The Mediaweek 100 will return bigger and better in 2024 on November 8 at Crown Sydney’s Pearl Ballroom.
As one of the media industry’s premier events, The Mediaweek 100 celebrates the individuals at the top of their game and the teams driving success at Australia’s leading media companies. The event attracts the industry’s most influential people to recognise and celebrate the immense talent behind Australia’s media sector.
The Mediaweek 100 and its power lists continue to evolve alongside the industry, reflecting the changing nature of media dynamics and influence. The 2024 lists will be led by Mediaweek’s group managing editor Danielle Long, editor-in-chief James Manning, and publisher Trent Thomas.
The 2023 Mediaweek 100 Power Lunch was held at the Pearl Ballroom, where a sell-out crowd assembled for the reveal of the number-one recipients of all four power lists.
The Star Power 25, which assembled the most influential and powerful talent on screen and on air, recognised radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson in the number one position. The ARN radio stars topped the list for the second-year in a row.
Jackie O was present to receive the pair’s trophy and thanked Mediaweek for its ongoing support of the Kyle and Jackie O team.
“This is very, very humbling, especially when you see everyone else’s name up there and they are all people I admire so much,” she said.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be doing this job and to be in this industry because when we start in this industry, we never know how long it’s going to last, so being here now 25 years later and receiving an award like this is an absolute privilege.”
The Creative Agency 50 showcased the country’s most influential and powerful creative agency executives and celebrated how they positively influence the agencies, the industry, and the client’s business.
Mark Green, group CEO and co-founder of The Monkeys and president at Accenture Song ANZ, topped the list and used the opportunity to thank the Yellow Pages, which started his career 25 years ago.
“I’ve loved every minute since I started in this industry,” he said. “We get to work with really wonderful people all the time and it’s a great honour to be up here today accepting this on behalf of everyone at Accenture Song.”
Aimee Buchanan, chief executive of GroupM Australia & New Zealand, took home the top spot on the Media Agency 50 list.
After accepting the award, Buchanan reflected on her decision to join GroupM based on the opportunity she saw for the business and the organisation’s vision.
“I’m hugely passionate about our industry and I think today speaks volumes about the opportunity we have to shape businesses, clients and cultures,” she said.
“Although I am standing up here alone today, this isn’t a business of individuals, it’s built by the power of great teams and I’m incredibly proud of the team I lead at GroupM.”
The number one position on the 2023 Mediaweek 100 was awarded to James Warburton, managing director and chief executive officer at Seven West Media.
Warburton echoed Buchanan’s sentiment by recognising the teamwork – both in front of and behind the camera – that builds businesses and creates success.
“I have a great honour to stand and lead these teams at Seven as CEO and they are wonderful people who love to tell stories and connect with Australia,” he said.
Warburton also thanked Seven West Media chairperson Kerry Stokes and the company board for supporting Seven through the good and bad times.
“I love the media industry, and when I think about what we do as an industry, it’s quite extraordinary.
“Ever since I started in this industry in 2003, I have heard the same thing every week, every month, every year and even more so now, due to social media, the idea that TV is under pressure and it’s dying. In FY23, the television industry made $1.2 billion in profit. It’s safe to say we aren’t going anywhere; yes, we are changing and changing very rapidly, but my god, are we a strong industry.”
The event also honoured Barry O’Brien, the chairman of independent media agency Atomic 212, who was inducted as a Mediaweek Icon, joining the likes of Mikael Borglund, Ita Buttrose, Janet Cameron, Bruce Gordon, David Leckie, Rupert Murdoch, Kerry Stokes, and Brian Walsh.
Introduced by Peter Zavecz, managing director, Victoria/Tasmania Publishing, News Corporation, who spoke highly about O’Brien’s character as a leader, his professionalism and his dedication to the industry.
O’Brien thanked the industry for its support and spoke of his pride for the agency. “I’m super proud of our incredible agency. I stand proudly as chairman of the number one media independent in the market.”
See the lists here:
Star Power 25 List
Creative Agency 50 List
Media Agency 50 List
Mediaweek 100 Power List
