Monday May 4, 2026
SCA chair Heith Mackay-Cruise to step down
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise will step down from the board on 30 June 2026, with Teresa Dyson appointed chair-elect as the company enters a period of board transition and shareholder scrutiny.
Dyson will assume the role of independent non-executive chairman from 1 July 2026, after joining the SCA board earlier this year following more than eight years at Seven West Media.
Mackay-Cruise said his departure follows a period of structural change, including the company’s merger with Seven West Media.
“After almost six years on the Board and more than two years as Chairman of Southern Cross Media Group, I am proud to have overseen the restructuring of the Company, combining with Seven West Media to create the largest commercial media platform that services all of Australia,” he said in a statement to the ASX.
“With the appointment of Rohan Lund as our new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, I believe SCA is well-positioned for the future, and it is the right time for me to move on to other challenges.”
Teresa Dyson
Lund outlines reset in internal address
In an internal email to staff obtained by Mediaweek, new CEO Rohan Lund acknowledged the scale of change across the business and set out a plan to reset performance, costs and culture.
“Whether it’s through publishing, audio, television, or digital, we are the custodians of something very special. We don’t just “produce content”, we own the moments that matter. From the roar of the MCG and the latest breaking news, to the storytelling on air and the intimacy of a podcast, we inspire, inform and entertain 22 million people.”
Lund said the transition had taken a toll on staff.
“I can also see it hasn’t been easy. So much change, so many new pressures, so much uncertainty, and for many of you, that original excitement for the business has been buried under the daily grind.”
He said his immediate focus would be on restoring momentum across the company.
“My goal is simple: I want to reignite that spark (the same spark that led us all to media in the first place!). I want to remind you why we do what we do, which has never been more important.”
Lund outlined a series of operational priorities, including revenue growth, cost discipline and a stronger digital focus.
“We need to hustle for the revenue we deserve.
“We need to reset our costs quickly so we have the capacity to do what we do best.
“We need to meet our audience on any device, at any time, with the same creative magic in short and long form. Digital will be at the core of our thinking.”
He also positioned trust and audience connection as central to the strategy.
“Trust will be our currency, and we will earn it through authenticity and deep care. We won’t be distracted by external noise; we will drown it out by simply being the best in the business.”
Lund paid tribute to Mackay-Cruise in the note.
“I want to pay special tribute to Heith Mackay-Cruise, who has decided he will step down as Chair now that the merger is complete. Heith will finish on 30 June and will be succeeded by Teresa Dyson, who is an existing member of the Board and will assume the position of Chair elect.”
“Heith leaves with our gratitude for his stewardship of SCA for the last six years and for his work bringing these two great companies together.”
Rohan Lund
Dyson to lead next phase
Dyson acknowledged Mackay-Cruise’s tenure and pointed to the next phase of integration and performance.
“The Board wishes to gratefully acknowledge Heith’s significant contribution as a Director over the past six years, and particularly in recent years as Chairman, in building SCA’s nation-wide reach and accelerating the integration of our television, audio, digital and publishing assets.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Heith, Rohan and my fellow Directors over the upcoming transition period and as we continue to drive our performance, deliver the full value and synergies of our operations and diverse content platforms, and carefully manage succession on the Board”, she added.
Further board turnover flagged
The transition comes as Ido Leffler is also set to retire from the board on 30 June 2026.
Dyson said: “On behalf of the Board, I sincerely thank Ido for his service as a Director over six years, during which time he has sharpened our digital focus, and helped develop and guide SCA’s strategic growth agenda.”
SCA confirmed it has begun a search for additional independent non-executive directors.
The leadership changes coincide with a move by activist investor Sandon Capital to reshape the board.
SCA said it had received notices under section 203D of the Corporations Act from Sandon Capital, which holds more than 5% of the shares, seeking to remove Mackay-Cruise, Leffler, and Marina Go as directors.
The resolutions are expected to be put to shareholders at SCA’s annual general meeting before 30 November 2026.
The company said the notices are unlikely to affect outcomes, given the planned retirements of Mackay-Cruise and Leffler. It also noted SGH Limited intends to vote its 20% stake in favour of Go’s re-election.
SCA confirmed it has not received any request to call a separate general meeting.
'No future': Abbie Chatfield ruled out as permanent at KIIS
Podcaster and social media identity Abbie Chatfield reportedly has “no future” as a permanent replacement host for the Kyle and Jackie O morning show on KIIS FM.
The Daily Telegraph reported that The Australian Radio Network (ARN) Board has confirmed she has been discounted as a long-term option.
Chatfield, 30, returned today for her second and final week in the breakfast slot.
The show hosted by Jackie O Henderson and Kyle Sandilands was officially cancelled in March, and multiple temporary hosts have been offered to audiences in that time. Georgie Tunney and Mike ‘E’ Etheridge have both had turns, while ARN decides its next step.
While presumably satisfied by Chatfield’s performance – as evidenced by her return for a second week – The Daily Telegraph reports it was told “that management, under CEO Michael Stephenson, operates ‘with editorial freedom’ but the board is not supportive of Chatfield on a full-time basis.”
ARN reportedly added that network’s content team “is utilising temporary presenters while it considers longer-term talent arrangements for breakfast.
“This includes balancing existing and new voices. Longer-term decision-making regarding breakfast presenters sits with management, with the board to be consulted in the latter stages of the appointment process.”
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Controversies with Abbie Chatfield
Chatfield has been involved with a number of controversies in recent years, which may have potentially influenced ARN’s decision as it considers the best fit for listeners and advertisers.
MAFS groom Harrison Boon settled his October 2025 defamation claim against her, after accusing Chatfield of “constant lies, slander and bullying”, which he said cost him business and impacted his reputation.
The popular social media influencer also made headlines last year for a rant against US President Donald Trump, in which she repeatedly used a handgun gesture.
Sky News’ conservative Rita Panahi said this week that Chatfield has been “relentlessly promoted” by the media who’ve “embraced” her “far-left” ideas.
Panahi wrote, “Australian Radio Network continues to stumble from one self-inflicted crisis to another.
“Somehow the brains trust at ARN, who deemed a fight about astrology such an egregious offence that Kyle and Jackie O had to be cancelled, think it’s perfectly fine to put a woman on KIIS who has encouraged people to assassinate President Donald Trump.
“Abbie Chatfield thought it was a great idea to post a video online telling Americans to assassinate their President – and that’s after he had survived two assassination attempts.”
Far-right politician Pauline Hanson also criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his 90-minute podcast interview with Chatfield.
Chatfield’s clashes with the Jewish community
Chatfield received intense backlash from the Jewish community in November 2023, just one month after Hamas attacked Israeli civilians, for claiming she would not “platform a Zionist” on her podcast.
Simone Abel, the head of legal at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that the community was concerned at the prospect of Chatfield being on air long-term.
“This is a broadcaster that is listened to by a very significant number of people, particularly young people, who will be influenced by these views,” Abel said.
“We think it will just sow division and hatred in our country and feel it’s irresponsible that somebody who’s been associated with this type of ideology is being given a platform in this way.
“There’s real concern in the community. We continue to see people espouse poisonous, vile views that cause division … trying to stir up hatred.
“It’s an abrogation of responsibility by broadcasters and platforms to constantly give these fringe voices a lot of sway in our society … and it’s proving to be harmful.
“We would like to see the broadcaster exercise its discretion. It shouldn’t require us to remind these organisations what the right thing to do is.”
The Daily Telegraph stated that: “The ARN board not supporting any extended appointment for Chatfield is perhaps expected given chairman Hamish McLennan’s long-term support for the Jewish community.
“He played an active role in the recent Stand Up To Hate campaign, designed to combat anti-Semitism.”
Top image: Abbie Chatfield. Image: Variety
No one wants to go to the Met Gala. This is probably why
So, they’re discounting tickets to the Met Gala.
Yes, the Met Gala.
The one that, for many, personifies the parties Jay Gatsby once threw: legendary, opulent, and utterly unattainable to us mere mortals.
For others, it’s the one Kim Kardashian went to dressed as a couch.
Exhibit A:
But just as fashion trends fold, so too does the cultural influence of the Gala.
Individual tickets, previously priced between $75,000 and $100,000, and tables costing upwards of $350,000 are reportedly becoming harder to sell at those levels, according to The Daily Beast.
The event remains invitation-only, and attendees still require approval from Anna Wintour. But behind the velvet rope, the commercial dynamics appear to be shifting.
Sources told celebrity gossip columnist Rob Shuter that “prices are coming down because they have to.”
“Designers aren’t buying like they used to. The demand just isn’t there.”
So, what’s going on?
All signs point to something bigger than a slow sales cycle: the waning influence of Vogue as a cultural gatekeeper.
“Vogue doesn’t control the conversation anymore,” a source told Shuter. “And if Vogue isn’t essential, neither is the Met Gala.”
The shift comes after Wintour stepped down as editor-in-chief in 2025, ending a 37-year run and handing the role to Chloe Malle.
Wintour, of course, hasn’t disappeared; she remains at Condé Nast as global chief content officer and artistic director, but the symbolic handover matters. In fashion, perception is the product.
And right now, that perception feels… vague.
Ultimately, it may come down to something as simple as hutzpah, or the lack of it.
Chloe Malle
The style issue
Think of Vogue at its peak, and you picture Wintour: the bob, the shades, the ice-cold precision. Stylish, enigmatic, a little terrifying. Always deliberate. Always chic.
Alas, no more.
In an interview with CNN Style, Malle, yes, a certified Nepo Baby, described her own look as: “If Katharine Hepburn were a librarian.”
She also revealed she has a “Google alert set for my name” and acknowledged that people might find it “confusing” that she dresses differently from Wintour.
“But I like getting dressed, and I’ve always been pretty consistent in the way I dress.”
Fascinating.
She then offered this truly remarkable insight: “I like getting dressed” – a habit, notably, shared by my four-year-old.
But here’s the rub: as head of American Vogue, the role carries an expectation of setting the fashion agenda. Not perfection, but intent.
We don’t want mundanity.
We want aspiration.
Anna Wintour
Bezos enters the chat
Then there’s Jeff Bezos.
The billionaire, alongside his wife Lauren Sánchez, is backing this year’s event, and it’s proving to be just a little bit icky.
Their involvement has become a flashpoint, with Zendaya reportedly skipping the gala, along with several other high-profile names.
Despite the heavy marketing push around The Devil Wears Prada 2, Meryl Streep is said to have declined a co-chair role, with reports linking the decision to the Bezos-Sánchez association.
This is despite Streep appearing on the cover of the latest US Vogue issue alongside Wintour. Talk about confusing optics.
The pullback isn’t limited to Hollywood. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to skip the event, breaking a long-standing tradition of mayoral attendance.
Wintour has attempted to steady the narrative, telling CNN that Sánchez will be “a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event.”
“She’s a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion, so we’re thrilled she’s part of the night,” she said, adding that she was grateful for the couple’s “incredible generosity.”
Activism, optics, and brand risk
The Bezos association hasn’t just stirred whispers; it’s triggered visible backlash.
Activist group Everyone Hates Elon has reportedly funded anti-gala posters across New York in the lead-up to the event.
At the same time, speculation about Bezos potentially acquiring Condé Nast has added another layer of intrigue and unease about where the Met Gala fits within the broader media-power ecosystem.
But when it comes to seats, right now, it doesn’t look like it’ll be taking its spot in the front row anytime soon.
Free TV welcomes two-year broadcast tax suspension
Free TV Australia has welcomed the Albanese Government’s decision to extend the suspension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax for another two years, saying it will provide certainty for commercial television broadcasters.
The extension, to be included in the forthcoming Federal Budget, will continue the 100 per cent rebate of CBT liabilities until 8 June 2028. Free TV said the decision will deliver $111.3 million in savings for the commercial broadcasting sector.
The CBT costs the commercial television industry around $50 million each year. Free TV said the extension recognises the financial pressure on broadcasters as they face declining advertising revenue, competition from global digital platforms and rising costs.
Support for free-to-air television
Free TV said the decision sits alongside other government commitments, including the News Bargaining Incentive, the News Media Assistance Program and a prominence framework for connected TVs.
The organisation said these measures are designed to support the sustainability of local media services and help Australians access free television on connected devices.
Free TV broadcasters invest $1.6 billion each year in Australian content, according to the industry body. It said commercial free-to-air television reaches 19 million Australians each week and delivers 390 local news bulletins across the country.
Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV Australia, said: “We thank Minister Wells and the Albanese Government for recognising the real pressures facing commercial television and taking this important step. This is money that can go directly into Australian content, trusted news, live and free sport, and the infrastructure that keeps free television available to every Australian.
“Today, the Government has shown that it understands the value of commercial television services to Australian communities and has backed it with real action. We remain committed to delivering for the communities that rely on Free TV services and look forward to working with the Albanese Government to keep the policy settings right for the long term so we can do just that.”
Bridget Fair, CEO, Free TV
Broadcasters welcome the decision
Matt Stanton, Chief Executive Officer, Nine Entertainment Co, said commercial broadcasters continue to play a major role in supporting journalism.
“Trusted journalism is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy, and Australian commercial broadcasters carry an enormous share of the load, unlike the global digital platforms. The Government’s decision frees up real resources to support Australian journalism.”
Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10, Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand, Paramount Australia and New Zealand, said Network 10 welcomed the extension.
“Network 10 warmly welcomes this decision from the Albanese Government. The two year extension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax suspension is a meaningful acknowledgement of the pressures facing our industry.
“We are the biggest investors in Australian content and this decision will help ensure we can continue delivering the quality entertainment programming, news and live sport that our audiences depend on. We thank Minister Wells and the Government for their commitment to the future of free-to-air television.”
Rohan Lund, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Southern Cross Media Group, said the extension would support continued investment in local news, sport and entertainment.
“This is a positive step for commercial broadcasters and for the millions of Australians who rely on us every day. The two-year extension means we can keep investing in local newsrooms, live sport and homegrown entertainment that delivers our services to every household.
“A pause, however, is not the same as a permanent fix. The case for permanent abolition of the CBT has never been stronger. It is a tax with no equivalent anywhere in the world, and we look forward to working with the Government to make this relief permanent.”
Regional broadcasters cite local news impact
Andrew Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer, WIN Television, said the decision was particularly important for regional broadcasters.
“For regional Australia, free-to-air television is the connection to local news, local communities and emergency information when bushfires or floods hit. Commercial television is the only place that delivers local television news services.
“Regional licensees like WIN face cost pressures, particularly for transmission, that simply do not apply to global streaming services. This extension gives regional broadcasters breathing room to keep investing in local journalists and the infrastructure that keeps signals reaching every postcode.”
Amy Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Imparja Television, said the extension would support regional and remote broadcasters.
“This is a positive and timely measure that supports the sustainability of the entire free-to-air sector, and regional and remote broadcasters in particular. Imparja operates across some of Australia’s most remote communities, including many First Nations communities.
“This extension is a practical and forward-thinking measure that strengthens the sustainability of free television and ensures that regional and remote Australians remain at the heart of Australia’s media future.”
Nova shakes up Breakfast again with major name change
NOVA Entertainment has officially renamed its Nova 100 breakfast program Jase, Lauren & Clint, finally giving long-time co-host and newsreader Clint Stanaway top billing in the show’s title.
The updated name launched on air this morning, reflecting Stanaway’s expanded role alongside Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips on the Melbourne-based program, as the station looks to consolidate a top-performing Breakfast lineup.
Stanaway, who has been part of the show for several years, said the move marked a significant milestone in his career.
“It’s both incredibly humbling and a really proud moment for me. Jase and Lauren have been so supportive throughout my career, and I’m genuinely grateful to them, to Nova and to the listeners who’ve backed me every step of the way.”
Phillips said the change reflects the existing chemistry between the trio.
“Our show has always been built on the friendship between the three of us, so this change makes perfect sense. It’s been a long time coming, and this is a really special and proud moment for our show.”
Hawkins added: “Saying ‘Clint’s here too’ multiple times a morning really chews up airtime, so the name change just makes sense,” he said.
“Jokes aside, I couldn’t imagine this show without Clint. We’ve become great mates over the years, and I’m so proud of him. His contribution takes our show to a whole other level, and he absolutely deserves this recognition.”
Nova Network’s Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor said the update acknowledges Stanaway’s contribution to the show’s ongoing success.
“Jase, Lauren and Clint have become one of Nova’s strongest and most consistent breakfast teams in the country. Clint’s inclusion in the show name recognises his impact, his connection with the audience and the role he plays in the ongoing success of Nova 100’s Breakfast show.”
Jase, Lauren & Clint airs weekdays from 6am to 9am on Nova 100 in Melbourne, with a national weekend broadcast from 8am to 10am via the Nova Player.
alt/shift/ appointed as El Jannah’s social agency
Independent earned and social creative agency alt/shift/ has been appointed by Lebanese-Australian restaurant group El Jannah to lead its social media account.
alt/shift/ will manage El Jannah’s organic social channels across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, including content strategy, creation and community management.
The agency will develop always-on content, recurring series and reactive social moments.
Adam Issa, Chief Marketing Officer, El Jannah, said: “Social is the front door to our brand and increasingly the first interaction new customers have with El Jannah.
“As we expand into new markets across NSW, VIC and QLD, we need a partner who understands both the brand’s cultural depth and the pace of social. alt/shift demonstrated that from the outset, and we’re looking forward to the work ahead.”
Expansion strategy
The appointment supports El Jannah’s expansion beyond Western Sydney into Sydney’s North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, regional NSW, and Victoria.
Katie Raleigh, Managing Director, alt/shift/, said: “You don’t manufacture the kind of following and love El Jannah has, you earn it. And that’s exactly why we’re the perfect fit for the brand. El Jannah is already iconic, and our role is to keep it moving at the speed of culture and in the right direction as it continues to expand.
“When we heard we’d won what might just be the most fun account in the country, it was an easy call to take! Now we’re ready to do the work that lives up to that reputation.”
The appointment follows a recent pitch win for alt/shift/ with ASICS’ performance running influencer retainer account, alongside ongoing PR projects.
El Jannah joins alt/shift/’s client roster including ASICS, Boost, Therabody, 99 Bikes, Intrepid Travel and Mondelēz.
WPP boss Cindy Rose faces pay fight over A$20.7m deal
WPP chief executive Cindy Rose is facing investor opposition over a proposed pay package that could see her earn up to A$20.7 million a year.
As reported by the Financial Times, proxy advisory groups Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis have recommended shareholders vote against the remuneration plan at WPP’s annual meeting next week.
Why shareholders are being urged to vote no
Rose, a former Microsoft executive, took over from Mark Read, who stepped down in September last year. Read had been in line for a maximum payout of about A$16.2 million before his departure.
Mark Read
ISS said Rose’s proposed remuneration was “out of proportion to the company’s market positioning and its financial performance”. It also said there was “no sufficient justification” for setting her total pay package at a premium to Read’s.
Glass Lewis also recommended investors reject the plan. It cited the size of Rose’s salary on appointment, the balance of financial and non-financial bonus metrics, and the decision to grant long-term incentive awards at maximum level despite a sharp fall in WPP’s share price.
WPP under pressure after share price slide
The vote comes after a difficult period for WPP. Shares in the advertising group have more than halved over the past 12 months, with investors concerned about client losses and the impact of AI tools on parts of its traditional agency work.
WPP lost its place in the FTSE 100 in December after a prolonged decline in its market value. Its shares are now trading at a 17-year low, despite recent client wins including Estée Lauder.
Borders to Coast, the UK’s largest local government pension scheme asset manager, told the Financial Times it would vote against the proposed pay deal. The group owns 0.23 per cent of WPP.
Rose’s turnaround plan
Rose has begun a strategic overhaul of the global agency network. The plan includes cutting about A$943 million in annual costs by 2028 and selling non-core businesses.
The Financial Times previously reported that Burson, WPP’s PR agency, was among the businesses being considered for sale.
ISS said WPP had not sufficiently demonstrated how the proposed pay framework would support the company’s strategy or help deliver a meaningful turnaround.
WPP said it had undertaken extensive consultation with shareholders on the proposed changes, with “strong support indicated from the vast majority”.
The company added that the changes were “essential to align us with global peers, restore growth and position WPP as a company fit for the future and built to win”.
Herald Sun launches Sam Landsberger sports journalism fellowship
The Herald Sun, Melbourne Press Club and Western Bulldogs have launched the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship, honouring the legacy of the award-winning sports journalist who died in 2024 aged 35.
The fellowship will give a Western Suburbs school leaver or university graduate the chance to build skills across sports journalism and club media.
The six-month placement includes four months with the Herald Sun sports team and two months with the Western Bulldogs’ media team.
What is the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship?
The fellowship has been created to support emerging sports reporters from Melbourne’s western suburbs.
It brings together three organisations closely connected to Landsberger’s career and life: the Herald Sun, Melbourne Press Club and Western Bulldogs Football Club.
Sam Weir, editor of the Herald Sun, said the fellowship would help young sports fans turn their interest into a professional pathway.
“Sam was an invaluable member of the Herald Sun team and relished breaking the big stories. He was respected by AFL players and coaches and loved by our readers. This offers young sports fanatics a chance to turn their passion into a career,” Weir said.
Sam Weir
Honouring Landsberger’s career and legacy
Nick Richardson, CEO of the Melbourne Press Club, said the fellowship was a fitting way to recognise Landsberger’s commitment to journalism.
“I worked with Sam when he was starting out, and every day, he just wanted to get better. Providing an opportunity for someone to follow in his footsteps is a great way to honour his memory,” Richardson said.
Ameet Bains, CEO of the Western Bulldogs, said the initiative also reflected the Landsberger family’s long connection with the AFL club.
“The Landsberger family has been a key part of the Bulldogs’ family for decades now, so to be able to honour Sam’s memory and legacy this way is fantastic,” Bains said.
Applications for the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship are now open.
Top image: Sam Landsberger
Suncorp leans into Queensland’s extremes with ‘Resilience Never Rests’ platform
Suncorp has launched a new iteration of its long-running resilience platform, unveiling ‘Resilience Never Rests’ in partnership with Leo Australia.
The campaign focuses on the dual reality of life in Queensland, where natural beauty and extreme weather coexist and can shift in an instant.
The platform reflects a core insight: resilience in Queensland is not reactive; it is constant.
Rather than focusing solely on disaster response, the campaign highlights how Queenslanders prepare for, adapt to and live with environmental extremes every day.
Storytelling over disaster tropes
The creative, produced by Scoundrel and directed by Sam Brown, takes a different approach to the insurance category.
Shot entirely in-camera, the campaign uses a storybook-style stage play seen through the eyes of a young girl navigating her journey home, capturing the volatility of the Sunshine State in a visually distinctive way.
The approach deliberately moves away from traditional disaster-led messaging, opting instead for something more emotive and unexpected.
A local insight
Mim Haysom, CMO and executive general manager brand and customer experience at Suncorp, said the campaign reflects the lived experience of Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders don’t experience nature in one way; they live with both its beauty and its risk, and therefore resilience is a necessary way of life,” she said.
She added that the platform reinforces Suncorp’s role in supporting customers across every stage, from preparation to recovery.
Creative grounded in truth
Tim Woolford, executive creative director at Leo Australia, said the campaign’s strength lies in its authenticity.
“This campaign strikes a chord because of its truth. Queensland is beautiful, but living there has its challenges,” he said.
“By holding both realities in the same frame, the work reflects what people experience every day.”
Building on a long-term platform
The campaign builds on Suncorp’s broader investment in resilience, including initiatives such as One House, which explores how homes can better withstand natural hazards, and Haven, a data-led platform that translates risk into practical actions for households.
‘The Tale of Two Queenslands’ will launch in May, rolling out across TV, online video, out-of-home, social and digital channels.
Credits:
Suncorp
Mim Haysom – EGM Brand and Customer Experience
Rapthi Thanapalasingam – Head of Brand and Content
Travis Hughes – Marketing Manager
Sally Frank – Marketing Lead
LEO/Publicis Production
Clare Pickens – Chief Executive Officer
Andy Fergusson – Chief Creative Officer
Tim Woolford – Executive Creative Director
Stacey Karayannis – Creative Director
Rosie Stone – Associate Creative Director
Tim Yates – Senior Art Director
Amanda Wheeler – Chief Client Partner
Alex Barkworth – Group Business Director
Ali Jeffrey – Senior Business Manager
Mitch Hunter – Group Strategy Director
Michael Demosthenous – National Director of Production
Leigh Woodhams – Senior Producer
SCOUNDREL
Sam Brown – Director
Polly Ruskin – Producer
Adrian Shapiro – Co-Founder /Executive Producer
Aaron McLisky – DOP
Production Designer – Herman Lampen
POST – ARC
Editor – Lucas Baynes
Music and Sound – Studio Tonic @itsstudiotonic
Sound Designer – Simon Lister
Composer – Emma Greenhill at Studio Tonic
Chief Executive Producer – Emma Duncan
Executive Producer – Laura-Leigh Le Brocque
Music Director – Ramesh Sathiah
VO Artist – Phoebe Taylor
OMD – Media Strategy
Lisa Leach – Client Partner
Will Thornton – Business Director
Paul Baker – Head of Business Strategy
Bianca Eagles – Account Manager
Open Era – Media Implementation
Celia Blackwood – Managing Director
Sophie Setton – Connections Planning Director
Lee Vargas-Figueroa – Implementation & Activation Director
Top Image: Suncorp
Only 5% of CMOs know why customers buy - and just 4% think their marketing actually works
Just 5% of senior marketing leaders are confident their teams understand why customers choose their brand, or why they walk away, new research has found.
Even fewer, just 4%, believe their marketing actually changes customer behaviour.
A growing industry blind spot
The findings come from The Behavioural Blind Spot, a 2026 white paper based on original research by Flowing Bee, conducted in December 2025 with 112 senior marketing leaders across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nearly half (45%) of respondents said their teams rely on intuition or past experience as a primary source of customer understanding.
Michael Sankey
Flowing Bee, co-founded in 2023 by behavioural scientist Dr Michael Sankey, works with ASX-listed and global enterprises across Australia, the US, UK and Europe.
“Nineteen in twenty marketing leaders are spending budgets without really knowing why their customers behave the way they do,” Sankey said. “That is a huge risk when every dollar is under pressure to perform.”
Three gaps driving the problem
The research highlights three structural gaps that compound with every campaign cycle.
First, teams default to gut feel, with 45% relying on intuition or executive opinion when evidence is lacking.
Second, insight is often lost in execution, with 55% of organisations splitting insight, execution and measurement across different teams or suppliers.
Third, measurement remains weak. Around 37% cited poor post-campaign learning as a key constraint, with reporting showing what changed, but not why.
Data without understanding
Sankey argues the issue is not a lack of data, but a lack of behavioural understanding.
“Marketers are doing the best they can with what’s available, and what’s available shows them what customers do, not why,” he said.
He added that most existing tools, including analytics, CRM, and surveys, are designed to track behaviour rather than explain it.
Fixing the gap
According to Sankey, the solution lies in shifting when behavioural insight is applied.
“The only way to break the cycle is to address it at the root, by building behavioural understanding before execution begins,” he said. “That means asking why before the brief is written, not after the channel is chosen.”
The full white paper outlines a framework for closing the gap, along with practical questions that marketing leaders can apply immediately.
Top Image: Flowing Bee
Rowena Millward's new book ‘Rapid Reinvention’ tackles the AI tsunami
If there is one universal truth in the media and marketing industries right now, it is that everyone currently faces a transformation. But according to Rowena Millward, 70% of those transformations fail to realise their intended value.
Millward is no stranger to the gritty reality of leadership. The former Johnson & Johnson leader built a formidable reputation as an executive consultant and personal growth expert.
She draws on her background in psychology and neuroscience to help leaders. Trade audiences also know her as the host of the Uncomfortable Growth Uncut podcast, where she interviews high profile leaders about their most challenging moments.
To address the staggering failure rate of modern business overhauls, Millward officially launched her new book, Rapid Reinvention. She addressed a packed room at the ADMA offices in Barangaroo.
The comprehensive guide offers a new framework to help leaders navigate corporate change in an increasingly volatile landscape.
Fixing the plane while flying
David Morgan MC’d the launch event. In a true test of marital endurance, Morgan revealed Millward tasked him with proofreading the entire 80,000-word manuscript in a blistering 48-hour sprint.
Proving that executive decision making extends well into the domestic sphere, Morgan survived the sleepless ordeal to frame the core challenge modern leaders face.
“There is no leader that we talk to who doesn’t say we’re going through some sort of transformation right now,” Morgan told the crowd. “We’re learning how to fix the plane as we’re flying the plane. We’re trying to keep the wheels on, but we’re also trying to fix and transform, and nobody is telling us how to do that.”
Despite the tight deadline and a few minor dinner table disputes over British semicolon usage, Morgan praised Rapid Reinvention for offering an end to end framework. He noted that Millward’s extensive consulting experience across pharmacy, wagering, banking, and insurance informs a model that measures the emotional toll of change alongside traditional business metrics.
Rowena Millward tackles the tsunami of AI coming change in ‘Rapid-Reinvention’. Image: file
The crap factor in corporate change
Addressing the room, Millward described the book as her greatest work. She drew a line from the early digital transformation era of websites and social media straight into the current artificial intelligence boom.
AI, Millward noted, is a completely different beast. While the digital era largely rewarded execution, AI demands generative thinking.
She pointed out that human beings are biologically incapable of accessing generative thought when they feel stressed and overwhelmed.
This disconnect leads to what Millward affectionately calls “the crap factor,” a term she first coined during her time at Johnson & Johnson.
“You have the beautiful strategy slide, and it looks so nice and clean and delightful,” Millward explained. “And then the leadership team leaves the room. What happens over the next six, 12, 18 months is the crap factor.”
Navigating the AI tsunami
Millward broke down the “crap factor” into three distinct friction points that routinely derail businesses.
First, modern workplaces push employees to the brink. When people lack the capacity to think creatively, they cannot deliver the generative thinking required to leverage AI effectively.
Second, companies often roll out new structures without updating the underlying processes. This misalignment creates silos and horizontal friction, which prevents the collaboration needed for true growth.
Finally, constant and poorly managed change triggers fear. Fear shuts down curiosity and reduces discretionary effort across the board.
“With what’s coming, it’s like we’re in a little canoe and there’s a tsunami coming,” Millward said. “We think if we paddle faster in our canoe, we’ll be able to ride out the tsunami, but we won’t. We actually need to build a ship.”
Ultimately, Rapid Reinvention helps leaders design organisations to absorb and metabolise change without sacrificing the people inside them. Millward argued that the traditional approach of doing more with less only weakens the overall system.
For an industry staring down the barrel of an AI revolution, building that ship has never been more urgent.
Feature image- ‘Rapid Reinvention’.
News woos Indies with pub trivia and bin chickens
The standard corporate media lunch is on notice. Recognising that younger demos actively dodge stuffy networking events, News Australia has traded white tablecloths for cold pints and an ibis trophy to court the booming independent agency sector.
The publisher recently hosted its inaugural ‘Indies Agency Pub Trivia’ night, drawing more than 70 representatives from 15 different independent agencies.
While the focus remained heavily on engaging junior and mid-weight talent, senior leaders from shops like This Is Flow also joined the fray.
A two-pronged indie strategy
News Australia Head of Independent Agencies NSW Natalia Papas and National Head of Client Marketing, Growth and Experience Natasha Cormier spearheaded the concept. The independent space has evolved at a breakneck pace and they realised their engagement strategy needed to evolve right alongside it.
“Gone are the days where the lunches and the standard entertainment options are what engages people and what they remember,” Papas said. “We wanted to have that two-pronged approach, where Frontiers was very much a senior play, and Indies Agency Pub Trivia was a way to connect with a younger generation.”
The trivia format offered a relaxed environment for agency players to interact with the News Australia team and key brands like Tubi.
Andrew ‘Bucky’ Bucklow stumping the trivia crowd. Image: supplied
Enter the bin chicken
news.com.au reporter Andrew Bucklow took on hosting duties for the evening. He wrangled the crowd through three rounds of trivia, and a celebrity baby photo challenge.
But, the ultimate drawcard was the decidedly unconventional prize on offer.
Instead of a standard bar tab, the winning team earned the right to take home the ‘Bucky Bin Chicken Trophy’.
Bucklow presented the shiny ibis to the crowd with a mix of pride and mild horror.
“I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that I have been immortalised as a bird that is famous for being a dirty public nuisance, but it is kind of on brand for me,” Bucklow said.
He warned the victors they had to proudly display the bird in their office until the next trivia night. But did question whether that served as an incentive to play harder or a reason to intentionally lose.
The winning team from Thump Media and branded, ‘The Strait of News’. L to R, Bethany Ross, Natalia Papas, Costa Panagos, Sherdil Khan, Brendan Roy, Kelvin Nguyen, Isabella Johnson, then L to R below is Ashleigh Schultz, Rianna Danis and Alisha Benakis. Image: supplied
Puns, pints, and future plans
The independent agency sector embraced the spirit of the night, unleashing a barrage of pun-heavy team names. The roster included Pretty Fly for a KPI, The Strait of News, Game of Phones, and The Fabulous Four Eyes.
Given the enthusiastic turnout, News Corp is already eyeing a broader rollout. Papas suggested the trivia format could become a quarterly fixture and potentially expand across other consortium teams or into different states.
“Honestly, for me, the most important thing about today is relationship building,” Papas said. “This is all about creating those moments of connection, actual genuine relationship-building exercises.”
Feature image- Andrew Bucklow.