Media & Marketing

ABC to use HD channel for news

ARI SHARP The ABC's only high-definition channel will be used for its new 24-hour news channel despite the broadcaster's managing director acknowledging it was not the best way to showcase the new technology.

Media owners warned to up investment, innovation

JULIAN LEE Media owners and companies need to start investing in their products again or risk losing confidence of advertisers, leading media buyer warns.

One thing divides rival broadcasters

JULIAN LEE The stakes are high in a battle over a little word.

The Pitch

TV may not be dead, but programming of old is on its way out

JULIAN LEE One can't help feeling that as the TV networks trade their customary blows each morning over who won which time slot they are missing the bigger picture.

Relish a revival of abundance, beware snakes

HAROLD MITCHELL Return from summer break brings refreshing look at the year ahead, and so it is with this humble little column.

Rain and new grass rejuvenate the plains - watch out for snakes

HAROLD MITCHELL The return from the summer break brings a refreshing look at the year ahead and so it is with this humble little column.

Owners urged to dig deeper and innovate

JULIAN LEE MARKETING EDITOR MEDIA owners and companies need to start investing in their products again or risk losing the confidence of advertisers as they return in strength to the sector after the worst advertising recession in years, a senior media buyer has warned.

Logo battle robs Ten of hole in one

JULIAN LEE NETWORK Ten and SBS are engaged in a brawl over who owns the right to use the word One. Both broadcasters are claiming the trademark for use on their digital channels.

Conroy under pressure to stop piracy

ASHER MOSES FILM studios and record companies will have to come up with a new way to combat online piracy after a Federal Court ruling found that internet service providers are not required to police copyright infringement on their networks.

The government will talk back to the public

The chief blogger at the media regulator promises a no-spin zone, writes Julian Lee.

Former director sues Photon for $4.4m

JULIAN LEE Just weeks after washing its hands of the controversial Geekversity internet get-rich-quick scheme, Photon Group is being sued for more than $4 million by a former director of one of its internet companies.

Adman with a conscience to promote

David Droga wants to have a positive effect that does not end when a campaign is over, writes Julian Lee.

False claims face tough, rapid action

PAUL MCINTYRE The country's leading advertising body has warned of a consumer backlash against green products similar to that of the early 1990s if advertisers continue to embellish environmental marketing and packaging claims.

Singleton radio network ready for crack at Melbourne

PAUL MCINTYRE John Singleton's Macquarie Radio Network will finally detail its plan next week to crack the Melbourne radio market. It comes as radio industry sources say the former adman is looking to bolster the company before selling it.

Extra, extra - it'll soon cost more to read all about it

JULIAN LEE Would you pay for something that you can get elsewhere free? It's the question the newspaper industry is asking itself this year as publishers prepare to erect paywalls around their internet sites.

Change of tack in St George campaign

ERIC JOHNSTON St George Bank is tackling head on the notion that it is owned by one of the nation's biggest banks, as it pushes ahead with its biggest advertising blitz since Westpac acquired it just over a year ago.

ABC to launch 24-hour news

JULIAN LEE The ABC has returned fire on the commercial networks by announcing the launch of the country's first free 24-hour television news network.

Call for new radio conduct codes

The commercial radio industry needs new codes to prevent children from being exploited in live radio programs.

TZ's cash report ebbs and flows

MICHAEL EVANS As a reality TV star, Mark Bouris doesn't often have to clarify his language. After all, aspiring business people are left in no doubt when the host of The Apprentice waves a finger to tell them 'You're Fired'.

Digital fees likely as News revamps

MICHAEL EVANS Readers can expect to start paying for online news within months after Rupert Murdoch's News Limited signalled its loss-making newspaper The Australian will charge for some content.

US broadcasters' woes could spell trouble for free TV

For more than 60 years, US TV stations have broadcast news, sports and entertainment for free and made their money by showing commercials. That might not work much longer.

Telemarketers incensed by move to block calls

JULIAN LEE The telemarketing industry has slammed proposals to extend the Do Not Call Register to businesses, warning that could lead to large swathes of the business community blocked from receiving sales pitches via the phone.

US still a drag on MacMedia

MACQUARIE Media says revenue at its Australian and US operations has declined at the start of the 2010 financial year.

PMP loses Coles' catalogue business

ELI GREENBLAT PMP has been dealt another blow to its attempt to resurrect its business and battered reputation, with Coles dumping the company in favour of rival Salmat.

Hopes of bigger audiences, at press of a button

PAUL MCINTYRE It's being billed as the biggest change to TV ratings since electronic people meters were introduced nearly 20 years ago.

Telemarketers angry at moves to block calls

JULIAN LEE The telemarketing industry has slammed proposals to extend the Do Not Call Register to businesses.

Ten outlook buoyant as advertiser dollars return

JULIAN LEE DESPITE competing for shares of the advertising market, the head of WIN TV, Bruce Gordon, gave his seal of approval to the Ten Network after the company delivered the most buoyant outlook in months in the wake of the worst downturn in 30 years.