NCA, Renee Sycamore
Results that drive change
Through a combination of local knowledge, passion, and strategic editorial leadership, the campaign’s messaging resonated with the community, amplifying NRMA’s commitment to road safety.
This shift in positioning yielded significant uplifts in key brand metrics among drivers in the Defined In-Market (DIM) audience:
• Unaided Brand Awareness: Doubled, rising from 6% in the control group to 11% in the exposed group.
•Favourability (17-39s): Increased by 47%, jumping from 36% in the control group to 53% in the exposed group.
• Preference (DIM): Saw a substantial 35% increase, moving from 20% in the control group to 27% in the exposed group.
• Purchase Intent (17-39s): Experienced a 13% uplift, climbing from 38% in the control group to 43% in the exposed group.
Sycamore elaborated on the broader impact: “The campaign led to a 13% increase in awareness, a 7% rise in positive preference, and a $7.2 billion investment commitment from the government. The discussion highlighted the importance of authenticity, community impact, and the need for brands to demonstrate trust and advocacy.”
A benchmark for the future
The success of the NRMA campaign has set a new benchmark for NCA.
“Now, we’re competing with ourselves,” Sycamore laughed. “We’ve set the bar high, and we continue to push for greater outcomes for our clients. Our results speak for themselves, and it’s exciting to see what’s possible when we bring together the right minds in an open, collaborative environment.”
Sycamore points to the Frontiers program as an example of how NCA fosters innovation and problem-solving.
“At Frontiers, we create an environment where agencies can openly share challenges and brainstorm solutions. The program has been key to uncovering opportunities for partnerships and creating campaigns that have a real, lasting impact.”
This campaign also reinforces the philosophy that brands should be invested in more than just their own bottom lines, they should invest in the communities they serve. “We’re not just telling stories for ourselves; we’re telling stories that matter to people,” Sycamore concludes.
Through thoughtful partnerships, authentic advocacy, and strategic storytelling, the NRMA campaign set a new standard for how brands can engage with their communities and make a meaningful difference.
Mediahub and 303 MullenLowe team up for ‘Your push is power’ campaign
By Alisha Buaya
Kylie Macey: ‘Our goal was to create more than just an awareness campaign, we wanted to help build a national movement around mental health.’
The Push-Up Challenge campaign links push-up with the ability to provide life-saving mental health and suicide prevention support, via Mediahub and 303 MullenLowe.
The ‘Your push is power’ campaign, which went live this week, demonstrates that when people come together and take small actions like a daily push-up, squat or lunge – at home or in public – it can really make a significant difference and help save lives.
It features Australians of all ages and abilities taking the time to push-up at work, home, waiting for the bus, walking to school or at the beach, calling for action with the tagline “Let’s push together and push for better”.
The campaign will run nationally until the end of the annual 23-day event (June 26), across TV, OOH, radio, digital audio, display and social, and amplified through media partnerships and sponsorships.
It is the first campaign developed by 303 MullenLowe and Mediahub since the agencies jointly won the account in an integrated 2024 competitive pitch. The two agencies worked side by side as part of a full-service offering, to develop and implement the campaign’s integrated strategic plan that supported creative and media together.
To help create a community around the 2025 event, media agency Mediahub developed an audience-engagement approach that leans into the influence of media personalities to rally Australians around the cause. Included is a national sponsorship with ARN radio hosts Will & Woody, plus news readers, teamed with traditional and digital channels to build mass awareness and to support delivering registrations.
“From the outset, our goal was to create more than just an awareness campaign, we wanted to help build a national movement around mental health,” Mediahub Perth General Manager Kylie Macey said.
“Through impactful creative and the partnership with ARN and the support of radio hosts Will and Woody, we’ll tap into a level of authenticity and influence that we hope will truly resonate with Aussies. This isn’t just about doing push-ups it’s about showing up, starting conversations, and making mental health a shared priority.”
Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge sees hundreds of thousands of Australians each year take up the challenge to complete a set number of push-ups that represent the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in the most recent year of available data.
‘We want to celebrate the grit and the gains’
The 2025 Challenge is asking participants complete 3,214 push-ups over 23 days. Participants are also provided with daily mental health facts, and have the opportunity to fundraise for one of the Challenge’s chosen mental health charities.
303 MullenLowe creative team Ellysia Burton and Sarah Cassell explain the creative approach: “We can all feel helpless when it comes to mental health. Whether it’s supporting someone through a tough time, trying to help ourselves, or just wanting to improve the lives of others. ‘Your push is power’ was born from that feeling.
“It shows our audience that there is power in all the micro moments of doing The Push-Up Challenge. Every bead of sweat, red face or shaky arm as part of doing 3,214 push-ups really does make a difference. No matter who you are, or where you’re doing it, we want to celebrate the grit and the gains.”
The Push-Up Challenge’s Head of Marketing and Partnerships Phoebe Adams said while The Push-Up Challenge had raised more than $50 million for mental health programs and services and engaged over 700,000 people to push for better mental health since 2017, it was vital Australians fully understood the impact they could have by becoming involved again this year.
“The Push-Up Challenge is an iconic event that brings together hundreds of thousands of people every year, to get sweaty while also raising much needed awareness and funds for mental health.
“This year, for the first time, we’ve joined forces with agency partner 303 MullenLowe to create a truly memorable, feel-good campaign that we hope will bring even more participants to this much-loved event. We couldn’t be happier with the result,” she said.
Credits
The Push Up Challenge – client Phoebe Adams – Head of Marketing and Partnerships Oscar Deveraux – Senior Communications & Marketing Coordinator Corey Harrison – Content Producer Nick Hudson – Founder
303 MullenLowe Perth – strategy, creative, design, production Ellysia Burton – Copywriter Sarah Cassell – Art Director Sara Oteri – Executive Creative Director Matt Oakley – Chief Strategy Officer Devon Jackson – Senior Business Manager Anna Mitchell – Business Executive Holly Kemp – Producer Alby Furfaro – Head of Design Madeleine De Pierres – Senior Designer Suzanne Whoston – Finished Artist Angela Homann – Finished Artist
MediaHub – media strategy and execution Kylie Macey – General Manager Bella Sardelis – Senior Media Manager Grace O’Meehan – Media Executive Ryan Dhillon – Digital Director Elyse Simich – Senior Performance Manager Paige Crabb – Digital Executive
Poppet – production Jonathan Nyquist – Director Natalie Taylor – Executive Producer Courtney Bombell – Production Manager Anna King – Production Assistant Beth Malcher – AD Earle Dressner – DOP Jason Morling – 1st AC Hugo Rutten – 2nd AC/Data Joen Patton – Stadicam Dan Mitton – Gaffer Sam Pearce – HMU/Wardrobe Jessie Brinkman-Evans – Stills Photographer Asha Barr – Art Department Kris Knab – Wardrobe
Heckler Sound – Original Music Bonnie Law – Executive Music Producer Johnny Green – Composer Gordon Rytmeister – Drums Scott Langley – Saxophone
Box Office: A Minecraft Movie holds the crown for a fourth weekend
By Alisha Buaya
This long weekend, the top 20 films Australian box office grossed $16,171,456.
This long weekend, the top 20 films Australian box officegrossed $16,171,456, up +29% from last weekend’s $12,488,777.
1. A Minecraft Movie
A Minecraft Movie continued its leading streak at the Australian Box Office over the long weekend as audiences flocked to cinemas. Now in its fourth week, the family-action comedy generated $4,550,219 across 555 screens, -24% from the previous weekend’s earnings.
Synopsis: A portal pulls four misfits into the Overworld, a land made of cubes shaped by imagination. To return home, they must learn the terrain and complete a quest with a crafter named Steve. The film stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks and Emma Myers and is based on the 2011 video game Minecraft by Mojang Studios.
Total Australian Box Office gross to date: $51,788,643
2. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (4K Remaster)
The 20th anniversary of the Stars Wars film, remastered in 4K, made its return to the top 10 of box office over the long weekend. The two decade old film drew fans back to the cinemas, across 247 screens as it made $2,096,152. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine.
Synopsis: Revenge of the Sith takes place three years after the start of the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker rescue Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous, commander of the droid armies. Grievous escapes. The Jedi Council grows suspicious of Chancellor Palpatine, who has formed a bond with Anakin who has carries resentment toward the council.
Total Australian Box Office gross to date: $2,291,811
3. Sinners
After a strong debut. Sinners has dropped to third place in the box office rankings, generating $2,062,175 across 258 screens. The American Southern Gothic supernatural horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Michael B. Jordan, who previously worked with Coogler in Black Panther and Creed. Also starring in the film is Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton.
Synopsis: Michael B. Jordan stars as twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, former soldiers who bootleg. Set in the deep South in 1932, the twins return to the Mississippi Delta with money and Irish beer to open a juke joint bought from a man and enlist their cousin Sammie to help. However, trouble follows when they face a force beyond the natural world.
Total Australian Box Office gross to date: $4,553,946
4. The Accountant 2
Ben Affleck is back on the big screen in the sequel for the 2016 action/thriller, starring alongside Jon Bernthal on a mission to dismantle a human trafficking ring. In its second week, the flick made $1,934,718 across 348 cinemas.
Synopsis: Affleck plays forensic accountant Christian Wolff whi teams up with his estranged but highly lethal brother Braxton to track down mysterious assassins.
Total Australian Box Office gross to date: 1,934,718
5. Dog Man
The children’s animated film holds its ranking in third place after three weeks at the box office. The second long weekend in a row saw the Dreamworks production make $896,227 across 307 screens, representing a -2% drop in earnings in comparison to last week.
Synopsis: A police officer and his police dog are injured in the line of duty, a surgery combines them into one being, creating Dog Man. As Dog Man adapts to this new form, he must stop Petey the Cat from creating a clone and committing crimes. Dog Man features the voices of Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, and Ricky Gervais.
Total Australian Box Office gross to date: $7,929,237
Top six to ten
6. Until Dawn 7. Tinā 8. The Amateur 9. Warfare 10. Thudarum
Election 2025: New research shows sharp divide between traditional and social media for candidates
With just four days to go until Australians head to the polls, new data has been released.
With just four days to go until Australians head to the polls for the Federal Election, new data from media monitoring company Streem reveals a sharp divide between traditional media coverage and social media momentum in the 2025 election campaign.
Across print, online, radio, TV, magazines and podcasts, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has dominated the share of voice during the campaign, securing 56.3% of traditional media mentions compared to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s 43.7%.
Streem’s research shows Peter Dutton leads in the ‘traditional’ media share of voice.
However, the social media landscape paints a different picture.
On platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, Anthony Albanese has maintained the upper hand for most of the campaign period, capturing 54.7% of the conversation compared to Dutton’s 45.3%.
The divergence highlights the evolving nature of election campaigning and the increasingly distinct audiences reached via traditional and digital platforms.
Albanese’s lead across social platforms suggests a younger demographic is making up the volume of audience.
Streem’s research shows Anthony Albanese leads across social media.
Meanwhile, Streem’s analysis shows that cost of living and housing have overwhelmingly defined the election narrative, mentioned 2.3 times more often than the next biggest issue, infrastructure and transport.
With Australians facing persistent economic pressures, it’s no surprise these themes have dominated both political messaging and media reporting.
The insights cover the campaign period from 28 March to 28 April.
As candidates enter the final days of campaigning, ending on Saturday 3 May, the battle for influence across both media spheres, traditional and social, will be critical in swaying undecided voters.
CulturalPulse appoints ex-Naked Managing Director as Chief Commercial Officer
By Alisha Buaya
The independent multicultural marketing and media agency has also expanded roles for senior leaders Karissa Fletcher and Reg Raghavan.
CulturalPulse has appointed Tim Kirby as Chief Commercial Officer and expanded roles for senior leaders Karissa Fletcher and Reg Raghavan.
The appointment marks a key milestone for independent multicultural marketing and media agency as it scales to meet growing demand from brands seeking to better engage with Australia’s increasingly diverse population.
Kirby will work alongside Fletcher – now formally stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer – and CEO Raghavan to grow the agency’s commercial and strategic footprint and expand partnerships with media and creative agencies.
Kirby joins from Galore Creative following senior leadership roles including Managing Director of Naked Communications. He said of his new role: “It’s been a great journey building Galore over the past five years, but I’ve always had an itch to help push the industry forward.”
“As that ambition grew, so did my focus on the enormous opportunity with today’s multicultural Australia. Our cultural diversity is one of Australia’s greatest strengths, yet so much of the industry still treats multicultural marketing as an afterthought.”
“CulturalPulse is leading the way in showing how deep cultural insight can drive real business outcomes. Joining the team is a chance to take the thinking and capabilities we built at Galore and apply them to a new challenge – one that’s commercially vital and creatively energising. I’m looking forward to helping more brands tap into this space with the depth and nuance it deserves.”
Founded in 2010 by Raghavan and Patrick Skene, the agency’s Chief Creative Officer, CulturalPulse has long track record delivering major engagement programs across government, sport, media and corporate sectors – including work for CommBank, TEG – Qudos Bank Arena, ANZ, FIFA Women’s World Cup, AFL, Meat & Livestock Australia, Stan and Federal and State Governments.
Australia’s diversity isn’t just part of the narrative; it is the narrative
The agency helps brands unlock growth opportunities by understanding and activating culturally diverse audiences powered by rich data, targeted media and more than a decade of trusted community partnerships.
With over 300 languages spoken at home and communities from Chinese, Indian, Filipino and Nepalese backgrounds among the fastest-growing communities, Australia is projected to be 57% multicultural by 2026. Despite this, many brands still underinvest in these audiences – missing a powerful opportunity to grow market share and brand relevance.
Alongside Kirby’s appointment Fletcher is promoted to Chief Operating Officer. She said: “The data reinforces what we already know from experience – Australia’s diversity isn’t just part of the narrative; it is the narrative. With Tim joining the leadership team we’re even better positioned to scale our impact and take on more ambitious, growth oriented projects with our clients and agency partners.
“Our focus is on building long-term, meaningful relationships between brands and communities – moving beyond token campaigns to strategies grounded in real insight, cultural relevance and trust. The opportunity is enormous, and having the right team in place means we are ready to move faster, think bigger and deliver value for our clients with even greater depth and creativity.”
CulturalPulse’s offering includes campaign strategy, creative, media and cultural community activation. Its proprietary planning tool, AskGenie, is Australia’s first cultural intelligence platform – helping marketers understand cultural values, behaviours and preferences that unlock commercial opportunities for growth.
Raghavan said: “We’re at a moment where the way brands think about diverse community engagement is evolving fast. What we offer isn’t just multicultural marketing; it’s a new model built on cultural intelligence, community connection and data-driven delivery. That mix is proving essential for clients across government, sport and the corporate sector who are looking for more than surface-level inclusion.
“We’re also investing in tools like AskGenie that bring cultural insights to life in ways the industry hasn’t seen before – turning complexity into actionable strategy. With Tim now on board and Karissa stepping into a broader operational role, we have the leadership team in place to scale that impact and continue leading the market in meaningful, modern engagement.”
Top image: Tim Kirby, Karissa Fletcher, Reg Raghavan
Cashrewards boosts growth with investment in Circuit Media
By Alisha Buaya
Through closed-loop attribution and personalised segmentation, advertisers can now access measurable, high-intent retail media with unprecedented ease and precision.
Cashrewards has invested in its Circuit Media division as part of its ambitious plan to drive 3x revenue growth in FY25.
The company has strengthened its retail media capabilities with the appointment of Aaron Macarthur as Head of Sales, bringing deep commercial and digital media expertise to lead Circuit’s go-to-market function and revenue delivery.
In addition, the cashback platform has welcomed three new senior team members: Lauren Beach (formerly Cartology) and Rosalinde Czysnok (formerly News Corp) join as Senior Circuit sales managers and Hayden Skelton (formally Zuru) focused on B2B marketing and Sales Strategy, while Ellie Mannix moves from Senior BDM to Senior Circuit Sales Manager rounding out the new powerhouse team.
These strategic hires follow the successful FY24 launch of Circuit Media, which gained strong traction with brands such as Temu, Hubbl, Chemist Warehouse, and Estée Lauder. As the business accelerates into FY25, Cashrewards is doubling down on growing its retail media footprint through deeper brand partnerships, product innovation, and seamless campaign execution.
To better align media with the broader business strategy, Circuit Media has also transitioned to report into Chief Marketing Officer, Zara Cobb. This structural realignment is designed to tightly integrate marketing and media functions, allowing for more connected storytelling, greater platform visibility, and stronger performance outcomes for partners.
‘FY25 is about scale and impact’
“FY24 was a huge year for Cashrewards with the launch of Circuit, but FY25 is about scale and impact,” said Cobb. “With Aaron leading sales, and the incredible talent we’ve added in Lauren, Roz and Ellie, we’re poised to take Circuit Media to new heights and deliver even greater value for our brand partners and members.”
As part of its next phase, Circuit is also launching a Supplier Funded Offers model, enabling suppliers to amplify offers at selected retailers making it radically easier for brands to engage shoppers across multiple merchants in one unified campaign. Through closed-loop attribution and personalised segmentation, advertisers can now access measurable, high-intent retail media with unprecedented ease and precision.
Circuit by Cashrewards has already demonstrated its potential, offering brands access to over 2.5 million highly engaged, purchase-ready members. Making it one of the most powerful new entrants in the Australian retail media landscape.
The final leaders’ debate may have ended with a win for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but behind the scenes, it raised bigger questions for broadcasters about live content integrity.
As Crikey’sDaanyal Saeed reveals, the publication received a copy of Seven political editor Mark Riley’s debate script hours before Sunday night’s broadcast, a leak that also reached at least two other newsrooms.
While Riley largely stuck to the prepared lines, small deviations didn’t mask the fact that key questions, including ones on cost of living and Welcome to Country ceremonies, were publicly known before the 8:10pm start time.
Labor shifts YouTube ad dollars to defence as key seats come under pressure
Labor’s digital media strategy is firmly in defensive mode, with YouTube ad spend heavily concentrated in must-hold seats across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
As Clare Armstrong reports in The Daily Telegraph, of the top 20 electorates targeted through Google-owned platforms, only four are seats Labor hopes to gain, the rest are all about holding ground.
The party has pumped the most into Wills, where Greens pressure is intensifying, spending $175,725 on YouTube between 16 March and 25 April, $44,225 of that in the final 10 days alone.
ABC faces questions over editorial independence after chairman’s intervention
The ABC has found itself under scrutiny after Media Watch alleged that chairman Kim Williams stepped in to help comedian Austen Tayshus secure airtime on Regional Radio to promote his national tour.
As Max Melzer writes for Sky News Australia, host Linton Besser labelled the move a “grave lapse of judgement” during Monday night’s broadcast.
Since July, Tayshus, best known for his 1983 hit Australiana, has racked up over 90 minutes of free coverage across 11 ABC segments.
CBS faces editorial backlash as 60 Minutes battles corporate interference
Tensions are boiling over at CBS’s 60 Minutes in the US, with veteran host Scott Pelley using Sunday night’s broadcast to issue a pointed defence of journalistic independence.
The rebuke comes as Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, pushes ahead with a proposed sale to Skydance Media, a move still awaiting federal approval.
According to Jessica Glenza in The Guardian, the fallout includes the resignation of long-time 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens, who departed last week over fears that corporate oversight was compromising the program’s editorial freedom.
Trump launches attacks on US media as polling tensions rise
Donald Trump has launched a tirade against major US media outlets over unfavourable polling results, accusing The New York Times, ABC, The Washington Post and Fox News of “election fraud”.
As Vanessa Marsh and Tiffany Bakker write for The Daily Telegraph, the US President has also accused the media giants of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The criticism was aired on Truth Social after polls showed his support well below 40 per cent.
Judge shuts down Roberts-Smith claims as Nine’s legal team stays off the hook
Ben Roberts-Smith’s push to revive his defamation appeal has hit another wall, with a Federal Court judge rejecting claims Nine reporter Nick McKenzie “threw his lawyers under a bus.”
As Stephen Rice reports in The Australian, Justice Nye Perram ruled the misconduct allegations against MinterEllison were irrelevant and “unmoored” from any proper legal argument.
Roberts-Smith’s team had served a wave of subpoenas targeting Nine’s legal advisers, most of which have now been dismissed or heavily curtailed.
AI companions and chatbots, once novelties, now mimic humanity with alarming speed. Their utility is apparent, yet so too are the initial signs of potential danger.
In Peter Hartcher’s opinion piece for The Age, he highlights the tragic case of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer.
His devotion to an AI, Dany, led him to take his own life after she urged him to “come home.” His mother’s lawsuit against the chatbot company underscores the devastating consequences of such digital attachments.
SXSW Sydney has announced its first keynote speaker for 2025, Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal.
A leading figure in the global conversation on artificial intelligence, privacy, and internet policy, Whittaker will join an impressive line-up of speakers for the SXSW Tech & Innovation Festival, celebrating innovators and emerging local talent from Australia’s tertiary education sector.
NRL keeps a wary eye on DAZN tensions ahead of billion-dollar rights play
As the NRL prepares to take its next broadcast rights package to market, it’s closely monitoring turbulence at new Foxtel owner DAZN.
The sports streamer is locked in a dispute with France’s top football league after clubs voted to rip up a major broadcast deal, sparking concerns about deal stability.
As Calum Jaspan writes in The Age, while the French stoush doesn’t directly impact Foxtel, the drama comes at a sensitive time for the NRL, which is aiming to significantly lift the value of its next rights deal from 2028 onwards.
Big Four bank customers exposed as stolen passwords flood dark web
Tens of thousands of login credentials from Australia’s Big Four banks are circulating freely among cybercriminals.
According to Ange Lavoipierre on ABC News, new research has revealed they’re putting customers at real risk of financial loss despite strong anti-fraud protections.
Cybersecurity firm Dvuln revealed that more than 31,000 sets of stolen credentials, including those from CommBank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac customers, are being traded on Telegram and the dark web.
What Aussie businesses can learn from Bunnings’ retail media push
Bunnings’ entry into Australia’s $3 billion retail media market marks a significant shift in the retail landscape.
As Nicole Miranda writes on Inside Retail, the company has established Hammer Media, a dedicated division designed to monetise its advertising inventory across both digital and physical platforms.
This move aligns Bunnings with industry leaders such as Woolworths’ Cartology and Coles 360, aiming to leverage first-party data to offer targeted advertising solutions.
Jo Horgan talks longevity and leadership as Mecca continues to thrive
Jo Horgan, founder of Mecca, has praised the advantages of running a private company, rejecting ongoing speculation about a potential exit.
As Angelica Snowden writes in The Australian, in a recent podcast, she emphasised how being private allows for bold, long-term decisions that align with her entrepreneurial mindset.
Mecca’s growth to nearly $1 billion in revenue, fuelled by exclusive partnerships with luxury brands and a loyal customer base, has sparked interest in its future.
