Rupert Murdoch gets the call from Scotland Yard
Rupert Murdoch has been officially informed by Scotland Yard that detectives want to interview him as a suspect as part of their inquiry into allegations of crime at his British newspapers.
It is understood that detectives first contacted Murdoch last year to arrange to question him but agreed to a request from his lawyers to wait until the phone-hacking trial was finished.
The interview is expected to take place in the near future in the UK and will be conducted “under caution”, the legal warning given to suspects. His son James, who was the executive chairman of News International in the UK, may also be questioned.
News of the police move comes after an Old Bailey jury found Murdoch’s former News of the World editor Andy Coulson guilty of conspiring to hack phones, but acquitted his former UK chief executive Rebekah Brooks on all charges.
The verdict on Coulson also means that Murdoch’s UK company is now threatened with a possible corporate charge, while the media owner also faces the prospect of a dozen more criminal trials involving his journalists as well as hundreds more legal actions in the high court from the alleged victims of phone hacking by the News of the World.
Also, the verdict revives troubling questions for the prime minister about his links with Murdoch and his hiring of Andy Coulson. Questions are likely to focus on why Cameron employed Coulson without making effective checks and whether Cameron gave misleading evidence on oath about this at the Leveson inquiry.
The eight-month trial heard copious evidence of the scale of crime at the News of the World. This also included handwritten notes kept by Glenn Mulcaire, which suggested that during the five years he worked under contract for the News of the World, he had targeted some 5,500 people. Jurors were also shown internal emails discussing cash payments for police working in the royal palaces.
Picture: Flickr Creative Commons by david_shankbone
Latest News
Why Search Should Be The Icing On The Cake To Your TV Spend
Putting a certain global pandemic aside and despite its innumerable detractors, television ad spends in Australia were nudging the $4 billion-mark annually before COVID arrived and pummelled the numbers. Putting that in perspective, linear, free-to-air TV in Australia still pulls about one-in-four of every ad dollars spent. Despite the competitive and growing fight for eyeballs […]
Are Media Study: Beauty Influencers Remain Strong With Gen Zs But Sampling Is King
Influencers are a key factor in helping Generation Z make beauty purchases, but their influential power drops when it comes to all other women, Are Media’s first BEAUTYVOICES consumer survey has revealed. Sampling beauty products is the most successful form of marketing likely to drive purchase for all women aged 18 to 74, followed by […]
Chris Howatson’s Next Move Revealed
B&T can confirm departing CHEP CEO Chris Howatson's next move here. Not that he's actually confirmed it to us.
Anchor Dairy Launches Christmas Appeal For NZ Food Network Via Pead
New Zealand’s Anchor Dairy has switched strategies for its 2020 Christmas campaign, with the company this year drawing attention to the need to give during the festive season. The Fonterra-owned company is encouraging Kiwis to fundraise for the New Zealand Food Network, following the release of research that showed one in five people risk going […]
Victorians Told To Take Advantage Of Energy Reforms In New Campaign, Via Icon Agency
The ‘It’s Your Energy’ campaign, delivered via Icon Agency, encourages Victorians to take advantage of recent energy reforms and ensure they’re getting the best deal possible. Essential Services Commission, the regulatory body for Victorian energy and gas, water, local government, and transport sectors, has engaged Icon Agency to develop an integrated communications campaign to help […]
MJZ’s Juan Cabral Joins FINCH, Colenso BBDO On ‘NRMA Sleeper’ Campaign
In the insurance company’s latest campaign, NRMA Sleeper depicts a road trip, like any other, except everyone in the car is asleep, even the driver. Yet they arrive unscathed. According to production company FINCH, which is behind the work, the spot dreams up a world where cars drive themselves to remind us that until they […]
Charity Bailey’s Day Launches ‘The Big-Hearted Bear’ Campaign Featuring Livinia Nixon Via Noisy Beast
Children’s cancer charity, Bailey’s Day, has teamed up with full-service international communications agency Noisy Beast to launch ‘The Big-Hearted Bear’ campaign, voiced by Channel 9’s Livinia Nixon. Each year, Bailey’s Day hosts a charity golf day, auction and luncheon to raise funds for children’s cancer research at Monash Children’s Hospital, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
One-On-One With Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, Michael Stephenson
B&T chats with Michael "Stepho" Stephenson who, given Nine's ratings win, was more chipper than a bag of oven fries.
“This Sh*t Like Two Of My Uncles Fighting At The BBQ!”: Snoop Dogg’s Commentary Wins The Tyson Fight
It's Snoop Dogg commentating on Mike Tyson's comeback fight. As you'd expect, the jokes are writing themselves here.
Salesforce: 86% Of Customers Expect Companies To Accelerate Digital Initiatives
Study finds 86% of customers expect brands to accelerate digital initiatives. Other 14% too busy watching the cricket.
NewsFlash Media Joins Assembled Group
NewsFlash Media joins Assembled Group. Yet, rather than flash it, B&T's hidden it at the bottom of today's newsletter.
Nine Wins 2020 TV Rankings On Back Of Reality Show Success
Hugh Marks delivers impressive rendition of Queen's 'We Are The Champions' after Nine takes 2020 ratings crown.
“Disgust & Disappointment”: TV Broadcasters Lambasted For Replaying Horrifying F1 Crash Footage
To add to the disgust of broadcasters replaying the weekend's horrific F1 crash, B&T's replaying it again here.
Nine Calls In The Recruiters As Search For Hugh Marks’ Replacement Heats Up
Fatty Vautin, Eddie McGuire and possibly Pete Evans updating their resumes as Nine widens the net in search for new CEO.
TV Show Axed After On-Air Tutorial Shows Women How To “Shop Sexy”
Say goodbye to slovenly trackie-daks and Ugg boots for the weekly grocery shop with these handy pick-up pointers.
Bryce Mills & Ebony Boadu Will Take Over triple J Breakfast In January
The real skill of any breakfast radio announcer is being able to feign being bright and cheery at 6am in the morning.
Google And Facebook Explore Options Ahead Of News Media Bargaining Code
Tech giants on lookout for local content producers. Apparently Woodwork Fanciers & Decoupage Daily yet to be approached.
Camille Baumann Joins eWave As Chief Customer Officer
A recent mystery has been the disappearance of the whitewashed wall in press photos. B&T welcomes its return here.
Aussie Brands Follow Familiar Formulas In This Year’s Christmas Campaigns
If there's anyone guaranteed to get the pork to crackle it has to be food stylists on Australian Christmas TV ads.
Heart Foundation CMO Chris Taylor Departs
Heart Foundation CMO Chris Taylor departs. Maybe he just lost heart or maybe he just got a better offer.
Can’t Carry Ya Pints? The Four-Beer Holding Super Schooner Has Arrived Via Ogilvy
With a pint in some wankier pubs edging towards the $18-mark, this indeed looks like the godsend we all need.
WPP AUNZ Announces It Will Give Back Staff Salary Sacrifices
WPP staff looking forward to fatter pay cheques this Christmas. Family & friends looking forward to less crappy gifts.
WPP PLC Moves To Take Control Of All Of WPP AUNZ
WPP AUNZ share price soars on news of a takeover offer by London HQ. B&T assumes they soared, it's not like we checked.
Australian National University Pitches Creative Accounts
Canberra's ANU pitches creative accounts. Says a knowledge of the Raiders or the Floriade helpful but not essential.
Kyle & Jackie O Celebrate 20 Years On Air Together
Kyle & Jackie O celebrate two decades on air together. Apparently, Alan sent some fresh-baked scones as congratulations.
Media Agency Half Dome Named Fastest Growing Tech Company In Deloitte Tech Fast 50 2020
The winners of Deloitte's Tech Fast 50 2020 are in with Blockbuster Video sadly not managing a guernsey again this year.
‘Introducing with Tim Blackwell’ Podcast Launched By Nova Entertainment
With so many podcasts these days will humans ultimately form a third ear? Or, will they just hit the stop button?
Patagonia Says No To Black Friday, Cyber Monday: “Buy Less, Demand More”
Patagonia has the perfect knack of getting you out amongst nature while feeling really bad about it at the same time.
Thursday TV Wrap: Viewers Rack The Cue As Non-Ratings Sets In
TV ratings have officially finished for 2020, meaning it's cricket, Big Bash & repeats of Bondi Recue until February.
“Clean-Up In Aisle Five!” Shopper Goes Berko, Destroys Aldi’s Entire Alcohol Section
B&T warns the footage of Aldi's booze section being destroyed will be distressing for students & young adland employees.
The conclusion of the dramatic phone-hacking trial does not spell the end of the scandal, with media mogul Rupert Murdoch to face questioning by Scotland Yard