Nine, John Hewson Settle Defamation Suit On Eve Of Trial
A defamation case by former federal Liberal Party leader John Hewson against the Nine Network has been settled on the eve of the four-day trial, which was set to begin today.
Hewson, 74, was suing Nine over a story on A Current Affair (ACA) about a Sydney couple’s $6,000 insurance claim, which was rejected, for water damage to furniture in a storage unit.
At the time, Hewson was chair of GSA Insurance Brokers—the company that sold the couple’s insurance policy—but he claimed the story, which went to air in 2020, falsely suggested GSA refused to pay out valid claims.
Moreover, Hewson’s lawyers reportedly stated in court documents that ACA was told prior to broadcast that GSA was an insurance broker and not the insurer, meaning it was “not even the decision-maker” on claims.
In addition, his lawyers argued aggravated damages were appropriate as Nine “gratuitously ran footage of a 27-year-old interview … that was completely irrelevant to the report” to discredit him.
Nine said defamatory meanings had not been conveyed and submitted a defence of honest opinion.
However, Nine paper The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday, the day of the trial, reported that Hewson’s solicitor, Paul Svilans, had informed the Federal Court “the proceedings have settled on confidential terms”.
Justice Wigney vacated the hearing and reportedly congratulated Hewson and Nine on settling the matter.
Latest News
Ideally Nabs Simon Gawn From Denomination
Customer insights platform, Ideally, has expanded its regional footprint as part of its ambitious growth strategy, announcing the appointment of Simon Gawn to lead Australian operations. Ideally appoints Gawn on the back of exponential growth since launching in August this year, already boasting a strong and established Australian-based client roster. Gawn’s immediate remit is to capitalise on Ideally’s significant growth opportunities in Australia, a market five times larger than New Zealand.
SurfStitch Unveils New Brand Position & Summer Campaign
Aussie coastal lifestyle brand SurfStitch has announced a bold repositioning with a new brand identity and campaign, “Ready for Everywhere”. Reflecting the brand’s commitment to inspiring people to embrace their lifestyle, whatever it may be, the strategic shift reflects a commitment to facilitating style that adapts to the life its customers lead across a broad […]
Man of Many Welcomes Naman Singh & Alex Martinez
Man of Many has Announced Key Hires Amidst a Year of Extraordinary Achievement Lead image: Naman Singh & Alex Martinez Man of Many, recently crowned B&T media platform of the year, Australia’s premier men’s lifestyle digital publication. Announces the addition of two crucial members to its team – Naman Singh as SEO Content Specialist and […]
realestate.com.au Extends Major Partnership With Sydney Swans
Australian property site realestate.com.au has announced the extension of its partnership with the Sydney Swans for two further seasons. Lead image: Tom Harley, Owen Wilson and Tom McCartin realestate.com.au has partnered with the Swans since 2016 and has called the back of the club’s iconic guernsey home since becoming a major partner in 2020. This […]
Tuesday TV Ratings: “There Are Too Few Episodes” – Dessert Masters Finale Leave Viewers Wanting More
Dessert Masters finale reportedly leaves viewers wanting more. Weight Watchers also keeping a keen eye on things.
Avenue C Nabs Paula Lopes From KINESSO
Leading independent media agency, Avenue C, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Paula Lopes as Digital Director. Paula, a seasoned professional with over 17 years experience in the media industry, joins Avenue C from her role as Chief Operations Manager of KINESSO (merger of Reprise, Matterkind, and Kinesso specialities).
Dave ‘Rabbit’ Rabbetts Departs Star 104.5 Breakfast
Dave 'Rabbit' Rabbetts departs Star 104.5 breakfast. Has asked everyone call him Dave for a little bit.
MOO Premium Foods Admits “100% Ocean Plastics” Claims Misled Consumers
Yoghurt brand in strife over green claims. Meanwhile Mars Bars still getting away with "helps you work, rest & play".
IAB Study: Online Advertising Expenditure Hit $3.73B For September Quarter
Digital continuing to be advertising's star performer. Although that's not intended as a slur to the humble catalogue.
More Than 15,000 Watch On YouTube As An Emotional Brittany Higgins Takes The Stand
One of the biggest stories of 2023 looking like it's heading into 2024. Has the legs to even make 2025.
oOh!Media Fuses People & Performance At National Annual Revenue & Growth Conference
oOh!media brought together more than 260 of its sales, operations, commercial, marketing, finance and leadership teams last week for its national annual revenue and growth conference. Held over two days at the picturesque Rydges Resort in Hunter Valley, the event ‘Fusing people and performance’ focussed on how to build a high-performance mindset and how it […]
The End Of An Era: Millionaire Hot Seat Comes To A Close After 25 Years
Eddie McGuire set to become even more annoying after his game show hosting gig comes to an end.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: These Are The Moments That Dominated Media Coverage In 2023
It's 2023's biggest news stories counted down! And whoever wrote it clearly didn't miss out out Taylor Swift tickets.
Free-To-Air TV Welcomes Landmark Win Against Streaming Giants
It's a win for the free-to-air networks this morning. However, it's not stopped the incessant squabbling between them.
KFC Spoofs Fragrance Ads With Its Own Unisex Scent Shaped Like A Drumstick
Want stray dogs to follow you home after a night out? This chicken-inspired scent could be just the ticket.
Jimmy Hyett Drops By B&T TV To Talk Christmas Presents, AI & Basketball
Have you ever met a Jimmy you didn't like? Confirm it here with the eminently likeable Jimmy Hyett's B&T TV debut.
Rocket Agency Appoints Samantha Dodson As Creative Director
Rocket serves up the lettuce, nabbing Ex-Ogilvy and DDB creative, Samantha Dodson.
Free TV Welcomes Government’s Prominence & Anti-Siphoning Framework
Free TV has welcomed the federal government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Australians can access their local free television services on connected TVs through the introduction of legislation to implement a prominence framework in coming days. Free TV CEO Bridget Fair (lead image) said: “Right now, Australian viewers are being steered in the direction […]
Watch Out Fifty Shades! Nova’s ‘Wippa’ Publishes His Very Own Erotic Novel
Radio host 'Wippa' has published an erotic novel! Presumably with many of the protagonists whipping it out.
Burger King Wins For Strangest (Anti) Christmas Campaign Of The Year
In exciting news for turkeys & our piggy friends, Burger King attempting to flog burgers as alternative Christmas fare.
Study: Invest In Customer Experience After A Data Breach To Future-Proof Your Brand
Study finds brands should invest in CX after any data breach. Either that or sack your IT department.
“What Do S*x Toys Have To Do With Makeup?” – Sephora Faces Backlash From Parents For Adult Toy Ad
Snag the hard to buy for colleague in this year's office Kris Kringle? This vibrator news may stimulate the thinking.
Kendall’s Infamous Pepsi Ad Tops List Of Most Controversial US Ads Of All Time!
It's the greatest flops in US ad history. Strangely, Hillary's 2016 election campaign conspicuous by its absence.
Pilot Tackles Sex, Shame, and Stigma With New Campaign Challenging Men To Share Their “Shocker Performance Stories”
Men's health campaign shines a light on impotence. And not just the 18 schooners variety.
Guinness Compared To A Cosmic Phenomena As Beer Brand Taps The Chinese Market
Guiness once again ignoring the tagline every drinker wants - "Great going down, even smoother coming out."
The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel To Host ABC Breakfast Radio, Valentine Returns To Afternoons
It's jarmies, hot Milo and bed by nine for Craig Reucassel after he lands new early morning breakfast gig.
Tyreright Appoints 27 Degrees Media
New-generation media agency 27 Degrees Media has been appointed to manage digital media for national tyre retailer Tyreright in one of its first Australian client signings. Lead Image: Loan Morris – 27 Degrees Media CEO Under the partnership, 27 Degrees Media will be responsible for all digital media strategy, planning and buying, along with influencer […]
The Works Distills “Question Everything” For Archie Rose Distilling Co.
Who doesn't love a spicy Archie Rose gin to get you publicly blabbering about an ex or non-existent sex life.
farsiight Unveils New Market Positioning Putting Growth for Good Over Growth At All Costs
Brisbane performance agency farsiight has announced the launch of its new market positioning, Growth for Good, in response to a changing business landscape, marking a departure from a “growth at all costs” mentality that has defined the industry in recent years. Agency founders and brother duo, Josh and Ben Somerville, envision Growth for Good as […]
By Land Or By Sea: GoTransit Offers Options Galore For Transit Advertisers In Newcastle
Australia’s largest privately owned transit media supplier, GoTransit Media Group, now offers unprecedented options for transit advertising in Newcastle – on both land and sea following their successful tender to supply interior advertising inside the popular Stockton Ferries. The national transit media company is already well acquainted with the thriving NSW market, having successfully operated […]
‘People First Bank’ Heritage & People’s Choice Bank Unified
Heritage and People’s Choice have launched People First Bank, the new name for positive change in banking Australia’s largest customer-owned bank has unveiled its new brand, announcing that Heritage and People’s Choice will be unified under the new name of People First Bank. Chairman Michael Cameron said the highly anticipated new brand offered a compelling […]
“Cozzie Livs” Announced Macquarie Dictionary 2023 Word Of The Year
We're not sure how many logophiles read B&T, but this one's for you. That's a lover of words, not a lover of logging.
🏆 Hear From The B&T Awards Winners! 🏆
It's the B&T Award winners all in video form! We're putting the slurring down to their excitedness.
Today The Brave’s Hannah Lawson & Kate Idle On What’s Hot & What’s Not In 2024
Planning your own what's hot/what's not for 2024 list? There's some good ones here if plagiarism is on your what's hot.
Cultural Shift For Australians With ‘The Great Slow Down’
Don't ever really go beyond what's asked? Loathed by colleagues? Bone idle, in fact? The 'great slow down' is calling.
L’Oréal Aus & NZ Partner With Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Announcing Large Investments
L’Oréal Groupe Australia and New Zealand have announced one of the largest investments to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to pioneer new coral restoration efforts in the region. L’Oréal Groupe Australia and New Zealand have announced today a new partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF), to help coral reefs withstand the devastating impacts […]