The new show will be hosted by Luisa Dal Din and Jack Archdale, better known as Lu and Jarch, whose hit podcast We Mean Well and viral social media content have earned them a cult following.
Friday May 9, 2025
Triple M welcomes social media stars to lead new national show
Triple M has announced the final addition to its Drive programming, unveiling a brand-new national show, Lu & Jarch, airing weekdays from 2pm to 4pm starting Tuesday, June 10.
The show will bring Triple M’s signature comedy to early afternoons, bridging into the sport-led Rush Hour programs airing across the country from 4pm to 6pm – the spot recently held by broadcaster Marty Sheargold.
With nearly 900,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram and more than 28 million TikTok likes, the duo’s raw, offbeat humour makes them a natural fit for Triple M’s “Good Times and Greatest Hits” brand.
Dal Din, who previously worked behind the scenes in radio, called the opportunity a dream come true: “I’m so excited to be on the Triple M airwaves daily with Jarch!” she said.
Archdale also reflected on his journey, noting, “SCA provided me with my first job out of Uni as a regional sales coordinator. To be coming back into the frey after 13 years, and be the bloke walking into the studio, is a huge full circle moment for me.”
Luisa Dal Din and Jack Archdale
SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron added: “SCA continues to lead the charge in bringing exciting real talent to the industry. Lu and Jarch already host one of the funniest podcasts in the country with a massive social following.
“Now bringing their much-loved shenanigans to Triple M, alongside the Rush Hour with JB & Billy and our recently announced Rush Hour shows in NSW and Queensland, completes the drive home on Triple M nationally.
“We will unashamedly continue our pursuit to be the chosen home for Australia’s biggest and brightest content creators across our radio networks and LiSTNR. Lu and Jarch are about as authentically hilarious as they come.”
The announcement follows recent additions to Triple M’s Drive strategy, including Rush Hour editions hosted by JB & Billy, as well as state-based shows in New South Wales and Queensland.
Lu & Jarch will air from 2pm to 4pm nationwide followed by The Rush Hour with JB & Billy in the AFL states (Victoria, Adelaide, Western Australia and Tasmania), The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott in Queensland and The Rush Hour with Maroon in New South Wales.
Caution ahead: Nine warns of ‘economic and market uncertainty’
Nine Entertainment has flagged a more cautious financial outlook for the remainder of FY25, with softness in its radio division and a cooling ad market offsetting gains in TV and streaming.
The company’s latest trading update shows strong audience growth across marquee programs, but cracks are beginning to show beneath the surface.
Radio and publishing
Broadcast radio has taken a hit, with Nine reporting a low double-digit percentage drop in Q3 advertising revenue. While digital radio revenue climbed by over 20% for the quarter, it wasn’t enough to balance out the slide in traditional radio spend.
Publishing, though bolstered by a 14% year-on-year rise in digital subscription revenue in Q3, is only expected to match first-half EBITDA, with cost controls balancing out seasonal ad volatility.
Nine Entertainment CEO Matt Stanton
Television
The Total TV business, which includes free-to-air, streaming and BVOD, remains Nine’s strongest performer, lifting ad revenue by almost 8% for the March quarter.
However, the company warns that ongoing “economic and market uncertainty” will likely dampen momentum through the back half of the year, election spending in March and April offered only temporary relief.
The broadcaster said Married at First Sight lifted its Total TV audience by 16% year-on-year, while the return of the NRL was up 6%.
Other content highlights included season two of Stan Original Black Snow and investigative series Building Bad.
Total TV costs (excluding Olympic coverage) are expected to remain flat year-on-year, but pressures remain.
While Nine reiterated its full-year guidance, including $50 million in FY25 cost efficiencies and a new $10–20 million to be realised this year from a broader $100 million target through FY27, investors are being primed for a slower second half.
CoStar x Domain
With due diligence ongoing into the CoStar proposal, Nine is withholding any fresh trading commentary on Domain for now.
According to The Australian Financial Review, Nine’s advisers have signalled a willingness to sell its 60% stake in Domain, but only if the price climbs to $4.65 per share.
That would put Nine’s holding at an estimated $1.76 billion.
Mediaweek extends the Next of the Best Awards entry deadline
Due to strong demand and an ongoing interest from across the industry, Mediaweek has extended the entry deadline for the Next of the Best Awards, 2025.
Entries will now be accepted until Wednesday, 14 May at 11.59pm.
Enter Mediaweek’s Next of the Best 2025 here
The updated deadline gives emerging media leaders and creative teams additional time to finalise their submissions and ensure their achievements are recognised.
Mediaweek’s Head of Content Frances Sheen said, “The calibre of entries so far has been exceptional. Extending the deadline gives more space for those final entries and allows us to shine a spotlight on the rising stars of the industry.”
The Next of the Best Awards celebrate Australia’s emerging media talent – the stars driving innovation, creativity, and change.
Finalists will be announced in early June, with winners revealed at the live event on Thursday, 13 June.
These are not age-based awards, but open to anyone who has been working in their current field or role for 15 years or less. You can download the criteria here.
The Mediaweek Next of the Best Awards are:
Audio Talent (Host, Producer, Creator)
Recognising professionals who drive growth, innovation, and engagement in the audio and podcasting industries.
Marketing Talent
For professionals making waves in marketing through successful campaigns and innovative thinking.
Journalist (Print, Radio, TV, Digital)
Celebrating journalistic excellence with a focus on audience impact and storytelling.
Advertising Creatives (Individual or team)
Recognising creative talent shaping advertising through originality, campaign success, and audience engagement.
Data & Research Specialist
Recognising individuals who excel in the use of data and research to drive decision-making, insights, and innovation within the media industry
Marketing Strategist
For those excelling in strategic marketing, data-driven decision-making, and audience segmentation.
Digital/Social Content Creator or Influencer
Honouring digital creators who have demonstrated growth, creativity, and monetisation success.
Publicist (Agency/In-House)
Recognising rising publicists who have successfully shaped media narratives and public perception.
AdTech Specialist
Honouring professionals leveraging AdTech innovations to enhance digital advertising effectiveness.
Media Salesperson
Recognising media sales professionals driving revenue growth through strategic thinking and strong client relationships.
Media Planner & Buyer
Celebrating planners and buyers who excel through innovative thinking, data-driven decision-making, and impactful campaign execution.
Publishing Innovator
Recognising emerging talents in publishing who are redefining the industry through editorial excellence, and audience growth across print and online platforms.
TV & Film Production
Recognising the talent behind the camera of on-screen content production from the big to the small screen through creativity and commercial success.
Leadership
For exceptional leadership and impact at senior or executive level.
Changemaker
Recognising individuals who have made a significant impact in driving change, innovation, or transformation.
Nominate yourself or someone else for a Mediaweek Next of the Best Award now.
DDB Sydney appoints award-winning Head of Design to strengthen creative leadership
DDB Group Sydney has appointed highly acclaimed designer Caroline Gilroy as its new Head of Design, Chief Creative Officer Matt Chandler announced today.
Gilroy brings more than two decades of experience to the role, having worked in senior design positions in Sydney, London, New York, and Melbourne.
Her impressive portfolio includes high-profile rebrands such as CommBank’s diamond logo refresh and the distinctive identity for OzHarvest, alongside major work for Lendlease, the MLC Centre, and Tourism Tasmania’s “Come Down for Air” campaign.
Most recently Head of Design at Howatson+Company, Gilroy was instrumental in building the agency’s design department from the ground up. Her prior experience includes leadership roles at Re and stints with M&C Saatchi, Studio Round, and SouthSouthWest.
Gilroy’s work has been widely recognised, earning accolades at the Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia and Sydney Design Awards.
“Caroline’s appointment is a key addition to our creative leadership team,” said Chandler. “Building a strong culture of design, and a deeper commitment to craft, will lift everything we do across the group. We’re very fortunate to have Caroline join us in this role – we’re excited to have her talents as part of the DDB Sydney journey ahead.”
Gilroy added: “I’m thrilled to be leading the design team at DDB Sydney. DDB is such a powerhouse in the industry, and I’m so excited to be part of an organisation that truly values craft. Working alongside such a talented group of strategic and creative thinkers is both a dream role and an absolute privilege.”
Her appointment is effective immediately.
Snapchat supercharges Gen Z strategy with AI and new creative tools
Snapchat is sharpening its focus on Gen Z and performance marketing with a suite of new products designed to deliver business results at scale.
Announcing the launch of its new brand campaign “Say it in a Snap,” Snapchat is spotlighting the platform’s unique appeal for spontaneous, authentic communication, particularly among 13 to 24-year-olds, 90% of whom use the app in Australia.
Ryan Ferguson, Managing Director of Snapchat Australia and New Zealand, underscored the platform’s strategic direction:
“Snapchat is the go-to platform for more than 90% of Aussies aged 13-24.
“We know the next generation of growth is going to come from Gen Z, and Snapchat is the best place to reach them.
“We’re continuing to invest in new advertising products, from First Snap’s direct engagement to the power of Sponsored Snaps in the auction and our AI-powered Smart Campaign Solutions, expanding opportunities for brands to connect with Snapchatters in innovative ways that drive real business results.”
Ryan Ferguson
Key developments include:
Sponsored Snaps Take Center Stage
Snapchat is expanding its Sponsored Snaps offering short, visual messages placed in users’ Chat Feeds to help advertisers reach users across the full funnel. Updates include:
• Sponsored Snaps from Creators: Allowing brands to deliver directly from a creator’s handle.
• Web & App Auction Ads: Enabling performance-driven targeting for actions like purchases or installs.
• First Snap: A premium first-impression unit that places a brand at the top of a user’s Chat Feed for maximum visibility.
AI-Powered Campaign Tools
Alongside its new ad products, Snapchat has quietly been building out a new generation of performance-driven tools that rely on machine learning. Smart Bidding lets advertisers set a target cost-per-action (CPA), with Snapchat’s systems adjusting in real-time to optimise for scale while staying within the bid range.
Meanwhile, Smart Budget, currently in alpha, automatically shifts spend to the best-performing ad sets within a campaign. It’s designed to deliver better outcomes and reduce time spent tinkering in Ads Manager.
New Creative Platform: Under the Ghost
Snapchat is also making a play in the music and creator space with the launch of Under the Ghost, a new live performance series filmed at Snapchat’s Santa Monica studio.
It offers artists a direct and authentic way to engage fans while doubling as a high-impact branding opportunity.
Snapchat+ and Platform Exclusivity
Snapchat+ now counts nearly 15 million subscribers, up 59% from last year. This growth helped drive a 75% increase in “Other Revenue,” which reached $152 million in Q1, putting the product on pace for a $600 million annualised run rate.
Snapchat’s audience is also distinctively its own. According to GWI data from the second half of 2024, 40% of daily US Snapchatters aged 16–64 don’t use TikTok daily.
That figure jumps to 53% for YouTube, 68% for X (formerly Twitter), and 79% for Pinterest.
Even Facebook sees significant drop-off, with 37% of US Snapchatters not using it daily, and among 16–24-year-olds, that number spikes to 59%.
AI brings notorious underworld figure back to life in new podcast, The Gangster’s Ghost
The Australian has launched The Gangster’s Ghost, a true crime podcast that blends advanced audio technology with investigative journalism to resurrect one of Sydney’s most notorious underworld figures.
The ten-part series investigates the life and mysterious murder of Stewart John Regan, also known as “The Magician,” a feared gangster whose violent reign ended in 1974 when he was killed at the age of 29.
In a groundbreaking move, the podcast uses AI to recreate Regan’s voice from archival and covert recordings, allowing listeners to hear the story partially narrated by the gangster himself.
“The Gangster’s Ghost is a gripping investigative podcast that takes our audio storytelling to a new level,” The Australian’s Editor-In-Chief, Michelle Gunn said.
“By using our audio expertise to recreate Regan’s voice from archival recordings, listeners are able to hear directly from the key figure in this 50-year-old mystery. This innovative approach, combined with first-class investigative journalism, promises to be a must-listen from The Australian.”
Hosted by award-winning journalist and seasoned podcaster Matt Condon, the series is the result of a five-year investigation. Condon was approached by Kelly Slater Regan, a former police officer and Regan’s cousin, who asked him to uncover the truth about her family’s dark past.
Matthew Condon
The podcast explores the depths of Regan’s criminal life and shines new light on a cold case that continues to haunt investigators and the family alike.
“Five years ago, Kelly Slater Regan asked me to investigate her cousin, Stewart John Regan,” said Condon. “The family sought answers about his life, and especially his murder in 1974 in Sydney.
“This was a case of a family wanting to know the truth about their black sheep after decades of rumours and allegations about Regan. They were prepared for the worst – what if he was an even bigger monster than they’d imagined?”
The production team behind the series includes Editorial Director Claire Harvey as executive producer and Lia Tsamoglou as producer, leveraging The Australian’s robust multimedia capabilities.
Alongside the podcast, the project is supported by rich editorial content and video storytelling to give audiences multiple ways to engage with the investigation.
The Gangster’s Ghost is available now on The Australian’s website and all major podcast platforms.
Out of Home talent honoured at the 2025 Outdoor Media Association Industry Awards
The Out of Home (OOH) sector paused to celebrate its brightest talent last night at the 2025 Outdoor Media Association (OMA) Industry Awards, held at Crown Sydney.
Described as a night of energy, recognition and camaraderie, the event highlighted the professionals whose creativity, innovation and dedication continue to elevate the Out of Home industry in Australia.
This year saw over 90 nominations across 15 categories, reflecting both the momentum and depth of talent within the OMA membership.
“The atmosphere at Crown last night was electric. The Industry Awards are a rare moment for Out of Home to hit pause, come together, and celebrate our people. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists whose passion and creativity keeps our industry moving forward,” said OMA CEO Elizabeth McIntyre.
Among the evening’s most poignant moments was the induction of Steve O’Connor, former CEO of JCDecaux, and the late Keith Forbes, formerly of Buckle Brothers, into the OMA Hall of Fame.
“Both are incredibly deserving, having contributed so much to the Out of Home industry. The moving tributes from industry stalwarts last night are a testament to the strength of their legacy, one that continues to shape what we see today,” McIntyre added.
Judging was carried out by a respected panel of industry leaders: Adam Cadwallader (Motio), Brad Bishopp (Bishopp), Cathy O’Connor (oOh!media), Charles Parry-Okeden (OMA and MOVE), Ged Hart (Total Outdoor Media), Kirrily Hirst (GoTransit), and Kirsty Dollisson (TorchMedia).
2025 OMA Industry Award winners
Emerging Leader Award
Alex Hobbs – oOh!media
OMA Industry Award
Michael Cali – oOh!media
Excellence in Innovation Award
Sabarish Chirakkal – VMO
Outstanding Service Award
NSW | Adam Cadwallader – Motio
NSW | Jason Bell – oOh!media
QLD | Chris Tyquin – goa Billboards
VIC | Danielle Cameron – VMO
SA | Mark Williams – oOh!media
WA | Phil Dada – GoTransit Media Group
Rising Star Award
NSW | Brendan Murphy – Motio
QLD | Samantha Shakspeare – Bishopp Outdoor Advertising
VIC | Kate Sproule – oOh!media
SA | Maddison Caputo – oOh!media
WA | Dominic Driscoll – oOh!media
Excellence in Design & Construction
The Icon (Melbourne) – JCDecaux & Hanlon Industries
Excellence in Field Work & WHS
Fernando Alfeirao – QMS Media
Hall of Fame Inductees
Keith Forbes (posthumous)
Steve O’Connor (former CEO, JCDecaux)
It truly takes a village – support from work during the fertility journey
By Kate Smailes, Managing Partner, Havas Blvd and Chief Client Officer Havas Australia
As I sit here on my second Mother’s Day, my first as a full time working mum, cuddling my twins, I find myself reflecting on the last five years and how I got to where I am today and how I am incredibly grateful for so much.
My husband and my journey to parenthood was not smooth. Four years, six pregnancies, 13 surgeries, five rounds of IVF, endless amounts of medication and injections- we finally met our miracle twin girls in September 2023, and we couldn’t be happier, our family was complete!
Everything we went through takes a huge toll, physically, emotionally and financially. Add in high pressure jobs, where both of us travel a lot, it could have all been too much.
I write this story today as the more I speak to clients, colleagues and friends, the more I realise how common fertility issues are and how lonely the time can be without a wide range of support – this is for both females and males. Both go through the emotional toll of fertility issues and should be supported.
Personally, as a female who had dedicated over 15 years to my career before starting to try for a family, there was naturally concern that work would not be supportive of my family plans, particularly when they could take a while to come true.
Concerns that my career would stall during this time and concerns that work would not be supportive of the time I needed to face all the challenges we came up against. I was so wrong…my work village stepped in and gave me the support I needed to be able to do it all – chase the family dream while continuing to move forward in my career, and more importantly they understood the challenges I was facing and not only supported me, but everyone else who would face what I was facing.
In late 2020, after our 3rd miscarriage and on the edge of starting IVF during COVID lockdowns, our HR director spoke a lot to me about what I was going through and what could help to relieve some of the emotional stress we were facing, these conversations led to new industry leading policies across the Group, and I am thankful that my situation led to positive change for colleagues facing this in the future.
The care, compassion and love that came to my husband Dan and I from my teams across the village, our senior leadership and my clients during this time was overwhelming. At no point did I feel like my job was at risk or that I was being treated differently in my career due to my family aspirations, or the time it was taking to achieve them. In many ways I felt the opposite.
A lot of expecting parents still believe in not sharing pregnancy news until the second trimester, however with one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage, it can become a very lonely place very quickly. I am so grateful to have had family, friends as well as my workplace beside me during our five miscarriages.
Once our beautiful girls arrived in September 2023, I took 13 months of maternity leave. Wow – what an adjustment! I went from a full time, intensive job, to being at home with two tiny humans…. I stayed in touch with the team and clients during this time, which allowed me to feel connected with this part of my village. Knowing that I was still valued in the workplace was amazing for my mindset at the time.
When it came time to return to work, the concerns naturally crept back in – would the team welcome me back, would the clients welcome a change to their accounts again, would work allow me to shift my hours slightly to fit around child care? I shouldn’t have had any concerns – The teams and clients celebrated my return, and everyone supported my new ways of working, a small shift in time in the office, which allows me to be home to give my babies a cuddle and tuck them into bed for the night.
Everyone says the time goes so quickly and to make the most of this time while they are so little, I am so grateful that my employer feels this as well and encourages me to spend the time with our miracle babies.
I hope that by sharing my story, others in similar situations find some strength to let people in – family, friends and work. We spend so much of our time at work, when you desperately want something and it is not happening, it really helps to share your feelings. To employees -trust me that if your employers feel supported, you will be getting a lot more out of them than if they are suffering in silence. I will be forever grateful to work for supporting us through a very difficult time.
For anyone on a fertility journey – it is long, it is tough, but the end result is worth every tear and heartache.
Our fertility Doctor quoted John Lennon on our first meeting, fitting as my husband works in the music industry: ‘Everything will be ok in the end, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end”. This got me through some dark days. Whatever the end looks like for you – make sure you have a village around you – family, friends, colleagues and a supportive employer, it is invaluable!
Aussie Broadband connects with crowds through INVNT’s Wi-Fi Slam
Following the buzz of their SXSW Sydney collaboration, global brand storytelling agency INVNT has once again delivered for Aussie Broadband, this time bringing broadband to life at one of Australia’s most iconic public events, the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
In its debut as a sponsor of the Show, Aussie Broadband enlisted INVNT to develop an experience that would both entertain and communicate core brand values.
The result was “Wi-Fi Slam – Bang on Broadband”, a 36sqm high-energy installation that successfully fused play, performance, and product messaging.
Over 12 days, the activation drew 10,937 participants and stood out amid the sensory overload of the Show’s crowded pavilions.
The centrepiece was a custom-built strength tester: a classic carnival-style setup reimagined to convey the brand’s promise of powerful, reliable internet.
Guests were invited to swing a giant hammer and try to hit “full signal strength,” symbolised by the satisfying ring of a bell and a lit-up signal bar.
“At an event as big and busy as the Sydney Royal Easter Show, we knew we had to do something bold to stand out and make a real impact,” said Matthew Terry, Marketing Manager at Aussie Broadband.
“We wanted to bring value to every visitor’s day with something fun, memorable, and uniquely us, while also sharing what we stand for as a brand. The activation cut through the noise, sparked genuine engagement, and brought our brand promise to life in a bold and unexpected way.”
The installation combined physical fun with strategic brand storytelling, offering a tactile metaphor for Aussie Broadband’s connectivity strength while keeping the experience light, cheeky, and distinctly local in tone.
“Live activations offer a unique opportunity to bring brand values to life in unforgettable ways,” added Laura Roberts, Managing Director APAC at INVNT.
“The ‘Wi-Fi Slam’ was all about aligning Aussie Broadband’s commitment to forward-thinking tech and grassroots values with an experience that was cheeky, engaging, and immediately communicated the promise of powerful, reliable broadband. We’re incredibly proud of how it performed.”
The Ads That Made Us: Tell me more… Lube Mobile, Cottee’s Cordial and Brazil’s 1998 World Cup campaign with Nike
Whether it’s a childhood jingle that you can still sing word for word, or a campaign that influences the way you work today, everyone has an ad that has really stuck with them.
Mediaweek has been asking the industry to take a trip down memory lane to find out all about the ads that have stuck with them.
Giles Watson, Executive Creative Director, DDB Group Melbourne
Lube Mobile ‘That’s 13 13 32’
The jingle, the casting—what’s not to love about this ad?
I’ve never needed the product…but for almost 30 years, I’ve smiled every time the numbers 13 13 32 randomly pop into my head.
Elise Hedley Dale, Media Director and Founder, Media Words
Cottee’s Cordial’s “My Dad picks the fruit”
I feel like this ad was EVERYWHERE for so many years—it was almost the kids’ anthem. I find myself humming this tune whenever I think about the ad.
It’s an instant mood enhancer What made this ad so good wasn’t just the catchy tune, it was how it totally captured what made cordial special for Aussie families.
It wasn’t just a drink; it was like this whole childhood ritual, a treat, and sometimes even what your parents promised if you behaved yourself!
Cordial was just part of being a 90s kid. Having a health-conscious mum meant we weren’t allowed cordial at home, but whenever I went to anyone’s house, that was it, special treat time! The lime one got me every time.
Ben Walker, Chief Doer, The Do Collective
Nike’s Ad for World Cup, Brazil at the Airport – 1998
Oh, the Airport! Nike’s football ads weren’t just commercials; they were captivating, a joy to watch! The Brazil team dribbling through an airport? Pure magic with a football. The impossible tekkers, the samba soundtrack, Ronaldo (the real one) pinging a shot off the post instead of scoring just because.
These ads weren’t just selling boots; they were selling dreams. They captured football at its purest—spontaneous, electrifying and effortlessly cool. You’d watch them and immediately run outside, convinced you were about to pull off an Elastico or smash a rising volley like the Brazilian players. Spoiler: I wasn’t! But for those few minutes, me and my mates believed.
The Nike ads stuck because they didn’t just showcase football; they celebrated it. The joy, the swagger, the sheer artistry of the game. And honestly, wasn’t there a time we all thought when we got to an airport terminal a game would break out!
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To take part in future editions of The Ads That Made Us, please email: [email protected]
Past editions of The Ads That Made Us.
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Top image: Giles Watson, Elise Hedley Dale and Ben Walker
Farmer Wants a Wife plot twist: New ladies join the show
Just when it seemed the dust had settled on the paddocks of Farmer Wants a Wife, Seven’s enduring reality format is flipping the narrative.
On Monday, 12 May, host Natalie Gruzlewski will disrupt the farmers’ slow-burn romances with a curveball: a surprise arrival of four new potential matches for each farmer.
The twist introduces a high-drama injection right when emotional investment is peaking, a smart mid-season play that promises to jolt audience engagement and deepen advertiser appeal.
The new additions come after Farmer Jarrad went rogue and picked Chloe as his special lady, sending the rest of his ladies home.
The 21-year-old Queensland sheep farmer took Chloe and Ashlee on final dates and introduced them to his family before making his decision.
Jarrad ultimately chose the 21-year-old Queensland bartender, Chloe, after they formed an immediate connection. The pair became close during a 24-hour stay on his farm, sharing a love of country music and similar sense of humour.
Disruption with purpose
With the new recruits, the farmers will spend one-on-one time with the new ladies before inviting two to join the others on the farm.
The latecomers know they are stepping into already-formed connections, but they’re not backing down. Their arrival is set to shake things up and stir emotions, after all, the road to love is never straightforward.
Could one of these surprise arrivals end up stealing a farmer’s heart?
You can meet the farmers here.
The Farmers at the heart of the storm
Below are the farmers and the ladies who will be facing a new round of decisions and potential heartbreak:
Farmer Corey, 24, Biloela, QLD
With a focus on beans, hay and cotton, Corey’s young energy and openness have endeared him to fans. But how will he respond when new connections are put on the table?
Farmer Corey’s new ladies
Farmer Corey’s new ladies: Chloe, Kailey, Amberlee and Annie
Farmer Thomas, 35, Kimba, SA
A quiet achiever in wheat, barley and lentils, Thomas has built trust with his existing matches. The twist could test his head-versus-heart instincts.
Farmer Thomas’ new ladies
Farmer Thomas’ new ladies Jessica, Kirrin, Tayla and Laura
Farmer Tom 31, Borambola, NSW
With his sheep farming roots and gentle manner, Tom has played a steady game. The new arrivals could force a rethink of everything he thought he knew.
Farmer Tom’s new ladies
Farmer Tom’s new ladies Jessica, Kirrin, Tayla and Laura
Each farmer will spend one-on-one time with the new arrivals before choosing two women to stay on the farm.
When is Farmer Wants a Wife on?
Farmer Wants a Wife, 7.30pm Mondays and Tuesdays on Seven and 7plus
Google Search alternatives have already been found
By Taylor Fielding, CEO of TFM Digital
At the end of last week AANA’s CEO, Josh Faulks, claimed ChatGPT will overtake Google Search within four years, at the Reset conference in Sydney. While I agree with the sentiment, I believe we’re closer than he thinks.
The seeds of change
In late 2024, Google’s search engine dominance showed its first signs of cracking with its market share dropping below 90% for the first time in a decade. It’s not a blip given it stayed around 89% between October – December. These 1% drops equate to billions of searches.
On desktop this figure globally is even lower at just 79% as of March 2025, with Bing at its highest in decades now with 12% market share. Which suggests it’s more than just the older generation that refuse to change their search habits, now using the platform thanks to results powered by Open AI.
Simply from a competition standpoint, other search engines are making in-roads into Google’s dominance.
Greater expectations
The decline with the online search engine world is one element, but a customer’s journey is, and hasn’t been for a while, linear. It starts with a wider context.
According to BCG, modern customer journeys revolve around four key behaviours: streaming, scrolling, searching and shopping. A reimagined influence map incorporates and allows for human behaviour that can occur at any stage of the journey, not just solely having to track through an awareness/consideration/action funnel.
The rise of Social Commerce, through Insta’s Shop / TikTok Shop / Facebook Marketplace / YouTube Shop tab are all responsible for driving more people to start their search on social first. This explains why Big 4 Consultants have discussed the shortened journey for consumers from discovery to decision making.
Almost one in four now start their online searches on social media. And at a higher level for younger audiences with up to 51% of Gen Z respondents preferring TikTok to Google Search.
Often there’s a higher level of trust for online consumer recommendations, with 61% of Gen Z trusting influencers and brands over friends and family. With one separate study finding that almost two in three 18–24-year-olds use TikTok to find local businesses, it shows that these key moments of when people need information, it’s being sought outside of Google.
TikTok’s video format, featuring relatable people, in real locations provides speed and visual content that younger users now expect and demand.
AI battleground
Gartner now expects AI-powered tools to reduce traditional search use by 25% by the end of next year. One of the main rivals, Perplexity AI has even started in Beta for running ads (in the US first). Overtaking Google’s position of dominance was once seen as ambitious. Yet it no longer feels out of reach.
Platforms like ChatGPT search and Perplexity don’t just return answers. They adjust to follow-up questions and deliver information in context. This is often cross-referenced from multiple sources (remember should never replace human fact-checking).
They’re built to reduce effort, so there’s no need to filter between 10 links or scan pages for relevance. As Gartner’s Alan Antin puts it: “Generative AI will reduce the volume of traditional search engine use.” This is not a prediction, it’s already here.
Google’s PMax preference
We’ve heard reports of Google reps strongly pushing Google’s Demand Gen and Performance Max (PMax) campaigns. These offer advertisers a one-stop solution across Google’s full suite of platforms, from search/display/shopping/
Even when we start a new Google Ads account, you’ll receive the recommendation to opt for PMax campaigns to suit your needs.
This approach from Google, has had its detractors with many citing inefficiencies. As an example, it means that daily budgets for advertisers will always be spent, no matter the audience, given there are always places across Google’s suite of platforms for your ads to go (when compared to budget dedicated to keyword searches).
It’s like Google has stopped developing its search product and created this PMax suite to go all-in on.
What does it all mean?
The industry is moving away from planning using the traditional funnel, this now being reserved for measurement. For agile media planning that’s built for the real-world, we’re planning for behaviours.
Google however hasn’t quite nailed how to evolve its search advertising business to incorporate a compelling offering, to compete against the likes of Perplexity and ChatGPT Search on the AI-front. Its ‘AI-Overview’ is competent but lacks the flair and usefulness of others.
ChatGPT will read results in ‘one language’ how another GPT may use a different one, so marketers will need to maintain conversations with SEO teams to ensure your brand’s backend is appropriately crafted.
Should marketers switch their budgets from Google search tomorrow? Well, not quite. While there is a shift in terms of where eyeballs are focusing online, there is still value for Google’s search rankings. AI platforms are still indexing content based on Google’s rankings (or Bing’s for ChatGPT Search), so from an SEO content perspective, there’s still a very important job to be done.
Election 2025
That 97.7% figure in Peter Dutton’s seat? It’s being misused
As Soofia Tariqm writes in Crikey, it used that figure to question whether tens of thousands of voters in Dickson simply didn’t turn up.
But the AEC clarified that the 97.7% refers only to the portion of votes included in the two-candidate preferred (TCP) count, not the total votes cast, and certainly not turnout.
Companies
AI job interviews are here… and they’re creeping people out
AI interview bots are now trained to analyse not just answers, but your tone, expressions and energy.
As Ella McIlveen writes on news.com.au, while companies like Vodafone and L’Oréal say they save time and cash, plenty of users online are calling it tone-deaf, dystopian, and just plain disrespectful.
Brands
RØDE’s Peter Freedman acquires US rival Lectrosonics
As Mark Whittaker writes in Forbes Australia, the acquisition includes Lectrosonics’ facilities in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and 27,000 square metres of land.
Freedman plans to shift manufacturing of RØDE products for the Americas to this new facility within 90 days, aiming to enhance production efficiency and mitigate potential tariff impacts .
Television
Bluey, Fisk and Thou Shalt Not Steal shine at Screen Producers Awards
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, Northern Pictures reclaimed its crown as Production Business of the Year, repeating its 2022 triumph.
Ludo Pictures nabbed two major wins, Bluey was named top animated production, while Thou Shalt Not Steal took out best drama series. Meanwhile, Fisk scored Comedy Program of the Year for Origma 45.
Tech
TechOne UK exec walks after reported clash with Aussie boss
According to Angelica Snowden in The Australian, Hanna stepped down as a director on April 16, not just from TechnologyOne, but also from five related subsidiaries including Courseloop and several Scientia entities.
Insiders say MacDonald’s UK visits are anything but casual, describing his leadership style as combative.
Quantum leap or cold feet? Aussie supercomputer project under review
As Jared Lynch reports in The Australian, the company has unveiled a deal with Germany’s Linde Engineering to construct what would be the world’s largest cryogenic plant to house it.
The ambitious build is set to take years, with hopes to go live by the end of 2027.
Apple hints at an AI shake-up for Safari as Google deal wobbles
The potential shift was revealed by Eddy Cue, Apple’s services chief, during a landmark antitrust case against Google in the US.
As Mark Gurman, Leah Nylen and Stephanie Lai report in The Sydney Morning Herald, at stake is a $31 billion-a-year deal that makes Google the go-to search engine on Apple devices—an agreement now under legal fire.
OpenAI goes global with plan to build AI hubs beyond US borders
According to Shirin Ghaffary who writes in The Australian Financial Review, the goal is to help nations stand up their own data centres and tailor AI tools like ChatGPT to local languages and needs.
The company, backed by both private and public funds, aims to kick off around 10 international projects but hasn’t yet revealed where.
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