Today
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.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Omnicom to buy Interpublic in $20.6b deal
The merger of the two companies will create the world’s largest advertising company, taking that title from London-based WPP.
- Fareed Sahloul and Mark Bergen
November
Google reviews ruined Ed’s company. Now he’s making $15m fighting back
Ed Butcher and Ed Godfrey set up a no win, no fee online review removal company called RepSpert in 2020. It’s grown by 300 per cent each year.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
‘Vested interests’ frustrate gambling ad reforms
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing growing frustration, including from within her own party, over the shelving of plans to restrict gambling advertising.
- Max Mason
- Opinion
- Review
This new Jaguar ad screams panic
A brand once redolent of speed, glamour and petrol has now resorted to car-less pap.
- Ed Cumming
Superannuation start-up pays big for Swans, Hawks footy sponsorships
Superhero’s deals with the clubs come as the prudential watchdog cracks down on such spending by super funds.
- Hannah Wootton
October
Too many influencers are spoiling the boom
More than half of Gen Z now want to be social media influencers – which means fewer of them will be able to quit their day jobs to do so.
- The Economist
- Analysis
- Media & marketing
Nine mulls adding advertising to Stan in search for new revenue
Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video were once entirely commercial-free. Now almost all services have a cheaper ad-backed plan.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
September
Ex-Seven chief James Warburton, CVC Emerging Companies ink media deal
The $120 million private equity firm has also relaunched its business as 248 Growth Partners.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
‘Show some courage’: Pressure on Albanese over gambling ad ban
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says gambling, not advertising, is the biggest issue to be dealt with, and reiterated his opposition to a total ad ban.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Privacy
Labor’s plan for protecting your privacy: hope the internet disappears
The Albanese government has squibbed at nearly 40 key privacy reforms and given in to an outdated argument that Australia is a nation of shopkeepers.
- Tom Burton
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
History says REA’s $9b UK bet is a risk. But here’s why it can work
Local investors have been repeatedly burnt by big Australian companies trying to go offshore. But there are sound strategic reasons why REA can defy history.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Exclusive
- Online gambling
Gambling advertising ban on jerseys and stadium signs back in play
The government had planned a separate process, but discussions have restarted after bookies supported the idea.
- Ronald Mizen, Zoe Samios and Sam Buckingham-Jones
August
Forrest scores win in US Facebook scam ads case
Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest will now get chance to examine internal Meta documents and its AI software in his bid to prove Facebook helps scammers create fake ads featuring him.
- Paul Smith
How this CEO wins back clients his business has lost
Advertising boss Michael Rebelo is a big believer in being magnanimous when he loses a deal or a client.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
- Opinion
- Online gambling
We’ve heard TV stations and footy codes prophesise doom before
The gambling lobby has a well-thumbed playbook developed from earlier health warnings and advertising restrictions on tobacco and alcohol.
- Martin Thomas
- Opinion
- Online gambling
Ban all gambling ads and let the kids play the game, not the odds
Kids appear to know as much about multi bets as they do about the players they are watching.
- Zoe Daniel
Labor facing internal backlash on gambling ads
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing growing backbench pressure to introduce a total ban on gambling advertising.
- Ronald Mizen
Life360 shares hit all-time high, announces 70m users
Market darling Life360 continued its share price rally on Friday after lifting its revenue and earnings guidance for the full year.
- Tess Bennett
July
- Analysis
- The Breakdown
Investors aren’t buying Google’s AI future – yet
The search giant’s parent, Alphabet, produced solid earnings, but shareholders are tiring of claims about future magic without answers to important questions.
- Paul Smith
