Media Roundup: Nick McKenzie's heroic act, Sampson's Qantas pay day, APRA nominations revealed, Why less is more for Max and The Beatles biopic 'binge'
See the top industry stories trending today.
Journalism
Walkley winner Nick McKenzie breaks up road rage incident
It wasn't a scoop but a scuffle that had The Age's star investigative journalist Nick McKenzie making headlines of his own.
The Walkley-decorated reporter stepped in to restrain a chair-wielding man during a chaotic road rage incident in Brunswick on Monday afternoon.
As Daanyal Saeed writes in Crikey, McKenzie was walking nearby and intervened before the confrontation turned violent, detaining the man solo until police arrived.
Former FT editor Gwen Robinson remembered as a force in global media
Gwen Robinson, who passed away last week aged 65, was best known in media circles as the sharp-witted, Aussie-accented editor who brought clarity (and the occasional bruised ego) to the opinion pages of the Financial Times.
As Edward Luce writes in The Australian Financial Review, that as comment editor, she had a rare knack for pulling focus, from CEOs, diplomats, and global figures alike, with a directness only a seasoned foreign correspondent could deliver.
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Before her FT stint, Robinson built a heavyweight career across Asia, including roles as a senior editor at Nikkei Asia and contributing to the Australian Financial Review.
Brands
Todd Sampson walks with $1m+ in perks as Qantas board exodus rolls on
Qantas director Todd Sampson will step down in July after more than a decade on the board, but not without a parting gift.
The former advertising executive and Gruen panellist will leave with more than $1 million in travel benefits to use over the next 10 years, on top of the $2.4 million he's already pocketed in fees and perks during his tenure.
As Michael Sainsbury writes in Crikey, Sampson's departure comes ahead of a re-election showdown at this year's AGM and follows sustained criticism over his role on the Remuneration Committee during the Alan Joyce era.
Virgin Australia prepares for takeoff with ASX return on the horizon
Virgin Australia's owner Bain Capital is fast-tracking plans to relist the airline on the ASX, with investor roadshows now underway and a potential IPO launch pencilled in for as early as June.
As Robyn Ironside reports in The Australian, new CEO Dave Emerson, barely weeks into the job, is leading the pitch, part meet-and-greet, part market warm-up.
The private equity firm is riding high on strong half-year earnings of $439 million, a bullish aviation sector, and a recent $750 million deal with Qatar Airways for a 25% stake.
Streaming
How Max plans to win with less content
As the battle for streaming supremacy intensifies with the launch of Max, its simple strategy, quality over volume, is getting plenty of attention.
This approach is a key differentiator in the increasingly crowded streaming market, where competition from global and local players is fierce, and aggregation is popular.
As president of Warner Bros Discovery for the APAC region, James Gibbons has launched Max across diverse markets, including Japan and India, but says Australia is a particularly strong market for Max’s premium content offering.
Agencies
Mars United Commerce: ANZ retail media is maturing fast
Mars United Commerce, part of Publicis Groupe, has released the fourth edition of the ANZ Retail Media Report Card, revealing the new capabilities that highlight evolving expectations of brands in retail media.
The report aims to help brands build a clear understanding of the market dynamics influencing retail media.
Cameron Porter, commerce planning director at Mars United Commerce ANZ, told Mediaweek the report card reflects a category that is “maturing fast”.
Music
Troye Sivan and Kevin Parker lead APRA Awards
Troye Sivan and Kevin Parker have scored three nominations each at the 2025 APRA Music Awards, set for 30 April at Melbourne Town Hall.
As Lars Brandle writes in Rolling Stone, both artists have enjoyed global success not just on streaming platforms, but through licensing and sync deals that boost brand visibility and reach.
Producer Styalz Fuego leads the field with four nominations, including for his work with Jessica Mauboy and Jason Derulo.
Social media
Aussie YouTuber ordered to pay $350k in defamation case over Donkey Kong claims
Queensland-based YouTuber Karl Jobst has been ordered to pay over $350,000 in damages, interest, and legal costs after a Brisbane court found he defamed American gaming personality Billy Mitchell.
As Josh Taylor writes in The Guardian Australia, the judgment centred on a 2021 video in which Jobst linked Mitchell to a fellow YouTuber's suicide, claims the court ruled were "recklessly" false.
Mitchell, a high-profile figure in retro gaming with Guinness-recognised records in Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, successfully argued the video damaged his reputation and career.
Entertainment
Sony and Sam Mendes line up The Beatles for a four-film theatrical 'binge'
Sony Pictures is betting big on nostalgia and experimentation, backing Sam Mendes' audacious four-part Beatles biopic project: one film for each band member.
As Dan Condon reports for ABC News, the cast includes Paul Mescal (McCartney), Harris Dickinson (Lennon), Joseph Quinn (Harrison), and Barry Keoghan (Starr).
The films have been dubbed "the first binge-able theatrical experience" by Mendes.
Television
ABC Entertains finds its audience, but not yet its identity
ABC Entertains, rebranded in mid-2024 to target 30–55-year-olds, is still searching for a signature hit to define its primetime slate.
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, The channel's mix of nostalgia-driven reruns, light entertainment, and international pickups is broad, but lacks a headline Australian commission to anchor its offering.
While first-run titles like Louis Theroux Interviews and Would I Lie To You? bring global recognition, most content is repurposed from other ABC platforms.
Retail
Retail spending holds steady, but recovery still out of reach
Australia's retail sector is showing resilience, with February sales rising 3.6% year-on-year to $37.1 billion, according to ABS data.
As Sean Cao writes in Inside Retail, while not a breakout result, it's the second month of modest growth, buoyed by gains in ‘other retailing’ (up 5.5%) and food (up 4.08%).
Cosmetics, sports gear and cafés are pulling their weight, but clothing and accessories remain flat.
- Sydney Morning HeraldThe AgeYouTubeSBSThe GuardianABCSeven NetworkNetflixNineHBOSevenNews CorpSonyThe AustralianThe Sydney Morning HeraldQantasTwitterTodd SampsonPublicis GroupeThe Australian Financial ReviewTroye SivanGruenKevin ParkerFinancial TimesRolling StoneVirgin AustraliaThe BeatleswalkleyMAXTikTokNick McKenzieNine EntertainmentWarner Bros DiscoveryXJames GibbonsABC EntertainsMars United CommerceAlan JoyceQatar AirwaysDave EmersonJB PerretteGwen RobinsonNikkei AsiaRemuneration CommitteeBain Capital2025 APRA Music AwardsStyalz FuegoJessica Mauboy and Jason DeruloBilly MitchellKarl JobstDonkey KongPac-ManSam MendesPaul MescalHarris DickinsonJoseph Quinnand Barry KeoghanLouis Theroux Interviews and Would I Lie To You?ABS data
