Wednesday April 30, 2025

Ubers Eats x Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson x Special (1)
Uber Eats teams up with Aussie icon Huey to bring democracy sausages to your door via Special

By Alisha Buaya

Nicole Bardsley: ‘The post-vote Democracy Sausage is a cherished part of Aussie culture.’

Uber Eats has enlisted celebrity chef and adopted Aussie Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson to front a campaign ensuring thousands of voters across Australia get their hands on an election day snag in a new campaign via Special.

The Democracy Sausage ad runs on election tropes, from political-style bill posters to endorsement videos to real-time updates on how Australia likes its Democracy Sausage, as the orders pile up on the big day. 

The campaign will show up across a series of social and digital spots, OOH and influencer channels supported by EssenceMediacom; and is the latest innovative offering under the ‘Get Almost, Almost Anything’ banner– a series that has previously starred Kris and Kendall Jenner, Tom Felton, Nicola Coughlan, Jason Alexander, Andy Murray and Cher.

Uber Eats will offer a classic selection of meat and vegetarian snags, served up with a choice of mustard, barbecue or tomato sauce – with an option to add cooked onions too . Each customisable meat and vegetarian option will be sold on bread and come in limited-edition containers, available for $3.50 each on Uber Eats.

“Whether people are voting in their budgies at the surfclub, or dashing into their local public school to cast their ballot, the post-vote Democracy Sausage is a cherished part of Aussie culture,” Head of Marketing, Uber ANZ, Nicole Bardsley, said.

“We’re supplementing the incredible work of local fundraising teams to help early voters – or those without a local fundraising option – get almost, almost the real experience from the comfort of their homes. And we’re doing it to support our ongoing partner – the Australian Red Cross.”

Ubers Eats x Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson x Special (1)

“When we found out just how many go without a Democracy Sausage on election day, we knew we needed a common sense solution to reduce the number of voters going snagless,” Magnus Flynn, Creative at Special, said.

“After all, Australia on election day is like a pair of tongs: both sides come together for a sausage. That’s something worth preserving.”

Uber Eats will donate $3.50 from every order of the Democracy Sausage to the Australian Red Cross this election day. Just open the Uber Eats app and search “democracy sausage” on May 3rd.

Ubers Eats x Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson x Special (1)

CREDITS
Uber Eats
Senior Director of Marketing, International: Lucinda Barlow
Senior Director of Marketing, APAC: Andy Morley
Head of Marketing, ANZ: Nicole Bardsley
Sr. Marketing Manager: Olivia Sykes
APAC Agency Lead,: Bec Morton
Creative Director, APAC: Adam Ledbury
Director Communications, ANZ: Peta Fitzgerald
Head of Delivery Communications, ANZ: Nick Vindin
Communications, ANZ: Josh O’Connor
Social Media Manager, APAC: Chanelle Murray
Social Media Associate; Haley Evirgen
Media Lead, ANZ: Rob Maddison

Special
Partner/CEO: Lindsey Evans
Partners/CCO: Julian Schreiber & Tom Martin
Group Creative Directors: Peter Defries & Alan Wilson
Lead Creatives: Toby Moore & Magnus Flynn
Managing Director: Lauren Portelli
Team Leads: Chris Braks, Rachel McEwen

Business Director: Cali Fish
Head of Strategy: Celia Garforth
Strategy Director: Heather Sheen
Executive Producer: Margot Fitzpatrick
Integrated Producer: Will Sealey
Head Of Stills: Nick Lilley
Stills Producer: Danielle Senecky
Head Of Design: Adam Shear
Finished Art:  John Rivera, Jen Bailey
Managing Director PR:  Alex Bryant
Creative Strategy Director PR: Kate Wilkinson
Account Manager PR : Helena Hampshire

Special Made
Editor: Ollie Knocker

Maverick
Rose Freeburn: Innovation Director
Jessica Sandow: Executive Producer
Mackenzie Argent: Associate Producer

Machine Studio (Film)
Director: Josh Mullins
Producer: Sam Boneham
Editors: Hugh O’Brien + Damien Boneham

Rumble Studios
Sound Executive Producer: Michael Gie
Sound Designer: Daniel William

Wellcom Worldwide (Stills)
Group Account Director : Kariena Foyle
Christina Kouvaras: Senior Producer
Photographer: Sean Thomas
Retouching: Wellcom Worldwide

Media Agency: EssenceMediacom 

Retail Agency: Hatched

Top image: Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson

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‘Just turn them off’: Kyle Sandilands and Peter Dutton fire up over social media ban in Australia

By Natasha Lee

Kyle Sandilands: ‘Sometimes you just gotta stand up and be brave and say, ‘Well, if you don’t play ball, you don’t operate here.’

The final push before Australian’s head to the polls this Saturday is well and truly underway, with both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton doing the mad media dash.

This morning saw Dutton agree to an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, where he was pressed on a number of issues, including the dangers of social media.

Dutton, who has long advocated for better protections for children online, didn’t hold back in his criticism of social media companies.

“I’ve spent a lot of time over the years working on trying to protect, in particular, girls online,” he said.

“Sharing your body images and those images that ultimately stay on the internet forever, or, you know, sexual abuse of kids and those images. Somebody who’s been abused feels that they’ve been re-abused every time that image is being shared.”

“Trying to get these companies to remove those images and take them down has been a bloody nightmare,” Dutton added.

Peter Dutton

Peter Dutton

Time to take a stand

Host Kyle Sandilands, who has long been outspoken on issue of the dangers of social media, shared his frustration with the power that social media platforms wield.

“If I was running the joint in all these TikToks and the Facebooks, and all these places that won’t play ball with us, won’t pay tax, won’t give credit where credit’s due, why can’t we just turn them off?” he asked, proposing that social media platforms should be held accountable by the government in the same way any unsafe product would be.

“If there was a car company bringing cars that weren’t safe into Australia and children were dying, we would not allow it to happen. Why can’t we just turn them off?

“If children are dying and our ecommerce regulation people can’t stop them or are powerless, turn the b******* off – like it’s not the end of the world if we don’t have one social media company here.”

He went on to challenge the notion that doing so would be too extreme, calling for leaders to be brave enough to take action. “Sometimes you just gotta stand up and be brave and say, ‘Well, if you don’t play ball, you don’t operate here.’”

Kyle Sandilands

Kyle Sandilands

Holding big tech accountable

While both men agreed on the necessity of stronger regulations, Dutton did caution about the complexities involved in implementing such sweeping measures.

“They also give a middle finger to even warrants that have been issued by a court to provide information to help a police investigation,” the opposition leader pointed out, noting that many tech giants operate outside of Australian jurisdiction, making enforcement difficult.

Despite this, he remains firm in his belief that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable users, particularly children.

“We’ve got people who are relying on these networks for their businesses,” Dutton added, acknowledging that any action against these platforms would come with significant consequences for those who rely on them for their livelihood.

However, he stressed that the government must act in the best interest of its citizens, especially the safety of children. “They snub the laws that we’ve got here because they’re worried that if they comply, then other countries will implement the same laws,” he said.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk

The “Evil Genius” behind tech giants

In a separate but related discussion, Dutton didn’t shy away from giving his opinion on Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter).

For the second time, Dutton referred to Musk as an “evil genius,” a remark that was met with laughter during Channel Seven’s leaders debate last weekend.

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Australian food sector ad spend x Nielsen
Australian food sector ad spend rises to $414 Million: Nielsen

By Alisha Buaya

Rose Lopreiato: ‘Staying informed on competitive spend is essential to making smarter, faster decisions about channel mix, share of voice, and campaign timing.’

Advertising investment in the Australian food industry has seen a 6% increase, with total spend rising from $390 million in 2023–2024 to $414 million in 2024–2025, according to Nielsen Ad Intel data.

The figures highlight a return to growth for the sector, with significant gains in impulse and convenience-based food categories.

The top advertisers in the sector reflect a mix of legacy brands and agile, health-conscious choices. Leading the list was Mondelez International, Lite N Easy, Arnott’s Biscuits, Sanitarium Health Food Co and Hello Fresh.

Top advertisers

Following in sixth place was Ferrero Australia, Peters Ice Cream, Kellogg (Aust)in eighth, Mars Snackfoods in ninth, while Primo Smallgoods rounded out the top 10.

Among the strongest category performers, in terms of year-on-year (YoY) growth were smallgoods, which recorded YoY growth of 86%, followed by snack foods (up 56%), ice cream and frozen confectionery (up 50%), biscuits (up 31%), and dairy products and substitutes (up 19%).

Nielsen

“This data reinforces how critical it is for food marketers to understand where and how their competitors are investing,” Rose Lopreiato, Nielsen Ad Intel’s Pacific Commercial Lead, said.

“With both established and emerging brands ramping up media activity, particularly in categories like smallgoods, snackfoods and frozen food, staying informed on competitive spend is essential to making smarter, faster decisions about channel mix, share of voice, and campaign timing.”

As digital media channels and increase in OOH spending continue to reshape food marketing strategies, this upswing in advertising spend demonstrates that brands are maintaining a strong presence, across multiple touchpoints to stay top-of-mind with Australian consumers.

Last month, Nielsen Ad Intel unveiled its 2024 Advertising Spend Report, highlighting the nation’s biggest advertisers, the dominant sectors, and significant market trends that shaped the past year.

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Nine upfront
Nine appoints Chief Sales Officer

By Alisha Buaya

Matt Stanton: ‘I can’t think of a better person to re-invigorate Nine’s strategy to be the leader in the digital video market.’

Nine has appointed Matt James as Chief Sales Officer. He will report to Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton.

James brings 35 years of experience and was previously been CEO of global media agency Zenith Media based in London, the inaugural Group CEO of Publicis Media, and CEO of Zenith Australia and New Zealand.

James, who was appointed Acting Chief Sales Officer in December 2024, will be responsible for growing the revenue of Nine’s Total Television, Total Publishing and Total Audio assets.

Matt James and Nine logo

Matt James

His appointment as Chief Sales Officer amid a wide field of candidates signals a new era for Nine Sales, with James will be charged with reinvigorating digital video strategy to ensure the company can compete with the global platforms, and to drive collaboration within the streaming and broadcast industry.

Early in his career, James held senior roles at Nine including Managing Director of the company’s then-digital media division Mi9, and after his global role at Zenith, he returned to Nine in 2020 as Managing Director of Nine Melbourne.

In that role, he oversaw major operations including Channel 9, 3AW, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review, as well as flagship productions which contributed significantly to strengthening Nine’s position in the Melbourne market.

‘A strong vision for Nine’

Since November last year, Mr James has held a senior strategy role across the Group as part of the company’s Transformation team focusing on initiatives to drive growth and innovation, including a renewed vision to accelerate an advanced digital strategy that will cement Nine’s leadership position over the next five years.

James said of his appointment: “I’m excited to lead one of the most talented sales teams in Australia. We have spent the last several months re-arming and re-organising ourselves to be able to execute an advanced digital strategy across TV, Publishing and Audio, and Nine is well-placed for a strong future.

“We are now at a pivotal point where Nine is ready to be a leader in the digital video market. With clients and brands at the centre of everything we do, our move to accelerate our VOD strategy and to drive a new era of collaboration within the TV industry, will ensure Nine positions itself as a market leader.”

Stanton, said of James’ appointment: “Matt James is a high-calibre media executive with impressive global experience who has a strong vision for Nine. With experience on both the media and agency sides, a strong background in digital, and extensive knowledge of Nine, I can’t think of a better person to re-invigorate Nine’s strategy to be the leader in the digital video market.”

Top image: Matt James

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News Corp Australia delivers new daily episodes of “The Mushroom Cook” podcast

By Natasha Lee

The series centres on the trial of Erin Patterson, who is facing three counts of murder.

News Corp Australia has unveiled a new daily podcast, The Mushroom Cook: The Trial, offering audiences daily coverage and exclusive insights from inside one of Australia’s most high-profile criminal trials.

Led by the Herald Sun’s award-winning investigative team, the series centres on the trial of Erin Patterson, who is facing three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in Victoria’s Supreme Court.

Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which relate to a fatal family lunch in rural Victoria in 2023 that captured national and global headlines.

Spearheaded by investigative journalist Brooke Grebert-Craig, court reporter Laura Placella, and Gold Walkley-winning reporter Anthony DowsleyThe Mushroom Cook: The Trial is designed to keep true crime fans, courtroom watchers and general news consumers glued to their headphones and screens throughout the legal proceedings.

Erin Patterson

Erin Patterson

Premium storytelling meets platform power

The project blends audio, video, and editorial formats, with daily podcast episodes available for free across major platforms, while deeper coverage, interactive features, court updates, and subscriber-only articles, will be available to digital subscribers of the Herald SunThe Daily TelegraphThe Courier-Mail, and The Advertiser.

Herald Sun editor Sam Weir said the initiative underlines the masthead’s ambition to lead national coverage of the trial with round-the-clock access and multi-platform reporting.

The Mushroom Cook: The Trial will keep listeners up to date with the latest from inside the courtroom as Erin Patterson faces trial for the murders and attempted murder of four family members,” Weir said.

“The Herald Sun has positioned itself as the place to come for the latest in the case that has gripped the nation and the world. Our team of journalists will bring listeners the latest from inside the courtroom each day.”

With true crime ranking consistently among the most downloaded podcast genres, News Corp’s offering is poised to capitalise on growing listener interest in legal storytelling and real-time reporting.

The daily episodic format also increases dwell time and repeat audience engagement.

To listen to the podcast and for more information on the case, go to themushroomcook.com.au

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How winning Mediaweek’s Next of the Best sparked Andie Potter’s career shift

By Natasha Lee

Potter didn’t just earn industry recognition, she unlocked the next chapter of her career.

When Andie Potter took home the Next of the Best award for the AdTech category in 2024, she didn’t just earn industry recognition… she unlocked the next chapter of her career.

Potter, who was working at PHD Media at the time, admits the visibility and credibility of the award helped catch the attention of Mutinex CEO Henry Innis, which led to her current role at the rapidly growing marketing science platform.

“Without that platform, I may not have been on Mutinex’s radar,” Potter told Mediaweek. “It gave my work visibility and credibility.”

Since joining Mutinex, Potter says her professional life has transformed. 

She now works at a company deeply rooted in engineering and data science, focusing on proactive innovation rather than reactive adaptation, a significant shift from her agency-side days.

“It’s not just ‘measurement’ … we’re redefining how businesses think about it to enable better decisions and growth,” she explained.

Listen here:

AdTech and the future of programmatic

Reflecting on broader industry trends, Potter discussed the changing nature of programmatic advertising and the disruptive impact of AI.

“It’s not just about programmatic, it’s how businesses respond to change,” she said. “At Mutinex, we’re embedding AI into the business, not just talking about it. When you build with AI, you get clarity and momentum.”

Potter also acknowledged the challenges faced by women in tech, emphasising the importance of visibility and empowerment in male-dominated spaces, particularly in emerging areas like ad tech.

“I want to encourage more women to enter tech by showing it’s possible and rewarding,” she said.

‘It does feel like our industry’s version of the Oscars’

“The whole vibe of Next of the Best is exciting, you’re surrounded by brilliant people. When they called my name, I was shocked. You sort of blank out in the moment. Later, you reflect on what it means and what you’ve gone through to get there. It’s a reward for all the hard work and personal sacrifice.

Did I prepare a speech? On the night – which does feel like our industry’s version of the Oscars – I quickly jotted some notes in my phone, just in case. I didn’t want to get up there and have nothing to say.”

As a former Next of the Best winner and now a judge, Potter encourages others to put themselves forward: “If you’re proud of your work and it’s made an impact, just go for it. Whether you win or not, it builds confidence.”

Next of the Best 2025 is now open for entries. You can apply here

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Porter Novelli - Laura Hill
Porter Novelli names Managing Partner – Engagement

By Alisha Buaya

Rhys Ryan: ‘Laura’s strength is her ability to translate complexity into clarity, building genuine connections that cut through noise and drive real impact.’

Porter Novelli has promoted Laura Hill to the newly created role of Managing Partner – Engagement.

Hill previously served as Special Counsel and brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of strategic engagement to this leadership position.

Her appointment reflects the increasing demand for effective engagement across industries, as organisations navigate change and major reforms in sectors such as energy, aged care, health and education.

Hill joined the communications firm in 2021, bringing 20 years of experience with roles in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors, most of which focused on working with communities or employees as they underwent significant change.

As organisations strive to bring people along on these transformative journeys, they seek trusted partners who can help them connect with stakeholders confidently and meaningfully, an endeavour Laura feels passionate about.

“I’ve always been drawn to the impact that great engagement – whether with employees, stakeholders, or communities – can have not just on an organisation’s success, but on the people it connects with,” she said.

“At Porter Novelli, we are already doing this work every day and doing it well. Our team brings real expertise, sharp instincts, and a deep understanding of what effective engagement looks like.”

“We understand the nuances of effective engagement – what works, what doesn’t, and how to tailor approaches that resonate. For our clients, it means trusted, strategic advice grounded in real-world expertise and a clear understanding of what it takes to engage meaningfully in today’s environment.”

Hill’s extensive career includes significant in-house experience across government, corporate (including financial services, automotive, and mining), and not-for-profits in the international aid sector.

Rhys Ryan, CEO of Porter Novelli said we’re living in a moment where engagement can’t just be good, it must be exceptional. He said: “There’s a real shift happening right now and organisations can’t afford to treat engagement as top-down or a tick-the-box- it’s so much more important than that.

“Regional communities, industries and sectors, employees and communities with shared interests are demanding better from organisations. It’s wonderful to have an asset like Laura on our side.”

“Laura’s strength is her ability to translate complexity into clarity, building genuine connections that cut through noise and drive real impact. Her appointment couldn’t be more relevant, and we’re pleased to bring this level of expertise to our clients.”

Top image: Laura Hill

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out of home campaign in black, white and green
Striking new OMA campaign underscores the public value of Out of Home advertising

By Frances Sheen

Elizabeth McIntyre: ‘People see an ad in a public space, but what they don’t see is how that ad is helping pay for the infrastructure we all rely on, and how much it saves taxpayers.’

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) has launched a new campaign, Life Without Out of Home, spotlighting the often-unseen contributions of the Out of Home (OOH) advertising industry to Australia’s public infrastructure and economy.

Developed by creative agency Howatson+Co, the campaign uses a powerful narrative to connect everyday Australians with the infrastructure that surrounds them, bus shelters, public toilets, pedestrian overpasses, and reveals that much of it is funded not by taxpayer dollars, but by the OOH industry.

“People see an ad in a public space, but what they don’t see is how that ad is helping pay for the infrastructure we all rely on, and how much it saves taxpayers.” said OMA CEO Elizabeth McIntyre.

The campaign arrives off the back of a 2024 Deloitte Access Economics report commissioned by the OMA, which quantified the full scope of the industry’s impact. The findings are significant:

  • An estimated $1.3 billion annual contribution to the Australian economy

  • Over 21,500 public infrastructure items funded, built or maintained through OOH advertising revenue

  • More than $650 million in public assets supported by the sector

“It’s not just about ads,” McIntyre added. “It’s about jobs, infrastructure, and creating value that would otherwise come from the public purse. For every dollar of value added by OOH advertising companies, there is more than another dollar of value added across the broader economy.”

The Life Without OOH campaign is especially timely, launched in the lead-up to new advertising restrictions in South Australia, including a ban on occasional food and drink advertising on Adelaide Metro buses, trains, and trams from 1 July, 2025.

Industry leaders are urging policymakers to consider the broader implications of such restrictions, arguing that the social and economic benefits of OOH advertising must be factored into the conversation.

 

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snap logo
Snap Inc. posts Q1 14% revenue rise but withholds guidance for Q2 over economic 'uncertainty'

By Alisha Buaya

Revenue to $1,363 million for Q1 of 2025, compared to $1,195 million in the prior year.

Snap Inc. has posted 14% rise in revenue to $1,363 million for Q1 of 2025, compared to $1,195 million in the prior year.

The tech company reported a net loss was $140 million, compared to $305 million and EBITDA was $108 million, compared to $46 million, both in the prior year.

But looking ahead, Snap was vague in its view for the second quarter, noting: “Given the uncertainty with respect to how macro economic conditions may evolve in the months ahead, and how this may impact advertising demand more broadly, we do not intend to share formal financial guidance for Q2.”

Snap said it deepened its engagement with its community, reaching more than 900 million monthly active users (MAU), on the way to our goal of 1 billion MAU.

Meanwhile, daily active users (DAU) were 460 million in Q1 2025, an increase of 38 million, or 9%, year-over-year.

The platform’s total number of Snap Star Spotlight posts grew by over 125% year-over-year in Q1, and number of views on Spotlight posts less than 24 hours old doubled year-over-year—which contributes to a more engaging, timely, and fresh viewer experience.

In addition, Snap’s My AI DAUs grew more than 55% year-over-year in the U.S. as a result of the multimodal improvements we’ve rolled out to My AI over the past year.

Continued growth and milestone moment

snap x Evan Spiegel

Evan Spiegel: ‘We surpassed an important milestone in Q1, with our community growing to over 900 million monthly active users.’

During Q1, Snap highlighted its focus on accelerating and diversifying its revenue growth as its total active advertisers grew by 60% year-over-year in Q1 and SKAdNetwork grew by 30% year-over-ear.

The platform also expanded its agency partner program to a wider range of agencies, launched Sponsored Snap takeover buys and new brand suitability solutions. Snap also noted the Snapchat+ subscription revenue increased 75% year-over-year in Q1.

“We surpassed an important milestone in Q1, with our community growing to over 900 million monthly active users,” said Evan Spiegel, CEO.

“Quarterly revenue increased 14% year-over-year, driven by the progress we have made with our direct-response advertising solutions, continued momentum in driving performance for small and medium sized businesses, and the growth of our Snapchat+ subscription business.”

Early year headwinds for Snap

However in its letter to investors, Snap said: “While our topline revenue has continued to grow, we have experienced headwinds to start the current quarter, and we believe it is prudent to continue to balance our level of investment with realised revenue growth.”

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Google cookies
We've seen this movie before: Advertising effectively as the cookie endures

By Matt Coote

We’re all better off focusing on what the consumer really wants, rather than the decisions – or repeated non-decisions – of tech’s biggest player.

Google’s recent announcement to leave cookies as they are in its Chrome operating system got me thinking of the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day.

For those who haven’t seen this 90s comedy (which is probably most people under 30), the basic premise is that every time the main character wakes up, it’s the same day – again and again and again.

Where Google is concerned, over the last three to four years it feels like there is an annual occasion where the company announces essentially the same news – cookies aren’t going away – and we as an industry collectively respond.

Already others have pointed out that there may be more than a little political strategy behind its most recent move.

But whatever its motives, I’d argue that we’re all better off focusing on what the consumer really wants, rather than the decisions – or repeated non-decisions – of tech’s biggest player.

GumGum - Matt Coote

Matt Coote

The team at GumGum has long held views regarding how consumers feel about identity-based advertising. So we decided to test our theories, and shared the findings earlier this year with the release of our Digital Advertising Pulse Check.

And lo and behold, we were confirmed in our belief that third-party cookies, without an opt out option, were categorically not what Australians expect from their online experiences.

The report revealed that 69% of Aussies feel traditional tracking‑based ads are either ‘invasive’ or ‘unsettling’. Furthermore, when a brand’s ad feels invasive or too personal, 56.2% of consumers said they are very likely or somewhat likely to stop using that brand’s services.

It’s a clear sign that advertisers that stick with this approach are running the risk of eroding consumer trust – something that isn’t easily won back.

So rather than potentially alienating people, the most sensible path forward for brands today is to lean into contextual advertising and attention measurement strategies. Doing so both respects privacy and meets people where they are, at precisely the right moment.

In practice, this means placing ads in environments that naturally complement brand messages. Again, quoting from our Pulse Check, Aussie consumers told us that doing so was much more likely to lead to a positive outcome. In fact, more than three times as many people said they prefer contextually relevant ads to the cookie-based alternative.

I’ll sum up by tossing in a spoiler: at the end of Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s jaded character eventually takes a more virtuous path by treating those around him with dignity and respect, ending the repeating cycle. My best advice for brands is to follow his lead and ensure that your advertising is similarly respectful.

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Mediaweek Agency 50 - MFA
New MFA and Roy Morgan initiative brings inclusive insights to media planning

By Frances Sheen

Luisa Dalli: ‘This is a game-changer for media planning – and a win for brands, agencies, and audiences alike.’

A new initiative from the Media Federation of Australia’s (MFA) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Advisory Council aims to reshape the advertising industry’s understanding of modern Australia, driving greater inclusivity and relevance in media planning and audience insights.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the MFA DE&I Advisory Council has teamed up with leading research company Roy Morgan to evolve how Australian demographics are represented in market research.

Together, they have introduced new Roy Morgan Single Source survey questions designed to better reflect the full spectrum of Australia’s population, encompassing cultural identity, health conditions, neurodivergence, and other key characteristics that contribute to the country’s diversity.

The initiative expands the existing data set to include new questions around physical and mental health as well as neurodivergent experiences. Later this year, the research will be further enriched with insights into cultural and language media preferences, enabling advertisers to not only understand who Australians are, but also how they connect with content.

‘Game-changer for media planning’

The project was driven by MFA DE&I Advisory Council members Elena GianniniKaty Eng, and Luisa Dalli, with strong support from the MFA Board. Board directors Imogen Hewitt, Publicis Groupe Chief Media Officer, and Aimee Buchanan, GroupM ANZ CEO, played a key role in brokering the partnership with Roy Morgan.

“This initiative is an excellent demonstration of our industry purpose of We Are The Changers. By making sure our media data includes everyone, we’re giving advertisers the tools to create campaigns that speak to all Australians,” said Luisa Dalli, Strategy Director at Havas Media. “This is a game-changer for media planning — and a win for brands, agencies, and audiences alike.”

Michele Levine

Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine welcomed the collaboration and underscored its significance for the industry.

“We’re proud to be working with the MFA on this important initiative,” she said. “Ensuring that all Australians are represented in Roy Morgan Single Source is a critical first step — and one we’re committed to making a reality. Our decision to invest in returning to face-to-face addressed-based interviewing as part of our Single Source framework makes it possible to ensure hard-to-reach and diverse populations are adequately represented.”

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VMO x dimensions
VMO adds a new dimension to Outdoor media with format expansion

By Alisha Buaya

Paul Butler: ‘They’re built to break away from the expected, stop people in their tracks and enable brands to execute highly memorable campaigns and create connections with audiences.’

Val Morgan Outdoor (VMO) has launched Dimensions, its latest suite of outdoor screen solutions designed to bring campaigns to life across creative, high-impact formats, transforming how audiences experience and engage with brands through Outdoor media.

The Dimensions range features three innovative solutions: The CubeThe Can, and Custom:

The Cube, a striking 4×4 metre LED display, is built to dominate its environment. This multidimensional display delivers full-motion creative and captures attention from every angle, offering a truly immersive brand experience.

The Can, a 1.5-metre cylindrical LED screen, is designed to complement experiential activations and sampling campaigns. It’s the ideal canvas for FMCG and beverage brands looking to engage with consumers up close.

For brands looking to make an even bigger creative statement, Custom solutions offer the opportunity to collaborate with VMO on bespoke builds and screen shapes tailored to specific campaign needs.

Dimensions are available to be activated across VMO’s network of high-footfall environments, including shopping centres, health and wellness clubs and office towers.

Dimensions open a new world of creative opportunity in outdoor with innovative formats that go beyond being seen to being truly experienced,” Paul Butler, Managing Director of VMO, commented.

“They’re built to break away from the expected, stop people in their tracks and enable brands to execute highly memorable campaigns and create connections with audiences unlike ever before.”

“Dimensions adds to our growing suite of creative solutions and reflects how we’re continuing to do outdoor differently.

“We’re giving brands more ways to show up and stand out. With nothing else like it in the Australian outdoor market, we’re excited to see the creative possibilities that Dimensions sparks and look forward to partnering with brands to create next-level campaigns,” Butler added.

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.

Election 2025

Trumpet of Patriots texts flood phones ahead of election

Australians are receiving mysterious campaign texts from the Trumpet of Patriots party, even if they’ve never subscribed.

As Jessica Bahr writes for SBS News, the messages, pushing party policies, have been landing on phones across the country in the lead-up to the federal election.

Frustrated voters are now questioning how their numbers were sourced, and whether this kind of digital door-knocking crosses legal lines.

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TikTok creators paid to spruik illegal election bets

A banned US crypto-betting site is paying Aussie influencers to plug bets on the federal election, despite being illegal in Australia.

The platform, Polymarket, lets users wager digital currency on everything from political winners to individual electorates, and, as Cam Wilson reports in Crikey, the site first gained notoriety during the US election, when its founder’s apartment was raided by the FBI.

Now it’s pivoted to Australia, offering odds on who’ll be PM, who’ll win Brisbane, and whether Peter Dutton will hang on to his seat.

Read more

Trump Tariffs

Amazon scrambles to deny checkout tariff plan after Trump backlash

Amazon has poured cold water on a report that it planned to show the cost of tariffs at checkout, a move the White House slammed as political after Donald Trump personally phoned Jeff Bezos to complain.’

As Sebastian Herrera writes in The Australian, the company clarified it had floated the idea for its bargain platform, Haul, but insisted it was never approved and won’t go ahead.

Amazon also said the proposal never applied to its main site, but still, the damage was done.

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Legal

Roberts-Smith pushes for new evidence in Nine defamation fallout

Ben Roberts-Smith is arguing his failed defamation case was tainted, pointing to fresh claims that a Nine journalist received confidential legal messages meant for him.

According to Stephen Rice in The Australian, his lawyers say reporter Nick McKenzie was given privileged material, breaching legal boundaries.

In court, barrister Arthur Moses pointed to a secret recording where McKenzie allegedly tells Roberts-Smith’s ex-mistress that the soldier’s former wife and her friend were feeding him details of the defence strategy.

Read more

Social Media

‘We may have already passed the AI tipping point without noticing’

A new study out of the University of Zurich has confirmed what many feared: AI isn’t just blending in with human content, it’s quietly reshaping what we believe.

As Alex Blair writes on news.com.au, researchers found that even savvy social media users struggled to tell human-made posts from machine-made ones, and were often persuaded by the fakes.

This so-called “crossover point”, where most online content becomes AI-generated and nearly impossible to spot, may already be here.

Read more

Television

Nine appoints Chief Sales Officer

Nine has appointed Matt James as Chief Sales Officer. He will report to Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton.

James brings 35 years of experience and was previously been CEO of global media agency Zenith Media based in London, the inaugural Group CEO of Publicis Media, and CEO of Zenith Australia and New Zealand.

James, who was appointed Acting Chief Sales Officer in December 2024, will be responsible for growing the revenue of Nine’s Total Television, Total Publishing and Total Audio assets.

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ABC chair admits misstep over push for comedian’s airtime

ABC chair Kim Williams has admitted an email criticising staff for snubbing comedian Austen Tayshus was “inappropriate”, but insists he didn’t try to influence editorial decisions.

Media Watch revealed Williams had contacted radio bosses multiple times backing the comedian, also known as Sandy Gutman, even forwarding internal producer emails and calling staff “arrogant with talent”.

As Amanda Meade writes in The Guardian Australia, in one message, Williams questioned why regional radio wouldn’t grab the chance to feature Tayshus, writing: “I know he can be demanding, but he is talented. “Despite the backlash, he denies crossing the line into directing coverage.”

ABC journalists slam chair over push to promote comedian

ABC staff have hit out at chair Kim Williams over what they call an “arrogant” move to secure airtime for comedian Austen Tayshus, bypassing editorial decisions by regional radio teams.

As Bryant Hevesi and Max Melzer write on Sky News Australia, Tayshus, real name Sandy Gutman, was initially knocked back by several stations before landing interviews, after reaching out to Williams while promoting his Australiana anniversary tour.

In a sharp statement, the ABC’s MEAA House Committee said journalists were “beyond disappointed” by the chair’s interference, with more examples of similar behaviour reportedly surfacing since the Media Watch exposé.

Read more

Publishing

RecipeTin writer calls out cookbook author over lookalike bakes

RecipeTin Eats creator Nagi Maehashi has accused Bake With Brooki author Brooke Bellamy of lifting her caramel slice and baklava recipes, saying the similarities are too specific to be chalked up to coincidence.

As Kerrie O’Brien writes on The Sydney Morning Herald, Bellamy, who runs Brooki Bakehouse in Brisbane, released her cookbook through Penguin in October.

Maehashi took to Instagram to share side-by-side comparisons from both books, sparking a flurry of debate among followers.

Read more

Casting director shrugs off backlash over Robbie and Elordi in Wuthering Heights

The casting director behind Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation has defended the decision to cast Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the lead roles, dismissing concerns over age and ethnicity.

Speaking at Scotland’s Sands film festival, Kharmel Cochrane said there was “no need to be accurate” since Emily Brontë’s novel is “just a book”, according to Catherine Shoard in The Guardian.

Set in 18th-century Yorkshire, the story’s depiction of Heathcliff has long sparked debate over race and representation,  though most film versions, until Andrea Arnold’s 2011 take, have cast white actors in the role.

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Agencies

oOh!media quietly starts CEO search as names swirl

Just a day after announcing Cathy O’Connor’s departure, oOh! Media has kicked off its search for a new chief executive, with headhunters already sounding out high-profile contenders.

As Bridget Carter reports in The Australian, industry chatter suggests former Seven and APN boss James Warburton is in the mix, alongside names like Paul AndersonJeff Howard and Brian Gallagher.

Some are even floating a surprise return of founder Brendon Cook, though insiders say that’s unlikely. Warburton, however, is widely seen as a frontrunner.

Read more

Retail

Endeavour taps Hrdlicka, but timing and tennis raise eyebrows

Endeavour Group has broken ranks with cautious boards by handing the reins to high-profile executive Jayne Hrdlicka, though she won’t officially start until January next year.

The appointment ends a long search to replace former CEO Steve Donohue, but questions remain about the fit and the delay, according to Eric Johnston in The Australian.

Hrdlicka, a former Virgin boss and Bain consultant, will juggle board meetings on the side while guiding her son through Year 12, leaving Endeavour in limbo during its crucial summer trading period.

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