Packer v Gyngell – the media fallout
This morning the media world has been transfixed with several media outlets, including Fairfax and News Corp in a bidding war for “explosive photos” of James Packer and David Gyngell apparently having something of a set-to in Bondi yesterday.
Witnesses are now even coming forward on Facebook to describe the incident. Dr Mumbo’s favourite is Bondi resident Chris Walker who notes how the incident allegedly involved the billionaire gaming mogul and sometime Network Ten shareholder Packer and Nine Entertainment Group CEO Gyngell, described a “some other angry bloke”, in a physical altercation outside Packer’s residence.
Media Mode, which was selling the pictures, has confirmed they have now gone, but refused to say who had bought them. Dr Mumbo’s sources have suggested News Corp has come out on top, and can picture Rupert Murdoch rubbing his hands with glee at such a juicy set of images of one of his media rivals, and son of his former sparring partner Kerry Packer, locking horns.
It is also worth noting The Mail Online, which has a mantra of ripping stories off of Twitter withing five minutes, was notably slower than its rivals in getting the story up. A spokesman for the Australian operation, which is run in partnership with Nine, told Dr Mumbo: “We cover every story”. They were also in the hunt for the snaps.
Theories for the outbreak of fisticuffs have abounded, from Gyng taking exception to Packer ending his second marriage, to one which came out in The Guardian, with Packer accusing Gyng of parking a Nine News truck outside his home trying to get shot of his rumoured lover Miranda Kerr coming and going. Nine has denied this, saying the camerman who operated the truck merely lived on the same street and parked it outside the house overnight.
Dr Mumbo also wonders if Gyngell will have to do a media TV interview this evening as part of the PR process?
Forgive the conspiracy theory but a 7pm A Current Affair interview with Tracy Grimshaw leading into The Voice might be the perfect ratings spoiler ahead of Ten’s Masterchef launch at 7.30pm.
But Nine would never do that… would they?
There is nothing at the time of posting on the NineMSN site about the alleged incident.
Dr Mumbo also salutes the citizens of the internet who created this gem.
Update 10.16am: A spokesman for NineMSN told Dr Mumbo: “NineMSN are currently in the process of putting together the story they are just confirming the facts.” The story has since gone live, here.
Update: 11:05am: The pair have since come out to confirm they are still mates, adding in a statement during their 35 years: “In that time we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further.” Looks like Tracy will have to line up another exclusive tonight.
Update: 2.45pm – And Dr Mumbo’s sources were right, News Corp have the pictures and they’re on the Daily Telegraph website right now, showing a bare-footed Gyngell wearing tracky pants confronting Packer and his security team and being wrestled to the ground. See them here.
Looks like the SMH are trying to avoid paying for the photos by describing each one in fine detail http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyl.....37r32.html
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No mention on abcnews24; are they scared?
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This is the greatest media story in ages!!
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I doubt A Current Affair would cover it. They protect their own, unless Packer & Gyngell worked for the Seven Network. Witness they way they went after Robert Hughes and the Hey Dad producers before and after the trial, and Seven sports commentators like Neil Brookes and Wayne Carey. If they had worked at Nine no-one there would have batted an eyelid.
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Hahaha – when have the facts ever stopped a story from being written? C’mon NineMSN – give us a spell… Gynge would want the hits! (Just not in the face).
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Viewer – how wrong you are.
Nine and ACA went in a big way after one of their own several years ago – Ben Ikin, rugby league commentator.
He left Nine with the poos and immediately got signed with FOX Sports.
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Money might buy the photos but it can’t buy class.
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Forget Rusty and that passé GLADIATOR movie. We have the real thing, and in Bondi of all places. Good to see the celebrated Mr. Packer get his comeuppance.
All his money can’t buy that action – a reality series in the making; perhaps with a title like WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRIVATE SCHOOL BOXING.
Haydn
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Surely the big news here is that a mere cameraman can afford a house in the same street as James ‘Whacker’ Packer? 🙂
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He owns casinos, he shags supermodels, he punches the crap out of enemies – I think I’m finally starting to actually like a Packer….
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Just goes to show that ‘alcohol fuelled violence’ is not the reason men become physically violent with one another.
I wonder if the NSW Police will charge one, or both of them, for affray or assault?
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I am still laughing about it. It is without doubt the greatest thing to happen in Australian business in a very long time. I am seriously having today’s Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun front pages framed.
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Mark, you’ve been proven wrong. There has not been a single mention of Packer or Gyngell on ‘A Current Affair’ for the past two nights. It’s Nine Network protecting their own.
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