The commercial radio industry ended 2009 with revenue growth in December of nearly 5% – the second consecutive month of growth for the year, according to figures from industry body, Commercial Radio Australia. Figures show growth of 4.67% in the five metropolitan markets, with the strongest growth in Sydney of 8.19% and growth in all markets except Perth. The Sydney market grew by 8.19% to $16.55 million, the Melbourne market grew by 2.14% to $15.8 million, Brisbane grew by 8.16% to $8.9 million, Adelaide grew by 6.36% to $5.25 million and Perth fell by 1.96% to $7.62 million.
Independent creative and media agency Affinity Partnership has won the Navitas Workforce business after a competitive pitch. Navitas Workforce is a division of Navitas Limited, a global education provider with colleges and partner university campuses across eight countries. The Navitas Workforce portfolio includes Australian College of Applied Psychology, Australian Institute of Public Safety and Workforce Solutions. The account includes press, online, social media, PR, brand development, ambient and events. The win follows closely on the appointment of new creative team Phil Shearer and Shannon Sutherland, who joined Affinity Partnership as creative director and senior art director late last year.
Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment Australia (WBIE Aus) has appointed One Green Bean to handle the publicity for all computer game releases in Australia during 2010. One Green Bean will be working with WBIE to increase reach and awareness across a broad spectrum of media due to the industry’s increasingly diversified target consumer demographic.
The former studio head of George Patterson Y&R Melbourne, Rob Walker, has joined The DM Group as general manager of artworkDM, the group’s corporate artwork service. THE DM GROUP is an independent communications group offering marketing disciplines under different sections including trademarkDM, clickDM, artworkDM and causeDM.
Radio network Austereo has appointed Guy Dobson as its new chief executive officer, replacing Michael Anderson. Dobson was previously group content director of Austereo and has been a member of the board since September 2008. Anderson announced in July last year he would leave the chief executive role after six years once his contract expires on 30 June this year. Dobson’s appointment as chief executive is effective immediately with Anderson consulting until June.
Pacific Magazines’ New Idea has launched a new brand campaign, based on Bjork’s video and version of the 1950s original by Betty Hutton, “It’s oh so quiet”. Created by sister, , the television campaign includes 60 second and 30 second executions and prime time sponsorships, including the Australian Tennis Open. Additional teaser campaigns air from mid-January.
