The Outdoor Media Association’s MOVE (Measurement of Outdoor Visibility and Exposure) revealed that in an increasingly fragmented media landscape, OOH advertising reaches 97% of Australians aged 14+ each week.

The new audience study, being unveiled at today’s OMA Conference, shows OOH connects with more than 22 million people weekly, who make 95 million trips across metropolitan and regionals areas every day.

This major shift in audience movement reveals how Australians consume media, reinforcing OOH’s growing relevance and impact.

The latest evolution of MOVE, called MOVE2, introduces new features, further enhancing the sophistication and accountability of OOH audience measurement.

New features include 21 regional areas – providing national coverage across metro and regional Australia, seasonality and hour-by-hour insights – offering advertisers a dynamic view of audience movement across 365 days a year, and measurement across all OOH formats, giving brands a granular picture of how and when Australians engage with Out of Home.

Looking at movement statistics, the figures revealed that four out of five people leave home every day, while three out of four will see a sign in an airport, station, or retail centre. One out of two will see a place-based sign across 8,500+ locations a week.

The statistics also found that three million petrol station visits are made each day and 37 million off-site work trips made weekly by 9 million workers.

Data also reveals Australians make on average 134 million shopping trips weekly and café trips average 3 times a week.

Elizabeth McIntyre, OMA CEO said: “As traditional media continues to fragment, OOH’s connection with Australians is getting stronger.”

“With expanded regional coverage and enhanced measurement tools, coupled with the ability to see audience movement hour-by-hour, across every day of the year, advertisers can now plan and optimise OOH campaigns with an accuracy and depth never seen before.”

“Out of Home is not just maintaining relevance, it’s growing, evolving, and proving its strength in today’s complex media environment,” she added.

MOVE’s automation and interactive dashboards are designed for flexibility and ease and let media owner and agencies build schedules, upload media plans via API, share proposals, and generate reports faster than ever.

The measurement currency’s updated capabilities paint a broader and more detailed picture of Australian audiences, encouraging media agencies and advertisers to rethink how they plan and buy across the OOH landscape.

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The Australian Radio Network (ARN) has launched a three-year transformation program aimed at slashing $40 million in costs, around 20% of the business’s cash base, to free up capital for growth-driving initiatives.

The media giant made the announcement to shareholders at its latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at it’s North Sydney headquarters.

The Numbers

Net assets: $291.4m

Net debt: $82.2m

Undrawn debt facilities: $64.2m

Total dividend: 2.3cps

Three-year transformation

Facing a tough ad market and the economic fallout of the failed SCA merger, ARN is tightening its belt and recalibrating from the inside out. The three-year transformation is focused on six key levers, including cost discipline, which is already in play.

Other measures to be carried out include:

• Reduction in executive and staff headcount.

• Freezing salaries across the company.

• Replacing underperforming or expensive programs with cost-effective alternatives.

• Reviewing all supplier arrangements and discretionary spending.

The transformation has already led to significant job cuts, which Chair Hamish McLennan described as “difficult but necessary” to shift resources away from internal admin and towards content, tech, and monetisation.

“This is about unlocking our potential, becoming a business where data, agility, and creativity lead,” he said.

Resetting the business

In a pointed industry callout, ARN Media used its AGM to reiterate its stance on media law reform.

The company warned that outdated ownership regulations are holding local players back from competing with global platforms like Meta and Google, and called for a regulatory reset to allow consolidation, innovation, and scale.

“Structural reform and consolidation are necessary to create a stronger, more sustainable domestic media sector,” McLennan said.

Cultural refresh

The transformation plan is as much about internal agility as it is about external growth, according to CEO Ciaran Davis.

“We are recalibrating the operating model, culture and cost base of the business to drive consistent growth,” he said. That means simplifying how the company works, reducing layers of management, and ensuring clearer roles and accountability.

More to come

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Nagi Maehashi, the creator of the wildly popular food blog RecipeTin Eats, has secured the coveted Illustrated Book of the Year award for her cookbook Tonight, at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs).

The victory comes on the heels of a public dispute with fellow cookbook author Brooke Bellamy, who was accused of plagiarising two of Maehashi’s recipes.

The win marks Maehashi’s second consecutive triumph in this category, further solidifying her place in the Australian culinary publishing scene.

A controversial win: Maehashi vs. Bellamy

The battle between Maehashi and Bellamy has been the talk of the food and publishing worlds. ‘

Both authors were shortlisted for the prestigious Illustrated Book of the Year award, with Maehashi’s Tonight and Bellamy’s Bake with Brooki competing for the title.

Just one week before the awards, Maehashi publicly accused Bellamy of plagiarism, claiming that two recipes in Bake with Brooki closely mirrored those published on her website RecipeTin Eats.

Bellamy firmly denied the allegations, but the controversy has nonetheless cast a shadow over the awards.

Maehashi, who had kept a low profile during the event, told 9News that she was determined to keep things positive, despite the ongoing drama.

“I just want to have some fun tonight,” she said, adding that she was excited to celebrate alongside other talented authors and publishers.

Maehashi also marked the win in a heartfelt Instagram post, where she thanked the awards committee, her fans, and her publisher Pan Macmillan.

“Thank you @abia_awards for the honour,” she wrote. “To my team,  thank you for your support for all those months I disappeared into the book making black-hole (and all that Moroccan lamb and seafood pie you taste tested).

@macmillanaus – this one’s for you. For the whole team. I am proud to call you my publisher. Success and integrity. WE DID IT!! – N x”

The plagiarism allegations

Maehashi’s public accusation of plagiarism has shaken the Australian cookbook community.

She explained that after six months of attempting to reach an agreement with Bellamy’s publisher, Penguin, she was forced to take the matter to the public.

Penguin and Bellamy, who also owns three cafes in Brisbane, have denied the allegations. However, the dispute remains unresolved, and Maehashi’s allegations have sparked a wider conversation about plagiarism in the publishing world.

The ABIAs are known for celebrating books that resonate with both readers and booksellers, with the winners being selected by a mix of industry professionals, including publishers, booksellers, and journalists.

Maehashi’s Tonight was the bestselling adult non-fiction book in Australia last year, selling 299,000 copies, while her first book, RecipeTin Eats: Dinner, sold 176,000 copies and came second in sales.

The impressive numbers have not only cemented Maehashi’s reputation as a dominant figure in the cookbook space but also showcased the significant demand for Australian-authored culinary titles.

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Mediaweek has officially unveiled the judging panel for the 2025 Next of the Best Awards, assembling a distinguished group of industry leaders to evaluate and celebrate the trailblazers shaping Australia’s media, marketing, and advertising landscape.

Submissions close on 9 May, 2025, so there’s still time to enter, here.

Celebrating Leadership and Innovation

The Next of the Best Awards recognises professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and influence within their organisations and the broader industry, and there’s no age-based critera. You just need to be mid-career (15 years or less in the industry) and ready to be recognised for your achievements.

ENTER HERE

The Judging Panel

The cross-industry panel includes a selection the industry’s most successful figures.

Alana Chetner, Founder & Director, Etoile PR

Angela Smith, Co-founder & CEO, Affinity

Dean La Rosa, General Manager Commercial Data, News Corp

Jess Torpy, Head Media Thinker, Thinkerbell

Louise Romeo, COO, Starcom

Nat Harvey, CEO, Mamamia

Tiff Ng, Founder and Chief Storyteller, The Social Story

Ori Gold, CEO, Bench Media

Natarsha Belling, Journalist and presenter, Seven

Sam Buchanan, CEO, IMAA

Sally Hellyer, National Head of Business Insights, Mindshare

Sasha Mackie, Senior Director of Marketing – Streaming, Studios & Networks, Australia and New Zealand, Warner Bros. Discovery

Paula Kruger, CEO, Media Diversity Australia

Scott Purcell, Co-founder, Man of Many

Entries will close on 9 May, 2025 and the awards will be presented at a ceremony on 13 June 2025 at W, Sydney.

You can find details of criteria and entry here.

Enter here

In the ongoing battle to win and keep audience attention, Netflix is rolling out a global redesign of its TV interface, starting May 19.

The update isn’t just a cosmetic lift. It’s a strategic play to reduce content overload, sharpen personalisation, and better spotlight the titles that matter most to viewers.

And for advertisers and media buyers keeping tabs on platform evolution, this marks yet another sign of how data-driven user experiences decisions are becoming a battleground for user loyalty.

Reducing scroll fatigue and boosting stickiness

The update introduces several key features designed to keep users moving from one title to the next, without falling into the endless scroll trap:

• Persistent Top Navigation: Search, Shows, Movies, Games, and My Netflix tabs now live permanently at the top of the screen, reducing tap-hunting and UI friction.

• Real-Time Recommendations: Netflix’s recommendation engine is evolving from reactive to proactive. As users watch, browse, or linger on titles, the homepage adapts on the fly, surfacing fresh content based on live engagement signals.

• The “My Netflix” Hub: More than a watchlist, this new central space houses Continue Watching, My List, and Remind Me, serving as a curated viewing control room.

• Frontloaded Title Details: Runtime, synopsis, cast, Top 10 history and awards will now be visible without clicking through, giving viewers the info they need to commit, or not, on the spot.

According to Netflix, the goal is to eliminate the small moments of friction that cause viewers to bounce. For advertisers buying into the AVOD tier, that matters. More streamlined discovery equals more consistent viewing sessions, and a more robust environment for brand engagement.

Performative personalisation

Netflix has long touted personalisation as its competitive edge. This redesign goes further, turning the home screen into a living, breathing algorithmic billboard.

Every click, pause, or hover contributes to a feedback loop that doesn’t just serve the viewer, it serves Netflix’s monetisation strategy.

Advertisers buying into Netflix’s ad-supported model are likely to benefit from these tweaks, as improved UX feeds into richer behavioural targeting and more consistent reach.

And in a fragmented digital video market, where competition isn’t just about content volume but content accessibility, Netflix’s new interface reinforces a clear message: they don’t just want to win your time, they want to make it effortless to give.

Market moves

While the user experiencer overhaul is geared toward consumers, it’s also playing well for advertisers. Netflix shares rose 21.4% in April, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, though it wasn’t the company’s Q1 earnings that drove the lift.

Instead, investors responded to a potent cocktail of product rumours, strategic leaks, and growing confidence in Netflix’s long-term execution.

Despite strong Q1 numbers, the market barely reacted to the official report. It was the promise of platform evolution  including this recent upgrade, that signalled forward momentum.

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As Australia continues to grapple with the national crisis of domestic violence against women and children, three members of the country’s creative industry have launched May8, the first national day of action specifically aimed at mobilising men.

Founded by Paul Chappell (Founder, Brand+Story), Wade Kingsley (Founder, The Ideas Business), and Ben Lucas (Head of Marketing, Foremind), the May8 initiative launches today with a clear message: men need to stop standing on the sidelines and start taking responsibility in the fight against domestic violence.

The initiative was sparked by a confronting week in 2024, when a series of high-profile acts of violence against women dominated national headlines.

“That week forced us to ask ourselves, why aren’t we doing more? And if we’re not doing enough, chances are most men aren’t either,” said co-founder Ben Lucas.

“Talking with my partner about the family violence stories in the news, it became clear that I wasn’t comfortable bringing it up with my mates. That made me reflect on why that was. If I knew that it was an issue that men needed to do more to help siolve, why wasn’t I comfortable talking about it with my mates?”

May8 is designed to close the gap between awareness and action. Backed by new research conducted by Ideally*, the initiative found that while 84% of Australian men agree domestic violence is one of the country’s most serious issues, many aren’t sure how to help.
41% of men surveyed said they don’t speak up because they don’t know what to do, and 40% said they don’t see it as their responsibility.

“Most men are horrified by domestic violence statistics but don’t know where to start in taking action,” says May8 co-founder Wade Kingsley. “We’re not experts in this space, we’re just three blokes who saw a gap that needed filling. May8 is about giving men practical ways to do something rather than nothing.

8 actions for May8

Developed with support from an expert advisory panel including frontline workers and family violence specialists, May8 encourages men to take one or more of eight practical actions on May 8 and beyond:

1. Talk to a mate – Use conversation starters to bring up the issue of family and domestic violence.

2. Post your support online – Share that you’re participating in May8 and tag the campaign to spread awareness.

3. Tell a woman in your life – Let her know you’re actively supporting the cause.

4. Make a donation – Support organisations helping victims of domestic violence.

5. Educate yourself – Read resources like Jess Hill’s Quarterly Essay, “Losing It.”

6. Donate an old phone – Through DVSafePhone, unused phones can help women escape abusive situations.

7. Share education – Watch and distribute videos from The Line campaign to younger males.

8. Gift essentials – Donate gift cards to women’s shelters, where survivors often need support for everyday purchases.

“This isn’t a women’s issue. At its core, it’s a men’s issue,” said co-founder Paul Chappell. “And we want to use the skills we’ve developed over the course of our careers as communicators to help men take that first step. The more engaged we are, the more active we’ll be in solving the problem.”

May8 hopes to complement the ongoing work of government and charities by activating a new group of advocates, Australian men who are ready to speak up and take meaningful action.

*May8 research conducted in May 2025 by Ideally. Nationally representative survey of 418 respondents across Australia.

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Main image: Wade Kingsley, Paul Chappell and Ben Lucas.

She might be one of Australia’s best political journalists, but when it comes to job hunting, Laura Tingle, is no different from the rest of us.

Fresh off an announcement that she will now take on the role of Global Affairs Editor at the ABC, Tingle told Mediaweek that when she first saw the job advertised she thought to herself: “This has got to be the best job in journalism other than the one I’ve already got”.

Despite boasting a 40-year career in journalism, Tingle said she still needed to apply for the role.

“Everybody’s got to apply for things,” she laughed.

“The job was just one of those things where I just thought not only could I do that, but I really want to do that. Plus, it was time for a change”.

The role will see Tingle deliver sharp analysis and on-the-ground reporting of major global events, supporting the ABC’s network of correspondents and foreign desks, including the Asia Pacific Newsroom and Foreign Correspondent.

It is, she said, something of a full circle moment: “I was 19 and the world was in the grip of deregulation fever. Australia was at the forefront of pushing for free trade and now, well, we’ve travelled full arc on that”.

A worldly career

Having started out as a finance and economics journalist before moving into political reporting, Tingle said she believes the breadth of her experience positions her to bring a unique perspective to the ABC’s international coverage.

“It’s an extraordinary time in the world,” she said.

ABC’s Director of News, Justin Stevens, said Tingle’s appointment would elevate the network’s international offering. ““Laura brings a rare depth of experience to a world that’s increasingly complex,” he said.

“As global affairs become more relevant to Australian audiences, her insights will help decode the big picture. She joins an already strong team of correspondents and tech specialists, and adds real firepower.”

Reflecting on her decades-long journalism career, Tingle said her broad international experience, from covering German elections to the collapse of Japan’s economy in the 1990s, has given her a strong sense of institutional memory and confidence to tackle global stories.

She emphasised the value of knowing when to trust your judgment, and when to acknowledge what you don’t know.

“Your greatest knowledge is of your own ignorance,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to learning from the ABC’s foreign team and approaching the role with humility and pragmatism.

Tingle begins the new role mid-year, as ABC recruits a new 7.30 Political Editor.

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What do you get when you combine a dozen excited competition winners, one of radio’s most-loved trios, and a jam-packed lineup of music’s biggest rising stars? Nova’s Red Room Global Tour powered by Expedia.

Taking place across one unforgettable week, the tour spanned continents, with Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas playing host to music lovers living their best life. Here’s how it all played out.

Sydney: Ricki-Lee kicks off in her hometown

It all started with a bang. On Monday, April 28, Ricki-Lee Coulter lit up the intimate Piper Rooms at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, delivering a powerhouse performance for Nova’s Red Room.

The crowd? A blend of fans, partners, and music insiders, all there to see Ricki-Lee command the stage like only she can.

Her vocals were on point, the vibe was high, and the audience soaked up every minute. But there was no time to linger. Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, along with the tour crew, had an early flight the next morning. Auckland was calling.

Auckland: Gracie Abrams steals the show

Touching down in New Zealand on April 29, the crew barely had time to breathe before heading backstage at Spark Arena to catch up with none other than Gracie Abrams. Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel sat down with the breakout star ahead of her show, getting candid insights into her world before heading out to the arena.

The performance? Intimate, raw, and emotionally charged.

Los Angeles: Lunch with Benny Blanco, live with Lauren Spencer Smith

Fast forward to May 1 and the group had landed in LA, where things got both casual and star-studded. Over lunch at Arden in West Hollywood, Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel chatted with hitmaker Benny Blanco, about everything from making music with Selena Gomez to his favourite songs from a packed career.

The mood? Relaxed but fascinating. Benny spoke openly, laughed a lot, and even took questions from Nova’s competition winners.

Then came Lauren Spencer Smith. Her Red Room performance was part confessional, part showcase, a sneak peek of her The Art of Being a Mess world tour, set to hit Australia in November.

Las Vegas: Post Malone and Jelly Roll bring it home

What better place to wrap a global tour than Vegas? On May 4, the group made their way to Allegiant Stadium for a stadium show headlined by Post Malone with Jelly Roll. As expected, the energy was off the charts.

For the lucky Nova winners, it was a front-row seat to a spectacle few ever get to see up close.

Music, memories, and the magic of shared experience

For those lucky enough to head alone, Nova’s Red Room Global Tour wasn’t just a prize, it was an experience. One where winners became part of the story, hosts became tour guides, and artists opened up in ways they rarely get to.

Powered by Expedia, the tour proved that when you blend radio, travel, and music with just the right amount of adventure, the result is pure magic.

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IAB Australia has formed an AI Working Group aimed at helping publishers, agencies, platforms, and marketers navigate the fast-evolving use of artificial intelligence in digital advertising.

The group will develop practical guidance on AI applications across areas such as targeting, content creation, creative development, and measurement.

It will also explore broader topics like synthetic media, bias, and ethical use. The initiative complements the recently announced AI Council of Experts from the AANA, MFA, and ACA.

IAB Australia CEO, Gai Le Roy, said the group will help the industry “navigate a fast-moving category” through collaboration and shared expertise.

Future proofing skills

A key focus will be identifying future skill needs and developing local best-practice use cases for AI in advertising.

The move follows findings from the IAB US State of Data report, which showed most agencies and brands expect to scale AI adoption but lack tools with full functionality today.

The group is co-chaired by Zenith Media Australia’s Head of Digital, Kellyn Coetzee, and News Corp Australia’s Ad Tech Product Director, Daevid Richards. Members include representatives from companies such as Google, Microsoft, GroupM, Yahoo, Paramount, iProspect, MiQ, OMD, PHD, Spark Foundry, and Zitcha.

The AI Working Group will collaborate with IAB Australia’s Data Council and Executive Tech Council to ensure consistency in standards and practices.

Building confidence and capability

Coetzee said the goal is to prepare the industry to meet change head-on: “I’m passionate about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to shape the future of digital media.”

Richards added that the group will help the market understand both the risks and opportunities of AI in media: “We want to educate, establish guidelines, and support the industry as AI continues to evolve.”

With AI rapidly changing how digital advertising operates, IAB Australia’s Working Group arrives at a critical time.

By bringing together experienced voices from across the industry, the group hopes to cut through the noise, offer real-world guidance, and ensure that innovation moves hand-in-hand with responsibility.

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Network 10 has confirmed the return of Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen, with Anne Edmonds set to host, and a new lineup of team captains representing three generations of Australians. The format, which pits generational teams against each other in pop culture quizzes and physical challenges, will be available on 10 and streaming on 10 Play.

Comedian Dave Hughes will captain Gen X, bringing his signature dry humour to represent the generation raised on grunge and VHS tapes. Tommy Little will head up Gen Y, offering a millennial perspective shaped by skinny jeans and smartphones. Standup comedian Anisa Nandaula will lead Gen Z, the youngest cohort, known for their digital fluency and social awareness.

The returning series promises a mix of nostalgia and contemporary culture, featuring challenges designed to test knowledge across eras. According to 10, viewers can expect “nostalgic throwbacks, modern mayhem, and challenges that’ll have the whole family shouting answers at the screen.”

The format is a local adaptation of the UK panel show and has previously aired in multiple iterations on Australian television. This upcoming season continues the tradition of intergenerational banter while reflecting the evolving media habits and cultural touchpoints of each group.

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen is scheduled to air soon on 10 and 10 Play.

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SBS and National Indigenous Television (NITV) have announced a slate of programming to commemorate National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), including new documentaries, a special episode of Living Black, and a live event featuring Indigenous leader Patrick Dodson.

The programming begins with the premiere of Namatjira Project, airing Sunday 25 May at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. The documentary explores the legacy of celebrated Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira, the first Indigenous person to be made a citizen by the Australian Government, and the founder of the Indigenous art movement in Australia.

On Monday 26 May at 8.30pm, NITV will broadcast a special episode of Living Black, the longest-running Indigenous news and current affairs program on Australian television, hosted by Karla Grant. The episode revisits Corroboree 2000, a landmark reconciliation event held in Sydney, and examines its lasting significance 25 years later.

The centrepiece of the week’s events is National Reconciliation Week featuring Patrick Dodson, a live breakfast broadcast from Walyalup (Fremantle) on Tuesday 27 May at 11am AEST. Known as the “Father of Reconciliation,” Dodson will deliver a keynote address focused on truth-telling, leadership and connection.

Also launching is Our Medicine, a four-part documentary series offering rare access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare professionals. Premiering Thursday 29 May at 7.30pm on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand, the series spotlights First Nations professionals working to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

All content will be accessible via SBS On Demand, with additional multilingual support provided across the network to align with this year’s Reconciliation Week theme: Bridging Now to Next.

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PubMatic has announced a new partnership with contextual intelligence company Overtone, aiming to enhance ad targeting capabilities across the open internet. The collaboration leverages Overtone’s AI to create contextually aligned audience segments for advertisers, addressing key challenges in brand safety, audience freshness, and media relevance.

Contextual Advertising

Contextual advertising involves placing ads based on the content of a web page rather than user data. Traditional methods often rely on keywords or basic categorisation, which can be limited in nuance and may exclude valuable inventory such as news. This approach contrasts with behavioural advertising, which targets users based on tracked online activity and third-party cookies.

Overtone’s technology represents an evolution of contextual advertising by applying paragraph-level analysis to assess narrative meaning in real time. Rather than just identifying keywords, the AI interprets tone, sentiment, and context, allowing for more accurate, emotionally resonant ad placements.

Evolving the traditional model

Historically, brand safety tools have erred on the side of caution, blocking entire categories of content to avoid reputational risk, often at the expense of reach and relevance. Through this partnership, PubMatic will use Overtone’s intelligence to recategorise and reintroduce quality content, including trusted journalism, that may have been excluded under blunt safety rules.

“By applying nuance and intelligence to inventory curation, we’re unlocking new value for advertisers while reinforcing our commitment to funding a diverse, accessible, and sustainable digital content ecosystem,” said Jason Barnes, Chief Revenue Officer, APAC at PubMatic.

Philip Allin, CEO of Overtone, added: “Narrative matters, and this partnership enables advertisers to identify environments that are not only brand safe and suitable, but also contextually aligned and emotionally resonant with their target audiences.”

This initiative supports PubMatic’s #fundedbyadvertising mission and comes as advertisers seek scalable, privacy-conscious alternatives to third-party data amid the industry’s transition to a cookieless future.

The integration is live across PubMatic’s platform, making Overtone’s contextual intelligence available programmatically to advertisers seeking high-quality, brand-resonant environments.

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LiSTNR has launched the third season of its podcast 1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers, created in partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia.

Hosted by journalist Davina Smith, the eight-part series aims to destigmatise perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA), a condition affecting one in five new mothers and one in ten new fathers in Australia.

The new season, released on 7 May, features stories from prominent figures including Paralympian Ellie Cole, The Wiggles’ Caterina Mete, and TikTok creators Georgia Sian and Zac Norris. These personal accounts are supported by commentary from medical professionals such as paediatrician Dr Golly, holistic reproductive health expert Dr Leah Hechtman, and Full Stop Australia’s Tara Hunter.

The podcast’s focus on real experiences and expert commentary aims to bridge the support gap identified in recent research commissioned by Gidget Foundation Australia, which found that as many as one in five parents (21%) who experienced symptoms of PNDA had not sought professional help.

Davina Smith, a PNDA survivor herself, said the podcast offers connection and reassurance for struggling parents: “This season has something for every parent – no matter their circumstance… Listeners will be in awe of the superhuman strength of these Mums and Dads and will discover that same strength is hidden inside them!”

Todd Stevens, Branded Podcasts Producer at LiSTNR, emphasised the goal of promoting honest dialogue: “Season three continues to showcase these conversations with episodes that explore parenting with a disability, navigating the complexities of being a young parent, and the resilience of parenting as a survivor of complex trauma.”

The series is available for free via the LiSTNR app, with new episodes released fortnightly.

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Full-service media agency Awaken has been appointed to manage the digital media account for iconic Italian appliance brand Smeg, following a competitive pitch process.

The appointment comes as Smeg looks to enhance its digital footprint and e-commerce capabilities, with Awaken tasked with delivering a strategic plan to support the brand’s broader digital transformation.

The Smeg team was impressed by Awaken’s leadership across research, insights, strategy, technology and AI – all key components of the agency’s pitch.

Under the new partnership, Awaken will use its digital media expertise to strengthen Smeg’s e-commerce sales and bolster retail attribution, working in tandem with the brand’s well-established bricks-and-mortar retailer presence to create a seamless omnichannel shopping experience.

Founded in 1948, Smeg has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential, commercial, and professional appliances. The brand is globally recognised for its distinctive 1950s-inspired design and premium Italian craftsmanship. In Australia, Smeg products are widely available through major appliance retailers.

Awaken CEO Chris Parker said the partnership aligns strongly with the agency’s vision and capabilities.

“For more than 70 years, Smeg has been leading the way with its products, and we’re excited to be a part of that journey,” said Parker.

“Smeg and Awaken share a commitment to innovation, representation, and pairing creativity with genuine human connection, making for a closely aligned partnership.

“Our goal now is to bring our digital expertise to the business to help propel Smeg forward in the digital space. We’ll be leveraging our skills across audience insights, data, reporting, and technology to scale Smeg’s online consumer activity.”

The appointment is effective immediately.

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