Significant seven: Years to forget for…
Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.
1. Grant Blackley
It was a close-run contest between Blackley, who was fired by Ten’s CEO in February after 20 years with the network, and Ten itself for pole position. An ugly balance sheet meant the end for Blackley. But Ten’s fortunes have not improved since he was ousted, with The Renovators misfiring.
2. MTV
The New Zealand office closed last year. This year, local production was scaled back in Sydney to make way for more Jersey Shore imports from the US, and the Australian and New Zealand websites merged. thirteen staff were made redundant. A powerful youth brand 30 years ago is looking increasingly dinosauric.
3. Rupert Murdoch
The most powerful figure the media world has ever known looked a pale shadow of his former self as he stood before a parliamentary committee to answer questions about the voicemail hacking scandal. The foam pie incident didn’t help.
4. The Campaign Palace
The revolving door and shrinking client list of the once great agency has seriously tested the patience of its owner, WPP. If The Palace was closed tomorrow, it would be sad. But not surprising.
5. Men’s magazines
When Zoo Weekly lost a quarter of its circulation in a year in November it was another cruel blow to a sector that is looking increasingly tired and samey. Maxim and Smith Journal were brave – or foolish – introductions to the men’s magazine sector in 2011.
6. Hill & Knowlton
The exit of boss Michelle Hutton in 2010, and the court spat that followed, set up Hill & Knowlton for a tough 2011. Her replacement, Marcus Warner, lasted just eight months, and was followed by a succession of senior departures.
7. Nine News in Brisbane
Faked live crosses from helicopters cost the jobs of two reporters, an executive producer and Nine veteran Lee Anderson, who resigned.
- This list first appeared in the Mumbrella Annual, which is currently on sale priced at $10 for access to the digital edition or $20 for both print and digital access.
- Both can be ordered through Realview, via this link