-
Opinion | Features
Cannes - a reminder that celebs need adland too
The Cannes Lions may have been full of celebrities this year, but that’s because they need brands, argues Profero’s Wayne Arnold
Having only been here for two days, I’ve already managed to soak up some of the glamour of Cannes, witnessing the media scrum around Sean Combs and (very nearly) bumping into Jack Black on La Croisette.
If 2012 was the year of the client, it seems 2013 may be the year of the hard working celebrity.
Melissa Doyle is ready for prime time (but what does it mean for Today Tonight?)
It’s easy to be dismissive of TV presenters – particularly when they’re doing something as fluffy as morning television.
But today’s announcement of the departure of Mel Doyle from Sunrise is a reminder that it’s harder than it looks.
How bosses can build trust by baring themselves to staff
In this guest post, Simon Rutherford, CEO of Slingshot Media, argues that bosses should be vulnerable in front of their staff.
Winston Churchill once said: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Fake it til you make it...as a radio newsreader
In a piece that first appeared in Encore, Emily Hoskins from ARN tells us how to do her job.
What does a radio newsreader actually do?
A radio newsreader has to be switched on from the moment they sit at their desk. At the Australian Radio Network each journalist writes, researches, edits and reads their own news bulletins under tight deadlines – every 30 minutes during the breakfast shift and every hour after 9am.
Keith Reinhard on freedom to fail, winning back Maccas and how agencies can survive
In an exclusive interview in Cannes today, advertising icon Keith Reinhard, one of the founding fathers of what is now DDB Worldwide, talked to Mumbrella’s Robin Hicks about freedom from fear, his favourite ads of all time, winning back McDonald’s and why the most important thing in advertising is passion.Savage counsel - little white lies
In a piece that first featured in Encore, Chris Savage tackles your career and agency dilemmas. This week, he talks about when it’s okay to lie to clients.
Hi Chris,
I often find myself telling little white lies at work – I tell people on the phone that I don’t want to speak to I’m about to duck into meetings. I told my colleague her new haircut was great when really it wasn’t and I praised someone’s work when actually it was kind of shit. After each of these occasions, I felt pretty terrible and wonder if you could tell me how can I speak with candour in the future – for my sake and others.
How to build a culture
How important is a company’s culture and how do you ensure you are breeding a good one? Matt Smith investigates, in a piece that first appeared in Encore.When production companies Cordell Jigsaw and Zapruder’s Other Films merged early last year, bringing the staff together within the walls of the Zapruder building proved to be something of a challenge. While the two companies weren’t strangers to each other due to six months of talks and negotiations, working together on a full-time basis was a different story.
Q&A Damian Keogh
In a piece that first featured in Encore, Val Morgan CEO Damian Keogh reveals his potential alternate career.
Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
I’d say Kerry Stokes, slightly ahead of Harold Mitchell and Kim Williams. He controls the entity with the largest revenue across free-to-air, online, magazines and newspapers. On pure size alone, his influence and leverage over advertisers, media agencies and consumers is unmatched. Harold is still the king in media, slightly ahead of John Steedman, but Henry Tajer and Leigh Terry are the heirs apparent. Kim Williams controls News and that’s a big base to work from.
If a violent game is okay, then so is using a violent ad to promote it
An ad for video game Dead Island Riptide was banned by the ad watchdog. James Whitehead of online entertainment publisher IGN argues that it was the wrong call.A fortnight ago, it emerged that the Ad Standards Board had banned a television commercial for the video game Dead Island: Riptide, due to its depiction of violence – specifically suicide.
Why content makers are leaving our shores
In a piece that first featured in Encore, Craig Anderson says there simply isn’t enough opportunity for content makers in Australia, especially for those making comedy.Last year I had multiple meetings with production companies in Australia and discovered that apart from the odd commercial campaign, there’s no proliferation of paying platforms for comedy. From my own experience there’s iView, which will buy content once it’s already been made (though I live in hope that it will one day be granted the financial power to commission content). I’ve also had the odd informal commission from the SMH iPad consisting of two narrative series and a comical review show. But none of these endeavours were financially viable.
Managing your management style
In an article that first appeared in Encore, Stephanie Brown says the advertising industry often leaves people ill-equipped when it comes to managing staff, especially when they’re promoted into management roles.Managing people is hard. In fact, I actually think it’s the hardest job in the world. With no disrespect intended, I often joke that if my job didn’t involve other people to manage, it would be a walk in the park. I could get about my day’s work in a nice, linear fashion, happily checking off my to-do list as I go. I’m a process-orientated person. I get a kick out of getting things done.
Why the Facebook chase is making brands treat consumers like morons
You know how we look back at quaintly patronising ads from the 1950s and wonder what on earth the advertisers were thinking?
I’ve got a feeling that in a few years time, we’ll be looking at the behaviour of big brands on Facebook the same way.
An entire generation of marketers – or at least a sizeable proportion of them – have lost their minds.
So many have become so obsessed with generating user interactions at all costs, that all thoughts about overall brand perceptions or long term marketing goals have vanished. All that counts now, is generating likes and comments at all costs.
Blog this!
Paid content, sponsored posts and brand ambassadorships – in theory, today’s blogger can be just as valuable to brands as mainstream media. But does blogger outreach actually work? In an article that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen investigates.“I get approaches from PR companies constantly,” says blogger and author Kerri Sackville, with more than a hint of exasperation. “I have never done a sponsored blog, on my own site, but that doesn’t stop them from asking.”
McLennan right man for job
It’s all change at troubled broadcaster Channel Ten with new directions, new executives and a brand new CEO. Managing director of Adstream Peter Miller says Hamish McLennan is the right man for the job, in an article that first appeared in Encore.I am a bit of a schmuck when it comes to movies. I love romantic comedies. My favourite is One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.
Q&A with Richard Herring
In a piece that first appeared in Encore, CEO of APN Outdoor Richard Herring talks media.Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
I don’t know if there is one person in particular. The fragmentation of traditional media and new entrants has made it a more level playing field with regards to major influencers. As was demonstrated with the recent media reform recommendations, together, the broader media community still has a very influential and powerful voice.
What one medium could you not live without?
Outdoor – clean, entertaining, evocative and informative.
SF Channel commissions first Australian feature film Arrowhead
Australian science-fiction channel SF has commissioned a feature film, Arrowhead, to be made by US-based production company Gorilla Pictures.
The film will be fully-funded by SF and was written and will be directed by Jesse O’Brien, who will also produce alongside Eric Machiela, Eric Johnson and Gabe Berghuis.
Arrowhead is an expansion of a short film which was released last year. The feature film is planned for release in 2014 and will be filmed in rural South Australia. Production starts this month. Read more »
Lengthy Woolworths ‘More Savings Every Day’ ad savours special moments
Woolworths has launched a new television commercial created by Sydney agency Droga5 featuring the personal story of a Woolworths employee.
The lengthy ad launched last night follows a woman as she wakes up and savours life’s simple pleasures on her way to work, suggesting the “More Savings Every Day” saves customers time as well as money.
As the sun rises in an Australian suburb, she sees her sleeping son and husband, makes coffee, and drives to work while the voiceover of her narration about how there is less time for ‘the important stuff’ is played to a simple piano score. As she passes an outdoor ad for a beach holiday, a group of carefree schoolgirls, and men debating over coffee outside a cafe, the ad comments on how there is less time to escape, less joy and less time to debate. Read more »
Amnesty International Australia sticks with M&C Saatchi
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has declared it will stick with its creative agency M&C Saatchi after it was revealed founder Charles Saatchi has been cautioned by police for assault over a London restaurant incident involving his wife Nigella Lawson.
Saatchi was questioned by police in relation to several photos which were published in the British press on Sunday, showing Saatchi apparently holding his wife by the throat.
One of Amnesty International’s chief aims is preventing violence against women.
Saatchi co-founded M&C Saatchi with his brother Maurice and earlier in his career Saatchi & Saatchi which is now owned by Publicis.
In Australia, Amnesty International is a client of M&C Saatchi. The agency slogan is “brutal simplicity of thought”.
In a statement issued to Mumbrella, Amnesty International Australia said it would continue to work with M&C Saatchi, as Charles Saatchi is no longer involved in the company. Read more »
Bane Hunter becomes CEO of The Loop
The Loop has appointed Bane Hunter CEO as the Australian based networking site targeting creative professionals seeks global expansion.
The Loop was founded by former MTV staffers Matt Fayle and Pip Jamieson, while Hunter is also an MTV alumni.
Last month Jamieson moved to London to oversee the site’s push in the UK.
Hunter most recently spent six months as chief product officer at A&E Television Networks. Before that he sent two years in an executive role at Conde Nast and prior to that three months at Foxtel. Before that he spent five years at MTV, finishing as chief project officer for content creation and distribution technology. Read more »
Nine promotes Big Brother with a twist
Nine has launched its first promotions for the new season of Big Brother.
The promo began to air during last night’s final of The Voice. Read more »
Just four Aussie campaigns on Press Lions shortlist
Australia’s dry spell in the Press Lions appears set to continue with just four local agencies among the hundreds of entries shortlisted.
Work from Saatchi & Satchi for Lexus, from DDB Sydney for Volkswagen and from McCann Melbourne for Metro Trains’ Dumb Ways To Die campaign was the only Australian material on the list released overnight.
Australian entries on the shortlist: Read more »
Two Gold Lions for McCann’s Dumb Ways To Die in Promo and Activation
McCann Melbourne has taken out two Gold Lions for the Promo and Activation category at Cannes Lions, while Naked Communications earned a Silver Lion for its work on Art Series Hotels.
Australian agencies George Patterson Y&R Melbourne and DDB Sydney also took Bronze Lions when the winners were announced this morning.
McCann Melbourne was also awarded a Bronze Lion for its V/Line “Guilt Trips” campaign.
Australian winners: Read more »
Aussie media agencies barely represented on Media Lions shortlist
Australian media agencies have again performed poorly in the Cannes Media Lions with only one making the shortlist.
Overall Australian agencies received 15 nominations, with 14 of those going to creative agencies. UM Sydney was the media agency on the shortlist, nominated for best use of integrated media for its Lambnesia campaign for Meat and Livestock Australia.
Dominant on the shortlist was DDB Sydney’s three nominations for its work with McDonald’s; McCann Melbourne which had two nominations for Dumb Ways to Die; and Leo Burnett Sydney which picked up three nominations for work on Coca-Cola, Diageo and Seek Volunteer. Read more »
The Voice final rates 2.3m
The winner announcement for The Voice rated a strong 2.307m metro viewers for Nine last night – however the number was well down on last year’s 3.098m.
Excluding the announcement, the rest of the grand final show averaged 2.035m viewers.
The Block also did well for Nine, averaging 1.493m viewers, according to preliminary ratings from OzTAM. Read more »
Australasian agencies perform well in Creative Effectiveness Lions
Australia and New Zealand had a strong showing in the Creative Effectiveness Lions in Cannes.
Of the seven trophies awarded in the sought-after category, two went to Australian and one to New Zealand. Read more »
Small World Machines and Dumb Ways To Die lead Australia in Outdoor Lions shortlist
Leo Burnett Sydney’s Small World Machines and McCann Melbourne’s Dumb Ways To Die lead Australia in the nominations for the Cannes Outdoor Lions shortlist this year.
There were more than 650 pieces of work featured in the global shortlist which was announced overnight.
Australian entries on the shortlist: Read more »
Dumb Ways to Die takes Direct Lions Grand Prix
McCann Melbourne’s ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ has won the Direct Lions Grand Prix and two Gold Lions in the other categories for which it was shortlisted.
The agency also won two Bronze Lions in its two shortlisted categories: Best Integrated Campaign led by Direct Marketing and Guilt Trips for the V/Line in Travel Entertainment and Leisure.
Dumb Ways to Die takes out the PR Lions Grand Prix
Creative agency McCann Melbourne has taken the top prize in the PR Lions at Cannes, picking up the Grand prix for its train safety campaign ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ created for Metro Train in Victoria.
The campaign, which has won a raft of awards in recent months, also picked up a Gold Lion for best use of social media. Dumb Ways To Die appears on course to become the most awarded creative camapign of all time.
McCann Melbourne were not the only Australian agencies to be recognised in the PR Lions, with Havas Worldwide and Frank PR, The Red Agency and One Green Bean also being recognised at the ceremony earlier today. Read more »
Jack Black: the smaller the screen, the harder it is to hold attention
Comedian, producer and actor Jack Black has suggested that it is more difficult for brands to hold people’s attention with small screen devices such as mobile phones.
“I often think about the way I consume content. The smaller the screen, the shorter my attention span,” he told his audience in a session titled ‘The new world of online content – appealing to the habits of today’s consumer’ at the Cannes Lions festival today.
“When I’m looking at my phone, I don’t want to be doing so for long,” he said. Read more »
Former McDonald’s Australia marketing chief: there’s nothing wrong with stealing good ideas
The former marketing director of McDonald’s has said that there is nothing wrong with stealing good ideas.
Joe Talcott, who led the fast food chain’s Australian marketing operation for more than five years before moving to News Limited for a similar period, told Mumbrella in Cannes today: ”At McDonald’s we proudly stole good ideas – as long as they were from within the company.”
“Marketing trade publications used to be hung up on who’s copied who. It was almost as if they could not acknowledge that two people could not possibly come up with the same idea, which is ludicrous,” said Talcott, who is now chief creative officer at Creatism Is. Read more »
Jenson Button warns against building personal brand bigger than team or sport
Jenson Button and global Mindshare boss Nick Emery
Formula One racing driver Jenson Button has cautioned against drivers building personal brands that are bigger than their teams’ brands.
Answering a question from Mumbrella, Button said: “I think my brand as a racing driver is in a good place. I love racing. It’s the most important thing I do.”
“But I understand that there are other things that are key to success,” said the British McLaren driver and formula World Champion. Read more »
Australia misses out in the print Young Lions
Australia missed out for a chance at glory in the Young Lions print competition today.
Australia was represented this year by Josie Fox and Sara Oteri from independent Melbourne-based agency CumminsRoss. Read more »
Fast and Furious parks on top while The Internship takes in $2m
Action blockbuster Fast and Furious 6 has maintained its stronghold on the top of the Australian box office, while The Internship debuted in third position over the weekend.
The comedy, starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn and set at Google’s headquarters, made $2.3m across 263 screens, making an average of $8816, the numbers from Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia indicate.
The Internship has not been received well by critics, getting a 33 per cent “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Read more »
-
-
Email Newsletter
Latest Jobs- Creative Web Developer
- Social Media Manager
- Account Exec/Senior Account Exec – Travel / Retail
- Account Director/Senior Account Director
- Account Exec/Senior Account Exec
- Social Media Co-ordinator
- Account Manager/Senior Account Manager
- Junior Copywriter
- Digital Account Manager – Fun, Vibrant Digital Company! (ROUND8)
- Social Media Manager – Dynamic Vibrant Media Agency! $80k (ROUND8)
-
RSS
