Relationship Issues in Agencyland and the Case of the Disappearing Media Jobs
BMF and Westpac announced a split after just one year, an unusual case of an agency ending a client relationship. A new We Grow study highlights that agencies now demand agenda‑driven meetings and reject casual outreach from media salespeople. Within 24 hours Snap, BBC and Disney disclosed roughly 4,000 job cuts, citing AI amid a downturn in traditional media spend. Meanwhile, News Corp is reviving an 87‑year‑old fashion title in Australia, positioning it as a mobile‑first, e‑commerce vehicle.
CommsCon Catchup: AI Frees up Younger Workers to Be Creative — if Given the Opportunity
At CommsCon, a panel of communications leaders examined how AI is reshaping work across five generations, freeing junior staff from routine tasks and enabling them to focus on creativity. They highlighted that Generation X’s experience is becoming a premium asset...
Ryobi Explores the Addictive World of DIY in ‘Come Equipped’
Ryobi, owned by Techtronic Industries, unveiled the "Come Equipped" campaign to dramatize the addictive pull of DIY projects. The ad follows a househusband whose simple drill trigger ignites a cascade of increasingly elaborate wood constructions, symbolising how one tool can...
‘We Are Making History’: Meet Jordan Baker, New Editor of Australia’s Oldest Paper, the Sydney Morning Herald
Jordan Baker, the newly appointed editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, marked the paper’s 195th anniversary on April 18, highlighting its status as Australia’s oldest continuously published newspaper. Despite industry doubts, the Herald’s print edition still generates roughly $129 million USD in...
Media Job Apocalypse Continues: Thousands Cut at Disney, Snap and BBC
The BBC announced a 10% workforce reduction, cutting 1,800‑2,000 jobs to save roughly £500 million (about $635 million) over two years. Snap Inc will lay off around 1,000 employees – about 16% of its staff – aiming for $460 million in savings for...
Nine Snatches Netball TV Rights From Foxtel
Nine secured a five‑year partnership with Netball Australia, taking over broadcast and streaming rights for Suncorp Super Netball, Australian Diamonds matches, and the 2027 Netball World Cup from Foxtel. The agreement delivers free‑to‑air coverage on the Nine Network alongside streaming...
Spotify Rolls Out Government Vaping Education Campaign
Spotify has teamed with the Australian Government to launch the third phase of its anti‑vaping initiative, titled “Buddy Up – Make a Pact to Quit Together.” The new phase shifts focus from education to a community‑driven model that encourages peers...
Vamp Strengthens Team with Four New Hires
Vamp, a tech‑enabled influencer marketing agency, announced four senior hires to bolster its leadership team. Simone Bevan joins as Head of Brand and Integration, tasked with shaping go‑to‑market and large‑scale creative strategy. The new senior product manager, client delivery manager, and...
Prophet Publishes Market Mix Modelling 101 Guide
Prophet, Australia’s leading decision‑intelligence platform, has released a Market Mix Modelling (MMM) 101 guide to help marketers move from past‑focused reporting to future‑oriented rehearsal. The guide includes a blind‑spot checklist, case studies and a framework for building a business case,...
Esky Goes Social-First as The Social CliQ Brings Creators Together for TikTok-Led Campaign
Australian cooler brand Esky has launched a social‑first campaign built around a one‑day creator shoot on the Gold Coast. The Social CliQ, appointed in 2025 to run Esky’s social channels, gathered 16 digital creators who produced over 50 short‑form videos...
Inside the Surge of Indie Media Wins
AI‑enabled tools are letting independent media agencies punch far above their size, with a 20‑person shop delivering output comparable to a double‑sized operation. Over the past year indie firms in Australia and New Zealand have seized 64% of new‑business pitches, exemplified...
CommsCon Catchup: Want to Survive the AI Revolution? Make Sure You’re in the ‘Trust’ Business
At CommsCon, Peter Wilkinson warned that by 2030 the chief corporate‑affairs officer will eclipse the CMO as AI reshapes buying decisions. He argues that AI gives consumers direct access to data on price, ethics and risk, making trust the key...
Unilever Hunts CMO as Another Marketer Departs
Unilever is actively recruiting a new chief marketing officer for its Australia‑New Zealand (ANZ) division after two senior marketing leaders exited within six months. Former ANZ CMO John McKeon left in January to take a global role in Malaysia, and his successor,...
Guzman Y Gomez Global CMO Lara Thom Resigns
Lara Thom, the global chief marketing officer of Australian fast‑food chain Guzman y Gomez, is leaving after a ten‑year tenure that helped grow the brand to more than 200 stores in four countries. She will depart on April 24, with...
Enigma Signs Kate Sheppard as Managing Director, Ramping up Sydney Firepower
Independent agency Enigma has appointed Kate Sheppard as Managing Director of its Sydney operations, joining CEO Lisa Sutton Gardner and other senior executives. Sheppard arrives with more than two decades of experience spanning QSR, FMCG, travel, retail, professional services and...
