This Month
Quadrant eyes ‘exit options’ for QMS Media as revenue grows
The outdoor advertising company says it is now writing almost as much revenue as its ASX-listed rival oOh!media after difficult years during the pandemic.
Carsales chief bows out after 230pc growth record
Cameron McIntyre will hand the reins over to his chief financial officer, William Elliott, after nine years as CEO and almost two decades at Car Group.
Uber rakes in $150m from Australian ad business
In less than three years, Uber’s Australian advertising business surpassed Snapchat. But it still spends more money on its own ads than it brings in.
June
‘Bikinis and burgers’: How the culture wars are remaking advertising
Brands are diluting or scrapping campaigns with a social purpose as the movement against DEI intensifies.
Meta starts showing ads on WhatsApp in new revenue push
Putting ads into WhatsApp, which has 2 billion users, opens a lucrative opportunity for Meta, while potentially raising questions about privacy.
May
Competition watchdog confirms it is investigating REA Group
Agents say the price to list properties has increased every year, and REA subscription fees are jumping as much as 110 per cent from July.
April
Opaque activist group in anti-teal ad blitz to lure shy Libs
An activist group with links to the Coalition and Labor will run the ads with the tagline “You don’t need to tell your friends you didn’t vote Teal”.
Facebook’s local revenues surge to $1.46b, almost all sent overseas
The social media giant owned by Meta has defied an advertising downturn to increase income by $110 million over last year, even as it faces big headwinds.
Want to know where the election will be won or lost? Follow the money
Peter Dutton says Labor’s bid to win his seat is just a stunt, but targeted ad spending suggests something different. Here’s what else the money is telling us.
Why Google and OpenAI suddenly paid Reddit $160 million
Chief operating officer Jen Wong says the site may be two decades old with a mature audience, but the commercial opportunities are only just beginning.
March
Clive Palmer spends $500k on YouTube ads in 10 days
The colourful billionaire owner of Queensland-based Mineralogy’s pitch is to bring Donald Trump style policies to Australia.
February
Stake.com to quit Britain after Bonnie Blue video controversy
The Melbourne-run, Caribbean-registered online casino giant is the main sponsor of English Premier League club Everton but will leave the country next month.
Heat on Liberals over $500k donation
The son of former Liberal premier Ted Baillieu says the Liberal Party should be investigated over a possible breach of Victoria’s donation caps.
Why everyone is – suddenly – talking about Peter Dutton
Since Australia Day, the federal Labor Party has spent more than $400,000 on mainly YouTube ads talking down Mr Dutton’s record, while the Liberal Party spent money talking it up.
January
Labor ramps up campaign in Greens battlegrounds
Labor has recruited a dedicated advertising agency to target the Greens at the next election, while the Liberals have rehired the agency that delivered the leaky bucket jingle.
John Wylie’s Tanarra Capital takes Nine stake after share price slide
The former investment banker is known for pushing companies his firm holds stakes in, from Lendlease to Tabcorp, to make major changes and spin off assets.
Cash for campaigns: Labor’s $251m ad splurge sparks criticism
Ad spending surged 40 per cent last year, as Labor spent millions publicising policies such as tax cuts, urgent care clinics, and fee-free TAFE courses.
Millennial marketing is over – get set for dopamine design
Millennial pink and earnest taglines are officially out, replaced by bright, glittery colours that compete for our ever-shortened attention spans.
December 2024
Ten writes TV licence values to zero as losses balloon to $322m
But the broadcaster, now owned by Paramount Global, said it was optimistic about the future as it repositioned itself for a world where streaming dominates.
Woolworths NZ faces criminal charges for allegedly misleading shoppers
The Commerce Commission was not satisfied that “specials really are special”, leading to legal action against the supermarket and its rival Pak’nSave.