As the dust settles on the news that The Kyle & Jackie O Show is over, new insights are emerging about what life was like behind the scenes of what was once Australia’s most lucrative breakfast radio program.

One former staffer is now lifting the lid on the pressure of working on the show’s digital operation – and the fallout from one of its most controversial moments.

Appearing on the podcast Behind the Mic with Mike E, social media creator and former Kyle & Jackie O Show staffer Mitchell Coombs reflected on the infamous “Virgin Mary” controversy that erupted while he was responsible for producing content for the show’s social channels.

During the episode, Coombs described to host Michael Etheridge the intense pressure to produce a constant stream of viral material for the show’s online platforms – a pace that, he says, ultimately contributed to the clip being posted.

According to Coombs, he had initially flagged the segment internally as potentially offensive and had intentionally left the footage unedited in the team’s internal “content bank.” But on a hectic day when new material was urgently needed, the clip was uploaded.

Coombs said he realised almost immediately that something had gone wrong.

“I checked the video after like 20 minutes. I was on a Tinder date… and I was like, ‘Oh f—.’

People weren’t even outraged yet; it was long-time listeners saying they were genuinely hurt.

I deleted the video immediately, but the damage was done.”

Industry weighs what happens next

The resurfaced story arrives as the future of ARN’s flagship breakfast franchise remains uncertain.

In a statement posted to the ASX on Tuesday evening, ARN Media confirmed that Jacqueline Henderson had formally stepped away from the show.

“ARN Media Limited [ASX: A1N] announces that Ms Jacqueline Henderson has given notice that she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands,’” the statement reads.

“Accordingly, ARN has terminated the services agreement with Henderson Media Pty Ltd, under which Ms Henderson presents the Kyle and Jackie O show. Ms Henderson will cease to present the Kyle and Jackie O show. ARN has also offered to Ms Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the ARN network.”

The decision effectively ends one of Australian radio’s most successful and lucrative on-air partnerships.

In 2023, Henderson and Kyle Sandilands signed a 10-year contract reportedly worth around $200 million with ARN, locking the pair into KIIS FM breakfast until 2034.

That deal underpinned ARN’s broader strategy to scale The Kyle & Jackie O Show beyond Sydney, including its high-profile Melbourne launch in 2024.

As previously reported by Mediaweek, the scale of that investment meant the program carried enormous strategic weight within the business, with executives effectively wagering that national expansion would deliver the audience growth and advertising returns required to justify the outlay.

With Henderson’s services agreement now terminated, ARN can no longer rely on the original structure of that blockbuster arrangement. The pairing that anchored the 10-year strategy is finished.

Whether Sandilands remedies the alleged breach – or whether ARN moves to terminate his agreement with Quasar Media – will determine the next chapter.

Legal and financial questions linger

The breakdown of the partnership is also raising questions among investors about how the contracts underpinning the deal may now play out.

Investor David Kingston of K Capital, who holds a small stake in ARN Media but enough to stir debate at its annual general meeting, believes the situation may prove more complex than simply enforcing a notice period.

Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Kingston suggested legal protections around Jacqueline “Jackie O” Henderson’s exit are likely already in play.

“I’d be surprised if Jackie’s lawyers have not handled this in a manner to preserve their claim,” he said.

Kyle’s future still in play

Despite the upheaval, host of The Quarter Hour Podcast and media commentator Wade Kingsley believes Sandilands is unlikely to disappear from broadcasting altogether.

“I can’t see a world where Kyle isn’t a broadcaster,” Kingsley told Mediaweek.

“Whether that’s on a podcast, whether he’s on talkback radio or whether he’s back on the breakfast show. I think when you’re on the number one FM Breakfast show in Sydney, and you’ve lived all your life for this opportunity, I think you’d still crawl over cut glass to keep that opportunity.

“Kyle’s highly ambitious, but also highly competent,” he said.

Kingsley also questioned some of the characterisation of the on-air incident that triggered the breakdown between the pair.

“I think it’s interesting that what was clearly one person admonishing another is now being framed as a fight. It didn’t sound like a fight. It sounded like one person publicly admonishing and embarrassing a coworker.”

Jackie’s future – and a striking contrast

For ARN, however, the bigger challenge may be extracting value from two high-profile personalities who no longer want to work together.

Kingsley said the network’s most pragmatic option may be to separate the pair and build new formats around each.

“Clearly, he’ll have to try and do that without Jackie, which will affect ratings, but hopefully Jackie finds something within ARN that she’s happy to do and that ARN are happy for her to do that.

Kingsley suggested the most pragmatic path forward for ARN Media may be to lean into the individual strengths of both presenters, even if they are no longer willing to work together.

In his view, the network’s best option would be to renegotiate the existing arrangements so it can use the services of Sandilands and Henderson separately – and ultimately make each performer more profitable on their own.

Meanwhile, Henderson’s recent claims that she can no longer work with Sandilands also stand in stark contrast to her earlier description of their relationship.

In her memoir The Whole Truth, released last year, Henderson wrote at length about the closeness of their decades-long partnership.

“Take Kyle,” she wrote towards the end of the book. “I love him unconditionally for all his wonderful traits, and I love him even more for his perceived flaws. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Kyle’s belief in us and his incredible talent.”

She continued: “He’s always had my back, and I’ve had his.”

The passage concludes with a line that now reads with particular resonance given the current circumstances.

“Our bond is unbreakable, standing the test of time, and I know we’ll remain loyal to each other forever.”

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US President Donald Trump continues to invest in the future of streaming giant, Netflix.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Trump has been adding more Netflix bonds to his personal portfolio, a detail made known in financial disclosures released by the White House this week.

The disclosures show that Trump bought between $600,000 and $1.25 million ($848 000 – $1.7m AUD) worth of Netflix debt in January, adding to the $500 000 to $1 million ($70 6634 – $1.4 AUD) in Netflix bonds that he purchased in December 2025.

The December purchases were made soon after Netflix’s $83 billion ($117b AUD) proposed deal with Warners Bros. Discovery was announced.

At the time, a White House official told The Hollywood Reporter , “The President’s investments replicate established indexes.

“Neither President Trump nor any member of his family has any ability to direct, influence, or provide input regarding how the portfolio is invested or when investments are bought or sold. All investment decisions are made entirely by independent managers.”

 

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Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery billion dollar deal

Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery has fallen apart at the eleventh hour, as Paramount Skydance has made a “superior” proposal to buy the conglomerate for $156 AUD billion.

Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the deal Netflix negotiated offered shareholder value and “a clear path to regulatory approval”. However, they said the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer was no longer financially attractive.

“We’ve always been disciplined,” the pair said. “At the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid.”

Sarandos and Peters also thanked WBD executives and directors for what they described as “a fair and rigorous process”, naming David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer and the WBD board.

They said Netflix believed it would have been “strong stewards” of Warner Bros’ brands, but stressed the transaction was “a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price”.

Netflix added that its business remains “healthy, strong and growing organically”. The company said it expects to invest about $20 billion this year in films and series, and to expand its overall entertainment offering.

News of Netflix’s withdrawal from the WBD deal has seen the streaming giant’s shares surge.

Main image: Donald Trump

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Oprah Winfrey‘s high-profile best friend Gayle King will renew her contract as the star anchor of CBS Mornings, ending months of speculation.

As previously reported, King’s current contract concludes at the end of May and is worth between $13 million and $15 million USD.

The New York Post reports that according to one source, talk of a major pay cut – up to 50 percent – was circulating on Wednesday.

King’s high salary had been a point of contention as the show’s viewers slipped below 1.8 million in recent weeks, trailing behind NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America, which average around 3.2 million and 3.1 million, respectively.

“Rumours of my demise were inaccurate and greatly exaggerated,” King said in a statement on Wednesday.

“CBS News is my longtime home, and I am committed to our mission. I’m excited about continuing at CBS Mornings.

“As always, I’m open to new adventures here and ready to go. It took a minute, but we got there. And now that we are here, I am all in.”

 

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Gayle King’s new CBS contract

King’s new contract comes after last month’s exit of veteran journalist Anderson Cooper from the network.

CBS News has been having a headline-grabbing revamp under editor in chief Bari Weiss, since her appointment in October 2025. 

“There is only one Gayle King. We’re so proud that she’ll continue to call CBS home. We’re thrilled to have her on in the morning – and equally excited to work with her on new, enterprising projects that bring her talents to new audiences.” said Weiss, in a statement today.

The terms of King’s new contract have not been revealed.

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Val Morgan has launched a new sales intelligence tool designed to help brands better understand the real sales impact of their VMO and Val Morgan Cinema campaigns.

The tool forms the latest development within Val Morgan’s cross-channel audience measurement platform, Validate, which was first announced last year.

Measuring performance beyond media metrics

The sales intelligence tool aims to move beyond traditional media metrics by providing a broader view of campaign performance.

It measures outcomes in context, benchmarking campaign results against brand performance, category trends and competitor activity. This allows advertisers to understand not only the growth they generate, but also where they are gaining market share.

The tool delivers insights across a wide range of retail sectors, including grocery, pharmacy, petrol, convenience, beauty, alcohol and department stores.

Paul Butler, Managing Director of VMO, said the offering provides marketers with deeper visibility into retail performance.

“FMCG and retail marketers want full clarity on their campaign performance and we’re the only publisher delivering a truly comprehensive view of sales attribution across the entire retail landscape,” Butler said.

“For a grocery brand, that means not just visibility into Coles or Woolworths, but performance data also spanning Aldi, Costco, IGA, Harris Farm and beyond. When you add the ability to track performance across a brand’s own portfolio and benchmark against competitor products, the level of granularity is truly unmatched in the market.”

Early results with foundation partners

The product has already been trialled with Omnicom Media Foundation clients PepsiCo and Telfast.

Early results showed that Pepsi Max experienced an uplift in average weekly sales value among audiences exposed to campaigns compared with non-exposed audiences.

Performance improved further when audiences were reached across multiple channels.

Carolyn Baveystock, Head of Media and Data at PepsiCo ANZ, said the tool offers greater clarity around campaign influence.

“Val Morgan’s sales intelligence tool gives us a clearer read on who we are influencing, how that compares within our category and competitor set, and the confidence to turn those insights into sharper planning for what comes next,” Baveystock said.

Emma Wood, Head of Media Partnerships at PHD, added that the early trial has strengthened confidence in media investment decisions.

“Being one of the first to trial the tool as a foundation partner has given us greater clarity and confidence in our investment decisions. It’s helped us connect activity to outcomes more holistically, strengthen our effectiveness story with real evidence, and capture the insights that matter most, so our campaigns become smarter, faster.”

The Validate sales intelligence tool is now available to brands as part of Val Morgan’s campaign solutions, with further product developments expected in mid-2026.

Top Image: Val Morgan

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oOh!media has launched four large-format digital billboards along Melbourne’s EastLink corridor, expanding its digital network across one of the city’s busiest commuter motorways.

The newly converted sites in Ringwood, Scoresby, Wantirna South and Dandenong South are positioned to capture traffic moving between the Eastern, Monash, Frankston and Peninsula Link freeways.

Expanding reach across a major commuter route

EastLink connects Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs with the Mornington Peninsula, with up to 250,000 vehicles travelling along the 39-kilometre motorway each day.

The new digital sites aim to provide brands with increased visibility across high-traffic commuter routes linking work, lifestyle and leisure destinations.

Mark Fairhurst, chief revenue officer at oOh!media, said the additions strengthen the company’s digital offering for advertisers.

“Bringing these locations into our digital portfolio gives advertisers access to high-value moments of attention along a motorway that connects work, lifestyle and leisure,” Fairhurst said.

“Our focus is always on unlocking opportunities for brands, and this development strengthens our ability to partner with agencies and marketers to deliver campaigns that reach the right audience and drive measurable outcomes. These new assets further elevate our Melbourne network and provide even more ways for advertisers to connect with audiences at scale.”

Broader expansion across Melbourne

The EastLink rollout forms part of a broader expansion across Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs.

Two additional premium billboard sites are also now live on Toorak Road in South Yarra and at the intersection of Warrigal Road in Camberwell.

The Toorak Road location sits within a dense inner-city retail and residential precinct, offering brands exposure in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after lifestyle areas.

The expansion follows oOh!media securing the EastLink tender in late 2024, alongside the Transurban motorway contracts in Melbourne and Brisbane announced last year. The company also represents Transurban’s CityLink network in Melbourne.

Top Image: oOh!media

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WPP Media is bolstering its leadership bench in Sydney, appointing Nancy Lan to oversee a heavyweight client portfolio at Mindshare, including Unilever, DAZN (Foxtel), IKEA, uBank and Blackmores.

Lan joins the agency as Client Managing Director, bringing more than two decades of global leadership experience spanning Australia, Asia and Europe.

In the role, she will lead Mindshare’s Sydney client teams and work across the agency’s largest accounts, with a focus on delivering connected media solutions designed to drive commercial growth.

The appointment signals a continued push by WPP Media to deepen senior client leadership across its agency brands amid intensifying competition for major advertisers.

From airline partnerships to agency leadership

Lan arrives from Virgin Australia, where she most recently served as Head of Retail, Partnerships & Revenue Growth.

During her tenure, she led the launch of the airline’s long-haul partnership with Qatar Airways, strengthened Virgin’s relationship with the AFL, and helped build the airline’s retail media strategy to unlock new enterprise-wide revenue streams.

Before joining Virgin, Lan spent several years within Publicis Groupe, including as National Managing Director of Starcom Australia, where she oversaw a team of 130 and secured major new business, including TPG Telecom, Tourism Tasmania, Pfizer and Miele.

Her experience also includes senior leadership roles in Shanghai and London, giving her, the agency says, a rare end-to-end view across brands, media owners and agencies.

Building capability across Mindshare’s client portfolio

Mindshare Australia CEO Maria Grivas said Lan’s appointment comes at a critical moment as the agency continues to scale its commercial and strategic capabilities.

“Nancy is an exceptional leader whose commercial sharpness, client empathy and transformational mindset make her a perfect fit for our team,” Grivas said.

“She brings global perspective, deep cross-category experience and a proven ability to unlock good growth for complex brands. What stands out most is her ability to build high-performing teams and foster cultures where people and clients thrive. We’re thrilled to welcome her to WPP Media and Mindshare and are excited about the impact she will have across our Sydney client portfolio.”

In her new role, Lan will lead client teams working across several of Mindshare’s largest accounts while helping shape culture and performance across the Sydney office.

Reflecting on the move, Lan said she sees the agency as well placed to support brands navigating increasingly complex media and marketing environments.

“I’m energised to join Mindshare at a pivotal moment in its growth journey. The agency’s ambition – fusing innovation, human understanding and commercial discipline – creates a powerful platform for clients navigating increasingly complex markets,” Lan said.

“I’m excited to partner with our clients to unlock sustainable growth, turning strategy into measurable business impact and long-term competitive advantage.”

The appointment comes as WPP positions its media collective for what it describes as the “AI era”, bringing together platform technology, talent and partnerships to drive growth for brands globally.

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Meta has announced the launch of the inaugural Meta ANZ Agency Awards, recognising agencies across Australia and New Zealand that deliver creative, media, and strategic outcomes across its platforms.

The awards were unveiled at the Meta Australian Agency Summit and aim to celebrate agency excellence at a time when AI is reshaping the marketing landscape.

Seven award categories announced

Agencies from across Australia and New Zealand are invited to submit entries across seven categories, recognising innovation, strategy and performance.

The categories include Performance Powerhouse, Full Funnel Excellence, Reel Impact, Creator-Led Growth, Tech Enabled Growth, Measurement & Advanced Analytics, and Planner of the Year.

The awards aim to recognise agencies that are using Meta’s tools and platforms to drive measurable business outcomes and deliver innovative campaigns.

Entries are open from 4 March 2026 and will close on 18 September 2026, with winners set to be announced in October. The awards are free to enter, and agencies may submit multiple entries.

Recognising a new era of agency innovation

The launch comes as Meta continues to expand its AI-powered creative, measurement and automation tools designed to help agencies deliver stronger results for clients.

Carolyn Bollaci, Meta ANZ Agency Director, said the awards recognise agencies redefining what effective marketing looks like.

“The rules of marketing have changed, and we believe it’s all about resonance, innovation and engaging experiences. There has never been a more important time not only for agencies, but for all of us across the industry to rethink how we define and deliver impact,” Bollaci said.

“The shift is reshaping the standards across Australia and New Zealand for what ‘great’ looks like in our industry. In this moment of transformation, we believe that our success, and the success of our shared clients, depends on great work, done differently.

“The ANZ Meta Agency Awards are designed to recognise the teams and individuals who are setting a new benchmark that is bold, strategic and delivering real impact. As a long-term partner to agencies across Australia and New Zealand, we’re committed to championing the work that is raising the bar.”

The awards will be judged by a panel of Meta representatives and external industry leaders, with winning agencies given the opportunity to showcase their work to the wider industry.

Top Image: Meta

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If you’ve ever thought to yourself, ‘music gives me life,’ well, now it can keep you going in the afterlife.

Spotify has teamed up with US canned water brand Liquid Death to create what might be the most on-brand collector’s item of the year: a limited-edition urn with a built-in wireless speaker.

Designed as both a resting place and a sound system, the speaker-urn hybrid is available exclusively in the US in limited quantities. It’s being positioned as the first wireless speaker designed to carry your music taste into the post-life.

The Bluetooth urns have already sold out across the US and are fittingly in a better place now.

The concept is simple, if slightly surreal. The urn stores your ashes, while a speaker embedded in the lid plays your carefully curated eternal soundtrack.

Whether that soundtrack leans more toward “heavenly choir” or “depths of hell” depends entirely on your playlist.

How does it work?

To complete the experience, Spotify has created an “Eternal Playlist Generator”.

Users answer questions like “What’s your eternal vibe?” and “What’s your go-to ghost noise?” Based on those responses and your listening history, Spotify generates a personalised mix designed to soundtrack life and beyond.

@jennaezarik Probably my first and last ever urn unboxing 😂 Spotify collaborated with liquid death to make this very special urn speaker! You can actually make your own eternal playlist, so go check that out @Spotify! @Liquid Death #gifted ♬ original sound – Jenna

There is, however, a catch.

The collector’s urn comes with a price tag of approximately AUD $707.

For comparison, a standard urn would cost significantly less. But if you’re willing to invest in premium post-life audio, this might just be your final upgrade.

After all, if you’re going all out, you may as well go out and get a $AUD 3,995 Supreme-branded casket to pair it.

Top Image: AI

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Nine has unveiled a heavyweight roster of commercial partners for the 2026 Telstra NRL Premiership, with a mix of returning blue-chip advertisers and new category entrants signing on.

The broadcaster says the new lineup underscores the continued appetite from major brands to tap into the scale and cultural pull of the NRL ecosystem, which will deliver more than 145 games live and free across the 9Network this season.

The sponsorship roster includes headline partners Telstra, Harvey Norman, McDonald’s, Youi Insurance and Sportsbet, all of whom retain significant category exclusivity across the men’s and women’s Premierships, State of Origin and the Finals Series.

They are joined by Ford, Kia and Isuzu UTE, alongside Westpac, Chemist Warehouse and Lion, while new partners Carnival Cruise Line and Jim Beam have come on board as full Sunday Afternoon sponsors.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures has secured a strategic presence within the State of Origin series.

Nine doubles down on the NRL marketing machine

The announcement comes as Nine leans further into what it describes as an “always on” sports marketing ecosystem, combining live broadcasts with shoulder programming, digital extensions and radio coverage.

Andrew Cann, Nine’s National Commercial Director – Sport, said the scale of the NRL platform continues to attract brands looking for year-round visibility.

“Nine’s offering goes from strength to strength and, for brands, our ‘always on’ strategy provides the ultimate marketing platform that spans the majority of the year,” he said.

“We are privileged to welcome back our returning partners and sponsors, as well as the new brands joining us.”

The 2026 season also carries broader significance for the sport, with the league preparing for the arrival of the Perth Bears in 2027, a move expected to cement rugby league’s national footprint. Nine says the current season offers brands a strategic runway to activate campaigns ahead of that expansion.

A 24/7 ecosystem for brands

Beyond the match broadcast itself, Nine is increasingly positioning its rugby league coverage as a cross-platform content ecosystem spanning television, streaming, radio, and digital.

Programming such as 100% Footy, Wide World of Sports, podcasts, 9Now specials and the Continuous Call Team radio coverage are all part of that strategy.

The network is also introducing new commercial formats this year, including a 15-second Solus spot immediately following conversion attempts on Nine Radio’s Continuous Call Team, designed to place brands at the centre of the game’s most intense moments.

Sarah Stewart, Nine’s Director of Content Partnerships and Client Experience in Powered, said the goal is to extend brand integration beyond the traditional 80 minutes of play.

“In 2026, we are going beyond the full 80 minutes to ensure brands connect with highly-engaged NRL fans like never before,” she said.

“We will be delivering nearly 900 hours of NRL content this year and, with the upcoming entry of the Perth Bears in 2027, we are providing a runway for brands to activate their marketing campaigns on a national scale never before seen in the NRL.”

Innovation and new fan experiences

As part of the push, Nine will also utilise Australia’s first fully virtual 360-degree studio, previously used during the Winter Olympics, alongside expanded player storytelling designed to bring fans closer to the game.

The network says the enhancements create more premium brand touchpoints across its coverage.

According to research cited by Nine, 77% of fans believe Nine’s NRL broadcast delivers the best viewing experience across all sporting events, while 79% see the NRL as a strong endorser for brands.

Coverage of the 2026 season continues across the 9Network, 9Now and Nine Radio, with Round 1 featuring Melbourne Storm versus Parramatta Eels, followed by Friday Night Footy and Sunday Arvo Footy matchups.

Main image: 2025 NRL Premiership Winners

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Kayo Sports and Fox Sports have appointed Ted Helliar as Director of Engagement, Community and Fandom, a newly created role designed to deepen connections with sports fans across the platforms.

In an internal email sighted by Mediaweek, Hilary Perchard, CEO of Kayo Sports, BINGE and Foxtel, said the appointment reflects a deeper focus on fan engagement as the platforms continue to grow.

New role created

“Our brands are among the most loved in Australia and, as we continue to grow, we’re doubling down on what matters most, our fans,” Perchard wrote.

“To take fan engagement to the next level across Kayo Sports and Fox Sports, we’re creating a dedicated role focused on building deeper, more meaningful connections with the communities that power our success and allow us to invest in the growth of Australian sport.”

Helliar’s past experiences

Perchard said Helliar brings strong experience across sport, media and agency environments.

“Aligned with the global passion for fan engagement that DAZN brings, I’m thrilled to announce the appointment of Ted Helliar as Director of Engagement, Community and Fandom, Kayo Sports and Fox Sports,” Perchard wrote.

“A passionate sports fan himself, Ted joins us from the National Basketball League, where he served as Chief Fans Officer. Prior to the NBL, Ted was at global agency network TBWA, overseeing major sports campaigns including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and previously spent four years as Chief Operating Officer of the Sydney Roosters.”

Perchard added that Helliar’s experience across leagues, clubs, athletes, creators and broadcasters would help strengthen fan communities across the platforms.

“Across his career, Ted has worked closely with leagues, clubs, athletes, creators, broadcasters and commercial partners, and is energised by the opportunity to help position Kayo and Fox Sports as Australia’s leading sports platform by building living fandom that strengthens both fans and Australian sport.”

Perchard confirmed Helliar will start on 16 March and report to Cate Hefele, Managing Director – Go to Market, whose role she resumed earlier this week after returning from parental leave. The Kayo Sports and Fox Sports social and creator teams will report into the new function.

Top Image: Foxtel

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The Seven Network has paid tribute to legendary sports broadcaster Dennis Cometti AM, who has died aged 76, remembering the long-time AFL caller as one of the defining voices of Australian sport.

Cometti spent 26 years with Seven across two stints – first from 1986 to 2001, and again from 2007 until his final match on the network, the 2016 AFL Grand Final on 1 October 2016.

Across that period, his sharp wit, unmistakable delivery and knack for perfectly timed one-liners helped shape some of the most memorable moments in modern AFL broadcasting.

Starting his media career as a radio announcer in Perth in 1968 – while also juggling a playing career with West Perth in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL) – Cometti quickly established himself as one of Australia’s most distinctive sports callers.

His television career would later span decades and multiple networks, but it was at Seven where his voice became synonymous with some of the game’s biggest moments.

A voice that defined footy’s biggest moments

Separate to his AFL achievements, Cometti also played a key role in Seven’s Olympic coverage, calling three Summer Games – Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

During those broadcasts, Australians heard him narrate some of the nation’s most iconic sporting triumphs, including gold medal performances from Susie O’Neill, Kieren Perkins and Ian Thorpe.

However, it was in the AFL commentary box where Cometti’s influence was most keenly felt.

Between 2007 and 2016, his partnership with fellow Seven broadcaster Bruce McAvaney became one of the most respected commentary duos in world sport. Across nearly 450 matches, their chemistry and ability to capture big moments helped define a golden era of AFL broadcasting.

McAvaney said Cometti’s talent extended well beyond his famous wit.

“When I think about Dennis, one of the first things I think about is the amount of joy he brought to all of our lives.

“How many times did he make us laugh and smile? We would sit there and think, how did he think of that? He leaves a legacy that is undeniable, unique, and authentic. In many ways, he was the benchmark for all of those who are following in his footsteps. We are a nation that prides itself in having so many of the all-time great sport commentators, and he was up there with the very best of them.

“Perhaps the most impressive thing about Dennis is that through his calling, he made footballers famous. That’s a gift,” he said.

From colleagues to lifelong friends

McAvaney also reflected on their long personal and professional relationship, spanning decades in the commentary box.

“On a personal level, I feel like I’ve lost something truly precious. We shared an extraordinary journey. We were a similar age and at similar stages of our lives, and we both understood the pressure that came with the role – the effort it demanded and the vulnerability that came with trying to live up to expectations. We leaned on each other through that. We always had each other’s backs.

“While Dennis and I started our careers as colleagues, we ended as friends, and I am so grateful for that.”

‘A world-class caller’

Seven Network Head of AFL and Sport Innovation Gary O’Keeffe said Cometti’s impact on the sport and the industry would be felt for generations.

“While Den will forever be remembered for his iconic one-liners, he was by any measure a world-class caller who has entertained sports fans – especially footy fans – across the whole nation and all over the world.

“More importantly, off-camera, Dennis was a world-class person. Everyone who had the opportunity to meet and work alongside him walked away a better person. His impact will be felt far and wide across the industry. We are so lucky to have known him.

“When we think back to some of the greatest moments in footy folklore, Dennis has more than likely provided the soundtrack. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in world sport who could so brilliantly and so succinctly capture the moment.

“We will forever remember when Peter Wilson bobbed up like a cork in the ocean, and Heath Shaw snuck up behind Nick Riewoldt like a librarian. Perhaps none more iconic than when the western suburbs erupted over Tom Boyd’s goal in the 2016 Grand Final – the last AFL goal Dennis called on television.

“On behalf of everyone at the Seven Network and particularly our sport department who have worked so closely with Den over his incredible career, we send our thoughts to his wife Velia, and children, Ricki and Mark, at this incredibly difficult time.”

Seven will acknowledge Cometti’s extraordinary career during tomorrow night’s Opening Round match between the Sydney Swans and Carlton at the SCG.

Main image: Dennis Cometti AM and Bruce McAvaney. Source: Seven

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Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut is a space where we strip away the polish and perfection and get honest about what growth really looks like. It’s unscripted. Unrehearsed. And often uncomfortable. Each conversation explores the pivotal moments that test us, when certainty disappears, identities are shaken, and the only way forward is to dig deep and keep going.

Redefining the Career Climb is a curated playlist from Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut focused on career crossroads, the moments no one prepares you for, yet end up shaping how we lead, work, and live.

Redundancy. Burnout. Missed opportunities. Unexpected pivots.
Across these three raw conversations, leaders share the career challenges that forced them to pause, rethink success, and redefine what growth really means, on their own terms.

Featured Conversations

Jo Gaines: Head of APAC at Asana
Jo’s journey includes facing redundancy as a single parent with two young children, staying on to lead a company through insolvency, and later learning cage fighting as a way to meet fear head-on. Her story is about resilience, courage, and choosing to step into challenges rather than retreat from them.

Philippa Moig: CEO of UnLtd
After years in a role she loved, Philippa stepped into a major leadership position managing 70 people and 250 stakeholders, only to find herself questioning whether this version of “growth” was sustainable. Her episode explores ambition, burnout, motherhood, and the uncomfortable truth that bigger isn’t always better.

Andrew Howie: CMO & Founder of Gallant Creative Advisory
Andrew reflects on the career disruptions that shaped him, from early dreams cut short, to navigating the Global Financial Crisis, to being made redundant. With honesty and clarity, he shares lessons on self-awareness, authentic leadership, and letting go of people-pleasing in order to create space for real growth.

Rowena Millward is a global expert in growth and reinvention for businesses and people. A consultant, speaker, mentor, and best-selling author of Uncomfortable Growth® – Own Your Reinvention, Rowena helps leaders navigate career and life crossroads and turn trials into their next chapter.

Through Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut, Rowena creates space for real, unfiltered conversations about work, life, leadership, and the messy middle of becoming who you’re meant to be.

🎧 Listen to Redefining the Career Climb now on Spotify
🌱 Visit Rowena’s website to learn more about working together through business reinvention, commercial leadership and change capability.

Because the career climb isn’t linear, and it was never meant to be.

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