2014 Annual: the year that was – February
It was another year of continual change in the media and marketing world. Over the next 12 days, Mumbrella’s Miranda Ward provides a month-by-month recap of the major stories and developments that affected the industry.
February kicked off with The Outdoor Media Association opposed government regulation of outdoor advertising saying the recommendations made to the Queensland government based on the Inquiry into sexually explicit outdoor advertising “will have serious implications for advertisers”.
Channel Seven dumped Today Tonight in favour of a one hour bulletin in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Sydney creative agency Cabana Boys closed its doors after five years in business.
The month saw a raft of agency appointments including Tetley tea appointed The Works as lead creative agency, NBN Co awarding Host its creative account following a pitch, MasterCard shifted its global media account from UM to Carat and Cummins & Partners landed work on the global Levi’s account through its affiliation with the House Worldwide network.
It was a month for pitches as well with SPC Ardmona pitching its media account, putting incumbent Ikon Communications on alert, Woolworths kicking off its media review and Lion calling a review of its alcohol brands media account.
Fairfax Media’s real estate division brought media sales in house.
Markson
The Australian named former Cleo editor Sharri Markson as its new media editor.
Schapelle Corby was released from prison and was picked up by Seven’s Sunday Night reporter Mike Willesee sparking speculation that Seven had landed an exclusive interview with Corby after a bidding war between them Nine, Ten and Seven and magazine groups Bauer and Pacific Magazines.
An opinion piece by Tim Burrowes in which he argued aggressive charity fund raisers were causing brand damage sparked a lengthy comment thread and guest posts.
The Mamamia Network hired former editor of The Vine Alyx Gorman to edit a “secret project”, later revealed to be TheGlow.com.au.
YouTube mistakenly removed a video from prime minister Tony Abbott, with the video accidentally taken down because the online channel thought it was scam.
Audit numbers on digital subscribers to Australia’s major newspapers suggested the growth of Australians willing to pay for subscriptions was losing steam with The Australian’s digital sales posting the most consistent reduction in growth.
Online music streaming service Deezer closed its Sydney office.
Australia took second place in the annual Gunn Report rankings for 2013.
JWT ECD Mark Harricks resigned after just over three years, he was replaced by Simon Langley.
Police raid Seven offices via @markwburrows
The most exciting moment of the month was when the Australian Federal Police carried out a raid on the offices of Seven Network in Sydney under the proceeds of crime act. The raids were in relation to the Schapelle Corby interview the Seven Network had reportedly lined up.
In the courts, the Victorian Supreme Court ruled Optus had misled Australians over the strength of its mobile network in a series of TV and online ad campaigns and IP Australia ruled that Dick Smith must withdraw his OzEmite product following a trademark battle with AussieMite owner Roger Ramsey.
DrinkWise Australia launched its animated campaign highlighting the differences between an experienced and amateur drinker aimed at moderating young adults’ binge drinking behaviour.
The month ended tragically when former model and judge in Australia’s Next Top Model Charlotte Dawson was found dead in her Sydney home.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
Linkedin
The above article mentions Schapelle’s release from jail in February 2014 and the alleged deal with Channel 7. First, here are the facts about Schapelle’s case http://www.expendable.tv Second, here are the facts about Indonesia’s French parolee, Michael Blanc, who is allowed to speak freely to the media: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleForSchapelleCorby/posts/10203510051850823 But Schapelle was threatened with re-incarceration if either she (or her sister Mercedes), spoke out. Third, here are the legal facts about Australia’s Proceeds of Crime legislation (if Australian authorities attempt to use it against Schapelle or her family) http://danrogers.com.au/2014/0.....-activity/ In a nutshell, Schapelle still says she is innocent, and any legal action of this type would have to be fought in an Australian court. Bring it on, because the case would be fought publicly, and it would be fought tooth and nail . . .
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