On edge to see if party’s over
31Jan08

Source: Simon Canning, The Australian
AFTER
years of buoyancy and growth the media industry is viewing 2008 with a
sense of trepidation, watching warily to see if the sliding sharemarket
will finally bring an end to the advertising honeymoon.

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Popularity: 1%

Successful Showcase
25Jan08

Yesterday we held the inaugural Sticky Media Showcase in Newcastle. This was an initiative of my agency Sticky Advertising, bringing together the region’s media to present on the latest developments and plans for 2008. Clients and contacts of the agency were privy to some exciting news including the latest media ownership changes and how they will affect this market.

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Popularity: 6%

MySpace signs ABC content deal
24Jan08

Source: AAP

MYSPACE
users can now share their favourite Australian television shows after
the signing of a new deal with the national broadcaster.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and its British counterpart,
the BBC, have signed an agreement with MySpace allowing the use of
their video content on the social networking website.

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Popularity: 1%

Sticky Media Showcase 2008
19Jan08

Sticky Advertising is bringing the movers and shakers of the media industry to present the inaugural Sticky Media Showcase 2008.

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Popularity: 1%

Expanded Macquarie Media renamed
18Jan08

Source: Nick Tabakoff, The Australian

MACQUARIE
Media Group, fresh from its recent joint takeover with Fairfax of
Southern Cross Broadcasting, will rename its Australian operations
within a month to reflect its newly expanded portfolio of assets. 

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Popularity: 1%

Prime TV sends out challenge to Mac
23Nov07

Source: Nick Tabakoff
, The Australian   

THE
Seven Network’s main regional affiliate, Prime Television, has outlined
ambitious plans to take on Macquarie Media Group’s dominance of
regional radio.

Prime
is planning a series of radio takeovers, particularly in NSW and
Victoria, with the aim of increasing cross-promotion between the two
media.

In an exclusive interview on the subject with The Australian, Prime
general manager Warwick Syphers indicated an interest in a number of
regional radio operators, including Bill Caralis’s 2SM Supernetwork
(with more than 20 stations in NSW and Queensland), Janet Cameron’s
Grant Broadcasters (which has a national collection) and the
Victorian-based ACE Radio. (Editor’s note: Newcastle stations NEWFM and 2HD are part of the Supernetwork).

"It’s possible," Mr Syphers said. "I’m not going to say we’ll take
all their licences, because there might be some markets that don’t pass
the test. But there are others that would."

Prime has quietly built its network in Queensland in recent months
to 10 stations from Maroochydore to Cairns. But the relaxation of
cross-media rules earlier this year allows Prime to own both TV and
radio stations in individual markets – clearing the path for further
acquisitions.

Asked after the company’s annual general meeting yesterday about its
agenda to diversify as a media player – in the wake of a vote by
shareholders to rename the company Prime Media Group – Mr Syphers made
it clear the company’s radio play had only just begun.

"The big one is obviously Macquarie (Media) – it has now gone into
television," he said. "Is there something as big as Macquarie out
there? No. Are there other (radio) networks? Yes. They just haven’t
come on to the market."

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Popularity: 1%

Seven builds war chest for further expansion
15Nov07

Source: John Davidson, AdNews

Kerry Stokes has flagged further acquisitions for the Seven Network and an increase in its content delivery platforms.

Speaking at Seven’s annual general meeting held today (15 November), the executive chairman said the launch of the new channel Seven HD last month was “the first step in our moves to create a three channel network for Seven on free-to-air digital television”.

“These new channels will allow us to retain and build audiences and develop marketing partnerships as we meet the challenge of hundreds of channels in a rapidly evolving communications landscape,” Stokes said.

“We are well-placed to lead in the development of multiple channel television. Today and over the coming 12 months will see Seven develop a multiple-channel business – realising our long-held ambitions in this promising evolution of free-to-air television.”

At the meeting shareholders voted in favour of a resolution allowing financial assistance for the company to make further magazine or other media acquisitions.

Stokes welcomed wireless broadband Unwired into the Seven fold, but could not comment further on the yet-to-be completed acquisition.

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Popularity: 1%

The Sticky Report
9Nov07

Newcastle based agency Sticky Advertising has launched an innovative new e-letter covering the region’sSticky_logoemail_copy
media and ratings results.

The Sticky Report is a spin-off of Media Hunter, providing in-depth analysis of local media, survey figures and news.

Whilst Media Hunter provides the latest news and commentary and basic ratings results, The Sticky Report takes it much further providing readers with much more detail than the public generally receives.

The Sticky Report has been designed as a service for clients of Sticky Advertising but is also available to selected subscribers.

To subscribe, email Sticky Advertising with your business and contact name. Please note that competitors of the agency and its clients may not be eligible for subscription and Sticky Advertising reserves the right to determine recipients.

Sticky Advertising is a boutique advertising agency based in Newcastle Australia. The agency has enjoyed vigorous growth in the last 3 years since a change of ownership and name, winning a host of new accounts and building a talented and dedicated team.

Sticky clients include Companion Credit Union, Metroll, Heritage Motors, Caltex Energy and Newcastle City Hall (Blue Star Catering).


Note: the author is also managing director of Sticky Advertising

Popularity: 4%

The sun sets on Southern Cross
7Nov07

Source: The Australian

Months after it was first announced, the largest cross-media deal in 20 years was finally completed yesterday with Macquarie Media Group (MMG) taking control of the assets of what is now the former Southern Cross Broadcasting (SCB).

MMG representatives are believed to have been at the SCB
headquarters in South Melbourne yesterday.  A formal announcement
confirming the transaction is due to be made to the market before the
opening of trade this morning.

The deal, believed to be worth $1.35 billion, now has Southern Cross’ regional television assets controlled by MMG with the Southern Star production company and the capital city radio network, including 2UE, 3AW and 4BC, to be on sold to the Fairfax group for $520 million.

It is believed that most of the former Southern Cross board of directors, including chief executive Tony Bell and chairman John Dahlsen, have tendered their resignations.

Mr Bell, who built SCB from a value of $70 million fourteen years
ago to the $1.35 billion it sold for, will exit with a $10 million pay
out, including share options and eighteen months salary as compensation
for his role ending.

Fairfax is expected to take immediate control of the radio network, following approval from the Australian Communications and Media Authority

Popularity: 1%

Macquarie Media bid for Southern Cross gets regulator’s approval
18Oct07

Source: Michael Bodey, The Australian

THE
first major media deal since the contentious Howard Government’s media
reform packages was introduced is one step closer to completion.

The
Macquarie Media Group’s $1.35 billion takeover bid for Southern Cross
Broadcasting and nine regional stations owned by Fairfax has been given
the go-ahead by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission,
subject to a number of undertakings.

Any further movement will have to wait until the vote on the
takeover offer by Southern Cross shareholders tomorrow. The bid is
supported by the Southern Cross board and key shareholders.

The approval by the ACCC was expected.

Nevertheless, Fairfax Media in particular has been hamstrung by its
inability to move with any certainty on major changes required at
Southern Cross’s metropolitan radio stations.

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Popularity: 1%