B&T’s 10 Most Read Stories In 2019
It’s been an interesting year in the B&T newsroom.
From Clive Palmer’s $60 million ad campaign flop that didn’t see him win a single seat, to a viral app that shows you what you look like as you age, to a royal demi chignon scandal (yeah, that one confused us too), we bring you the 10 most read B&T stories of 2019 according to Google Analytics account.
#10 “Big Boys & Their Balls!” The Time Israel Folau Starred On The Cover A Gay Mag
This was a gloriously ironic addition to one of the biggest stories of the year in sport. Folau was sacked from the Australian national rugby team following homophobic comments on his personal Instagram account.
The saga has been written about 10 times on B&T alone this year, considering the potential ramifications for advertising campaigns and sponsorship deals. But there’s something beautifully ironic about this story that you can’t help but laugh at.
#9 The XX’s Newest Music Video Starring Millie Bobby Brown Doubles As A Calvin Klein Ad
A campaign in the form of a music video for a huge name like The XX and starring Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown did the business for Calvin Klein. At seven minutes long, here’s the proof that an ad can certainly be longer than 15 or 30 seconds… if it’s good.
#8 The Results Are In! 30 Under 30 Shortlist Revealed 
Evidence that B&T‘s 30 Under 30 Awards really do matter. Our audience is obviously keen to see who makes the shortlist! And here’s a reminder of this year’s 30 Under 30 cohort.
#7 Genius Clive Palmer IKEA Spoof Ad Goes Viral
Who could forget the Clive Palmer billboards plastered all across the country in early 2019? This was a much-needed injection of cash for the major media owners with Palmer spending more on advertising than Sportsbet, Telstra and McDonald’s last year. Yet despite all that, he failed to win a single seat, and an Aussie creative capitalised beautifully on it (and helped IKEA out along the way).
Everyone wins, right? Except of course Clive Palmer.
#6 Newspaper Forced To Apologise Over Kate Middleton’s “Demi Chignon” Hairdo
With little to do with advertising, all this story proves is that Australians do still care about the Royals. Whether that remains true following the Prince Andrew debacle remains to be seen.
#5 App That Shows You What You’ll Look Like As You Age Goes Viral But Raises Privacy Concerns
Back in July a light-hearted app that showed users what they would look like as they aged went viral. But it wasn’t long before rumours of security concerns around privacy plagued the app, and we haven’t heard much since.
#4 Google Pixel Billboard Cheekily Rips On iPhone For Being, Well, A Rip-Off
Everyone loves a good rivalry between brands. In this campaign back in May, Google Pixel poked fun at rival Apple with a billboard that ripped into the fact that the iPhone X is, well, a rip-off.
#3 KIIS’ Kyle & Jackie O “Dumped” On Air This Morning
There’s no denying that this was pure click-bait journalism. We promise to do better next year.
#2 Poor Ratings For Nine Force The Network Into Today Show Rethink
B&T isn’t often on the nose with our predictions but let the record show that we predicted Karl would be back eight months ago! And it was confirmed two days ago that Stefanovic will indeed be back on Today in 2020 from Monday January 6.
#1 “Highly Insensitive!” Selena Gomez’s Puma Campaign Manages To Upset Entire Religion
Who would have thought that our biggest story for 2019 would have come just three weeks ago with the launch of a print campaign for sportswear brand Puma?
The image, featuring Selena Gomez, had Gomez standing on a pile of books (which are revered in Hindu culture), managed to offend almost a billion Hindus and Indians in one go. Quite the feat.
So there you have it, that’s our most-read stories from the year.
Narrowly missing out was the 2019 B&T Women in Media shortlist, our B&T Women in Media Power List Nominees, Roy Morgan’s open letter to the media industry plus MediaCom CEO Willie Pang’s response. And too many more to mention.
Thanks for reading B&T. If you’d like to support us, one small way you can is by subscribing to our print magazine which comes out four times a year. Happy Holidays and we look forward to writing for you again in 2020!
Latest News
We Need To Talk About B2B Events
This columnist asks is it the end for B2B events? And if so, where will B&T journalists take afternoon naps now?
Women In Media’s Nat Harvey: “Humans Need Other Humans To Thrive And Co-Create Happiness”
Seven's sales director Nat Harvey muses on the year that was AND doesn't use the words "bognogs" or "willy dribbler".
Women In Media’s Juliette Stead: “Playing It Safe Isn’t An Option For Me”
Juliette Stead declares, "Playing it safe isn’t an option for me." Top news if Juliette's your tennis doubles partner.
LiveRamp And The Trade Desk Combine For Cookieless Solution
LiveRamp and The Trade Desk prepare for a cookieless world. And in further bad news, Delta Goodrem is touring.
Nine & The Lab Reveal One In Three Of Nine’s Talk-Radio Listeners Attribute It To Increasing Their Happiness
Study finds radio can increase your happiness. That's probably not the case if your horse gets beat on 2KY, however.
Bastion Collective Launches Bastion Asia
Bastion Collective has launched Bastion Asia which, when said quickly, kinda sounds like "busting, are ya?"
Something Originals Unveils Trailer For New Feature Documentary About Scotch Whisky Icon Johnnie Walker
When B&T's editor chooses to forget "that bitch that ruined my life" he uses & recommends the Johnnie Walker range.
“Very Nice!” Kazakhstan Adopts Borat Phrase For Tourism Campaign
Whether you like it or not, Borat has put Kazakhstan on the map. Much like what Lara Bingle did for Australia, really.
WPP’s Acquisition Shopping List Revealed
This article contains a hint of speculation, a spot of fabrication, but hopefully not a dollop of defamation.
Kmart Forced To Introduce Online Bookings As Melbourne Shoppers Flock To Stores
It wasn't loved ones or close friends Melburnians missed most during lockdown, but cheap plastic tat & bean bag inserts.
Vegemite Launches New ‘Vegemite Squeezy’ Via Thinkerbell
Nothing in marketing says "we've slightly run out of ideas" quite like making a squeezable version, does it.
Tuesday TV Wrap: The Block Is Back On Top As SAS Takes A Hit
Typically, B&T staff don't put a heap of effort into the photos that accompany the articles. A fact exaserbated here.
The Recipe For Return On Investment (ROI)
The recipe for ROI is revealed here! And thankfully it doesn't include caciocavallo podolico or white alba truffles.
YoPRO Reminds The Athletes Amongst Us That ‘Every Millimetre Matters’ In New Campaign Via Emotive
Yoghurt ad's aimed at "pro-am athletes & fitness enthusiasts" or people who have to bore you with everything they eat.
62-Year-Old Model Is The Face Of Biologi’s Pro-Ageing Campaign Celebrating Natural Beauty
New anti-ageing campaign features 62-year-old model who reportedly worked at the Ponds Institute in 1976.
Viztrade Launches Facebook Style Self-Serve Solution
Independent programmatic platform Viztrade has launched a self-serve solution for publishers to generate digital advertising revenue directly from their own websites. Viztrade Connect is to be launched through the Viztrade platform and enables advertisers to purchase advertising from publisher websites with no friction and full visibility into the cost of the media. The solution is […]
Google Launches YouTube Select In Australia
On the upside, reading B&T's tech news isn't as nerdy as reading it on tech sites. On the downside, it's not as good.
Melbourne Indie Agency Hardhat Hires Eight New Senior Team Members
Hardhat announces eight new hires and, as luck would have it, all have different milk preferences from soy to full-fat.
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation Appoints Leo Burnett Australia As Creative Agency
The Barrier Reef is the nation's jewel. Alongside the Christmas Island detention centre and Shane Warne's hairpiece.
Target Shows Us There’s A Better Way To Christmas In New Campaign Via AJF
Fire the gun, it's the first of the Christmas ads! With B&T most looking forward to the Ultra Tune and Metamucil work.
BIG Outdoor Launches Programmatic With Vistar Media
BIG Outdoor has announced the launch of programmatic capabilities powered by Vistar Media. BIG Outdoor is leveraging Vistar’s supply-side platform (SSP) to make their inventory available for purchase programmatically via open exchange or private marketplace deals. “Our mission is to stay at the forefront of improving the value proposition of digital billboard advertising,” said Richard […]
Why Purpose is Needed Now More Than Ever
Has a bad back all but ruled you out of catching falling colleagues for motivation? Try this hernia-free read instead.
Five Aces To Overcoming The Pandemic For CMOs
This is the only thing any CMO should be reading today. Well, this and maybe Riston's latest rants or Marketing Week.
NSW Government Launches Maths Trains Brains Campaign Via Bastion Banjo
The NSW Government and the Department of Education have today launched a major campaign titled ‘Maths Trains Brains’ which is aimed at changing the perception of maths and encouraging more engagement towards the subject for students from pre-kindy to Year 10. The campaign was developed by creative and digital agency Bastion Banjo with production by […]
Grill’d Sticks It To Fast Food Giants In New “Trump’d” Campaign
The B&T office are huge fans of Grill'd & we're not just saying that because it sells booze. Even if that is the reason.
Debunking The Myths: The Environmental Cred Of Print Media
In this guest post, Dr Phillip Lawrence of Edith Cowan University debunks the myths of the environmental impact of printing… The environmental credentials of printing have been in the spotlight for a while with brands and marketers as well as large corporates regularly proposing they would reduce or eliminate paper and printing from their business as […]
“Tiny Tech, Mighty Spec” Says Panasonic’s Newest Campaign Via Awaken
We're being fans of photography here at B&T, showing a particular fondness for the "artful nude" category.
Mindshare Snares Kayo’s & Binge’s Media
The WPP-owned agency Mindshare has revealed it has won the media business for both Kayo and Binge. Both Kayo and Binge form part of Foxtel’s Steamotion’s streaming services and have seen significant boosts to the subscription numbers in recent times, primarily during lockdown. Commenting on the win, Mindshare CEO Katie Rigg-Smith said the win would […]
Aussie Tech Firm Launches App To Help Media Owners Find Local Advertisers In Any Location
Realworld, an Australian location-based technology company, today launched adfindr.co, a leads platform for media owners. Adfindr finds the contact details of hundreds of local businesses around any location. Adfindr offers all media owners a database of local advertising leads. Simply type in a location and extract advertising leads in that area. David Sanderson, Director at […]
Study: Aussies Eye Bricks & Mortar Return This Christmas
Quote Shakespeare when looking for a car spot at Christmas? Ready your "convert to anger; blunt not the hearts" here.
