Gray is currently general manager and publisher of News Limited’s online business website Business Spectator, which the company purchased mid last year. 

“I am delighted a person with Nicholas’ strategic and business strengths has agreed to become CEO of The Australian,” said Kim Williams News Limited CEO.

“Nicholas has been central in driving Business Spectator and the integration of its product with our other assets. He is a real digital native, understands news and journalism and is absolutely customer focused,” he said.

Gray joined Business Spectator in June 2011 and currently runs all non-editorial functions of the business. Prior to moving to the online business website he spent over four years at ninemsn as national sales director and prior that as CFO and strategy director. He was also worked as strategy manager at Lion Nathan and as an investment banker at Citigroup in London and Macquarie Bank in Sydney.

“The Australian has been my newspaper of choice for many years. I am thrilled to be appointed as CEO. The quality of the newspaper’s journalism and opinion speaks for itself,” said Gray.

“I am also pleased to retain my current responsibilities at Business Spectator where a management appointment will be made to manage the business’ continuing operation.

Gray will take up his new role on Wednesday.

Nic Christensen

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The announcement:

Both matches featuring the English Premier League clubs are sold out. The Foxtel A-League All Stars v Manchester United will be played at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 20 July (7.30pm kick off) and the Melbourne Victory v Liverpool will be played at the MCG on Wednesday 24 July (8pm kick off).

FFA CEO David Gallop said the broadcast agreement with Seven was another sign of football’s move into the mainstream.

“These are huge events on the sporting calendar and we’re delighted Seven will be our partner in bringing topclass football action to all Australians on free to air television,” said Gallop.

“Manchester United and Liverpool have millions of followers in Australia, but just as many fans will get behind the All Stars and Victory as they showcase the A-League on the world stage.”

Seven has welcomed the opportunity to add football to the network’s extensive sports coverage – with the company’s coverage of both games across its broadcast television platform and also live streaming online and across mobile devices.

Commenting, Tim Worner, the CEO of the Seven Network, said: “Manchester United and Liverpool are two of the biggest brands in world sport and we are really pleased to be delivering their matches live to Australians everywhere and on every device. These are going to be huge events. They sold out straight away and we expect a big audience to be engaged before, during and after the games.

“Big, live sport – now available across not just our broadcast television platform but online and other tablet apps as well – underpins a lot of Seven’s strategy and these games certainly fit that bill. And, on a personal note, I am very happy to be working with Dave Gallop whose work I have previously admired from too far away.”

Source: Channel Seven press release.

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Now, while Red Right Hand may not technically be about a killer, the song is from the guy who made an album called Murder Ballads. Not to mention the Barossa Valley is less than two hours drive from Snowtown, where a series of homicides took place in the 1990s.

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Two cute animals that are unusually aggressive set to some nice, soothing music.

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Vivid Light will launch tonight, with everything from small-scale sculptures to lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The agencies involved in the set up of Vivid Light include Story Box, Frost, Grimshaw, and YG Partners.

While the majority of the 22 projects were created by Australian artists and agencies, however there are several artists from Europe, New Zealand, South America and even Asia.

The full list of installations and agencies are:

• Every one, Every day by Kuuki
• After Light by Story Box
• Bees by Vossarch
• Bones by Amigo and amigo
• Digitalis by Codessi
• Hundreds and Thousands by Benevolent Society and Design Works
• Light Meadows by MAS, Arup/Frost
• Move your Building by Danny Rose
• Nymphaea Nelumbo by LesshTagTom and A Vel Unvelum
• Planet: Under Construction by Woods Bagot
• Polka Kucha by Grimshaw
• Rats by HASSELL
• Ricochet by Arup/Frost
• Two installations, Run, Sunflowers by Hammer Lighting
• Temporalas by Independent
• The Dalgety Line by HASSELL
• The Enlightening Piano by illumni + Steensen
• The Milky Way by YG Partners
• Walsh Bay Whispers by HASSELL
• We See Saw by VML Australia
• Which is your Brass by Aether & Hemera
• Underscore by Underscore

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The program highlighted how the company has reduced the size of Cadbury Dairy Milk blocks from 250g to 200g before raising the size to 220g and promoting its new ‘generous improvements’ with the tagline: “now bigger in every piece.”

In a fictional complaint letter a customer lambasts the brand for: “a miserly 20 gram mitigation so soon after unceremonious stripping away 50 gorgeous grams is trumpeted as offering 10 per cent more joy — THE HIDE.”

Cadbury this morning defended the changes pointing out that while quantities had changed the price had not.

“In today’s climate, it is not often you see companies delivering more value to their customers and we are thrilled to be bringing more joy to Australians in any way we can,” said Julia Fraser, Kraft Foods corporate affairs manager.

“We are very proud of our ‘10% more joy’ campaign, with the majority of our blocks increasing from 200g to a new 220g pack, without a change to the recommended retail price (RRP) which is terrific value.”

The company did not comment on the original decrease in size of the chocolate block however in recent weeks it has been heavily promoting its new ‘generous improvements’.

The Checkout has recently become the bane of marketers with many leading brands with Mazda, Kelloggs, Weightwatchers, Woolworths and Jetstar all coming under fire in recent months.

In its first season the ABC consumer rights program has had a couple of consumer victories including forcing the Therapeutic Goods Administration to ban a product by vitamin company Swisse.

Nic Christensen

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The announcement:

Ms Diamond moves into the new Melbourne (Vic) based position immediately. She will report to MediaMotive’s Sales Director Southern States, Penny Kee. Hayley will head a new five-person team focusing on key partner agencies in the Melbourne media landscape.

Hayley joined MediaMotive just over two years ago as a Senior Account Manager, bringing to the role a solid understanding of the digital landscape through her time at Mediacom and other specialists. She has since proven herself a valuable partner to key account clients, delivering innovative solutions, strong support and strategic insight.

Ms Kee said the new role is a demonstration of the importance of MediaMotive’s relationship with key agencies.

“MediaMotive’s unparalleled access to valuable automotive data and insights enables us to work closely with our agency partners supporting the ongoing success of their clients’ campaigns. Hayley is adept at drawing out key learnings to assist in the strategic success of her clients,” she stated. “I look forward to Hayley instilling the same client focus in her new team,” Ms Kee said.

Representing carsales.com Ltd’s network of websites, MediaMotive generated billings of more than $50m in 2012. The in-house operation has grown from 11 staff in 2009 to more than 60, with representation in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Via its exclusive representation of carsales.com Ltd’s network of automotive websites, MediaMotive is Australia’s largest automotive online advertising provider.

Source: MediaMotive press release

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“We are delighted to be supporting this long overdue platform,” said Ben Mulcahy, CEO of Pink Media Group.

“It’s great that we can now reach Sydney and Melbourne via dedicated gay and lesbian radio platforms.”

The station, which was first set up in 2012, broadcasts from the heart of Oxford Street to listeners 24 hours a day.

The station is digital only and is available through the Ox Live website or via the iphone and android apps.

Hosts JQ & Casey present from 5pm, Monday to Thursday; and the station has recently added James Brechney, founder of the global #DIYRainbow phenomenon, to the schedule on Friday afternoons.

According the media statement Ox Live is currently searching for “a talented lesbian DJ to host a weekly show for the girls.”

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The team at The Works, their US partners StrawberryFrog and German agency Jung von Matt were awarded for their work on Jim Beam’s Devil’s Cut, which launched in September last year.

The campaign was awarded the ‘bronze’ Global Effie. It was also the only representative from the Asia region.

The Global Effie Awards honor effective cases that have run in four or more countries worldwide on two or more continents.

Paul Swann, creative partner at The Works said: “It doesn’t get much better than winning an award that recognises the effectiveness of the advertising we produce. That’s the name of the game after all. What’s even better is that our work has not only delivered for Jim Beam locally but it has done the business internationally as recognized with this Global Effie. Clients are increasingly buying into our model of ‘Creatives on the forefront’ where the idea generators are more accountable and involved in their business and thelayers of bureaucracy are stripped away.”

The other campaigns were Nike Football’s My Time is Now, created by Wieden+Kennedy, Mindshare and AKQA, which also was awarded a ‘bronze’…

and the Febreze Global Azerbaijani Olympics Campaign for Procter & Gamble by Grey, Possible, and MSL New York.

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In this guest post, blogger and digital creative Laura McWhinnie argues for more disclosure in the bloggersphere. 

The bloggersphere has always been a bit like the Wild West. Bloggers could post about products to their heart’s content without having to disclose their relationship with the brand. This meant that consumers had no idea who was behind the marketing messages influencing their purchasing decisions. But in 2009 that all changed

when for the first time in more than three decades, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of America implemented their Guide to Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.

On March 12 this year, the FTC ramped things up with the release of their updated .Com Disclosures – a report that addresses issues surrounding disclosures in social, mobile, and other digital channels.

When it was last updated back in 2000, social platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram didn’t exist. The updated report cracks down on everything from the inefficiency of using the #SPON hashtag to denote a sponsored tweet, to the placement, proximity and prominence of required disclosures on a blog.

The FTC compliance is an important reason for bloggers to disclose, but it also comes down to trust and transparency. If you’re working with brands under the table, it can completely undermine the credibility and reputation you’ve been trying to build. While there is currently no law in Australia requiring a blogger to disclose when they are being paid or compensated as part of their work for a brand, the disclosure discussion continues to spark debate.

If you’re a blogger and unsure about how to handle sponsored content, get started by following these three rules:

1. Disclose everything

We all saw the trouble the South Australia Tourism Commission got into after the Kangaroo Island cash for tweet disaster where Australian celebrities including Matt Moran and Shannon Noll were paid $750 to tweet about the destination. While many believe that all publicity is good publicity, consumers felt duped by the celebrities, resulting in more than 300 damaging tweets. It wasn’t illegal by Australian standards and it got people talking, but just how much damage did South Australia Tourism Commission do to their brand through their lack of transparency?

2. Use a third-party service

Disclosure is a grey area for bloggers for a reason. What exactly counts as ‘payment’ for a blog post or a tweet? If someone buys you a coffee and you go on to write a blog post about their brand do you disclose it? What if you’re gifted a product after writing about it on your own accord? Clearing the confusion is US-based company CMP.LY. They’ve set out to become the industry standard for disclosure by providing a consistent and audited framework that’s free for bloggers. They use eight types of CMP.LY disclosures that you can insert into websites and social media posts. For example, I recently borrowed an inflatable Giant Swan to shoot for a blog post that I was then allowed to keep and disclosed it here. It’s also a valuable tool for agencies and brands to measure how many times a single blog post has been viewed.

3. Stay true to your brand

Only work with brands you love and products you believe in. The best part about running your own site is having complete editorial control over its content. This allows you to build trust with your readers – something far more valuable than making a quick buck or getting a bunch of freebies. If you go down the path of making compromises in exchange for money or product, you’re going to seriously affect the integrity of your blog. Your readers follow you for your opinion, so you can’t expect them to be interested in something you’re not.

• Laura McWhinnie is a digital creative and runs her own blog This Island Life.
• Next month’s Mumbrella360 will discuss the regulation of social media following new guidance from the AANA and IAB.

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The 30 second ad, running online with the possibility of running on television if funding can be found, has been created by Sydney production company True Pictures and ad agency First Light.

The ad features a mother making breakfast at home when she looks up to see her son on the news, having been shot by a mate.

The anti-gun campaign is called  Operation Unification, and is backed by Crime Stoppers, NSW Police and the Federal Government.

First Light owner Peter Price, who is also chairman of the board for NSW Crime Stoppers and vice president of Crime Stoppers internationally, created the campaign pro-bono, and said the premise of the ad was to reflect real life situations.

“The strategy was to appeal to the matriarch of the family on the basis that if they know that their male counterparts – brothers, sons, nephews, husbands, fathers – have an illegal handgun they can call Crime Stoppers and have it confiscated without any fear of retribution.

“Here’s a situation where a mother is going about her business making breakfast on a normal day and she knows her son is up to no good then she look up and sees her son on the news, on the ground, under a tarpaulin.”

“This is all about trying to show the truth of it; not what might happen but what is happening.”

The campaign encourages the public to report illegal handguns to Crime Stoppers over the phone or online.

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The announcement: 

icon.pr has won the Insurance Council of Australia account in a competitive pitch for a new financial literacy initiative, Understand Insurance, which aims to empower consumers to make well-informed decisions about their general insurance needs.

Insurance Council of Australia Chief Executive Rob Whelan said Understand Insurance was designed to guide Australian consumers and small business operators through the insurance process.

“Our research showed the need to improve consumers’ understanding of the benefits of insurance and its key components,” Mr Whelan said.

“The Understand Insurance campaign will provide information relevant to consumers’ lives – from school leavers wanting to purchase their first motor vehicle policy, to young families insuring their family home, through to retirees travelling overseas.

“It will provide a much-needed general insurance voice and take its place alongside other financial literacy programs as a valuable resource for the Australian public.”

The first phase of Understand Insurance will be an online information portal, which will launch to the public in late 2013 and will provide easy-to-access information, downloadable fact sheets and checklists, consumer video testimonials and expert views on all aspects of general insurance.

icon.pr Managing Director Joanne Painter said the team was thrilled to work with the Insurance Council of Australia to launch Understand Insurance and encourage Australian consumers to think differently about insurance.

“We are excited to work with the Insurance Council of Australia on this high-profile financial literacy campaign designed to educate and benefit all Australian consumers,” Ms Painter said.

“Using a savvy blend of PR activation, traditional media relations, a high-profile media launch and social media, our aim is to shift perceptions of the general insurance industry and re-engage Australian consumers on the benefits of being insured.”

Source: icon Pr media release

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The announcement:

Publisher of mX Fiona Mellor today announced the launch of the brand’s free smartphone app.

From 27 May mX readers can stay up to date with the latest news, entertainment and sport; experience rich interactivity through galleries, videos and code readers and enjoy the best of the newspaper through Goss & glam and the popular mX Talk sections: Here’s Looking at You, Vent Your Spleen and ‘Lost in Love’ – wherever they are, whenever they want, all through their smartphone.

Ms Mellor said: “mX is spreading its wings and becoming a truly national offering for advertisers and consumers. I’m so excited to bring the mX’s cheekiness and irreverence to a national audience on a platform that they are constantly engaged with.

“We now have a 24 hour mX news cycle and being the ‘commuter’s friend’ we’ve also integrated the transport and weather information to give our readers the most up to date information on their travel plans.

“mX in print has been breaking ad campaigns in the most creative ways with Australia’s first live front page wrap, for The Dark Knight, scented advertising with Woolworths, a media first brown craft paper wrap with Lion and most recently the launch of The Carlton Draught powered by mX – distributed in Melbourne to CBD pubs on a Friday.

“With mX in print and on an app, we can now provide advertisers with innovative multi-platform opportunities for their campaigns.

A socially enabled mobile product built to enhance an mX reader’s interaction in any location, the app features full integration with a reader’s social network, the ability to comment or vote on topics, and the functionality to support reader generated content.

Ms Mellor also announced eBay, Warner Home Entertainment, ASUS and Subway as the app’s sponsors for launch.

“I’m delighted these great national brands have come on board to support our launch with campaigns in print and on-device. They are exciting, forward-thinking brands to be aligned with.”

The mX app will be will be available on both iOS and Android platforms from the Apple Store or Android Marketplace from Monday 27 May.

Source: News Limited media release

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The announcement:

Buchan Consulting today announces the appointment of Gemma Hudson as General Manager of its Sydney business. A newly created position, the appointment strengthens Buchan’s senior team with Gemma assuming responsibility for overall business growth and strategic counsel for the Sydney business.

“Gemma’s appointment further enhances our capability to deliver innovative and creative programs for our clients,” Rebecca Wilson, Principal – Buchan Consulting said. “She brings the necessary skills, relationships and a depth of experience across health, corporate and consumer sectors to lead our business and continue to drive the expansion of Buchan Sydney,” she said.

Gemma has over twelve years’ communications experience across both Australia and the United Kingdom. Most recently, she was Head of Haystac Health and was responsible for the establishment of a national health offering for the business and driving campaigns encompassing stakeholder and media relations, issues management and integrated marketing, including award-winning campaigns for Berocca and Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Prior to Haystac, Gemma was at Edelman and Burson-Marsteller.

Buchan currently works with clients across corporate, health, technology, investor relations, energy and resources sectors. Buchan is a business partner of Waggener Edstrom, representing this international communications group in Australia and extending representation for clients through Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe.

Source: Buchan media release

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Joe Talcott

A panel comprising senior marketers and one of the oldest word of mouth-led businesses in the world will debate the evolution of social media and word of mouth marketing at Mumbrella360, in just under two weeks time.

The session will draw on lessons from the history of marketing to make predictions about the future of social networks such as Facebook.

The panel is curated by former McDonald’s and News Limited marketer and AANA president Joe Talcott.

Talcott’s panelists include Carl Mogridge, Digital Marketing Manager at cosmetics brand Avon which was one of the first in the world to build its brand via word of mouth marketing long before the digital age began.

Also on the panel is Joe Pollard, CEO of advertising agency Publicis Mojo. Pollard was previously CEO of ninemsn and she and Talcott have previously held public differences of opinion on whether the internet constitutes an advertising medium or a utility.

Also on the panel Doug Chapman, managing director of digital agency Amnesia Razorfish and co-founder of Social Media Club Sydney.

Talcott said: “Social networks are not new. And social media has had its ups and downs over the years, long before the digital revolution. Knowing what happened in the past can help marketers make better decisions on how to use social media effectively. Even knowing the difference between “social network” and “social media” can be beneficial.”

Mumbrella360 takes place on June 5 and 6 at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney.

Tickets to the conference are available here. 

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