2014 Predictions

Mumbrella

January 1, 2014 9:00

1. News buys Ten

It’s a conspiracy theory which has abounded for years. But 2014 finally signal the moment Rupert Murdoch gets his hands on Network Ten and rolls the troubled free-to-air broadcaster into his News Corp empire. The Liberal government will do what Labor were bullied out of and relax reach-rules, allowing the acquisition while Ten’s share price is in the gutter. Son Lachlan, currently chairman of Ten, will take the reins of the entire local operation, replacing Julian Clarke.

Likelihood: 7/10

2. INXS biggest TV hit

If there are two things Aussies love its rockers with big hair and nostalgia programming. Which is why Seven’s miniseries INXS: Never Tear us Apart, telling the tale of, ironically, the excesses which tore the band apart, will be the biggest drama of the year dominating its timeslot and all demos.

Likelihood: 8/10

3. Kyle and Jackie O come 3rd

They’ve been rating royalty for longer than most of their teenage listeners can remember. But a move to a rebranded ARN station Kiis will see Kyle Sandilands and Jackie (O) Henderson slip behind their former 2DayFM home and Nova challengers into third spot. Kyle will also say something which will upset people who do not listen to the show.

Likelihood: 6/10

4. Harold starts agency

No-one in the industry really believes Harold Mitchell has actually retired. But while he’s doing his best to rile Foxtel as chairman of Free TV he will not be able to launch another media company, so instead he will team up with son Stuart and create a new digital agency, specialising in media.

Likelihood: 6/10

6. Howcroft to agency

The TV industry has many similarities to creative agency life, lots of characters, dramas and sensitive client relationships being played out in a precarious economic landscape. While Russel Howcroft has enjoyed his time at Ten, the call of the agency world will be too much, and he’ll pitch back up, probably at his first love George Patterson Y&R, in a senior role.

Likelihood: 5/10

7. Toyota to ditch TMS

It’s been a long and fruitful relationship, but all good things must come to an end. The independent Toyota asked to set up shop 16-years-ago will finally lose it’s biggest client, as they move to an Aegis agency, probably Carat, to follow the global alignment with Dentsu and make the mother country happy.

Likelihood: 4/10

8. Publicis Mojo rolled into Leos

While the Publicis-Omnicom merger will leave most agencies unaffected it will provide the perfect opportunity to bury the struggling Publicis Mojo agency into buoyant sister Leo Burnett, spinning off the Mojo name to represent the customer relations and call-centre part of the business.

Likelihood: 7/10

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How we did last year

1. The year of mergers and acquisitions – WRONG

If there is a theme for 2013, it will be mergers and acquisitions as the well-off media players look to strengthen their position. The hot companies to watch will be Ten, APN and Fairfax, whose low valuations make them all targets.

Likelihood rating: 7/10

2. No more weekday papers for the SMH and The Age -WRONG

Last year we predicted that The Age and SMH would shrink to tabloid size. While that now appears set for 2013, the more radical possibility would be to phase out weekday print editions opting to only run the printing press for the popular weekend editions.

Likelihood rating: 4/10

3. Rhonda and Ketut tie the knot – WRONG

In a win for the sex tourism industry, an interracial union looks to be on the cards for Rhonda and Ketut. We’re calling pending nuptials in the new year for the star-crossed lovers from the highly popular commercials from AAMI.

Likelihood rating: 6/10

4. Gatsby huge hit – CORRECT

After delays in delivery, Baz Luhrmann’s hotly anticipated film Gatsby hits cinema screens in 2013. We’re predicting the film will be a huge financial success but won’t get the critical praise the Australian director is hoping for.

Likelihood rating: 7/10

5. Kyle and Jackie O finally lose their crown – WRONG

The king and queen of breakfast radio have had a tumultuous couple of years and in the coming 12 months, Kyle and Jackie O will lose the top ratings spot in their timeslot. With Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa hot on their heels, it’s only a matter of time.

Likelihood rating: 6/10

6. The Bondi Hipsters get their own TV show – CORRECT

The boys from Bondi Christiaan Van Vuuren and Nick Boshier have made a name for themselves in the online space but next year will see them securing their own TV series. Perhaps on the ABC.

Likelihood rating: 5/10

7. Sydney agency DDB holds on to Tourism Australia – WRONG

Tourism Australia began a review of its agency relationships in November. The incumbent DDB Sydney will hang on to the business but will lose other client McDonald’s to Leo Burnett who were back on the roster in 2012.

Likelihood rating: 7/10