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

REVEALED: All The Finalists For The 2021 Snapchat Young Lions Competition
There's sure to be some tears with the reveal of the Young Lions competition. Even more so if you actually entered.

Congratulations To All Our 30 Under 30 Winners!
There is more talent in this 30 Under 30 winners list than a Manpower strip show at Panthers World Of Entertainment.

Leadership, Humanity, Technology – The Sweet Spot
The SingularityU Australia Executive Program will take place this may, celebrating leadership at the intersection of the values of humanity and the value of technology. The Elon Musks, Apples and Xeros of the world are taking risks for humanity and creating new technologies that streamline and beautify business operations. They simplify life by providing basic […]

OMD Alumnus Launches Specialist Media Agency For The Franchise Sector; TFM Digital
Brisbane media professional and former OMD Australia Account Director Taylor Fielding (pictured) has officially launched TFM Digital. TFM Digital is a specialist media agency based in Newstead which primarily provides media buying services, and strategy development, to businesses chiefly, but not exclusively, within the franchise sector. Prior to the launch of TFM Digital, Fielding spent […]

“Very Creepy”: ABC Forced To Apologise Over Navy Ship Twerking Video
This twerk video has divided the B&T office this morning. By that we mean "hilarious" to "absolutely f@cking hilarious".

Urth Teams Up With Croud To Drive International Growth
The Australian camera accessory brand, Urth, famed for their focus on sustainability, has appointed Croud as their new digital marketing partner, in order to power global and local growth.

VMG Digital And TreSensa Join Forces To Provide Best-Of-Breed Playable Ads
Leading mobile creative technology companies, VMG Digital and TreSensa Technologies, join forces to fuel best-of-breed playable Facebook Ads to help clients drive app installs.

Furphy Celebrates Tellers Of Tall Tales In New ‘Unearthing Unbelievable’ Brand Experience
Eight in ten Aussies (86%)* believe telling a furphy is a unique part of Australian culture, now Furphy is on a mission to celebrate the art of storytelling and uncover the nation’s best furphies.

Know A Standout Marketing Boss? Nominate Them For B&T’s CMO Power List!
B&T's on the hunt for Australia's top marketers! Sure, not as interesting as Australia's top yodellers or log rollers.

Winners! Frocks! Tears! Your Party Pictorial To Last Night’s 30 Under 30!
Judging by the hangovers in the B&T office today you can count yourself damn lucky we even managed this photo thingy.

Publicis Groupe Beats Q1 Expectations, As Aussie Ops Record “Dynamic Organic Growth”
B&T would've added sacre bleu to this Publicis headline, however, we have no idea what it means or how to spell it.

Canva Brings Instagram Scheduling To Canva Pro
Canva owners set to become even more obscenely billionairey after doing latest thing.

Getty Images Announces $US85,000 In Grants For Photojournalists
In this day & age of tech behemoths & media barons, it's nice to see the humble old photojournalist getting a look in.

How To Harness The Skills Of A Gen Y & Z workforce To Future-Proof Your Business
Look, it's top tips to harnessing your Gen Y and Z employees sans any Spanish Inquisition torture techniques.

FutureFeed Appoints Five By Five For Global Launch
Launch marketing specialists Five by Five Global have been appointed by FutureFeed to develop their brand, international certification trademark and go to market strategy. The innovative livestock feed ingredient developed by CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australian and James Cook University uses a specific genus of seaweed, Asparagopsis, which significantly reduces methane emissions in ruminant livestock. […]

Clems Melbourne Announces 10 New Starters
Excellent hair clearly part of the recruitment process, as Clems Melbourne announces 10 new hirsute starters.

Thursday TV Wrap: Gogglebox Continues Rise While Seven Wins The Night
B&T hosted the 30 Under 30 awards last night AND is bringing you last night's telly numbers. Live the lies here.

SKMG’s Andrew Knowles Snares B&T’s 30 Under 30 For PR
Andrew Knowles, partner and co-founder of the corporate communications consultancy Shoebridge Knowles Media Group (SKMG), has won the PR category in the 2021 B&T 30 Under 30 Awards. Knowles received the award at a ceremony in Sydney last night, claiming victory in a highly competitive field that included leading executives from some of Australia’s biggest […]

WPP AUNZ Launches NextGen Leaders Program
WPP AUNZ says its nextgen leaders program isn't solely open to the company's crawlers and sycophants.

JCDecaux Launches Programmatic Offering & Announces Partnership With Adobe, Building A New Digital And Data Ecosystem
JCDecaux announces Adobe partnership. Which, admittedly, isn't as interesting as, say, a Dannii Minogue partnership.

VGood Launches ‘Undercover Healthy’ Creative Campaign
VGood is a "nut-free, chickpea based range of snacks". Absolutely perfect for boring everyone with your dietary habits.

Nova Boy Turns Up The Feel Good In A New National Marketing Campaign
To its credit, this NOVA pretty press photo totally debunks the "face for radio" adage.

Purpose-led PR And Digital Marketing Agency Compass Studio Wins New Clients B Lab Australia & New Zealand And Verve Super
Boutique PR and digital marketing agency Compass Studio announces a host of new clients this month including B Lab Australia & New Zealand and Verve Super.

LEGOLAND And Vision Australia Team Up For LEGO Braille Bricks
Vision Australia unveils LEGO Braille Bricks. B&T doubts it'll stop you treading on the painful little buggers, however.

The Trade Desk Kicks Off Beta Testing Of Unified ID 2.0 In Australia
For those not in the know, beta testing is a technological term for "we've got no effing idea if this is gonna work".

Einsteinz Communications Marks 20th Anniversary By Joining Global Tech PR Specialist Network, The With Global Alliance
Einsteinz Communications announced today it has joined the Global tech PR agency network, the With Global Alliance.

Yubo Chooses Ogilvy Social.Lab As Their New Agency
For the record, Yubo is a social platform & not to be mistaken with drunk NRL fans more commonly referred to as 'yobbo'.

Setapp Campaign Dives Into Viral Tech Stories
Super Simple Stories answers all the questions you never knew you had about technology innovations

AFL Names Therabody As Its Official Recovery Partner
The AFL is delighted to welcome Therabody as its Official Recovery Partner of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Therabody’s industry-leading devices and research will be integrated into pre-match training and post-match recovery routines to help prevent injuries and help improve overall athletic performance. Therabody will also become the naming partner for the end-of-season AFL […]

Seven Ramps Up Olympics Offering 100 Days Out From Tokyo
The off-again, on-again Olympics are back on again and just as half-a-million hotdog frankfurts reach their expiry date.