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Opinion | Features
Whose views skew the news? Media chiefs ready to vote out Labor, while reporters lean left
Most journalists lean left-of-centre, says Folker Hanusch of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in a post first published on The Conversation.Most Australian journalists describe themselves as left-wing, yet amongst those who wield the real power in the country’s newsrooms, the Coalition holds a winning lead.
But while the media’s political leanings will no doubt be debated in the lead-up to September’s federal election, our study has also found other largely unscrutinised biases remain – particularly whose views disproportionately shape the news.
It's time for a new New Wave in the film world
Government funding bodies are lazy and decadent, says industry veteran Michael Thornhill but in a piece that first appeared in Encore, Ed Gibbs begs to differ.I vividly remember the time I first saw Animal Kingdom, David Michod’s breathtaking labour-of-love feature debut. The press screening was half empty, despite the film winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance just months earlier, in 2010. Yet its superb performances, stylistic flourishes and overall polish left me speechless. Could this really be a feature debut, an Australian one at that, I wondered, almost out loud? It seemed too good to be true.
Going cold turkey on an agency addiction
Life is sweet for freelance writer Max Kitchen, but in a feature that first appeared in Encore, he admits his struggle against returning to the agency fold.I’ve never taken heroin. But I suspect if I had, the temptation to try it again would not be too dissimilar to the lure of returning to agency life.
Can sport save Ten?
First there was the Grand Prix. Next came the reported $500m bid for cricket rights, then Ten secured the 2014 winter Olympics. So, can sport save the ailing network? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen investigates.The television sports rights bidding process is a bit like a game of poker.
Check, fold or bet. Those were the options for the Ten Network last week when it had to finalise its bid for the cricket rights.
Andy Lark: good for the marketing of marketing
I can still remember the first story I wrote about Andy Lark, when it emerged that he was to be the new chief marketing officer of CommBank.
It was immediately clear that Australia was about to meet an interesting marketer, one who blogged and tweeted and thanks to his time at Dell in the US was digitally savvy. Even two years ago, that was a big deal. The fact that he also had a stint in public relations gave him an absolutely intriguing background before he even arrived.
Storming the media barricades - advice for young journalists
This week Mumbrella’s Nic Christensen, who began his career four years ago, gave the keynote address to would-be journalists at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance’s Student Day. This is an edited version of his speech.Good afternoon, I can remember distinctly the last time I was in this room.
It was 2009 and I was sitting where you are. I’d come to this event, a friend and myself — from memory we sat up the back — and I can remember at the time wondering if I’d ever get a job as a journalist.
It was only four years ago and then as now getting a job was ultra competitive but I’m not sure there was quite as much media ‘doom and gloom’ as there is now…
Paywalls will help fund campaigning journalism
In this guest post, News Limited’s group editorial director Campbell Reid responds to the views of ninemsn’s Hal Crawford that the company’s push into metered paywalls is about data rather than dollars.Hal Crawford is both right and wrong in his article which argued that our digital subscription plans are all about the data.
Fake it 'til you make it... as a features editor
Cosmo’s Kate Leaver tells us how to bluff it in her job in a feature that first appeared in Encore.What do you do, as a features editor?
Really, play with words and ideas all day. At any one time, we’re working across three issues of the mag – getting one on its way to the printers, pooling all the words together for another, and planning the issue after that. It’s busy but it’s a pretty magnificent process.
Savage counsel - JFDI
Hi Chris,I run a medium-sized agency that is doing pretty well. As the leader, I am finding my workload just seems to go up and up. I am struggling to stay motivated and particularly to tackle the bigger and tougher challenges I have to face every day. How do I keep up the energy when there just seems so much to do? How do you do it?
Productive, successful executives are those able to consistently tackle difficult and big challenges. It’s a constant struggle for me so I know how you feel. How do the successful leaders do it?
Q&A with Brett Clegg
Brett Clegg, group director – business media, Fairfax Media, in a Q&A that first appeared in Encore, on the journo who refuses to work with him – his wife.Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
Hard to go past Rupert Murdoch. He controls the single largest and most diverse portfolio and is intent on leveraging its scale (and, of course, influence). He’s an innovator and his will to win is obvious to all.
The experiential experience
Anyone can throw up a tent in a high-traffic area and harass the general public, but what does it take to pull off an effective experiential event? In a piece that first appeared in Encore, Matt Smith investigates.A television commercial can easily be muted and ignored, but try ignoring a purring, squirming cat in your arms. That was the experience awaiting passers by in Sydney’s Martin Place in October last year when Mars Petcare built Whiskas Kitten Palace.
The News Limited paywall isn't about revenue. It's about data
In this guest post, ninemsn’s editor in chief Hal Crawford argues Fairfax Media and News Limited’s new paywalls won’t draw much revenue, but will generate data. And they’re late to the data party.When I first learned that ninemsn’s major digital competitors Fairfax and News Ltd were going to introduce paywalls across their mainstream properties, I was excited.
Every obstacle thrown in the way of their audiences is an opportunity. People hate friction and anything that makes life difficult on a rival site is a chance to get them on yours.
Is this the worst time to be a journalist?
With scores of redundancies in 2012 and a mass exodus of experienced journos, is this the worst time to be a journalist? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen asks the question.In June last year a tsunami of redundancies began to sweep across Australia’s media landscape. They came in a series of waves and in the 12 months that followed, an estimated 1,200 journalists departed the mainstream media.
Are you a conscious leader?
As the advertising and marketing industry struggles to address the issue of rocketing rates of staff churn in their businesses, Slingshot CEO Simon Rutherford argues that today’s ‘conscious leaders’ should be more focussed on creating ‘staff wellness’ in order to deliver high performing teams and healthy profits.
A conscious leader believes the business has a greater responsibility towards the community it operates in. To ensure sustainable long-term profits, people must come first. Awareness, trust, authenticity, transparency, 100% responsibility, connection, compassion, and love: these are the tools of the conscious leader.
Suits: less popular than pest controllers
Advertising suits have a thankless job that is currently being eroded by the changing industry says Naren Sanghrajka in a piece that first appeared in Encore.Not in my wildest, craziest nightmares would I ever have thought I’d say this. But I’m going to. Being a bean counter is far more appealing than starting as a suit in advertising. There it is. I said it. I actually said those words.
Yes, it’s incredibly depressing. But it’s true.
Bankwest moves media trading to Perth
Ikon will next month shift its media buying for client Bankwest from Sydney to Perth
Ikon said it would create two roles in Perth but nobody in the Sydney office was available to say whether there would be redundancies, or whether planning would shift too.
Pat Crowley, the agency’s acting national CEO following the sudden departure of Dan Johns, said in a statement: “Clients are at the front and centre of every decision we make, and have always been. This move clearly demonstrates that proof point.” Read more »
BuzzFeed to launch Australian presence
Cult viral content site BuzzFeed is coming down under, with the technology platform posting an ad for an Australian editor.
The company has today posted the advertisement on its website stating that it is looking for a night editor for Australia.
According to the advertisement the editor would: “own the site in the off hours between our night editor in Hawaii and when our UK editors wake up, and report directly to the editorial director”.
The New York based company is looking for “a number-oriented maniac” with a “proven ability to get viral traffic” Read more »
Big W throws a house party for Bonds
Big W has launched a “House party” ad campaign to promote Bonds underwear
In the ads developed by Saatchi and Saatchi, a shop assistant opens up the store to find people dancing in the underwear.
The three executions feature the women’s men’s and babies ranges.
Teen’s trolley quest in new McDonald’s Loose Change Menu ad
McDonald’s has launched a new ad from DDB Sydney to promote its Loose Change Menu .
The ad focusses on a teenager returning an abandoned trolley to a supermarket to get the deposit back to buy a burger.
Aussie launches global gamification championship
Melbourne-based John Persico is organising a contest labelling itself as the world championships of gamification to be held in San Francisco later this year.
The championships are a competition to celebrate the appliance of gamification by students and professionals worldwide.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Persico was previously the lead organiser of the Financial Modelling World Championships. He also lists himself as lead organiser of the Big Data Analytics World Chamionships. Read more »
Weekend catch up House Rules episodes struggle to boost audience
Weekend catchup episodes of Seven’s Hours Rules have done little to improve the show’s audience.
Saturday’s catchup, added into the schedule at the last moment, delivered a metro audience of just 138,000. And Sunday’s catch up delivered a further 166,000 according to preliminary overnight metro ratings from OzTAM. Read more »
Telstra rolls out next stage of ‘Thanks’ campaign
Telstra is preparing to roll out a new stage of advertising around its new loyalty program called ‘Thanks’.
The campaign, which begins today, centres around outdoor and digital advertising and aims to highlight various rewards available to Telstra customers, such as movie, music and sports tickets.
Telstra will also roll out a television component for the campaign from next Sunday. Creative agency DDB and media agency OMD are responsible for the campaign. Read more »
Snowtown director Justin Kurzel directs moody NRMA Insurance campaign
A new campaign for NRMA Insurance by Whybin\TBWA has been created by Revolver Films and directed by Snowtown’s Justin Kurzel.
The campaign was launched on Sunday and features a 60-second TV and cinema spot focussing on a travelling musician watching as various communities clean up after disasters. There is also a 30-second version of the ad.
PRIA issues agency guidelines on use of interns
Industry body the Public Relations Institute of Australia has announced new rules around internships in an attempt to better clarify how agencies should utilise students who are placed with them.
The new internship guidelines are designed to ensure agencies, who often have university students placed with them, understand the requirements around reporting, insurance and management. Read more »
Red Dog director Stenders gets funding for Vietnam War drama Long Tan
Kriv Stenders, the director of 2011 box-office hit Red Dog, and Oscar winner Emile Sherman are among 15 feature projects selected for financial support in the latest $360,000 round of Screen Australia funding.
Red Dog was named Australia’s favourite film at last year’s Mumbrella Awards.
Long Tan producer Walsh
Stenders will direct Long Tan, the long term project of producer and former special forces soldier Martin Walsh. Actor Sam Worthington’s name has previously been attached to the project,which focuses on the battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War.
This version of the script was written by Jack Brislee, James Nicholas, Karel Segers and Paul Sullivan.
Sherman – who won an Oscar for The King’s Speech, is producing action adventure film Mulan. Read more »
Ten Minute Talks agenda revealed: Lark vs Anon | How to say sorry | Suing The Palace | Darkside social media tips | Beyond Big Brother
The programme of Ten Minute Talks at Mumbrella360 in a fortnight’s time can today be revealed.
The 20 quickfire presentations – each lasting just ten minutes and shamelessly adapted from the 15 minute TED format – take place in five separate sessions across the two days of Mumbrella360.
Among the diverse series of presenters are former copywriter and Big Brother contestant Michael Beveridge, CommBank CMO Andy Lark; Emmy Award winning news producer Gerard Hosier; Sky News director of social media John Bergin and former Campaign Palace executive creative director Paul Fishlock.
The sessions:
- Lessons from litigating: Former Campaign Palace ECD Paul Fishlock reflects on what he learned in the process of suing his former employer;
- How to say sorry: Terri Helen Gaynor, president of the Public Relations Institute of Australia on lessons for brands on how to apologise properly when they cause offence on social media;
- Do only white girls have periods?: Social justice campaigner and producer Gerard Hosier on how the advertising world shapes Australia’s view of itself;
- The language of labelling: Ipsos Mackay MD Rebecca Huntley on the gulf between how the marketing world labels consumers and how they see themselves;
- Digital vs technology: Creative technologist Ash Pegram on agencies’ transition from digital services like websites to technology-based offerings such as augmented reality, and why it matters creatively;
- Where have all the rebels gone?: The Sound Alliance’s creative director Stig Richards shares new research into Australia’s bland new “info-besity” generation;
- The Hansel and Gretel effect: Youth marketing strategist Dan Pankraz on the dangers of digital breadcrumbs left by selfie-obsessed teens
- Anonymity and accountability: CommBank chief marketing officer Andy Lark on why you should not post anonymously unless you are in real danger;
- What the media can learn from Reddit: Sky News director of social media and digital news John Bergin on the site that calls itself the front page of the Internet;
- Winning the online gold rush: Venture Consulting’s Sue Klose on How to actually make money in digital; Read more »
Kath & Kim disappoint for Seven
Seven’s dry spell continued on Sunday night with its Kath & Kim Kountdown rating just 678,000 according to preliminary overnight metro ratings from OzTAM.
Nine had the top three shows for the night with 60 Minutes rating 1.707m, Nine News 1.578m and The Block 1.524m.
Seven News rated 1.421m while A Place To Call Home delivered the network an audience of 1.147m. Read more »
Foxtel celebrates EOFYS again
Foxtel has launched an campaign to promote its annual push for new subscribers as the end of financial year looms. ad
The “Christmas in June” panto themed ad once again promoted EOFYS – the end of financial year sale – which Foxtel first began promoting four years ago.
Updated: Foxtel’s lead creative agency is Clemenger Sydney although this campaign was created by sister agency CHE Proximity Melbourne.
The first EOFYS ad was created for Foxtel by Three Drunk Monkeys in 2009.
Puberty Blues star features in Bonds ad
One of the stars of Puberty Blues, Isabelle Cornish, is the focus of Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s new TVC for Bonds, which will debut this Sunday.
The TVC is promoting Bonds’ new Collectibles range and was directed by Patrick Hughes, who is now in the US directing The Expendables 3 with Sylvester Stallone.
The 30 second ad shows Cornish standing on a hill in her underwear. She picks up a skipping rope and starts to jump, every time she hits the ground, the garment changes colour.
Shine Australia to produce Australian version of Embarrassing Bodies
Embarrassing Bodies UK
Shine Australia is to produce an Australian version of the UK medical show Embarrassing Bodies for Foxtel later this year.
Production for Embarrassing Bodies Down Under will start next month, with the series expected to air on Foxtel’s LifeStyle You channel in the second half of 2013.
The host of the UK series, Dr Christian Jessen, will appear in the Australian version, although not in a hosting capacity. A Foxtel spokeswoman said he would work closely with a cadre of Australian doctors, who have yet to be announced. Read more »
Mumbrella360 delegates to get a hands-on taste of gamification in action
The panellists for media agency PHD’s Mumbrella360 session on the appliance of gamification to the world of marketing have been confirmed.
The session will be moderated and presented by PHD’s strategy director Chris Stephenson and also feature Colin Cardwell, founder and CEO of app and gaming development company 3rd Sense and Marigo Raftopoulos of RMIT University’s GEElab.
Along with a specially developed app for delegates to play along, the session will investigate the principles and theory of gamification, along with examples and tangible recommendations and applications for planning and creativity. Read more »
Hoopla stays silent on reader donations and ad income despite promise of ‘transparency’
Six months after The Hoopla’s founder Wendy Harmer claimed she would perform the “industry first” of disclosing advertising revenue and reader donations, the website is yet to do so.
Harmer made the claim in November last year, as part of a fund-raising drive for the site, which targets middle aged women.
At the time she said in an announcement: “This may well be an industry first – there are not many companies that are prepared to discuss their finances but we think our supporters deserve transparency as they are directly contributing to our quality independent journalism.”
At the time, a spokesman for The Hoopla said this information would include advertising income, reader donations and what it pays its journalists and writers. Read more »
AFR’s James Chessell and Ben Holgate win Citi Journalism Award
The Australian Financial Review’s James Chessell and Ben Holgate have been jointly been awarded the 2013 Citi Journalism Award for Excellence for an article about the decline of the Ten network. Read more »
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