Thursday September 26, 2019

Podcast Week

• Branded audio, Home Beautiful, AFL gags live, Emmys

By James Manning

BBC study reveals unique effectiveness of branded podcasts

Branded podcasts are an effective means of advertising and a powerful addition to the marketing mix, generating real cut-through with audiences – particularly ad avoiders, according to the findings of a new study released by the BBC.

In addition, podcast impact increases when the listener is engaged in other tasks, which is true for 94% of podcast listeners, and therefore represents an entirely separate space for brands to reach their audiences. These are among the findings of Audio: Activated, a new study commissioned by BBC StoryWorks – BBC Global News’s branded content division – and carried out across four continents by neuroscience researchers at Neuro-Insight. It researches the minds of audio listeners to discover the unique benefits of this space for brands.

The study’s key findings include:

• Branding stands out from the content, helping land the message
• Branded podcasts achieve unique cut-through with ad avoiders
• Podcast listeners are active
• Activity makes listeners more receptive
• Branded podcasts drive positive associations
• Podcasts provide extra time for brands

Alistair McEwan (pictured), BBC SVP Commercial Development, APAC, said, “With our long heritage of audio content at the BBC we know it works and have consistently seen the impact it has on our audiences, but we saw a need within the industry to be able to demonstrate this impact for brands. The results from across APAC specifically speak for themselves, namely that not only do podcasts give you access to an almost 20% new and untapped audience of international news consumers but there is a higher level of engagement and emotional intensity that podcasts invoke, driving an 11% uplift in purchase intent.”

Read more about the study and its findings here.

Glenn Robbins and Dave O’Neil live

The popular podcast Somehow Related with Glenn Robbins and Dave O’Neil comes alive for the first time ever at a special live recording in front of an audience next month.

On each episode the hosts try and work out how two things are “somehow related”. The Melbourne event will include two podcast recording with the second show featuring a special guest.

The recording takes place on Saturday October 26 at 5pm at the European Bier Cafe basement at 120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.

Tickets are $25 and can be booked here.

Magazine style editors combine for House of Style

Former rival magazine style editors have announced a new podcast promising a deep dive into prominent Australian interior brands, designers, artists, makers, industry personalities and their stories.

Kerrie-Ann Jones was formally the style editor at Bauer Media’s Real Living magazine and Jono Fleming held down the same role at Inside Out. Fleming’s former magazine was launched by News Corp Australia originally, but it moved to Bauer Media last year when Bauer acquired some News lifestyle titles.

The first episode it yet to be released, but the hosts have a short teaser podcast online you can listen to here.

The official podcast of Home Beautiful magazine

Another worthwhile listen for style advice comes from the Home Beautiful team every day as they deliver a daily dose, including easy styling hacks, tips and tricks for living beautifully plus plenty of renovation and design advice.

The Pacific podcast, branded The Daily Home Edit, has been launched after the publisher’s recent partnership with Acast.

The bite-size five minute episodes feature many on the magazine’s team and the series launched this week with Home Beautiful managing editor Katrina O’Brien and style editor Fiona Michelon.

Listen to The Daily Home Edit here.

Adam Rozenbachs and Wil Anderson live

Another live recording, one that has become an annual event is the joint Junktime/2 Guys 1 Cup podcast. The stars of the two podcasts will be taking the stage at the European Bier Café in Melbourne this Sunday, the day after the AFL Grand Final.

Adam Rozenbachs and Michael Chamberlin from Junktime will be joined by 2 Guys 1 Cup’s Wil Anderson to dissect the Grand Final. Wil’s co-host Charlie Clausen can’t be there, but the podcast will cross to him for his insights.

There were still tickets available at $20 each when we checked Thursday morning.

Book tickets here.
Listen to the JunkTime AFL podcast here.
Listen to the 2 Guys 1 Cup AFL Podcast here.

Emmy Awards: Podcasts with 11 winners + chatter about results

The Emmy Awards were held on Monday morning AEST this week and The Hollywood Reporter is always a good place to go to hear podcasts with some of the winners.

The US trade magazine has separate podcasts with 11 people who won big this year:

RuPaul — best reality-competition program and best host for a reality or competition program (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge — best actress in a comedy series, best writing for a comedy series and best comedy series (Fleabag)
Billy Porter — best actor in a drama series (Pose)
Seth MacFarlane — best character voiceover performance (Family Guy)
James Corden — best variety special prerecorded (Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool) and best shortform variety series (Carpool Karaoke: The Series)
Lorne Michaels — best variety sketch series (Saturday Night Live)
Jimmy Kimmel — best variety special live (Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons)
Norman Lear — best variety special live (Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons)
Jason Bateman — best directing for a drama series (Ozark)
Rosamund Pike — best actress in a shortform series (State of the Union)
Josh Gondelman — best writing for a variety series (Last Week Tonight With John Oliver)

Listen to Hollywood Reporter podcasts here.

For a local perspective on the Emmys and where to watch those series in Australia check out Mamamia’s daily entertainment podcast The Spill which covers the top pop culture stories of the day, hosted by Laura Brodnik and Kee Reece. The hosts recorded one episode dedicated to the Emmys this week.

Listen to The Spill here.

Robin Bailey reveals the death of ‘love of her life’ Sean Pickwell

Just five days after Robin Bailey farewelled her Triple M Brisbane audience to spend time with her ailing husband Sean Pickwell, Bailey has revealed he passed away early this morning.

Pickwell was with Bailey at Triple M during her final program last Friday.

Bailey wrote on social media this morning:

What can I say … my big beautiful panda has gone . He died as he lived … his way … at home with us holding him … early this morning.

In this moment there are no words or feelings that can truly express the love and gratitude I have for my husband Sean Pickwell. He came into our lives and healed us. He loved me so hard and taught me so much and now whatever life throws at us we will be stronger, wiser and more fierce because of him .

He was my absolute soul mate, the true love of my life and whatever I do from now on he will be in my heart and in my corner cheering me on.

Sean will be remembered at a memorial for family and friends in the coming weeks but if his journey touched you or you want to reach out for us I ask you to do two things.

Give blood. Its life saving for so many people and it’s easy and pain free and can do so much for so many. His legacy is Team Sean Pickwell Red25 at any blood bank in Australia

Plus donate or support Karuna .https://www.karuna.org.au This most amazing none profit organisation gave us the support and means to grant his final wishes to die at home surrounded in love with the people he loved

Emma Watkins
smoothfm secures ARIA Award-winning singer for weekend show

ARIA Award winner singer and actor Emma Watkins, the first female member of The Wiggles, joins the smoothfm weekend line up from Saturday 28 September.

Watkins will be heard alongside smoothfm’s high profile weekend announcers Melissa Doyle, Richard Wilkins, David Campbell and Cameron Daddo, on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 2pm.

Best known for her role as the yellow Wiggle, Watkins has performed for audiences across the globe as part of The Wiggles since 2010.

The Wiggles have sold over seven million albums, 23 million DVD’s, eight million books, and have been awarded 18 Gold, 13 Platinum, three Double Platinum and 10 Multi-Platinum Awards for music and DVD sales.

Watkins started dancing at age four, ballet first and Irish dancing followed. She went on to study jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and character dancing professionally. After completing her schooling at The McDonald College of Performing Arts, she received a full scholarship to study film editing at Sydney Film School. Watkins went on to finish her full-time dance training at ED5International and concurrently completed her Masters in Media Arts and Production at University of Technology Sydney.

In 2010 she joined The Wiggles as Fairy Larissa before taking over from Greg Page as the yellow Wiggle in 2012. Watkins also stars in the ABC Kids television series Emma!, which launched in 2015, opening a new interactive world to pre-school viewers. Currently she is doing her PHD in “Creative integration of dance, sign Language, light, space and film editing” at Macquarie University.

Watkins said: “I’m a smoothfm fan so when the request came out of the blue to join the station, I was so excited to be part of the smoothfm weekend team. I can’t wait share some of my all-time favourite songs with my fellow Aussies.”

Peter Clay, head of programming smoothfm Network said: “Emma is just a delight to listen to and work with. She has a vibrant energy and love of music which I am sure our listeners will love hearing on their weekends.”

Emma Watkins joins smoothfm’s Saturday and Sunday line up with Melissa Doyle in breakfast from 6am, Richard Wilkins from 9am, David Campbell at 2pm and Cameron Daddo from 8pm.

Screen Music Awards return to Melbourne with a new host

The Screen Music Awards were created 17 years ago to celebrate Australian screen composers and their music soundtracks.

In 2019, APRA AMCOS and the AGSC (Australian Guild of Screen Composers) return to co-present the Awards, which remain the only national event to recognise the Australian creators of the best film, television, documentary and advertising music over the past 12 months.

The Awards will return to Melbourne on Wednesday 20 November at the Forum Melbourne. Featuring a reinvigorated format, the event will commence with a theatre style sit-down dinner for guests before the main event kicks off, and will also feature a new host.

Stepping up to the Screen Music Awards podium for the very first time is Justine Clarke, Australia’s reigning Queen of children’s entertainment. Clarke is a 2018 Screen Music Awards nominee and won the award for Best Children’s Album at the 2018 ARIA Awards. 

In November, she will be releasing her 5th illustrated children’s book, A Banana Is A Banana, based on the award-winning song from The Justine Clarke Show!  and her first ever ‘Best Of’ collection (titled Everybody Roar! The Best of Justine Clarke) of songs that have become part of the canon of classic singalong songs for Australian families.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 2019 Screen Music Awards to honour our Australian screen composers, the unsung stars of film and TV production. Sprinkling their magic fairy dust on our work, their extraordinary music is what brings a story or performance to life and connects us with our audience,” said Clarke.

Returning to the Screen Music Awards as Musical Director is Jessica Wells, who will lead a live orchestra as they take a selection of works from the screen and bring them into the Forum for a unique performance. Wells has orchestrated over 70 films, and wrote the theme music for ABC Television’s Q&A program. She was a 2017 Finalist at the Art Music Awards and is the current Vice President of the Music Arrangers’ Guild of Australia.

Nominees in the following categories for the 2019 SCREEN MUSIC AWARDS will be announced in mid-October.

2019 SCREEN MUSIC AWARDS CATEGORIES

• Best Music for an Advertisement
• Best Music for Children’s Television
• Best Music for a Documentary
• Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie
• Best Music for a Short Film
• Best Music for a Television Series or Serial
• Best Television Theme
• Best Original Song Composed for the Screen
• Best Soundtrack Album
• Feature Film Score of the Year
• Most Performed Screen Composer – Australia*
• Most Performed Screen Composer – Overseas*
• Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award (as determined by the APRA Board of Directors)

2019 SCREEN MUSIC AWARDS

Wednesday 20 November, 2019 Forum Melbourne
Hosted by Justine Clarke
Musical Director Jessica Wells

AFL footy fever as Melbourne’s Nova and Triple M host live OBs

With a public holiday in Melbourne tomorrow, some of the breakfast radio shows who were on air this week despite a ratings break held outside broadcasts celebrating the weekend’s AFL Grand Final.

The Nova breakfast team of Chrissie Swan, Jonathan Brown and Sam Pang were joined by the show’s anchor Deano.

Nova’s guest list for breakfast from the top of the Eureka Tower included Santo Cilauro, Dale Thomas, Jack Riewoldt, Max Gawn, Luke Power and Titus O’Reilly.

Triple M Melbourne’s Hot Breakfast team were not far away. Eddie McGuire, Luke Darcy and Wil Anderson were at ground level though, broadcasting the annual event again from Melbourne Public. McGuire was backing up after hosting Nine’s special Grand Final edition of The Footy Show last night.

The Triple M guest list included AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, Lehmo, Chris Judd, Steve Johnson and Joey Montagna.

Musical entertainment was provided by Killing Heidi and Boom Crash Opera.

TV Ratings Analysis: September 25

• The Block boil over in Triple M lifts midweek crowd to 960,000
• Retro Wednesday: Nine wins the night with AFL Footy Show!
• Gruen returns: Despite tech hitch, show #1 ABC, #2 non-news

Wednesday Week 39 2019

By James Manning

• Seven News 924,000/914,000
• Nine News 796,000/809,000
• A Current Affair 703,000
• ABC News 608,000
• 7.30 528,000
• The Project 243,000/444,000
• 10 News First 330,000
• The Drum 159,000
• SBS World News 138,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 280,000
• Today 190,000

Seven

Home and Away went from 617,000 Tuesday to 578,000 last night.

The Celebrity Chase then did 416,000 with guests including Nazeem Hussain and Merv Hughes.

Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions continued with 282,000 after 331,000 last week.

Nine

After starting the week just over 800,000 on Monday, A Current Affair was holding just above 700,000.

The Block further explored the cheating allegations last night with the drama unfolding on Triple M as Block co-creator Julian Cress became entangled. The reluctant TV star didn’t want to challenge one of his contestants on live radio, but the cameras managed to pick up some of the behind-the-scenes drama for the TV show. The episode was the highest-rating Wednesday program this season with 963,000. Without any major reality franchise on 10, The Block cleaned up in all demos.

Southern metro markets then got a one-off Grand Final edition of The AFL Footy Show, which pulled a very impressive 328,000 in Melbourne, 420,000 across metro markets. It easily outperformed last year’s Footy Show special in Grand Final week, which did 248,000.

10

The Project broke a string on 500,000+ audiences when another night of The Masked Singer insights proved too much for some when the second revealed singer, Brett Lee, joined the program.

The channel then moved a new episode of Bondi Rescue to 7.30pm. The episode did 361,000 and a repeat then did 333,000. Not even the magic of the Osher Günsberg narration (one of the five primetime programs he works on for 10) could make the show compete the opposition and the channel dipped to a second single figure primary share this week.

A repeat of the 1994 movie classic Muriel’s Wedding then did 169,000.

ABC

Gruen returned with some technical issues with the audio not synching properly, which became annoying for a show featuring so many talking heads. That didn’t stop 754,000 staying the distance. That was enough to rank #2 non-news show for the night after The Block. It was also the smallest Gruen launch episode audience ever after 862,000 in May last year. The numbers should lift though with a corrected episode available on iview while Gruen XL now screens on Fridays.

Hard Quiz did 630,000 and Utopia was on 638,000.

The Set subsequently got an earlier start around 9.30pm with 189,000 watching an episode that included Jessica Mauboy.

SBS

Tony Robinson was trekking across Dartmoor in the first of a four-episode season of Britain’s Ancient Tracks, which did 222,000.

The Looming Tower then did 110,000 for two episodes.

Week 39 TV: Wednesday
WEDNESDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC13.6%716.6%926.0%10 8.5%SBS One4.3%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.3%7TWO3.4%GO!3.1%10 Bold4.9%VICELAND1.3%
ABC ME0.5%7mate3.2%GEM2.5%10 Peach2.3%Food Net0.8%
ABC NEWS1.7%7flix1.9%9Life1.8%  NITV0.1%
  7Food0.6%    SBS World Movies0.4%
TOTAL18.1% 25.8% 33.4% 15.8% 7.0%

 

WEDNESDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC11.2%719.8%918.6%WIN8.3%SBS One4.1%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY3.0%7TWO3.9%GO!4.3%WIN Bold4.8%VICELAND1.5%
ABC ME1.4%7mate3.5%GEM4.1%WIN Peach2.1%Food Net1.1%
ABC NEWS1.3%7flix (Excl. Tas/WA)2.3%9Life2.3%Sky News  on WIN1.9%NITV0.1%
  7food (QLD only)0.5%      
TOTAL16.9% 30.0% 29.3% 17.1% 6.8%

 

WEDNESDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
86.7%13.3%
WEDNESDAY FTA
  1. The Block Nine 963,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 924,000
  3. Seven News Seven 914,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 809,000
  5. Nine News Nine 796,000
  6. Gruen ABC 754,000
  7. A Current Affair Nine 703,000
  8. Utopia ABC 638,000
  9. Hard Quiz S4 ABC 630,000
  10. ABC News ABC 608,000
  11. Home And Away Seven 578,000
  12. The Chase Australia Seven 549,000
  13. 7.30 ABC 528,000
  14. The Project 7pm 10 444,000
  15. The Footy Show Nine 420,000
  16. The Celebrity Chase Seven 416,000
  17. Hot Seat Nine 408,000
  18. Bondi Rescue 10 361,000
  19. The Chase Australia-5pm Seven 340,000
  20. Bondi Rescue (R) 10 333,000
Demo Top 5

16-39 Top Five

  1. The Block Nine 227,000
  2. Gruen ABC 123,000
  3. The Project 7pm 10 120,000
  4. Utopia ABC 113,000
  5. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 111,000

 

18-49 Top Five

  1. The Block Nine 423,000
  2. Gruen ABC 220,000
  3. Utopia ABC 217,000
  4. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 209,000
  5. The Project 7pm 10 207,000

 

25-54 Top Five

  1. The Block Nine 484,000
  2. Gruen ABC 274,000
  3. Utopia ABC 269,000
  4. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 264,000
  5. Seven News Seven 249,000
WEDNESDAY Multichannel
  1. Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 189,000
  2. Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 175,000
  3. NCIS: Los Angeles (R) 10 Bold 167,000
  4. Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 160,000
  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Ep 2 (R) 10 Bold 158,000
  6. NCIS (R) 10 Bold 157,000
  7. Kiri And Lou PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  8. PJ Masks PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  9. Fireman Sam AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  10. Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  11. Kiddets AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 144,000
  12. Olobob Top AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
  13. Go Jetters ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
  14. Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 137,000
  15. Thomas And Friends: Big World! Big Adventure ABCKIDS/COMEDY 132,000
  16. Little Princess AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 131,000
  17. Border Security – Australia’s Front Line 7Two 128,000
  18. Octonauts PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 124,000
  19. Dinosaur Train ABCKIDS/COMEDY 123,000
  20. Wanda And The Alien PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 118,000
WEDNESDAY  STV
  1. Gogglebox Australia Lifestyle Channel 161,000
  2. Love It Or List It Australia Lifestyle Channel 98,000
  3. Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 61,000
  4. Find Me A Beach House Lifestyle Channel 56,000
  5. Richo & Jones Sky News Live 53,000
  6. The Bolt Report Sky News Live 53,000
  7. Family Guy FOX8 52,000
  8. The Simpsons FOX8 46,000
  9. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 46,000
  10. Family Guy FOX8 44,000
  11. Blue Bloods TVH!TS 40,000
  12. Credlin Sky News Live 39,000
  13. Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 38,000
  14. The Simpsons FOX8 36,000
  15. Live: The Bullring FOX FOOTY 36,000
  16. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 36,000
  17. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 34,000
  18. Blaze And The Monster Machines Nick Jr. 33,000
  19. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 33,000
  20. The Matty Johns Podcast FOX LEAGUE 32,000

Shares all people, 6pm-midnight, Overnight (Live and AsLive), Audience numbers FTA metro, Sub TV national
Source: OzTAM and Regional TAM 2018. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM

Media News Roundup

Business of Media

US buyout giant Silver Lake in bid for Ticketek owner TE

The country’s biggest ticketing and live entertainment business TEG has caught the eye of a cashed-up private equity suitor, with a $1 billion-plus deal expected imminently, reports The AFR’s Street Talk.

Street Talk reports TEG’s owner, pan Asian private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners, and management, headed by long-time boss Geoff Jones, are in late stage talks to sell the company to a North American private equity firm.

TEG is an Australian ticketing, live events and data analytics business. It owns Ticketek Australia and New Zealand, TEG Live, Softix, Eventopia and Sydney’s Qudos Arena, and has been making a push into offshore markets.

Affinity bought TEG, which was then known as Nine Live, from Nine Entertainment in 2015 for $640 million.

[Read the original]

Ricky Ow promoted at WarnerMedia Ent Networks, Asia Pacific

Ricky Ow has been named President, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, Distribution and Advertising Sales, APAC, uniting Turner Asia Pacific and HBO Asia.

Spanning 42 countries in 14 languages, WarnerMedia Entertainment Asia Pacific brands include Warner TV, Oh!K, Mondo TV, Mondo Mah-Jong TV, TABI Channel, Tabi Tele, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, POGO and Tuzki together with HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red as well as the OTT service HBO Go, and two SVOD services HBO On Demand and Ding Ji Ju Chang. WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks is also responsible for the distribution of CNN International, HLN and BabyFirst in Asia.

Ricky Ow

Ow, previously President, Turner Asia Pacific, takes on responsibility for all entertainment networks, distribution of all networks, advertising sales and the kids networks operations in the Asia Pacific region and reports into Giorgio Stock, President, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, Distribution and Advertising Sales, EMEA and APAC.

“Ricky has done a tremendous job in building a team that has transformed our business in Asia, investing in award-winning premium content, developing completely new revenue streams and optimising operations. I’m confident that he and his extended team will deliver even more to our partners and invest further in what we offer our fans,” said Stock.

Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia, will be leaving the company. “I want to thank Jonathan, who over his long tenure has led the Asian team with passion, entrepreneurship, and a focus on innovation, applying throughout his good humour and a healthy dose of common sense. I am looking forward to having his precious advice and his insights through the end of this year as we bring our companies together and prepare for a new chapter,” Stock added.

Nine slams Facebook, Google for 'ignoring' harm caused to publishers

Nine Entertainment Co has lashed Facebook and Google for ignoring the harm they have caused local media companies and journalism, claiming the tech titans have put the production of news under financial pressure, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jennifer Duke.

Nine, the owner of this masthead, in a submission to an inquiry into the digital giants by the competition watchdog also criticised Facebook and Google for using their market power to lock down unfair commercial terms.

“It has been disappointing to see the digital platforms continue to ignore the harm they are causing to Australian media and news journalism. What is more disappointing, however, is that we can easily co-exist,” the submission from Nine says.

“By engaging with the Australian media to offer a solution that commercialises premium news and Australian content, the adversarial nature of this review process can cease and a mutually beneficial relationship can be developed.”

[Read the original]

US digital indie Vox Media group acquires New York magazine

Vox Media and New York Media have announced that they are to merge. The merger will combine New York Media, the publisher of the influential, 51-year-old New York magazine, as well as five digital brands, with Vox Media, the decade-old company known for building modern media brands and the technology that enables them.

Together, as Vox Media, the company will reach hundreds of millions of people and be home to the industry’s leading journalists and creators, building communities and serving audiences across websites, TV and streaming services, podcasts, live-event stages, social platforms, and print magazines.

Vox Media

The new Vox Media will also boast multiple, diverse revenue streams including the most scaled premium brand advertising solutions, affiliate commerce shopping, digital and print subscriptions, conferences and events, and a leading TV and audio studio. The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close later this year.

Vox Media Chairman & CEO Jim Bankoff will remain at the helm of Vox Media, leading all aspects of the expanded company.

Pam Wasserstein, currently CEO of New York Media, will take on the new role of President, Vox Media, to oversee strategic initiatives, including commerce and consumer businesses, and the current New York Media brands as a member of Vox Media’s executive team; she will also be named to the Vox Media board of directors.

New York Media will bring to Vox Media six editorial properties – New York, Vulture, The Cut, Intelligencer, The Strategist, and Grub Street.

Vox Media, prior to this merger, included seven editorial networks – SB Nation, The Verge, Polygon, Eater, Curbed, Recode, and Vox – and diverse lines of business including the Concert publisher-led marketplace, the Vox Creative brand studio, the Chorus publishing platform, a conferences-and-events business known for the Code Conferences series, and the Vox Media Studios entertainment division. Vox Media Studios’ premium nonfiction programming includes 175 podcasts from the Vox Media Podcast Network, Vox’s Explained on Netflix, Eater’s No Passport Required on PBS, and a forthcoming slate of food programming announced in a multiyear deal with Hulu.

News Brands

Media banned at the last minute from Carrie Bickmore speech

A women’s leadership summit headlined by Carrie Bickmore prohibited media from covering the TV presenter’s session at the last minute, reports News Corp’s Angira Bharadwaj.

The Women In Leadership Summit, held at the Seymour Centre yesterday, invited media to attend and interview Bickmore before backtracking at the eleventh hour due to a clause in the star’s contract preventing photos and media interviews for her session. Media were also excluded from watching Bickmore’s speech despite earlier being told they could attend.

Executive director and chair of The Leadership Institute Dana Lightbody told Confidential. “Due to an internal miscommunication, media were invited to attend the session and unfortunately it has since been revealed that a clause in her contract prohibits media attendance.”

[Read the original]

Radio

'We're not going away': Patagonia Australia boss rebukes Alan Jones

The Australian director of clothing brand Patagonia has hit back at radio presenter Alan Jones, saying the company was “not going away” and would continue to support climate activism after the presenter called its pro-climate campaign a “disgrace”, reports Dominic Powell.

During last Friday’s school strike for climate, the prominent outdoor apparel company shut stores globally and implemented a massive media campaign in support of the strike, buying billboards and full-page advertisements in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald warning humanity was “facing extinction”.

This drew the ire of Jones, who said the advertising was a “disgrace” and “frightening the hell out of children”.

In response, general manager of Patagonia Australia Dane O’Shanassy told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald the company was glad to be noticed and had no intention of easing its long-standing support of climate change activists.

[Read the original]

Television

We’ve figured it out: I know who the Masked Singer contestants are

We’re two episodes into 10’s smash hit talent show/guessing game The Masked Singer, and I’m convinced I’ve figured out the identities of most of the masked celebs, reports news.com.au’s Nick Bond.

In the spirit of being a know-it-all party pooper, let me share my conspiracy theories with the class. These are based on the show’s not-so-cryptic clues, but also the dead giveaway for many of the contestants: their voices.

I’m so confident I’m on the money here that I feel I should warn you. Don’t read on if you’d prefer to be surprised by the celebrity reveals.

I’m confident in most of these guesses. Aussie pop music ladies are my specialty — I could pick Tania Doko, Belinda Chapple or Tamara Jaber’s voice from 100 paces. Bury Cheyne Coates under a pile of old mattresses and I’d be able to identify her croaky call for a glass of water.

But sports guys aren’t my thing.

Help me out — who do you think the Rhino and Prawn are?

[Read the original – SPOILER ALERT]

Uncloaked: Ruby Rose doesn't shy from Batwoman's sexuality

For 33-year-old Australian actress Ruby Rose, the journey from boxer-turned-actress to genuine leather-clad Batwoman began in 2018 at a meeting with Academy Award-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Idato.

Atwood, whose credits include Chicago and Alice in Wonderland, had been persuaded by television producer Greg Berlanti to design a costume for the Arrow series and went on to costume both The Flash and Supergirl. When it came time to dress Batwoman, Atwood was the obvious choice.

Rose’s caped crusader made her television debut in last year’s Elseworlds crossover between Berlanti’s Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl. Batwoman’s guest role in the event was intended to foreshadow a pilot for her own series, which premieres in early October.

In the series the openly gay Batwoman/Kate Kane is the centrepiece of a jigsaw that includes her father, soldier-turned-security company boss Jacob Kane (Dougray Scott), and her ex-girlfriend Sophie Moore (Meagan Tandy), who works for Kane’s company, and she returns to Gotham City to resolve painful issues with both. The series also stars Camrus Johnson as Wayne Tower security officer Luke Fox and Rachel Skarsten as Batwoman’s nemesis, Alice, who leads Gotham’s notorious Wonderland criminal gang.

One element that was important to Rose, who is gay in real life, was not to shy away from Kate Kane’s sexuality and the nuances of her relationship with ex-girlfriend Sophie who, while they were in military college, chose to deny their relationship.

“Touching on the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, which happened in the comics, it wasn’t an experience that I have had in my life,” Rose says. “But when I thought about all of the people that were separated from their partners or were kicked out of the military, who had done these amazing things and fought for the country and risked their lives and then, over something as simple as who they loved, were separated or booted out, I immediately [felt] there was a lot of weight on that scene,” she adds.

[Read the original]

Block cheating scandal explodes as show’s creator intervenes on camera

Block contestant Jesse has unleashed on rivals Mark and Mitch, after the couple’s lies were exposed during Wednesday night’s episode of the hit reno show, reports news.com.au’s Nick Bond.

Jesse told news.com.au this week his friendship with the couple is done: “I have no time for people like that, who lie and manipulate you.”

During Tuesday’s episode, Mark and Mitch were shown making some damning allegations about Jesse and wife Mel’s Block house during a live interview on Triple M.

The couple claimed Jesse and Mel had copied their house from the display unit at the Saint Moritz, a luxury apartment building near The Block in St Kilda.

On air on Triple M, Jesse and Mel laugh off the accusations, saying it’s a compliment if anyone thinks their house looks like the luxurious Saint Moritz. But off-air, Jesse directs his anger towards the show’s co-creator and executive producer, Julian Cress.

Cress insists it was Mitch and Mark who raised the allegations with him, not the other way around — and he’s got proof.

[Read the original]

Here’s what networks said about bidding on The Masked Singer

TV Tonight has republished quotes from August 2018 about what network programmers thought about The Masked Singer format:

Angus Ross, Seven Director of Programming:

“It’s a very interesting show, doing good numbers in the US. Who is it behind the mask? They haven’t been major celebrities so far but it’s out there and different, I’ll give it that. And it’s working. I’m sure everyone’s looking at it. It could go either way in this market, but I’d say it’s on everyone’s radar.”

Hamish Turner, Nine Program Director:

“It’s fun. It’s a singing detective show. It’s quirky, even the way they do the interviews. It’s bizarre but engaging. Although it’s about the performance, a lot of it is about who the hell is under that costume. If you talk about co-viewing (with families) it delivers that, and it’s done a good job for FOX. We look at everything, and you’d be mad not to. We’ve definitely had a look at it.”

[Read the original]

To Top