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Opinion
How to debunk media myths
In this post, UWS’s Ullrich Ecker, John Cook and Stephen Lewandowsky argue that cognitive science can help PRs form strategies in managing media misreporting.
A growing cohort of commentators has bemoaned the descent of contemporary political “debate” into a largely fact-free zone.
How about simply focusing on what consumers want?
In this guest post, Peter Mountford argues that brands should think more about what is really going on for consumers
Who here is hoping their favourite brand of toilet paper is going to be organizing a flash mob on their way home from work today?
What the Optus web copyright victory means
In this analysis first published on The Conversation, RMIT’s Marita Shelly examines the implications of Telstra’s defeat over the online rights to the AFL broadcast deal
This week’s Federal Court ruling that Optus customers are able to view sporting matches minutes after they are streamed live without breaching copyright is a landmark decision that alters our understanding of copyright law, and has significant implications for the AFL’s broadcasting rights deal.
Does Gina Rinehart’s bite of a chunk of Fairfax make her an oligarch?
In an article that first appeared in The Conversation, Mark Rolfe wonders whether the mining magnate’s move could turn Fairfax into something resembling America’s Fox network.Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has moved to increase her stake in Fairfax Media, owner of The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and a number of radio stations. Rinehart has already shown her desire to play a role in public life, campaigning against former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s aborted mining tax. She has also demonstrated a willingness to make media investments to ensure her pro-business worldview is promulgated.
What does this latest move by Rinehart mean?
Gillard's Australia Day crisis
PM Julia Gillard’s media adviser Tony Hodges has been forced to resign over the Australia Day tent embassy debacle.
It came after it emerged he had revealed opposition leader Tony Abbott’s whereabouts, leading to both politicians being rescued by police in ugly scenes.
Mumbrella editor Tim Burrowes and advertising practitioner Jane Caro debate the topic on Weekend Sunrise’s masters of Spin segment:
The biggest cock-up I made in business
In this guest post, Chris Savage urges agency staff to live the brand.I still shudder when I think about how incredibly stupid I was when I made the biggest stuff up of my career. And then, 18 years later, I did it again. Do not make this mistake with your clients. Ever.
Hey Groupon. Thanks for fucking up email
In this guest post, Daniel Monheit warns that group deal overload is devaluing email marketingEmail marketing used to be fabulous. Back in the heady days of 2010, brands would work hard to build up well qualified databases, upon which they’d bestow carefully crafted correspondence filled with information, offers and incentives. The recipients, of course would be delighted: “Oh look! An email! From one of my favourite brands! And it’s 40 cents off at Woolies this week!”.
The staggering sway of Harold Mitchell
The Power Index today names Aegis Media chairman Harold Mitchell as the most powerful person in Melbourne. Andrew Crook profiles him.
Harold Mitchell takes pride in dispensing with the niceties. When The Power Index visited his South Melbourne private office before Christmas, fresh remains were scattered all over the boardroom table.
Share a Coke with… the moronic masses
The most-read story on Mumbrella last year, with not far off 100,000 page views, was a fairly humdrum yarn about the launch of Coca-Cola’s name-on-a-bottle campaign.The headline, “Coca-Cola puts people’s names on bottles in ‘Share a Coke’ campaign”, though hated by any self-respecting sub-editor, was loved by Google. And in rushed what can be politely described as the public.
Assumptions kill creativity
In this guest post, Gual Barwell disagrees that the sales success of the Old Spice social media campaign was overstated.Yesterday’s post from Cathie McGinn suggested the Old Spice campaign failed to connect with consumers. Based on the facts and figures, I disagree.
What Old Spice and Wieden + Kennedy has done and done phenomenally well is to create a franchise.
The SMH's readers (are wrong) editor
We are now about five months into the reign of Australia’s first readers’ editor. And I don’t think it is working.
It struck me at the time of Judy Prisk’s appointment to the Sydney Morning Herald that the fact that her boss was editor-in-chief Peter Fray was not going to be ideal if she was going to be the independent voice of the reader.
The emperor's new fragrance: Old Spice’s campaign failure
In this guest post, Cathie McGinn slays a sacred cow of 21st century marketing – the highly awarded Old Spice campaign.One of the biggest myths of recent times (by which I mean a story of great heroism and triumph we’d all like to believe but deep down know to be untrue) is the Old Spice social media campaign. It’s been much lauded and awarded as an example of outstanding content, a creative and collaborative way of connecting with consumers and driving a record increase in sales.
How reliable are radio ratings?
In this guest posting, Jason ‘Jabba’ Davis wonders how accurate radio ratings can be, since the data is collated from handwritten diaries.
So, the radio ratings season gets underway tomorrow. After a well-earned break, Australia’s commercial radio stations will renew their obsession with figures to see how many of us are listening. Are they winning or losing the ratings war?
The much feared radio survey is the only way to measure the success or failure of a station’s playlist, talent, promotions or even good old Black Thunder crosses. With six-figure salaries riding on the make-or-break nature of ratings, just how accurate are Australia’s radio survey results?
One-eyed Willy’s rich stuff: brands as movie heroes
I have just spent an entire day on a plane. I can’t sleep on flights, even after heavy sedation. So I watched seven films, back to back. Most of the new ones were truly awful and I couldn’t finish them. So I watched an old favourite, The Goonies. I have probably watched this film more than 200 times since I was a kid. But this time, with work in the back of my mind, one thing stuck out – how much brands were the stars of the film.The gospel of participation is making brands forget about mass reach
In this guest post, Simon Lawson argues that brands are becoming obsessed with getting consumers to participate, rather than remembering to deliver mass exposure.I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but a lot of brands are wasting significant amounts of time and money on ineffective marketing. Large sums are being put behind tactics which end up being too small to have much chance of influencing total brand preference.
State of Origin dominates ratings while Chaser generates more controversy than viewers
Queensland’s riveting victory over NSW in State of Origin pulled in Nine an average audience of nearly 2.3m on Wednesday night – the highest in the game’s history.
The audience peaked at nearly 2.7m, according to preliminary ratings from OzTam.
In Brisbane, the audience share was an extraordinary 56.4%, while in Sydney it was 40.5%.
Nine’s network share for the night was 35.4%, well ahead of Seven’s 22.2% and Ten’s 21.5.%.
Meanwhile, the second edition of The Chaser’s War on Everything averaged nearly 1.2m for ABC1- more than 300,000 viewers down on the season opening. After being the third biggest show of Wednesday night last week, yesterday it was tenth.
Last night’s edition of The Chaser has already generated controversy over a “Make A Realistic Wish Foundation” sketch which has been accused of mocking dying children.
Wednesday’s top ten shows:
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State of Origin – Nine 2.3m
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Seven News Seven 1.7m
- Masterchef Ten 1.5m
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State of Origin I – Pre-Match Nine 1.4m
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Today Tonight Seven 1.4m
- Nine News Nine 1.3m
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A Current Affair Nine 1.3m
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Two and a Half Men Nine 1.3m
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Home and Away Seven 1.2m
- The Chaser’s War on Everything ABC 1.2m
Nine’s large share last night has pulled it into a narrow ratings lead for the week, of 27.7%, to Seven’s 25.8% and Ten’s 25.5%.
Update: The ABC has pulled the sketch from tonight’s repeat on ABC2.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:08 am
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Comments
4 Jun 09
11:32 am
Not surprised Origin pulled the largest audience. I think there was also a massive value add for Tweeters – #origin and #origincliches – as the side commentary was gold! Another great example of Twitter adding to the amusement factor of live events.
It’s a shame Chaser has lost its intelligence factor behind stunts. Seems the boys have reverted to dirty tactics and just saying what other people are thinking for shock value. There’s a reason other people are just thinking and not saying… think about it.
4 Jun 09
11:35 am
There’s humour in taking the piss out of people that are big enough to defend themselves – and deserve it. The Catholic Church, The Melbourne Club etc
But there’s nothing funny in mocking terminally ill children, who can’t stick up for themselves, and do not deserve it in the slightest.
Absolute fucking disgrace.
4 Jun 09
12:01 pm
I think we have a solution to the survival of league. Just schedule a state of origin every week. They could then forget about the poor ratings and crowds week in, week out.
As for Chaser, a disgrace, but an amusing disgrace. You cringe because there’s something truthful in what they say.
4 Jun 09
12:19 pm
As a professional Corporate Comedian & Hoax Speaker, I know how hard it is to come up with new material, and to ‘go one better’ than you did last time. Quite clearly the Chasers are continuing to push the envelope. And the easiest thing to do when you’re struggling for new material is to go for shock value.
The question the Chasers and the folk who pay them may wish to ask is, ‘How far is too far?’ Is it just ‘anything for a laugh’, regardless of who it offends, or should their be a limit? And I’m talking here about self-imposed limits, not external censorship.
We are all happy to laugh at an arrogant tall poppy being cut down to size, society’s double standards being exposed, or our own shortcomings being shown up, but every comedian needs to answer a basic question before running with a particular comic concept: What’s my aim here – to make people laugh and feel good, or to make them upset and angry?
If your audience is deeply upset by something you do, I don’t think it’s good enough for the comedian to just say, ‘Oh well, that’s YOUR problem; if you can’t see the funny side of it, then there’s something wrong with YOU.’ It seems to be very fashionable these days to ‘blame’ the audience or brand them as narrow minded when they don’t respond favourably to even the most tasteless concept.
While some of the great satirical work done by the Chasers can be seen as a continuation of the path laid down by Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl & George Carlin, etc, there’s a slight chance that even they would have though twice before running with the dying cancer kids sketch. If I went anyway near that type of ‘humour’ in my corporate comedy performances, I’d never work again.
So, friendly memo to Chasers: It’s not all about you. We LIKE you, but we LOVE our kids. Especially when they’re about to leave us. Forever.
4 Jun 09
12:28 pm
If anybody felt the same way as I did every time Phil Gould said something like ‘that’s an Origin tackle’, you’d be reporting on 2.3m people murdering a has-been rugby league player. Commentary left lots to be desired. As for the Chaser boys, they’ve obviously run out of ideas.
4 Jun 09
12:29 pm
Very poor taste even for the Chaser boys
4 Jun 09
12:33 pm
Not a very original skit anyway…
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....e_a_wish_0
Admit that Chaser version is in poorer taste though
4 Jun 09
12:48 pm
Can anyone please explain why the powers that be at the ABC pulled the Adam Hunt anti-discrimination ad from The Gruen Transfer, but let The Chaser piece go to air last night?
4 Jun 09
1:10 pm
Just seen release from ABC…editing segment ourt of re-run on ABC2 tonight & crisis meetings deciding how else to respond. Something about gates shutting & horses bolted…….
Perhaps a generous donation to the Make a Wish & Starlight Foundations from The Chaser teams’ undoubtedly impressive salary pool….?
Imagine if it had been a Footy Show skit……..
4 Jun 09
1:11 pm
“Dear ABC!…”
4 Jun 09
1:19 pm
Maybe the Chaser should pop down and visit the 7-year old with the terminal disease whose dad was quoted in this SMH article and see how funny it is then:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/ent.....44308.html
4 Jun 09
1:43 pm
That is absolutely disgusting.
If I ever met that guy, I’d politely ask if I can shove that pencil case, up his arse.
There is absolutely no comedic value in this, what so ever.
- Paul.
4 Jun 09
2:52 pm
The State of Origin pulled the most viewers because there was ****ing nothing else on including cable!!!!
4 Jun 09
5:07 pm
When does OzTam start recording the % of people who watched a DVD, Didn’t bother watching anything at all or went to the movies?
4 Jun 09
6:48 pm
That is absolutely disgusting.
I have only seen what was on the news as I do not watch the show..
I can not believe that anybody, any show can get away with this, why can’t they just be sacked?
I agree about what was said about the footie show, they have to be very careful but never would say anything like these idiots..
What about big brother taken off air and that was very mild compared to this rubbish..
Who do they think they are, maybe one day they will go through what Parents of ill Children are going through, but I hope not as I could not wish that on anybody..
SACK THEM, GET RID OF THAT SHOW..
Jewel
4 Jun 09
7:29 pm
Campbell and Mr…you are hereby wed
4 Jun 09
8:33 pm
People may not realize this but Rugby League wins the pay TV ratings hands down nearly every week so this free to air figure and the 50 000 plus crowd in Melbourne in winter on a Wednesday night is an added bonus i would say.
5 Jun 09
1:04 pm
I agree that the Chaser stunt was in the worst taste, but I also think they would be better to explain what they meant by it that just clamming up and letting the media think what they like
What I took from it is that there is a revolting sentimentalism in the media that makes fodder of sick kids for their piss weak current affairs programming, to me it is exploitative of the children, the pain of their parents, and the sentiments of the viewers (who of course have only themselves to blame for watching A Current Affair in the first place). Of course any skit on the subject is going to be rubbing more salt into those wounds, so hard to justify, but is there something in holding the media to account for their actions?
I might be wrong, it might just be the worst possible taste and a genuine attack on Make A Wish, in which case shame on them, but if they were trying to highlight the unhealthy media interest in turning misery into advertising dollars, perhaps they have a point.
5 Jun 09
2:26 pm
Maybe they were just making fun of the people who *actually* think that way?
There may be a ton of outrage over this, but that doesn’t hide the fact that there really are people out there callous enough to think these things.
Unfortunately, those opinions are behind closed doors and might need to be outed in order to deal with them.
5 Jun 09
2:39 pm
Some clarification for OPM. My understanding is that OzTAM meters are designed to capture everything that happens on a TV – watching FTA, wathcing STV, watching DVDs, playing games, video from other sources (laptops etc). The system is meant to measure television viewing though – not to measure who went to cinema! Unfortunately the “non-television” usage of television data is not regularly reported. I’d also take a rough stab that those who didn’t watch were the ones who didn’t turn the TV on, or weren’t in the room if the TV was on, both of which OzTAM account for in the ratings.
5 Jun 09
8:18 pm
i thought the chaser thing was funny. take it as how it was intended. in this time of ecconomic downturn, some of us need a distraction and the chasers offer that. people need to stop thinking everything is out to hurt the world. toughen up