“We’re Here For The Long Term”: Amazon Prime Video Presents Showcases The Aussie Content Taking Over The World
Prime Video Presents Australia 2021, held at Crown Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, showcased an immense array of Australian content coming soon to the small screen.
Presented by comedian Joel Creasey, attendees included a range of Australian talent in-person and onscreen including comedians and writers Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney, AFL Hall of Fame player Michael O’Loughlin, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Cody Simpson and Sigourney Weaver – to name just a handful.
Amazon’s emphasis on local content includes the greenlighting of seven new Australian Original productions: Burning, a documentary about the 2019/20 bushfires, Class of ’07, an apocalyptic comedy, Deadloch, a feminist noir comedy and Head Above Water, a documentary following swimmers Ian Thorpe, Bronte Campbell, Kyle Chambers and Cody Simpson in preparation for Toky 2020.
There was also The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, based on the best-selling Australian novel, satirical sketch comedy The Moth Effect and Warriors On The Field, a doco spotlighting Indigenous AFL players.
On commercial television, there are strict quotas set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for Australian content. Between 6am and midnight, broadcasters must show 55 per cent Australian programming.
There have been significant movements in favour of passing regulations that would demand Australian content quotas for streaming services too. In March this year, members of the film and TV industry lobbied for the Federal Government to impose a 20 per cent Australian content quotas on services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
In November 2020, the government themselves indicated their willingness to impose requirements for local investment in a media green paper, though this has yet to happen.
Part of Amazon’s investment in Australian content will also come through previously announced Australian originals, as well as global shows like Nine Perfect Strangers, which was filmed in Australia with an Australian crew.
A Packed to the Rafters return – suitably called Back to the Rafters – as well as documentary Kick Like Tayla, focused on AFLW star and boxer Tayla Harris, luxury real estate show Luxe Listing Sydney, and all the Australian Swimming Trials coverage will all be coming to the platform.
It could be argued that Amazon Prime Video is looking to make itself the home of new Australian productions.
Erika North, Head of Originals, Asia Pacific, told B&T that each of the shows is special because “they each represent a different dimension of the canon that is Australian content.”
“Australia is, and always has been a source of great creative minds, both in front of and behind the camera…there’s so much homegrown IP that has the potential to be exported globally [and] equally we have a lot of Australian talent that works not only in Australia, but overseas as well.”
Amazon Prime Video has currently committed $150 million into 14 Australian Amazon Original productions.
“Our hope is that we can, through our slate here, embed roots in Australia and really help grow the industry across the board,” said North.
“It’s a commitment. We’re not here for the short haul, we’re here for the long term. You can see that in the way that we approach every aspect of the business. I think Australia is going to be such an important cornerstone for us in APAC as we grow.”
She also explained why Australian content holds such an essential appeal, both for audiences at home and overseas.
“I think what we find in Australia is there’s innovation. There’s traditional barriers that are breaking down. We love the idea of being….home for talent, but we genuinely mean it. We want talent to feel like they can come to us with a stand-up idea, with a movie idea, with a documentary idea. We want to be that home, and we want to have to allow Australian talent to move outside the confines of what they might be used to.”
“My belief and my hope, and we’ve seen it happen already, is that these great Australian stories will not only drive buzz, conversation, and enjoyment on home turf, but they’ll do the same overseas too. I think what audiences around the world will see out of Australia is it’s a place of great creative diversity.”
“[There’s] a very grounded Australian-ness to everything we’re producing, but at the same time there’s a real universality to it. And, I think the fact that we’re able to deliver these programs to over 175 million subscribers around the world means we’re going to be able to make these connections, and at the end of the day, that’s what drives our business.”
Please login with linkedin to comment
Amazon Amazon Australia Amazon Prime amazon prime video australian tvLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.