July 2021
Melbourne marketing tech firm bags $50m US funding
IntelligenceBank provides a marketing platform for companies including ANZ, NAB, Suncorp, KFC and Hyatt Hotels, and its growth has attracted a big VC funding cheque.
Businesses urge ACCC to tread carefully with Google and Facebook
Small and medium businesses are worried that ACCC’s plans to launch a new assault on the likes of Google and Facebook will result in any negative fallout hurting them.
February 2021
Call to regulate ‘cowboy’ digital marketers with code of conduct
The Small Business Ombudsman says there are too many in the digital marketing industry who are taking advantage of small businesses trying to diversify their operations online.
February 2021
Online marketing platform Tribe reveals IPO plans after funding round
The online influencer marketing platform has been growing rapidly as brands look for fresh content for online ads.
Businesses plan for life after Google
Despite fearing a big initial hit if Google closes its Aussie search engine down, small businesses say they would do what it takes to adapt to using different channels.
January 2021
Generation Z, you’re adorkable
A gaggle of disruptive brands is deftly targeting consumers born between 1997 and 2012.
December 2020
Porn is everywhere online, but its owners are out of sight
Montreal-based business MindGeek, owner of websites such as Pornhub and RedTube, has quietly become the dominant porn company.
Screen scraping, child profiling should be banned, says privacy boss
A new suite of consumer rights, business obligations to be fair and reasonable and a raft of no-go activities are recommended by the Privacy Commissioner.
October 2020
Small shops plan to upstage the malls this shopping season
Small retailers are adding kerbside pick-up, FaceTime virtual shopping and online sales to compete during the holiday season.
August 2020
Banks urged to 'flex' as Victoria battens down the hatches
Banks and regulators urged to be flexible with customers hurt by the Victorian lockdown as deferral numbers grow.
May 2020
Call for cyber laws as COVID-19 highlights small business shortfall
Australia's top industry research body in cyber security has found SMEs are cutting corners to let staff work remotely.
Coffee nooks and tie-dye looks: Pinterest knows what Aussies want
From charcoal couches to at-home spa days, Pinterest's search data shows what Australians have been hankering for during lockdown.
March 2020
Australia's dark chocolate knights ready to sweeten your Easter
We've never needed chocolate more than we do now, so here's our pick of what our local makers have in store this year.
Small business feels the COVID-19 pinch
Small businesses from hair salons to online ad agencies are fighting to stay alive in the coming months.
We might not say it with flowers on Mother's Day
The beauty industry is at risk because its supply chains run through China, its sales depend on close contact with clients and it relies on tourism.
February 2020
US venture fund backs Brisbane marketing tech firm with $19.5m
A US VC fund is so confident that Outfit can go global with its tech platform for company marketing that it wrote the cheque for the full funding round by itself.
September 2019
Lender trebles commissions for SME brokers
New lender Lumi is offering brokers up to 6 per cent for new loans in an aggressive push for SME business.
July 2019
Financial advisers fear fire sales as valuations collapse
The end of grandfathered commissions is slashing valuations of financial advice businesses.
How Google uses dark software tricks to turn your 'no' into a 'yes'
In Google's mind, not saying "no" to it at every turn is the same as saying "yes". This thinking is going to get it into trouble one day.
June 2019
Can the damaging behaviour of big tech be curbed?
When the ACCC hands the results of its inquiry to parliament at the end of June, it may be the first regulator to report back on what needs to be done, if anything, to protect businesses from unfair competition from Big Tech.