Hello again! Here at B&T – we hope you had a relaxing holidays and perhaps even managed to dodge getting COVID-19. Still, while you were stuffing your face with pudding and working on your tan – the industry was still making moves!
So here’s what you missed!
Seven West Media completed the acquisition of all the business and related assets of Prime Media Group Limited – this has been an ongoing story so it’s nice that it’s finally happened!
And if that wasn’t enough acquisition excitement for you, ARN’s parent company, Here, There & Everywhere completed its acquisition of Grant Broadcasters. This means Grant Broadcasters now sits under the ARN umbrella – assumedly the whole team will be sent some of Kyle Sandilands’ sangria to celebrate!
Jo Boundy, the CMO of Qantas surprisingly announced she was leaving for a new role as executive general manager and chief marketing officer at Commonwealth Bank – although when you consider the state of travel – maybe it’s not that surprising.
In more CMO news, Adriane McDermott former CMO of Seafolly announced she was leaving Greencross Vets to launch her own spirits brand, Tanica – here at B&T we will be furiously trying to get on that PR list – there’s nothing we love more than mixing alcohol with working from home.
In brand news, McDonald’s Australia teamed up with Budgy Smuggler to release a limited edition range of swimwear. The swimwear range contains no calories but lots of yellow.
Fast food giant McDonalds has teamed up with Budgy Smuggler to create a limited edition range of swimwear 🍟 pic.twitter.com/9se0JsRvwj
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) January 6, 2022
Meanwhile, Coles’ award-winning hot cross buns are getting a ‘mitey’ makeover this year with Coles launching a brand-new flavour combination in partnership with Bega Cheese Limited – the VEGEMITE Hot Cross Bun. Can you get more Australian than that?
Coles is introducing a new hot cross bun recipe that includes VEGEMITE and a sprinkle of parmesan CHEESE! Would you try this? #9Today pic.twitter.com/mC47n3Ibky
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) December 27, 2021
In television news, apart from cricket not too much has been happening. However, 10’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – premiered big and landed the number one spot in entertainment last week pulling in 794,000 viewers.
It was down from last year’s premier but that’s still pretty solid numbers – and 10 has done an incredible job of redefining what the word ‘celebrity’ means.
I'm a celebrity get me out of here should have Djokovic, Morrison, and Hazzard all in the same room for two weeks. Who will eat whom first?
— Paul Meek (@PaulMeekPerth) January 4, 2022
Meanwhile, Nine announced that it had signed a five year deal with Rugby League which secures the broadcast rights to the game from 2023 to 2027.
As well as five more years of NRL coverage, Nine will remain the exclusive home of two of Australia’s most-watched sporting events, the State of Origin series, and the Telstra Premiership NRL Grand Final – so go sport!
In agency land, creative team Matt Wilson and Luke Williams announced they were departing from Wunderman Thompson to launch their own agency – Significant Other.
And in feel-good news, Kiwi newsreader Oriini Kaipara made history by becoming the first person to present primetime news with a traditional facial tattoo.
Culture of newsroom department is taking another shape. Here's News-reader Oriini Kaipara in New Zealand (chin tattooed) pic.twitter.com/18OFBIhewU
— Billy Nyaku 🇿🇦 (@billynyaku) January 9, 2022
And in some celebrity news, that no one asked for, Anthony Callea caught COVID-19. Thankfully he has recovered because Carols By Candelight could not go on without him.
It’s all happening!
So buckle up – it’s gonna be a big 2022!
