Marketing News

Promotions News, Promotional News, Promotors News

American Eagle wins Media Man 'Fashion Brand Of The Month' award

Runner-up: WWE Shop

The WWE Shop offers t-shirts from a variety of brands, including Fanatics, 500 Level, Contenders Clothing, Homage, Mitchell & Ness, Outerstuff, ProSphere, and Ripple Junction. These brands provide a range of styles and options for WWE fans looking to represent their favorite superstars and moments.

Sydney Sweeney Has Great (American Eagle) Jeans - July 23, 2025

News

Sports Business: News

Sports Brands

Markets, Cryptos, Culture And Brands

Alpha TKO Edition

Survivor Series Market: WarGames (pop culture reference); Monday Friendly Biz Wars

December 2, 2025
Sydney, Australia

December 1
(New York)

ASX futures up 18 points/0.2% to 8601

Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.4%
Dow Jones: -0.7%
Nasdaq -0.4%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 flat
FTSE -0.2%
DAX -1%
CAC -0.3%

Australian dollar: US65.43 cents

Bitcoin

Gold +2% to $US4231.90 per ounce
Oil +1.5% to $US59.41 a barrel
Brent crude oil +1.4% to $US63.22 a barrel
Iron ore +1.6% to $US103.85 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.09%
Australia 4.55%
Germany 2.75%

News

Crypto: Winter began with a sell-off

Market Overview

The crypto market took a painful hit at the start of trading on Monday, marking the beginning of winter and the new month with a 5% drop in 24 hours and a return below $3 trillion.

This seems to be part of the Bears' plan to create the most emotional pressure, as the beginning of the month is considered an emotional precursor for the weeks to come. The market also slipped during the period of lowest liquidity, which added drama in the form of a downward swing. Still, before the start of active trading in Europe, the market is showing signs of stabilisation and rebound.

Bitcoin fell to $85.5K on the strategy day but rebounded to $86.7K at the time of writing. Technically, a bearish picture is emerging, with the first cryptocurrency falling sharply after four days of consolidation at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement line. Strictly speaking, we can only say that a quick rebound did not happen, but the signal for a decline to $64K (161.8%) will only be given on a drop below $80.5K.

Bitcoin fell 17.5% in November to $91.3K, marking the first decline in three years and defying the seasonal trend of one of the best months of the year. From a seasonal perspective, December is considered a relatively successful month for BTC with an average 8.7% increase. Over the past 14 years, Bitcoin has ended the month with growth on seven occasions. The average increase was 29.7%, and the average decline was 12.3%.

News Background

The inflow into the recently launched Solana ETFs in the US has continued for five consecutive weeks. Investors have poured more than $108 million into SOL ETFs in a week and nearly $620 million since the funds launched on October 28th. Inflows into spot XRP ETFs launched on 14 November in the US exceeded $666 million.

CryptoQuant points to several key on-chain indicators that are creating fertile ground for Bitcoin's resumption of growth. One of the most significant signals is the reduction of leverage.

Bitcoin is still in the ‘high risk zone.’ Still, the situation is stabilising: selling pressure is easing, and spot demand is ‘finally beginning to shift the balance of power,’ according to Bitcoin Vector.

To continue its growth, Bitcoin needs to overcome ‘clusters of large buyer supply’ in the $93,000-96,000 and $100,000-108,000 ranges, according to Glassnode.

Bitwise points out that the last time such an ‘asymmetrical ratio’ of risk and potential return was observed in Bitcoin was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when BTC fell below $4,000. (FxPro)

News

The euro is betting on divergence

• ECB rates are in the right place while German inflation is accelerating.

• The Bank of Japan may raise rates in December & capital flight will pressure the pound.

Attempts by the US dollar to counterattack are being thwarted. The euro is rising due to accelerating German inflation, the pound is rising following the debt market's approval of Rachel Reeves' draft budget, and the yen is growing in anticipation of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan in December. Donald Trump's comments on the selection of a new Fed chair, as well as expectations for speeches by Jerome Powell and Michelle Bowman, are weighing on the dollar.

Christine Lagarde said that the ECB's interest rates are at the right level. With inflation under control, the European Central Bank is well-positioned. Indeed, there are risks of both acceleration and deceleration in consumer prices. The former includes Germany's fiscal stimulus and rising expectations of higher industrial and service prices. The latter include the strong euro, lower energy prices and imports from China.

The acceleration of inflation in Germany to 2.6% in November is reinforcing the ECB's caution. The central bank has most likely ended its cycle of rate cuts. There are scenarios in which the deposit rate will rise. The federal funds rate, on the other hand, risks falling significantly. The divergence in monetary policy creates an excellent opportunity for the EURUSD to resume its upward trend. However, to start with, the bulls need to hold on to 1.16.

Meanwhile, the yen strengthened thanks to Kazuo Ueda's hawkish speech. He stated that the Bank of Japan would weigh all the pros and cons of raising the overnight rate. At the same time, any increase should be seen as an adjustment to the ultra-soft monetary policy. On these words, the probability of a rate hike in December rose to 76%, allowing bears to develop a decline in USDJPY.

The pound is trying to stabilise after the presentation of the draft budget. According to Eurizon SLJ Capital, the pound will fall against the euro, yen, and Swiss franc amid capital flight by the wealthy following tax increases. (FxPro)

News

Cryptos

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $86,488.39 - 5.16%
Ethereum $2,790.39 - 7.67%
Tether $1.0001 +0.01%
Binance Coin $822.49 -7.48%
XRP $2.0292 -7.41%
Solana $125.89 -8.18%
TRON $0.2781 -1.48%
Dogecoin $0.1352 -9.22%
Cardano $0.3825 -9.77%

News

Wall Street via Mr Wolf

Media Man Favs:

(Near Live)

Bells Rung by Mr Wolf! TKO kicks out. Comeback! Christmas Grinch Comes Early for some! Santa gives little for miners, gamers, some tech heads and grapplers!

Wall St, New York

TKO Group Holdings Inc $193.98 +0.090 +0.046%
NVIDIA Corp $179.92 +2.92 +1.65%
Formula One Group Series $86.79 -1.09 -1.25%
Alphabet Inc Class A $314.89 -5.29 -1.65%
News Corp Class A $25.52 -0.16 -0.62%
Netflix Inc $109.13 +1.56 +1.45%
Caterpillar Inc $568.06 -7.70 -1.34%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.95 -0.59
-5 .11%
Tesla Inc $430.14 -0.030 -0.0070%
Walt Disney Co $106.77 +2.30 +2.20%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $132.77 +4.09 +3.18%
Meta Platforms Inc $640.87 -7.08 -1.09%
Paramount Skydance Corp $15.71 -0.31 -1.94%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $17.09 +0.24 +1.42%
Rio Tinto Ltd $84 (US)
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc $23.87 -0.13 -0.54%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.019 +0.00050 +2.70%

News

Spotlight

Wynn

Analysts at Goldman Sachs just added Wynn to its conviction buy list. The firm is confident with Wynn’s “Wynn Al Marjan in the UAE in 1Q27, plus WYNN’s best-in-class Las Vegas assets, leverage to a higher-income consumers, a strong 2026 Las Vegas event calendar, and an improving backdrop in Macau should drive transformative upside at WYNN,” as quoted by CNBC.

Nvidia

Analysts at Morgan Stanley just reiterated an overweight rating on Nvidia, with a $250 price target. The firm says NVDA will maintain a dominant market share and that threats are becoming overstated.

“We continue to see NVIDIA maintaining dominant market share, as threats are becoming overstated, though we aren’t sure exactly what will turn sentiment around,” they said, as quoted by CNBC. “Customers’ biggest anxiety for the next 12 months is their ability to procure enough NVIDIA product generally, and Vera Rubin specifically.”

Alphabet

Analysts at Guggenheim say Alphabet could run even higher. The firm raised its price target on GOOG to $375 from $330 with a buy rating.

The firm is confident in Alphabet because of strong cloud backlog growth, which is being supported by enterprise AI demand. It’s also confidence with Google Gemini’s rise as a leading AI platform with rapidly growing adoption metrics, as noted by CNBC.

News

Polymarket Partnership Could Be a Game Changer for TKO Group Holdings (TKO)

Nov 17

(In Case You Missed It)

Polymarket/UFC/TKO

Polymarket recently announced a multi-year partnership making it the Official and Exclusive Prediction Market Partner for UFC and Zuffa Boxing, introducing real-time fan prediction metrics directly into UFC broadcasts and social media experiences.

This collaboration marks the first time major sports organizations have integrated prediction market technology into the live fan experience, creating new ways for audiences to interact and for TKO's sports brands to differentiate themselves.

We'll explore how this innovative fan engagement initiative could strengthen TKO Group Holdings' investment narrative by deepening audience connection and content value.

What Is TKO Group Holdings' Investment Narrative?

To see the value in TKO Group Holdings as a shareholder, you really have to believe in its ability to keep building out top sports entertainment brands like UFC and WWE into global, multi-platform franchises. A lot of the story is about continuing to grow earnings and revenue faster than the overall market, attract loyal audiences, and evolve with changes in media rights, streaming, and digital fan engagement. Recent announcements, such as the multi-year partnership with Polymarket, reflect TKO’s push to unlock new monetization avenues and deepen fan involvement.

However, it’s unlikely this news will materially change the core short-term catalysts, which are still dominated by performance in key international deals, broadcast partnerships, and the rollout of new events. The biggest risks remain legal challenges, compression of media rights value, and questions about board experience. The new fan engagement efforts add differentiation, but don’t directly reduce these core risks for now. On the flip side, investors should pay close attention to ongoing legal proceedings against TKO and UFC.

TKO Group Holdings' shares have been on the rise but are still potentially undervalued by 15%.

Ten retail investors in the Simply Wall St Community produced fair value estimates for TKO ranging from US$63.92 to a very large US$37,618.47. While community views can be widely split, ongoing legal challenges remain a topic several market participants keep circling back to as a concern for TKO’s future performance. Explore these diverse perspectives and see how the risks and opportunities stack up.

News

Best Quotes

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." — Benjamin Franklin

"Bottoms in the investment world don't end with four-year lows; they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim Rogers

Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful." — Warren Buffett

Media Man "Bullish is a mindset"

News, Markets, Biz, Politics, Mining, Media, Marketing, Culture: Australia and World

December 2025

December 2

Markets

Australian Dollar: $0.6540 USD (flat)
Iron Ore: $103.85 USD (up $1.65 USD)
Oil: $59.48 USD (up $0.93 USD)
Gold: $4,237.89 USD (up $18.66 USD)
Copper: $5.2730 USD (down $0.0050 USD)
Bitcoin: $86,640.57 -0.14%
Dow Jones: 47,396.45 (down 319.97 points close)

News

Minerals partner to help take on China

The Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation's pilot rare earth processing facility at Lucas Heights in Sydney is slated to commence operating in early 2026. The federal government has advised that Australian Rare Earths will be the first industry partner fro the new ANSTO facility. Resources Minister Madeleine King says the appointment of the program's first partner will enhance national security initiatives and support the governments Future Made in Australia strategy. It will also enable Australian Rare Earths to accelerate the development of its Koppamurra ionic-clay project in South Australia. (RMS)

News

New Eraring extension on cards

Origin Energy's Eraring coal-fired power station was originally slated to close this year, but the company struck a deal with the NSW government in 2024 to keep the plant operational until August 2027. However, a report from the Australian Energy Market Operator has prompted speculation that Eraring's operating life may need to be extended again. The AEMO has warned that NSW could potentially face power blackouts if Eraring is closed on schedule, noting that grid-stabilising synchronous condensors are unlikely to be installed before then. Premier Chris Minns says his government is open to further delaying Eraring's closure. (RMS)

News

Critical minerals boom yet to take off as gold hogs investment

PwC's 2025 Aussie Mine report notes that 124 critical minerals projects nationwide are stuck in a 'holding pattern' between discovery and production, with investor preferring the safe haven of gold. Few of these critical minerals projects have a publicly disclosed net present value of at least $1bn. The PwC report also notes that the 'investable universe' - critical minerals projects that are considered to be attractive by commercial investors - has increased by a net seven projects in the last year. These are dominated by copper, nickel and lithium. However, copper remains excluded from Australia's critical minerals list and is therefore not eligible for production tax credits. (Roy Morgan Summary)

Dec 1

ASX tipped for solid start ahead of GDP data

Futures pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain about 0.1 per cent when the market opens on Monday, following a positive lead from Wall Street. The release of GDP data for the September quarter is set to be a key focus for local investors in the coming week, as they seek guidance on the outlook for official interest rates. Inflation data released last week has heightened speculation that the next rate move may be up rather than down. The S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.37 per cent to close at 8,614.1 points on Friday, and it fell by three per cent in November. (RMS)

News

Nov 28

Gold may have doubled, but miners a gamble

Factors such as its 'safe haven' staus and record buying by central banks have seen the price of gold rise by more than 50 per cent so far in 2025. The share prices of Australian-listed gold producers have also rallied during 2025, and some have posted solid returns over the last decade. However, analysis shows that just 100 of the 172 listed gold miners in 2015 are still in business now. Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of the survivors have posted a negative return over the last 10 years. (RMS)

News

'Bloodbath': Black Friday deals pose a dilemma for small business

Australians are expected to spend nearly $7bn over the four days of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and up to $39bn over the month of November. Indeed, Black Friday has evolved to essentially become a one-month sales event, and there is a growing expectation among consumers that every store will offer big discounts. However, Black Friday is challenging for many small businesses, which simply cannot match the deep discounts of large retailers. This is highlighted by research from the Council of Small Business Organisations; it found that 60 per cent of small business owners do not pay themselves at least occasionally, while 25 per cent have used their personal savings to stay afloat. (RMS)

News

Australia's Most Trusted and Distrusted Brands + The Retail Landscape

Join Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine to discover Australia's most Trusted and Distrusted brands; how traditional retail brands are being impacted by Temu, Shein, and AliExpress; how the dramatic shift to low prices is affecting discount department stores like Kmart and Big W; whether Amazon has finally become the digital category killer, impacting Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman; whether Coles and Woolworths are finally showing real signs of reputational recovery; and whether the retail sector seeing a rise in distrust amid all the upheaval. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Media and Marketing

Sport keeps TV afloat as Seven pips Nine

The Seven Network has become Australia's top-rating commercial free-to-air broadcaster for a fifth consecutive year. Seven's national audience share across the 2025 rating year was 41.6 per cent, ahead of the Nine Network on 40.5 per cent. Seven's total audience share across all five free-to-air networks was 29.4 per cent, followed by Nine (28.7 per cent), the ABC (21.5 per cent), Ten (12.6 per cent) and SBS (7.7 per cent). Nine's live coverage of the NRL Grand Final was the highest-rating program for the year, with a record 4.56 million viewers; the AFL Grand Final attracted a total audience of 4.18 million. (RMS)

News

The Age misses mark on AFL deal

A spokesman for DAZN says the UK-based sports-focused streaming company "categorically refutes" a recent media report which suggested that it could seek to renegotiate Foxtel's current seven-year AFL broadcasting rights deal. The Age reported last week that unnamed sources had claimed that DAZN believes it is paying too much for the AFL rights. Foxtel was acquired by DAZN earlier in 2025, in a deal that is said to have been worth about $3.4bn. (RMS)

News

News media eyes $600m yearly boost

Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Apple are estimated to have had combined revenue of $41bn in Australia during fiscal 2024. They could potentially pay local news publishers about $610m a year via the federal government's News Bargaining Incentive, which will penalise technology companies that fail to secure content deals with the nation's news publishers; based on the revenue of the 'big five', the financial penalty for not striking such deals could be around $920m a year. The NBI would apply to all digital platforms that operate "significant" social media or search services, even if they do not feature any news content. (RMS)

News

Magazine stable faces carve-up

Private equity firm Mercury Capital still hopes to sell the whole of Are Media to a single buyer. However, sources at Are have said there is speculation within the publisher that several potential suitors have expressed interest in selectively buying some magazine titles, and shunning the less profitable ones. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest is said to have been approached about buying the flagship Australian Women's Weekly via his family company, Tattarang, which already owns the RM Williams magazine. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

AI threat slashes billions from classifieds giants

Jarden analyst Tom Beadle has downplayed the risks that online classified advertising groups are facing due to the growing use of artificial intelligence platforms. He contends that AI companies are unlikely to develop a 'killer application' that will disrupt the business of Real Estate Dotcom Dot Au http://realestate.com.au owner REA Group in the near term. However, REA Group's market capitalisation has fallen by nearly $9bn since August, while CAR Group - which owns Car Sales http://carsales.com.au - has shed 16 per cent of its value. Nevertheless, there are fears that AI platforms will be increasingly used to directly search for jobs, homes or cars. (RMS)

News

Nov 28

Free entry gets museum record-breaking visitors

Analysis of the annual reports of museums in Australia shows that consumers continued to embrace the nation's cultural institutions in 2024-25. Museums Victoria had the highest patronage, with 1.93 million visitors during the financial year; however, this was 13 per cent lower than previously. Meanwhile, Western Australia Museum was the nation's second-most-visited museum, with visits to its three sites rising by 21 per cent year-on-year to 1.2 million. WA Museum chair Sheila McHale notes that visitor numbers were boosted by the state government's decision to waive entry fees during the 2024-25 summer. (RMS)

News

Mining/Resources/Energy

Nov 28

Inside the battle for BHP's future

There is growing speculation that BHP's CEO Mike Henry is preparing to step down after six years in the role. However, BHP's merger talks with Anglo American last week showed that Henry is still deeply engaged in high-stakes strategic endeavours, rather than easing into retirement. Potential internal candidates to succeed Henry when he eventually steps down include Geraldine Slattery, Rag Udd, Vandita Pant and Catherine Raw. Meanwhile, some BHP directors believe that the resources group should simplify its commodities portfolio by exiting the coal sector and focusing on copper; indeed, analysis shows that both BHP and Rio Tinto have underperformed those of pure-play copper mines in recent years. (RMS)

News

Nov 28

Bitcoin stalled at a critical resistance

Market Overview
The crypto market cap corrected by 0.4% to $3.10T, pausing the cautious rebound from last Friday. Yet we can’t talk about the rebound running out of steam, as there was strong growth the day before. But we do not see any increase in optimism, as just about one in seven coins has gained in the last 24 hours, compared to a decline for most.

The sentiment index rose to 25, the threshold for exiting the territory of extreme fear, despite the latest round of weakness. The index’s dynamics are likely to attract buyers who were eager to enter the market but were waiting for a discount after the highs were set in early October.

Bitcoin has fallen below $ 91K, stabilising near the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of the decline since November 11th. The area near $90K was significant for the market about a year ago, serving as support for the correction after the growth momentum in early November. There is some risk that it will now act as resistance, reinforcing the bearish signal of a possible end to the rebound. A rise above $95K would signal a victory for the bulls and a return to a bull market, while a decline below $87K could open the way to $80K, driving the market into a depression.

News Background

Kronos Research describes the current dynamics as a classic rebound from oversold conditions. The market has cleared out excess long positions, creating room for growth, according to Presto Research.

Futures and options data point to a return of bullish sentiment. The market is ‘ready for growth’ after speculative longs were closed over the past two weeks, according to GSR.

According to CryptoQuant, in November, the Binance crypto exchange increased its stablecoin reserves to a record $51.1 billion. The growth of this indicator can be seen as a positive factor for the crypto market.

The potential exclusion of Strategy from the S&P 500 index and continued outflows from spot crypto ETFs could bring back bearish sentiment and trigger sell-offs, warns QCP Capital.

Bolivia will include cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in its national financial system to modernise it.

Cryptocurrencies will be allowed to be used as a means of payment, savings accounts, credit products and loans. The authorities’ decision is a result of the country’s challenging economic situation. (FxPro)

News

Heavy Industry News

Mack Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Manufacturer Of The Month' award

Caterpillar wins Media Man 'Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Of The Month' award

Bingo Industries wins Media Man 'Construction Brand Of The Month' award

Elders wins Media Man 'Agribusiness Of The Month' award

Landman wins Media Man 'Streaming Series Of The Month' award (Oil/mining industry based story via Paramount Plus)

Jim's Mowing wins Media Man 'Franchise Of The Month' award

News

Pop Culture Flashback

Citizen Kane (1941)

Directed by Orson Welles | Written by Orson Welles & Herman J. Mankiewicz | Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Why it’s considered one of the greatest films ever made:
Revolutionary storytelling: Non-linear structure jumping through multiple perspectives and timelines — decades before it became common.

Iconic moments/lines:

“Rosebud…”

The campaign speech with the giant Kane poster

The slow push-in on young Charlie playing in the snow as his future is decided

“Old age… it’s the only disease, Mr. Thompson, that you don’t look forward to being cured of.” (Bernstein)

News

Salt of the Earth (1954)

Mexican workers at a zinc mine call a general strike. It is only through the solidarity of the workers, and importantly the indomitable resolve of their wives, mothers, and daughters, that they eventually triumph.

News

Sarah's Oil

Sarah's Oil is a 2025 American biographical drama film inspired by the true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in 1902 in Oklahoma Indian Territory. At just 11 years old, Rector inherited 160 acres of seemingly barren land from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation allotment. Believing—through faith and intuition—that oil lay beneath it, she fought off greedy speculators and corrupt oil magnates to develop the property, which turned out to be rich in resources. This made her one of the first female African American millionaires in U.S. history, earning her the nickname "the richest colored girl in the world." The film draws from the 2014 book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America by Tonya Bolden and highlights themes of faith, perseverance, family, and resilience amid racial injustice during the early 20th-century oil boom.

Filming: Principal photography took place in Oklahoma starting in July 2024.

Release: Premiered in U.S. theaters on November 7, 2025, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios (moved up from a planned Christmas Day slot).

Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes.

Best Quotes

The best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."

"You are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig to find it and make it real."

"Your mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will find something golden."

"Don't die without mining the gold in your mind."

"We're like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."

"If you want to find gold, you've got to love the process of digging."

"Even if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to dig."

"Develop men the same way gold is mined"

"Don't go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in looking for the gold."

"A prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"

"A prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't find much gold"

"The world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not." "Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these are gold."

"All that is gold does not glitter."

"Gold is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears out"

"Gold is the money of kings"

"Mining is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit. An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher of a dead mule."

"Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds the gold."

"True gold fears no fire."

"The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit."

"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these are gold."

"When taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes considered like cheap copper – so are people."

Media Man

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Provider Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: X, Google News, Yahoo! Finance

Media/Marketing/Comms/Brands

Australia, New Zealand, USA, World

News

August 28, 2025

Nine sitting tight on cash pile

Nine Entertainment Company has posted a 2024-25 net profit of $194m, which is 10 per cent lower than previously. The media group's EBITDA was six per cent lower at $486m, although revenue rose by two per cent to $2.67bn. Shareholders will receive a final dividend of $0.04 per share, plus a special dividend of $0.49 from part of the proceeds of selling Nine's controlling stake in property listings group Domain. Nine's CEO Mike Stanton has downplayed the potential for acquisitions, but he says the company will consider opportunities that are a "creative fit" for its strategy. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

August 27, 2025

Fewer shoppers, bigger splurges: Aussies spending up on Father's Day gifts

Research from the Australian Retailers Association in partnership with Roy Morgan shows that around 4.7 million Australians are expected to spend a combined $720 million on gifts for dads, grandads, partners and father-figures this year. This is down $100 million from 2024, as cost-of-living pressures continue to impact discretionary spending. While overall participation in the retail event has dropped this year, many are set to spend more per person, with an average of $145 planned per gift-buyer; this is an increase of nearly 44% compared to 2024. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell says older Australians in particular continue to make Father's Day a priority, while younger groups are tightening their spending, likely because they face the greatest mortgage and budget pressures. (RMS)

News

In mid-2025 an impressive 2.7 million New Zealanders read newspapers and more than 1.6 million read magazines

(Market Research Update)

Roy Morgan's latest readership results show that an estimated 2.70 million New Zealanders aged 14+ (61.4%) now read or access newspapers in an average 7-day period via print or online (website or app) platforms. In addition, an estimated 1.65 million New Zealanders aged 14+ (37.5%) read magazines whether in print or online either via the web or an app.

The New Zealand Herald is still the nation's most widely-read publication, with a total cross-platform audience of 1,812,000; this up 96,000 (+5.6%) on a year ago.

In a clear second place, reaching an audience of 355,000, is the Dominion Post, following an increase of 26,000 (+7.9%) on a year ago.

Meanwhile, 25 of the 49 magazines measured increased their print readership during the year to June 2025.

New Zealand's most widely read magazine is the driving magazine AA Directions, which had an average issue readership of 367,000 in the year to June.

These are the latest findings from the Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source survey of 6,233 New Zealanders aged 14+ over the 12 months to June 2025. (RMS)

News

Sports Media/Sports Betting

Ex-AFL umpire among four men charged over alleged Brownlow Medal betting scandal

Former AFL umpire Michael Pell was initially arrested in November 2022 over allegations that he had passed on information about Brownlow Medal votes. Pell was not charged with any offences at the time, but he has now been formally charged with corrupting the betting on the AFL's best and fairest award. It will be alleged that Pell had shared details of his 'best on ground votes' with three of his friends, who then placed bets on the players who had gained the most votes in each match. The other three men have also been charged over the betting scandal. (RMS)

News

Marketing News

AI-Driven Personalization:

AI continues to dominate, with 70% of digital marketing strategies leveraging AI for personalization, automation, and data analysis. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude are enabling hyper-personalized content, with 73% of consumers demanding tailored experiences. However, 71% of marketers emphasize balancing AI efficiency with authentic human connections to maintain trust.

Rise of Short-Form Video and Influencer Marketing: Short-form videos on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram deliver the highest ROI, with 21% of marketers citing them as top performers. Influencer marketing is also surging, with 84% of marketers increasing investment in 2025, driven by live-stream shopping and authentic creator content.

Shift to Long-Form Content: Despite the popularity of short-form media, 70% of marketers plan to boost long-form content like newsletters, videos, and podcasts to engage audiences seeking deeper connections.

Social Media Evolution: Platforms like Threads and Bluesky are gaining traction as marketers experiment with unfiltered, real-time content. Social listening is helping brands decode consumer moods, with 60% of social content aimed at entertaining or informing. YouTube remains a dominant search engine, with 40% of Gen Z using TikTok for search.

Unexpected Brand Collaborations: Unconventional partnerships, like CeraVe with Michael Cera, are creating buzz and expanding reach. These limited-edition campaigns leverage FOMO to drive engagement.

Sustainability and Value-Driven Branding: With 93% of consumers prioritizing sustainable lifestyles, brands are integrating ESG principles into messaging. Meanwhile, 82% of consumers, especially Gen Z, prefer brands aligned with their values, pushing companies toward authentic, mission-driven campaigns.

Retail Media Networks (RMNs): RMNs are among the fastest-growing ad channels, enabling brands to target shoppers with precision during purchase journeys.

Challenges in Measurement and Privacy: With Google’s shift away from third-party cookie deprecation, marketers are focusing on first-party data and marketing mix models (MMMs) like Google’s Meridian for better measurement. Privacy concerns and data provenance are critical, with 43% of consumers distrusting AI-generated ads. (Grok)

News

Media Man

Google Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Website Of The Month' award

Runner-ups: Yahoo! Finance, The Australian Financial Review, FOX Business and Sky News Australia

News

Brand News via Media Man

Netflix wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award

TKO Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The Month' award

AEW wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award

Prime wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award

Claudio's Cafe wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-up: Nespresso

Ambush Marketing

Marketing News

2025

AI-Driven Personalization: AI continues to reshape marketing, with 73% of marketers using AI tools for content creation, campaign analysis, and predictive forecasting.

Hyper-personalization is key, with 80% of consumers more likely to buy from brands offering tailored experiences. However, 43% of consumers are wary of AI-generated ads, emphasizing the need for transparency to maintain trust.

Short-Form Video Dominance: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are driving engagement, with 21% of marketers citing short-form video as the highest ROI content type

TikTok’s user base exceeds 1 billion, and its ad platform is becoming a major player, with searches for “TikTok ads” up 8,100% in five years.

User-Generated Content (UGC) and Authenticity: Over 80% of consumers say UGC boosts brand trust and product discovery. Brands are leaning into authentic, community-driven content, with 70% of marketers noting community building as critical for retention.

Decline of Third-Party Cookies: With Google’s phase-out of cookies, marketers are shifting to first-party data strategies.

Transparent data collection through loyalty programs and consent-driven approaches is becoming essential to maintain personalization while respecting privacy.

Brand Collaborations and Media Creation: Brands are increasingly acting as content creators, with examples like Starbucks Studios and Chick-fil-A’s streaming platform.

Unconventional brand partnerships, like Ashley and Samsung, are driving innovation and expanding reach.Search Evolution:

AI-powered search, including Google’s Audio Overviews and visual search via Google Lens, is changing SEO strategies.

Voice and visual searches are gaining traction, requiring conversational content and image optimization.

Sustainability and Ethics: 72% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, pushing brands to prioritize ethical practices and avoid greenwashing.

B Corp certifications and transparent campaigns are gaining favor.Connected TV (CTV) and Retail Media: 56% of marketers plan to increase CTV ad spend, and 65% see retail media networks as a growing channel.

Amazon’s integration with Roku’s CTV inventory is creating new opportunities for precise targeting.

Recent Campaigns: Notable campaigns include Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches, Spotify Wrapped, and Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” relaunch, driving engagement through emotional and personalized storytelling.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO)

Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans | American Eagle (YouTube)

American Eagle YouTube

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) is a prominent American clothing and accessories retailer founded in 1977 by brothers Jerry and Mark Silverman, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It targets young adults with casual apparel, including jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and activewear, emphasizing inclusivity and trend-right styles. The company operates over 1,000 stores worldwide, including American Eagle, Aerie, and Todd Snyder brands, with a strong online presence at ae.com.

Stock Performance:Current Price: $12.44 USD
Market Cap: $2.22 billion
52-Week Range: $9.27 (low) to $22.83 (high)

Recent Trend: The stock has risen 24% since late July 2025, adding approximately $400 million to its market cap, largely attributed to a viral advertising campaign.

Recent Developments:

AEO’s “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign, launched July 23, 2025, featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, sparked significant controversy. Critics argued the campaign’s tagline, playing on “genes” and “jeans,” carried eugenics-related undertones and catered to the male gaze, drawing comparisons to Brooke Shields’ 1980 Calvin Klein ad. The backlash, amplified by social media, led to accusations of racial insensitivity, with some claiming the ad’s messaging leaned into white supremacist themes. However, others defended it as a clever marketing move, with American Eagle standing firm, stating the campaign was solely about jeans and personal style. The controversy drove significant attention, boosting stock value by over 20% and selling out “The Sydney Jean.

”Financials:2023 Revenue: $5.26 billion
Net Income: $170.04 million
Total Assets: $3.56 billion
Employees: 40,000 (Feb. 2024)Sentiment:

Posts on X reflect polarized views. Some users celebrated the campaign’s success and American Eagle’s refusal to apologize, viewing it as a rejection of “woke” culture. Others criticized it as a calculated move to spark controversy and drive sales among specific demographics. The campaign’s viral nature has undeniably increased brand visibility, with debates ongoing about its cultural implications

Recent Advertising News Highlights (August 2025):

Economic Impact of Advertising:A study by The Advertising Coalition and S&P revealed that advertising drove $10.4 trillion in U.S. spending last year, supporting 29 million jobs, or 20% of the economy. This underscores advertising’s critical role in economic growth.

Brand Campaigns:

American Eagle and Sydney Sweeney:

American Eagle’s campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney with the tagline "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" sparked controversy over race and beauty standards. The retailer stood by the ad, which generated significant online buzz, showing how polarizing campaigns can drive attention.

Cheetos and Netflix: Cheetos collaborated with Netflix and Dentsu for a "Happy Gilmore 2" campaign, leveraging nostalgia to engage audiences.

This reflects a trend of brands tapping into cultural IP for marketing.Coca-Cola’s "Share a Coke": The relaunched personalized pack campaign is driving single-serve transactions, despite a dip in overall volume sales, highlighting the power of personalization in marketing.

Agency and Leadership Moves:

Omnicom Group: Discussed economic uncertainty and potential drug ad regulations in their earnings call, showing how agencies are navigating global economic challenges.

P&G’s New CEO: Former marketer Shailesh Jejurikar will take over as CEO, signaling continued focus on innovation-led growth in advertising strategies

.CIVIC Named Experiential Agency of the Year:

Ad Age recognized CIVIC for the second year, highlighting the rise of experiential marketing.

Digital and AI Trends:

Booking.com and AI: The company reported that AI hasn’t harmed search performance and sees potential in diversifying traffic sources, reflecting AI’s growing role in ad strategies.

Mediaocean’s Report:

Their 2025 H2 Market Report notes connected TV (CTV), AI, and identity as top marketer priorities in a fragmented media landscape.Gen Z Marketing:

Ad Age highlighted 24 Gen Z art directors and social media leaders shaping the industry, emphasizing younger generations’ influence on creative strategies.

Sustainability and Ethics:Sky’s Sustainability Fund:

Six brands, including Tony’s Chocolonely, received £2m in media spend to promote sustainability via TV ads, showing a push for purpose-driven marketing.

Ethics in Advertising:

Experts argue ethics must become a core creative capability to rebuild consumer trust amid the rise of low-quality AI-generated content.

Analysis:The advertising industry in 2025 is navigating economic uncertainty, with brands leaning on nostalgia, personalization, and AI to cut through a fragmented media landscape.

Controversial campaigns, like American Eagle’s, highlight the balance between provocation and backlash.

Meanwhile, agencies are adapting to economic pressures, and sustainability is gaining traction as a marketing focus.

"Without promotion, something terrible happens... nothing!" - P. T. Barnum

Media Man Web Tips

SEO News via Media Man: Ways to Improve your Site’s Ranking (SEO)

Ways to Improve your Site’s Ranking (SEO)

New strategies for Search Engine Optimization

What is SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential digital marketing practice that plays a vital role in making your website visible to both visitors and search engine crawlers. The primary objective of SEO is to optimize relevant and authoritative content to assist visitors in finding solutions to their queries efficiently.

The ultimate aim of SEO is to create high-quality and informative content that increases the volume of traffic that your website receives daily. Optimizing your website involves creating and expanding your content to ensure that search engines will choose your site over its competitors.

The focus of SEO is to perfect the quality and quantity of your webpage to make sure that your website has an edge over others. Therefore, SEO plays an essential role in driving traffic to your website, which is crucial for the visibility and success of your online Business.

1. Publish Relevant, Authoritative Content

This article provides valuable suggestions on how to improve search engine optimization (SEO) and enhance website ranking on search engine results. Creating quality content that caters to the user’s needs is the driving factor of SEO marketing, and the article emphasizes that there is no substitute for great content.

The article further provides guidance on identifying appropriate keyword phrases for each authoritative content page and making use of them strategically throughout the content. Creating distinct web pages for each distinct targeted keyword phrase is advisable to enhance ranking.

The article suggests using keywords in headings, subheadings, URLs, and titles, and stressing the importance of readability and user-friendliness of the content. Using emphasis tags and strategically linking to relevant sources is also encouraged. By following these valuable suggestions, users can create SEO-friendly content that benefits the readers while improving their website’s overall ranking.

2. Update Your Content Regularly

Maintaining updated content is crucial to improve your website’s relevancy, and it is a crucial factor that search engines prioritize as well. We highly recommend scheduling regular content audits, for instance, on a semesterly basis, to update your webpages and blog posts accordingly.

Writing additional content frequently on your departmental news blog can enhance your search engine rankings by incorporating relevant keyword phrases. Brief blog posts can also be helpful if they offer specific updates related to your targeted topics.

Moreover, interlinking your related CMS webpages and blog posts can provide readers with a better understanding of your website’s content and additional information on the subject. Thus, keep your website updated and relevant to improve your visitor’s user experience and attract more traffic to your site.

3. Metadata

Website designers use metadata to provide information about a website’s content. When creating a webpage, a space between the “head” tags is reserved for metadata.

If you use a CMS website they have already filled in the metadata. However, as your content changes, it is important to review and update the metadata.

Title Metadata

Title metadata is the most important because it determines the page title that appears at the top of a browser window and in search engine results. For those with a CMS website, the web team has automated this process based on your page title. Therefore, it is essential to use well-thought-out page titles that include keyword phrases.

Description Metadata

Description metadata is a brief and interesting summary of what your website contains. It’s like a store’s attractive display that encourages people to visit. Usually, it should be two sentences long. Search engines may or may not use this summary, but it’s good to have it in case they do.

Keyword Metadata

Keyword metadata is not very helpful in improving your search engine ranking. However, it’s useful to include some of your important keywords in the metadata. You should select a few phrases with one to four words each and add three to seven of them. For example, “computer science degree” or "pop culture agency" are good keyword phrases to use.

4. Have a Link-worthy Site

Making your website popular involves efforts in developing valuable content and enhancing its search results. To achieve this, you must focus on creating informative and unbiased content that caters to the readers’ interests and queries.

Furthermore, your website might earn a backlink from other websites if it provides good value to the readers. This can improve its search engine ranking immensely, which can bring in more visitors. It is also crucial to incorporate descriptive hyperlinks in the text as opposed to generic “click here” links.

This helps in giving proper context to people who use screen readers and makes it easier for search engines to crawl your website. You can lift your website SEO performance by using appropriate keywords in your content and developing internal links. These techniques can help you build a better online presence and increase your website’s popularity.

5. Use ALT Tags

Want search engines to find your website and to make it more accessible for people who use text-only browsers or screen readers? Simply put, use alt tags to describe your media content, like images and videos, with alternative text descriptions.

These descriptions act as labels for search engines and help them identify your page better. They also provide context for those who cannot view the media directly. By making your website more accessible and searchable, you can improve its overall user experience.

News

New strategies for Search Engine Optimization

New areas of digital marketing are as changeable and require so much adaption and new-thinking as the world of SEO. Search Engine Optimization has come a long way from its beginnings in the 1990s, and the technologies deciding what is “good SEO” or not changes from year to year.

That’s why tech companies are launching new strategies aimed at long-term goals in both data-driven and relations-based SEO all over the world, by implementing tactics from both traditional PR and modern SEO and link-building.

Below, we will discuss the nature of SEO, how SEO is changing, and why choosing an agency will be the key to your SEO success.

Best SEO practices:

Find your customers with data-driven market analysis

Find authoritative marketing partners using data-driven PR

Reach your customers with high quality outreach and credible link-building

What is SEO?

In order to discuss the ways in which SEO works, it’s important to understand the basic principles on which the concept is built. SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimization, and is an umbrella term for processes in which users optimize their websites in order to rank higher on search engines such as Google whenever customers search for keywords relevant to their website.

By optimizing the various aspects of a website, SEO aims to improve its ranking on search engine result pages (SERPs), thereby increasing the quantity and quality of traffic. In layman’s terms, it helps more people to find your website by increasing its digital visibility.

Why is SEO important?

There’s an old SEO joke that goes like this: A man asks a detective “Where’s the best place to hide a body?” The detective answers “Why, on the second page of Google, of course!”. In other words, ranking on the first page of Google is the key to getting traffic and therefore sales or viewings on your webpage, as few people bother to look past the first results page.

In fact, the first spot on Google is ten times more likely to get a click than results number ten, and the top three results receive over half of all clicks. That’s why the goal of every SEO strategist is to get a website into the top ten search results on Google, and preferably in the top three.

That’s why SEO marketing lives on, despite some people saying that SEO is dead. The answer is: it’s more alive than ever. It just doesn’t fit into the mold of the quick-results culture of the modern world, but it is still effective.

The evolution of SEO

SEO as a term first came into use in 1997, despite the first website being published in 1991. The coin was termed John Audette of Multimedia Marketing Group early that year, and so the hunt for the top of the search engine results pages began.

In the beginning, there were several competing names for the concept, including search engine ranking, website promotion, etc. The strongest competitor was the term “search engine marketing”, which was originally pitched as a successor to SEO. But ultimately, search engine optimization proved to be the most steadfast and all-encompassing term, while SEM is used to describe concepts like paid search marketing and advertising.

Google’s rise to power

In the 2000s, Google grew to become the search engine giant we know it as today. Soon enough, the organization was able to survive on its own. At that time, they also launched effective web crawlers and PageRank algorithms, which changed the SEO game.

Google began measuring both on-page and off-page content to decide SERP listings, forcing SEO to expand their work sphere and link-building took off as a popular tactic. Around the same time, Google also introduced PageRank scores, a website score between 1-10, which was an early version of today’s Domain Authority.

These measures were broken down further with the introduction of Google Analytics and the Google Webmaster Tools (Search Console) in 2006. Later major updates, such as Panda and Penguin in 2011 and 2012 respectively, were put in place to sort out poor quality SEO work and reward those with quality websites.

To this day, Google continues to release core and minor updates that impact the way that SEO can work. The platform has grown to be such a reputable platform that in 2022 it was estimated that Google accounted for more than 85 percent of the search engine usage, which is why it’s the platform that most SEO strategies focus on today.

The big three: Local, social, mobile

There have been three major changes in the way that people search the web, that has not been a result of search engine updates. The first of these came in the mid-2000s, when there was an adaptation toward geographical searches, which birthed local SEO. This meant that people were now searching for businesses near them, such as restaurants or car washes, media, gaming and sports agents, thus increasing the need for separate local search engine strategies. This development also resulted in the advancement of end-user data, including search history and personalized interests.

Fast-forward another decade into the 2010s, and a whole new set of searching and web-using emerged. Rather than just using the universal search-functions, users were now turning to medias such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social medias for news and knowledge. Most importantly for SEO, these networks became revolutionary in building brand awareness. As such, the old term of search engine marketing (SEM) became ever more important on these platforms.

As users started to bring their lives and entertainment from the big screens, such as laptops or TVs, they also began to use search engines straight from their mobile phones. This third change in user patterns led to mobile searching overtaking desktop searches in 2015, and added mobile adaptability to the list of SEO tools.

The 2020s, AI, and the future of SEO

We’ve finally arrived at our current time. The 2020s have brought with it a continued increase in digital usage and SEO is perhaps more important than ever. One of the biggest challenges the world of SEO stands before today is generative AI. Chat GPT, X including Grok, the free global access to generative AI as a search function, was released in the winter of 2022/2023, and has garnered instant attraction from both customers and competitors, including Google. It is still unclear what impact generative AI will have on SEO practices such as keywords analysis, although it is already affecting the quality of content on the web.

New strategies for new challenges

As new SEO directives arrive from Google’s updates, they also require new strategies. However, some companies have decided to create new strategies with a focus on longevity. Among new strategies are both traditional link-building and outreach including, in combination with inspiration from the traditional PR marketing sphere.

The other two strategies that they’ve developed are strongly data-driven market research and PR. The market research is a process in which the company can help customers who want to scale globally to find the best geographical place for them to start their SEO journey, based on SEO factors such as demand and competition.

The market-driven PR can build on that market research or stand alone, as a new way of reaching new marketing partners in international business circles. From these new partners, it is then possible to continue with link-building as well as traditional PR strategies. This is a unique way of piercing niche markets across the globe to attract potential customers.

How does SEO work?

Now that we’ve seen the evolution of SEO it’s time to get to the real question: what is SEO marketing actually, and how does it actually work? In order to understand how SEO works, it’s important to understand these two things: what Google wants and what the customers want. Only by doing so will you understand how you should optimize your web page.

What Google wants

One of the reasons why Google rose to such immense heights early on was due to the founders’ initiative to implement RankPage, or clear guidelines for how to rank content on their platform. Initially, the program worked by ranking content dependent on the link structure of the website, that built the foundation for the modern link building strategies. Simply put, links to the webpage acted as votes of confidence for the webpage.

Today, this concept has developed into the E-E-A-T formula, where Google ranks content based on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These measures are interpreted by what the site’s link building looks like, such as what EEAT websites include links back to their landing page. They then ensure that the webpage produces reliable and accurate information, and are most likely to answer their customers’ questions.

Ultimately, the reason why Google wants to prioritize high quality content is because happy Google customers are more likely to return to Google for more information, and therefore generating income for the search engine.

So, how does Google find and rank the webpages? They do this through three stages: crawling, indexing, and serving results.

Crawling means that Google sends “bots” or computer programs to scan through large chunks of the internet to find new or updated pages. They can only find it by going through a link.

Googles then sorts through and organizes the content and puts it in the huge Google Index – a database for webpages.

Lastly, Google serves the results by how relevant they are to the customer queries.

What the customer wants

Broadly speaking, there are three types of searches that customers make, and they can be described as Do-Know-Go. Whenever we search the internet, we either want to do something (such as make a purchase or visit a tourist attraction), know something, or go somewhere. These three types of searches can be further broken down, but these are the basic concepts.

These three prompts can help you optimize your content so that you are answering the demand of the people. By realizing what your customer wants, you can provide SEO-optimized content which is relevant and fresh, which Google will reward you for.

SEO components, or how to do SEO

So how does a webpage get to that top of the search engine results page? While there is no quick fix, SEO provides a long-term strategy which aims at doing just that. SEO incorporates several different tactics in this long-term strategy, in which there are three main components:

Technical SEO

On-page SEO

Off-page SEO

Technical SEO refers to optimization on your webpage. This can for example mean implementing site maps so that Google can crawl the page more easily, increasing the website speed, or making the site mobile adaptable.

On-page SEO refers to edits to the content that is already on the webpage, rather than the technicalities behind it. This can for example include keyword optimizing headings, producing SEO-optimized blog posts, URL and picture optimization, and adding meta titles and descriptions.

Off-page SEO, on the other hand, is part of the link-building strategy. The focus here lies on building credibility and brand awareness by for example writing guests posts and linking to your webpage on other, reputable sources. The key here is to create backlinks, which give authority and endorsement to your website, and thus giving Google a sign that you are a credible source too.

To get good results, it’s important to implement all of the tactics above in a combined effort to get Google’s attention. However, these general descriptions are only scraping the top of the iceberg of SEO. Beneath these lay a whole science of various methods and strategies to rank at the top of the results page.

Link-building

The on-page and off-stage SEO practices can also be called SEO link-building. That’s because they both refer to building a link-system which Google will reward, whether it’s by driving links to your website from other credible sources or creating a seamless link-flow internally on your webpage.

Links to and on your website act as votes of trust, credibility and authority, which is why they are a crucial part of your SEO strategy. However, the links need to be carefully and thoughtfully crafted so that they maintain the right level of relevance and credibility, which can be done through producing high quality SEO content.

SEO content

For both on-page and off-page work, SEO content plays a huge role. As mentioned earlier, Google ranks webpages depending on both their link-building and how credible, authoritative, and expert their content is. However, these two factors are not as separate as one might think: with high quality content, it is also easier to build a good SEO link-building network.

Often when we discuss SEO content, we tend to think of texts of lesser quality that are packed with poor quality links. However, due to Google’s updates, such as Penguin, poor content is continually being phased out. That means individuals and agencies are having to spend more time recruiting better writers and spending more time on content.

As we discussed earlier, SEO content needs to be adapted to both the demands from the customer (a.k.a. the searching person) and Google. That means texts need to be relevant, authoritative, credible, and high quality. These texts also need to be SEO optimized using meta-data, such as titles and descriptions, and keywords in the headings in order for Google’s crawlers to pick up better on the relevancy factor.

That being said, the research and preparation for both good and bad content remains the same – all SEO content needs proper keyword research.

Keyword research

Finding the right keywords will not only make you more competitive as an SEO user, but will also help you understand your audience better. That’s because keywords are clues to who your audience is. For example, the keywords “how to ski” and “ski maintenance” could technically be placed in the same text contextually, but they imply that we’re dealing with skiers of different skill levels.

The keywords are both guides for the link-building process and the content. When building links, it’s important that both the link, the placement, and the publishing website are relevant in the context in order for Google’s crawlers to give it a credible ranking.

There are several tools on the market for finding the best keywords, and there are also a ton of metrics for understanding how good a keyword is and what the chances are of breaking into the competition for that specific keyword. Common metrics include keyword difficulty, traffic potential, cost-per-click, etcetera.

Brand awareness

Ultimately, what these various tactics aim to do is to bring brand awareness to your website. People are twice as likely to purchase from a brand they recognize. An American study found that 75 percent of shoppers tend to go for known retailers, and nearly 70 percent do the same when deciding what search result to click on.

Doing SEO: alone or SEO agency?

As you can tell, there is a lot of information and knowledge that goes into producing and completing good SEO strategies. If you are considering adapting some SEO strategies, you may be wondering whether you should do it all on your own or hire an agency.

Without sugar-coating it, doing SEO alone is a lot of hard work. First and foremost, you got to have basic understandings of both SEO tools, Google Analytics, and good writing skills. Then you need good networking skills and a sense of price bargaining to get your links out to credible sources. On top of this, you need to stay up to date with all the latest developments within Google updates, market changes, and new technologies such as generative AI which can impact your SEO strategies. All of this can be both time consuming and costly.

If it feels overwhelming, there are a ton of SEO agencies on the market that are ready to help. Some of them focus solely on SEO content production, whereas others focus solely on technical SEO or solely on SEO link-building.

Some agencies offer entire packages, where staying SEO updated, building and optimizing webpages, link-building, content production, and publishing is included. Together with the new data-driven strategies and tactics, Media Man Group offers services that are great for both those who are somewhat new as to those who are already familiar and wanting to grow beyond.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about SEO

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a digital marketing form that focuses on creating digital visibility on search engines such as Google by improving websites’ rankings in the search results.

What is the difference between SEO and SEM?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and works with creating organic ranking improvements on platforms like Google. SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing and focuses on paid promotions and marketing on platforms like Google.

How long does SEO take?

Good SEO typically takes between 4 months to a year to see good results. However, it’s crucial to understand that SEO is a long-term strategy, that is never really finished. If you are lucky enough to rank at 1 on Google, the job doesn’t stop there: then you want to maintain that spot by continuing your SEO work.

Why do you need SEO?

SEO helps to build brand awareness, which is key in gaining credibility amongst both Google and potential customers. That’s why SEO is worth it, even if it is a long game.

Media Man

The Media Man Group is primarily and online news, media and sports management firm and website portal developer. By default Media Man developed many effective SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) techniques and strategies since their launch in 2001. SEO helped elevate Media Man websites into Hitwise "Top 10" status (entertainment - personalities) category. Media Man also offers a range of media and convergent media services including article copy, PR (public relations), text link based campaigns, product placement and endorsement, buzz marketing (via websites and social media) and brand building. The company is best known for insightful media analysis, specalising in pop culture/entertainment, streaming and subscriber television including PPV (Pay-Per-View), PLE, pro wrestling aka sports entertainment coverage, MMA (mixed martial arts), and commentary and coverage on an array of trending topics, with strong focus on X (formerlly Twitter), Alphabet (Google, YouTube, Blogger etc) and new and emerging technology and news platforms and developments. MM is both organic search and AI search friendly. Media Man is often referenced in both mainstream, niche and alternative news media stories. The company motto remains "Putting Your Name Out There".

Websites

Media Man
www.mediaman.com.au

Media Man Int
www.mediamanint.com

#Agency #Search #PopCulture #SEO #Authority #Expert #Experts #NewsMedia #Creative #Niche #Agent #PR #AI #GregTingle #trend #buzz #media #mediaman #mediamanint

June 2025

Latest marketing news based on recent developments:

AI-Powered Marketing Platforms: Bluumly launched its public beta on June 5, 2025, offering an AI-driven marketing platform tailored for small businesses. It aims to simplify customer acquisition for the 32 million small business owners struggling with time, budget, or expertise.

Google Marketing Live 2025: Google announced over 30 AI-powered product updates, including enhanced ad copy tools, video features, and measurement upgrades. These allow smaller businesses to run incrementality tests, previously accessible only to large advertisers, to optimize marketing strategies.

Social Media Marketing Guides: Orange 142, a division of Direct Digital Holdings, released best practices guides for social media and micro-influencer marketing. These focus on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, emphasizing data-driven strategies for mid-market brands to boost engagement and ROI.

Meta’s AI Ad Tools: Meta plans to enable full AI-driven ad creation and targeting on Facebook and Instagram by the end of 2026, potentially disrupting traditional advertising agencies by reducing costs and simplifying campaign management for smaller budgets.

Brand Consistency: Digital Silk reports that brand consistency across digital platforms is a key driver of online trust in 2025, with clients prioritizing cohesive branding in websites, campaigns, and collateral.

Digital Spend Dominance: A Gartner survey found that 61.1% of marketing budgets in 2025 are allocated to digital channels, with 69% of digital spend focused on paid online channels like search and social media.

Agency Updates: Recent posts on X highlight agency consolidations and leadership changes, such as Dentsu Americas unifying its brands and appointing new senior leaders, and The Shipyard acquiring TinyWins to bolster digital and AI capabilities.For more details, check sources like Adweek, Gartner, or Google’s press releases.

Sports Brand News Under The Media Man Watercooler

The world's top sports brands include Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Puma, and Under Armour.

These brands dominate the market in terms of revenue, brand value, and global recognition. Nike consistently ranks as the most valuable sports brand, followed by Adidas, with a significant gap in brand value.

The List

Nike: A global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, known for its iconic swoosh logo and strong brand recognition.

Adidas: A major competitor to Nike, offering a wide range of sports apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Lululemon: Specializing in athletic apparel, particularly yoga wear, but expanding into other areas like running shoes and personal care.

Puma: A well-known sportswear brand with a strong presence in football and other sports.

Under Armour: A prominent brand known for its performance apparel and innovative technologies.

Other notable brands: ASICS, Fila, New Balance, Skechers, Decathlon, and more, each with their own niche in the market.

News

Sports Brands: News

Nike: Nike has launched a new soccer campaign, “Scary Good,” focusing on talented players redefining the sport. This aligns with their “Sport Offense” strategy, emphasizing performance wear and storytelling in key sports like running and basketball, following a quarter of underwhelming financial results. CEO Elliott Hill aims to differentiate Nike, Jordan Brand, and Converse by sport for sharper brand distinction. Additionally, tennis player Carlos Alcaraz debuted Nike’s retro-inspired 2025 London Collection cardigan at Wimbledon, blending classic tennis tradition with modern flair.

New Balance: The 119-year-old brand is making waves by signing young superstars like Cooper Flagg, Shohei Ohtani, and Coco Gauff, aiming to redefine its position in the sports hierarchy. This move has shifted its image from “dad shoe” to a top contender, notably with Flagg as the No. 1 NBA Draft prospect.

Adidas: Adidas unveiled the new Team India T20 jersey, available since May 2024, ahead of the T20 World Cup, reinforcing its presence in cricket sponsorships.

JD Sports Fashion: As a global omnichannel retailer, JD Sports continues to expand its portfolio, including brands like Nike, Adidas, and The North Face, alongside private labels like Pink Soda. Its segments include DTLR, Shoe Palace, and Sizeer, focusing on athletic footwear and apparel with strong community ties.

Grassroots Sports Marketing: Brands are increasingly investing in grassroots sports for deeper emotional connections. In India, non-cricket sports sponsorships surpassed ?2,000 crore in 2023, with platforms like SportVot boosting grassroots athletes’ visibility through digital identities and streaming lesser-known sports.

Other Developments: Athleta, a Gap-owned brand, has partnered with female athletes like Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles, pioneering sports marketing in women’s sports. Sephora’s sponsorship of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries signals growing brand interest in women’s sports. Meanwhile, brands like Red Lobster and Ram are leveraging CEOs in campaigns tied to smaller sports markets for affordable, intimate marketing.

News

Combat Sports Brands

Several well-known brands dominate the combat sports market, offering a wide range of equipment and apparel for various disciplines. Some of the most popular brands include Venum, Adidas, Everlast, Fairtex, Hayabusa, Rival, and Ringside. These brands are recognized for their quality, innovation, and unique designs, catering to both professional athletes and enthusiasts.

Media

Combat Sports Brands

These brands cater to various combat sports, offering specialized gear for different disciplines and skill levels. For beginners, brands like Everlast and RDX Sports are budget-friendly, while Hayabusa and Fairtex appeal to advanced practitioners seeking premium quality. Always consider your discipline, budget, and needs (e.g., durability, fit) when choosing gear. Here’s a concise overview of notable combat sports brands, focusing on those specializing in gear and apparel for disciplines like MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, and more, based on available information:

Venum: A leading brand since 2006, known for durable, stylish gear for MMA, boxing, BJJ, and karate. Became the UFC’s exclusive outfitting partner in 2021, offering gloves, shorts, and rashguards. Popular for innovative designs and high-quality materials.

Hayabusa: A premium brand specializing in MMA, boxing, and BJJ gear. Known for advanced technology, ergonomic designs, and durable gloves, shin guards, and training equipment. Highly regarded for performance and comfort.

Fairtex: A renowned Thai brand focused on Muay Thai and MMA gear, particularly gloves and shin guards. Trusted for durability and quality, widely used by Muay Thai practitioners.

Combat Sports International: Offers affordable, high-quality MMA gear, including gloves, grappling dummies, and heavy bags. Based in Kansas City, known for innovation and catering to all skill levels.

Everlast: A household name in boxing, also offering MMA and fitness gear. Known for reliable, durable equipment like gloves and protective gear, suitable for beginners and pros.

Adidas Combat Sports: Brings the iconic athletic brand into martial arts, offering gear for judo, taekwondo, and MMA. Known for quality and versatility, with a focus on fitness enthusiasts.

RDX Sports: Provides affordable gear for MMA, boxing, and fitness. Popular for reliable gloves, shin guards, and training equipment, ideal for budget-conscious athletes.

Fuji Sports: A top choice for BJJ and judo, known for high-quality gis that prioritize comfort and fit. Favored by grapplers for durability and performance.

Twins Special: Another Thai brand excelling in Muay Thai and MMA gear, particularly gloves and shin guards. Renowned for durability and quality, a go-to for striking arts.

Leone 1947: An Italian brand specializing in boxing and kickboxing gear, offering affordable, high-quality gloves, shin guards, and accessories. Popular among professional fighters.

Elite Sports: Offers affordable, premium-quality fight wear for BJJ, MMA, boxing, and more. Known for stylish gis, rashguards, and gloves, catering to men, women, and kids.

Revgear: A California-based brand since 1996, recognized for innovative, durable equipment for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, and BJJ. Trusted by athletes for high-performance gear. (Grok)

News

Sports Promoters: Brands

Sports promoters are critical in bridging brands like Nike, Adidas, Red Bull, and emerging players like YouTube with sports ecosystems. They craft partnerships that resonate with fans, leveraging events, athletes, and digital platforms to drive engagement and revenue. For brands seeking to enter or expand in sports, working with agencies like Octagon, SPORTFIVE, or rEvolution ensures strategic alignment and impactful campaigns.

Sports promoters are key players in connecting brands with sports events, athletes, and fans to create mutually beneficial partnerships. They facilitate sponsorships, endorsements, and marketing campaigns that amplify brand visibility while enhancing the sports experience. Below is an overview of notable brands involved in sports promotion, based on their prominence in the industry and partnerships, as well as the role of sports promoters in these collaborations.

Key Brands in Sports Promotion

Sports promoters often work with global brands across various industries, leveraging the emotional and cultural appeal of sports to drive engagement. Some prominent brands include:

Nike: A leader in sports marketing, Nike partners with athletes and teams worldwide, using campaigns like #BetterForIt to promote inclusivity and fitness through influencer and athlete endorsements.

Example: Nike’s campaigns often feature athletes as brand ambassadors, such as their work with social media influencers and everyday athletes to motivate active lifestyles.

Adidas: Known for high-profile collaborations with teams, athletes, and designers, adidas merges sports and lifestyle through partnerships like those with Ivy Park, Bad Bunny, and Gucci.

Promoters facilitate these deals, ensuring alignment with events like soccer tournaments or fashion-driven campaigns.

Red Bull: Specializes in extreme sports and high-energy branding, Red Bull works with promoters to create visually stunning campaigns, such as those featuring snowboarder Travis Rice, aligning with their adventurous brand image.

Promoters manage event sponsorships and athlete endorsements to maximize Red Bull’s reach.

Gatorade: A staple in sports hydration, Gatorade signs college athletes like Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers, and JuJu Watkins for endorsement deals, expanding its influence in youth markets.

Promoters negotiate these contracts to ensure brand alignment with emerging talent.

Reebok: Recently extended a multiyear endorsement with Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, including a signature shoe release planned for 2026.

Promoters handle such deals to integrate Reebok’s branding into WNBA events and fan engagement.

Under Armour, Puma, and New Balance: These brands compete in the athleisure and performance markets, often collaborating with promoters to secure sponsorships for events like marathons or partnerships with rising stars.

Example: New Balance’s revival through collaborations with designers and athletes highlights promoter-driven strategies.

Non-Traditional Brands: Companies like YouTube (partnering with Mr. Beast for NBA jersey patches) and luxury brands like Hugo Boss and Gucci (F1 and tennis sponsorships) are increasingly entering sports through innovative partnerships.

Promoters bridge these brands with sports audiences, crafting campaigns that appeal to diverse demographics.

Role of Sports Promoters
Sports promoters act as intermediaries, orchestrating partnerships that benefit brands, athletes, and events.

Their roles include:

Event Promotion: Organizing and marketing events like tournaments, matches, or festivals, ensuring brands gain visibility through sponsorships (e.g., Sports Marketing Australia’s work with AusTriathlon).

Athlete Endorsements: Negotiating deals between brands and athletes, such as Jannik Sinner’s partnerships with Gucci, Nike, and Rolex.

Sponsorship Activation: Creating campaigns that integrate brands into sports culture, like Starbucks and Seattle Seahawks’ co-branded merchandise.

Digital and Social Media Campaigns: Leveraging platforms for influencer-driven marketing, as seen with Nike’s #BetterForIt or Red Bull’s extreme sports content.

Global Reach: Connecting brands with international markets, such as Allsport Promotion’s campaigns for global brands across Europe and beyond.

Notable Sports Promotion

Agencies

Several agencies specialize in facilitating these brand partnerships:

Octagon: A global leader in sports and entertainment, representing talent and brands across multiple sports.

SPORTFIVE: Creates value for brands through partnerships with rights holders and media platforms.

rEvolution: Focuses on authentic campaigns that connect brands with passionate fans.

Excel Sports Management: Manages high-value contracts for athletes in basketball, baseball, and golf, with $3.4 billion in contracts.

IMG: Specializes in rights, data, and digital strategies for sports organizations and brands.

CSM: Known for creating memorable experiences through partnerships, like Red Bull Racing’s F1 activations.

Trends in Sports Promotion:

Influencer Marketing: Brands like Nike and Red Bull use athletes and influencers to create authentic, engaging content.

Sustainability and Social Causes: Over 80% of consumers prefer brands supporting environmental or diversity initiatives, prompting promoters to align brands with such values.

Non-Traditional Partnerships: Luxury and tech brands (e.g., Gucci, YouTube) are entering sports, expanding promoter opportunities.

Data-Driven Marketing: Agencies like TwoCircles use data to enhance campaign effectiveness, a growing trend in sports promotion. (Grok)

News

UFC Brand: News

These developments show UFC’s aggressive brand expansion through strategic partnerships, rebranding efforts, and global market penetration, solidifying its position as a dominant force in combat sports and beyond.

Pacsun Partnership at UFC International Fight Week 2025: Pacsun made its debut at UFC X during International Fight Week (June 25–29, 2025) with a branded booth and a custom Pacsun-branded step-and-repeat for fan and fighter interactions. They also had a major brand integration on the UFC X mainstage, including two athlete Q&A sessions presented by Pacsun with prominent LED logo displays. The Pacsun x UFC International Fight Week 2025 collection is available in select Pacsun stores and online.

UFC BJJ Rebrand: The UFC has rebranded its grappling events from “UFC Fight Pass Invitational” to “UFC BJJ,” adopting a Craig Jones Invitational-style pit and rules. This move signals UFC’s intent to expand its influence in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene, with a new reality show and a focus on high-profile grappling matches.

Phorm Energy Drink Partnership: UFC President Dana White, alongside Anheuser-Busch and St. Louis-based 1st Phorm, launched Phorm Energy, a new energy drink with natural flavors and caffeine. This partnership leverages Anheuser-Busch’s distribution network to enhance UFC’s brand reach.

Hpnotiq Marketing Deal: UFC announced a multiyear partnership with Hpnotiq, making the liqueur an Official Partner. Hpnotiq will have prominent branding inside the Octagon during all U.S.-based UFC Fight Nights, tapping into UFC’s global audience of over 700 million fans across 170 countries.

UFC’s Global Growth Recognition: UFC was named one of TIME’s 2025 Most Influential Companies, highlighting its global expansion, including a first-ever event in Azerbaijan and a record-breaking $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024. Dana White emphasized UFC’s universal appeal, stating, “Fighting is in our DNA.”

Drake’s OVO Collaboration: Posts on X indicate that Drake’s OVO brand teased a collaboration with UFC, set to release on June 27, 2025, aligning with International Fight Week. This adds to UFC’s growing list of high-profile brand partnerships.

UFC Fitness Equipment: Dyaco, holding the global license for UFC-branded fitness equipment, is promoting “UFC Zones” in gyms worldwide, capitalizing on UFC’s reputation for elite performance and its 300 million-strong fanbase. (Grok)

News

Sports Quotes

"The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." Muhammad Ali

"I thank God for my talents but, it took many years to achieve some of my goals. I work hard on a daily basis trying to maintain a certain fitness level, run two businesses, and teach classes in the fight game and pro wrestling." Dan Severn

"Don't let people make you afraid of taking chances in life. And if you fail, it's no big deal. Get back up and fight through it and be successful again. If you did it once, you can do it again." Ken Shamrock

News

Brand News via Media Man

Netflix wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award

TKO Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The Month' award

AEW wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award

Prime wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award

Nespresso wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-up: Claudio's Cafe

Media/Marketing/Arts: Australia

News

June 24, 2025

Thomson to lead News Corp until 2030

US-based media giant News Corporation has extended the current contract of CEO Robert Thomson by three years. It was slated to expire in mid-2027, but Thomson will now remain at the helm until at least June 2030. News Corp's chairman Lachlan Murdoch says Thomson has been instrumental in the media groups' growth and transformation in the digital age. Indeed, News Corp's digital revenue accounted for about 50 per cent of its total revenue in fiscal 2024, compared with about 20 per cent in 2014. Thomson has been CEO since 2013. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Mia Freedman's Mamamia and News Corp sued over cannabis ads

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has filed legal action against News Corp's magazine division and Mamamia in the Federal Court, with Mamamia being the media company owned by Mia Freedman. The TGA alleges Mamamia and News Corp's 'Body + Soul' magazine ran articles that unlawfully promoted medicinal cannabis products from Altus, which is a alternative-medicine website and dispensary; the Mamamia article under scrutiny was allegedly written by a person whose mother worked for a company connected to Atlus. (RMS)

News

Ten turns to Spotify to halt news losing streak

The Ten Network has signed a deal with audio streaming platform Spotify to broadcast its new current affairs and news show '10 News+' each day as an hour-long podcast and video. Spotify users will be able to access it within minutes of it finishing it on TV, while it will also be broadcast live on YouTube. With Ten having long trailed behind Seven and Nine in the ratings for free-to-air news, its new deal with Spotify follows the cancellation of its long-running nightly talk show 'The Project', with '10 News+' having being announced in its place. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Media/Marketing/Arts: Australia

June 23, 2025

Nine banks on NRL-led revival

The National Rugby League's current four-year broadcasting rights deal expires at the end of the 2027 season. Nine Entertainment and Foxtel are both keen to renew their rights deals when negotiations begin in coming months; the Stan streaming platform is likely to be a key element in any future deal for Nine to broadcast NRL matches, given the ongoing decline in linear TV audiences and advertising revenue. Meanwhile, sources at the Seven Network have indicated that it will not bid for the broadcasting rights for the NRL's regular season, although it may be interested in events like the State of Origin series and international matches. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Stan to buy ELP rights 'this week'

Media industry speculation suggests that Nine Entertainment is poised to secure a three-year broadcasting rights deal for the English Premier League. The incumbent rights holder Optus Sport is halfway through its current six-year deal with the EPL, which expires in 2028. However, sources have indicated that Nine will pay about $300m to take over the broadcasting rights for the next three seasons; the ELP is expected to air exclusively on Nine's Stan streaming platform. (RMS)

News

Google ditches deals with publishers amid Labor inaction

The Public Interest Publishers Alliance was established in 2021 and comprises 24 independent news publishers. The alliance negotiated a funding deal with technology giant Google in 2022 that had been slated to run for five years; the deal is believed to be worth several million dollars a year and was negotiated with the assistance of the Minderoo Foundation. Google has advised alliance members that it will terminate the deal two years ahead of schedule, because wants to split the small payments across a broader range of publications. The move comes amid criticism of the federal government over its tardiness over the proposed news bargaining incentive. (RMS)

News

'2025 Digital News Report more positive than it looks'

The latest University of Canberra Digital News Report has sparked some fears about the future of the Australian news industry, but the reality is not as bad as it may seem. Although media platforms overtook online news as a "source of news" for the first time, users are ultimately consuming content that has come from news publisher websites. The report reveals the percentage of people who pay for news has increased, while the main 'takeaway' from the report for advertisers is that consumer engagement with news is strong and strengthening, which is again consistent with ThinkNewsBrands and Roy Morgan data on news consumption. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Telstra nets film prize as impact and humour dominate Cannes

Several Australian advertising campaigns has taken out awards at the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Telstra's Better on a Better Network ad campaign won four awards in the film craft category, including a Grand Prix award and two gold Lions. Telstra also won four Lions in the film category for its Christmas and business advertising campaigns. Other Australian ads that were recognised at Cannes include one for Suncorp, Coca-Cola and Volkswagen. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Leggett: Clemenger ready to lead the market

Clemenger BBDO has undergone major changes this year as it prepares to become a fully owned Omnicom agency, with Clemenger BBDO having combined with CHEP Network and Traffik agencies to create one fully integrated agency. Clemenger BBDO CEO Lee Leggett says it is now " ready to lead the market", with its leadership team being completed with the appointment last week of Stephen de Wolf as new chief creative officer. His appointment marks a return to Clemenger BBDO, where some of the campaigns that he worked on included the highly-regarded 'Meet Graham' campaign for the Victorian Transport Accident Commission. (RMS)

News

Pockets as deep as the snow

Snow Resorts Australia chairman Noel Landry says Victoria's 2025 ski season is expected to generate $21bn for the state economy. The state's ski resorts have had well "above average" snow depths since the season officially began during the King's Birthday long weekend. However, analysis shows that the cost of lift tickets at Victoria's ski resorts for the current season are generally much higher than some popular resorts in New Zealand. Landry, who is also the general manager of Buller Ski Lifts, emphasises that the cost of lift tickets in Victoria is boosted by state government charges that largely do not apply when visiting overseas ski resorts. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The Month' award

Media Man

Current Projects

Websites

Media Man Int Media Man Australian Sports Entertainment

Greg Tingle Promotions

Special Project Summary For Media Man Group (Media Man Int, Media Man Australia and Australian Sports Entertainment)

Media Man Int

Media Man Int X

Elon Musk’s X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global Advertising Alliance

August 6, 2024

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has launched a significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

In an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating that it was a direct response to GARM’s actions which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars. “This is not a decision we took lightly, but it is a direct consequence of their actions,” Yaccarino wrote. “The illegal behavior of these organizations and their executives cost X billions of dollars” per The New York Post.

The lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz, is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many of the world’s largest companies and ad organizations, including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control 90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion per year.

Yaccarino emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial damages. “This case is about more than damages — we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows this illegal activity to occur,” she added.

According to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)

Full article and coverage via PYMNTS

https://pymnts.com/cpi-posts/elon-musks-x-files-antitrust-suit-against-global-advertising-alliance/

PYMNTS is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The Month' award winner and finalist

News

Elon Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report

August 7, 2024

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies and an advertising alliance to court over allegations of a "boycott" of X.

Elon Musk has waged “war” against advertisers as his social media platform X filed an antitrust lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the site.

X filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.

The suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members “directly organised boycotts” and employed other indirect tactics to target disfavoured “platforms, content creators” and news organisations to demonetise them.

It alleges that GARM’s boycott led advertisers to pull money from X under the guise of “brand safety” concerns.

X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users on the social media platform from accessing a wide breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.

“The consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott was to seek to deprive X’s users, be they sports fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,” she wrote.

“To put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.”

Mr Musk shared his colleague’s statement to the platform and boldly declared: “We tried peace for 2 years, now it is war.”

He later encouraged “any company who has been systematically boycotted” to file a suit.

Following his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr Musk’s lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted towards GARM’s alleged skew away from right wing voices and ideologies.

The platform announced its move on X where it accused GARM of being “a conspiracy to perpetrate an advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's illegal”.

Since Musk took over the social media platform in October 2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023, according to Bloomberg.

This was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every quarter of 2022.

Musk triggered controversy again in November 2023 when he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jewish communities push “hatred against whites”.

The X owner responded: “You have said the actual truth,” sparking an advertiser exodus that was reported to have lost the company as much as $75m, per The New York Times.

He made headlines again in the same month after blasting advertisers boycotting the social media platform, boldly declaring: “Go f**k yourself”.

“If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is,” he said. (Sky News Australia)

Full article and coverage via Sky News Australia

https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/elon-musk-takes-garm-several-companies-to-court-over-alleged-advertising-boycott-of-x-outlined-in-bombshell-report/news-story/7bac6243aada770042d14ca84afc23e7

Technology News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news3.html

Advertising News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/advertising_news.html

Media News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news2.html

Yahoo Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The Month' award

PYMNTS wins Media Man 'Businees News Outlet Of The Month' award

Market, Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media Man

August 7, 2024

Australian Dollar: $0.6520 USD (up $0.0024 USD)

Iron Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $102.85 USD (down $0.70 USD)

Oil Price (WTI): $72.96 USD (down $1.02 USD)

Gold Price: $2,389.45 USD (down $19.96 USD)

Copper Price (CME): $4.0095 USD (up $0.0085 USD)

Bitcoin: $56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)

Dow Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points on yesterday's close)

(Roy Morgan Summary)

News

News.com.au holds number one news traffic ranking in April for fourth consecutive month - May 22, 2023

News.com.au has retained the number one news website traffic ranking for the fourth month in a row, reaching 12.71 million Australians in April.

The latest Ipsos Iris report showed the news website has resolidified its market-leading stance, although there was a three per cent dip month-on-month in unique audience. Average time on site per person, sitting at 29 minutes and 55 seconds, also slipped modestly compared to March.

Oliver Murray, news.com.au editor, pointed out April was a month when many should’ve switched off to enjoy Easter and the school holidays.

“It’s testament to our team that we kept serving up news they needed to read,” he said.

That content offering drew in the largest and most engaged audience in the news category, he pointed out – six in 10 online Australians.

“We saw a 17 per cent month-on-month increase in our sports audience to become the number one sports brand, driven by our NRL and AFL coverage,” Murray said.

“Australians also turned to us for travel news, reaching an audience of 2.541 million and leading the travel news category.”

The gap between news.com.au and rival ABC News, sitting in second spot, is sizeable. The national broadcaster’s web offering attracted the eyeballs of 11.14 million Aussies.

Rounding out the top five was nine.com.au with 10.73 million unique viewers, 7news.com.au on 10.06 million, and Daily Mail Australia on 8.35 million.

The Ipsos Iris report found 20.2 million people used a news website or app in April, with engagement increasing by 1.2% to almost six hours per person, per month.

Major news events ranging from the death of comedian Barry Humphries to the arrest of former US President Donald Trump and the federal budget helped fuel the increase, it said.

The report called out travel-related browsing in the month, given Easter and the school holidays, with 16.9 million Aussies aged 14 and above visiting a travel website or app in April.

Those in the 55-plus age bracket spent the most time browsing – 33% more than those under 55 – while women were more likely to use travel sites and apps than men. People aged 25 to 39 are the largest cohort engaging with travel content online.

(News.com.au)

News

Sydney Morning Herald is the country’s best-read masthead May 22, 2023

The Sydney Morning Herald has retained its position as Australia’s top masthead, with more readers across all platforms than any other over the 12 months to March this year.

Total News figures from the industry’s official data provider, Roy Morgan, showed 7.7 million people, or about one in three Australians, read the masthead. It puts the Herald ahead of its traditional NSW rival, the News Corp-owned Daily Telegraph, which has 3.98 million readers.

The Herald’s sister paper, The Age, cemented its place as the most-read Victorian masthead with 5.2 million readers, and the outlets’ Good Weekend magazine was the premier Saturday insert. It had an average print readership of 754,000 people, up 4 per cent for the quarter.

Print was a particular bright spot for this masthead, with the Monday to Friday newspaper recording 17 per cent growth year over year and quarterly growth of 4 per cent, taking its average readership per edition to 417,000. It marks the sixth consecutive quarter of growth for the physical newspaper, while the Sun Herald’s Sunday print edition was steady, up 1 per cent, to a readership of 423,000. In the last four weeks, an average of almost 1.9 million people read the printed paper.

The Herald and Age’s Good Food and Traveller titles had audiences of 1.49 million and 1.56 million, respectively, each month. Sunday Life had an average issue print readership of 419,000, and Domain defied a softening real estate market, seeing annual growth of 7 per cent and quarterly growth of 5 per cent, to record an average issue print readership of 537,000.

“I am proud of our team for achieving such a strong result, particularly given the challenging environment all publishers are finding themselves in right now,” Herald editor Bevan Shields said.

“The Herald continues to set the benchmark for quality journalism in Australia and I want to thank our subscribers and readers for their continued support for what we do.”

Roy Morgan’s data covers all news brands and digital news websites and tracks audiences on Apple News and Google News.

(The Sydney Morning Herald)

News

Financial Review most-read business masthead. By Sam Buckingham-Jones - May 22, 2023

The Australian Financial Review is the country’s most-read premium business masthead, reaching a print and digital audience of 3.5 million people, figures released by Roy Morgan show.

More than 1.1 million people read the print edition of the Financial Review over the past four weeks, and the masthead reported its third consecutive quarter of growth and a year-on-year increase of 6 per cent. The Australian suffered an annual drop of 17 per cent in print readership for the same period.

The Financial Review’s combined print and digital audience fell slightly from last quarter, from 3.6 million to 3.5 million, but the decline was smaller than rivals.

The AFR Weekend print edition readership grew 59 per cent, on the Roy Morgan figures, and 11 per cent in the last quarter. The weekend and weekday print editions have recorded their highest quarterly result since 2018.

The Australian Financial Review Magazine recorded a print readership of 481,000, after quarter-on-quarter growth of 12 per cent and annual growth of 14 per cent. This is AFR Magazine’s highest quarterly result since 2018.

“After the hit from COVID-19, it’s encouraging to see readers return to the newspaper edition of the nation’s premium business, finance and political publication,” said the masthead’s editor-in-chief, Michael Stutchbury.

“That’s an endorsement of the newsroom’s journalism, including our breaking and ongoing pursuit of the PwC tax scandal.

“At the same time, the Financial Review continues to hold the most digitally focused readership of any newspaper brand as we increase our share of that national market.”

Nine’s total publishing assets – including the Financial Review, nine.com.au, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WA Today, Domain Digital and more, reach a de-duplicated audience of 16.6 million Australians across print and digital.

ThinkNewsBrands, a group representing news publishers, says 16.5 million Australians read news each week and 20.6 million or 96 per cent of Australians read news each month.

The Total News readership figures are produced each quarter by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands.

(The Australian Financial Review)

First Nations Lottery

Profiles

Advertising Promotions Publicity Brands Marketing

Testimonials Contact Us

Media Man News

Promotions

Website network available for media, advertising and publicity campaigns via Media Man website network: Australia-wide and global opportunity

Website Reviews: Randwick City Council Beach Pollution website tested and usability study completed; Website reviewer and usability expert gun for hire

Promote your sports, extreme sports, combat sports, pro wrestling, MMA, surfing, eSports, gaming products via Media Man network

Sports management and sports business campaigns, and Media Management: Media Man Int and Media Man Australia

Major Online and Traditional Advertising, Publicity and Brand Sponsorships available via Media Man group; Media Man Int and Media Man Australia

Video Production promotions and media campaigns via Media Man Int and Media Man Australia

Product Placement opportunities via Media Man Network; Online and offline including short film, film and documentaries projects

Advertise and promote your business or brand with Media Man Int, Media Man Australia and Greg Tingle Promotions

Advertising Agencies enjoying success working with Media Man agency for both ads and creative campaigns: Media Man Int and Media Man Australia online showcase

Craig Rispin: Business Futurist and Innovation Expert

Bitcoin gaming, trading and casinos: Media, publicity and advertising opportunities via Media Man Int, Media Man Australia and Australian Sports Entertainment

Australian Sports Entertainment website: Advertising, Publicity, Promotions and News Coverage Opportunities

Australian websites for Australian based companies, brands and personalities

YouTube Channels via Media Man Website Network Undergoing Revamp; Unique Content On Established Network

Articles

Sports entertainment business approaching fever pitch down under in Australia; WWE, UFC others eying off major Australian sports stadiums; Potential sports betting opportunities; William Hill, Bet365, other sports betting and sports entertainment giants interested to secure naming rights to Australian horse racing and motorsport tracks?; Where there's smoke there's fire says insiders - February - March 2018

Personal technology on Media Man agency radar; Business ramping up across Sydney's eastern suburbs says Media Man agency; New breed of sports tech entrepreneurs U.S and global vision

Sports news media war intensifies; Sports Illustrated vs ESPN vs TMZ Sports vs Rolling Stone et al

American sports, entertainment and pop culture we love; Media Man Int and Media Man Australia top picks

Japanese companies and people popular with Australians; Where does China, Korea, Macau and the rest of the Orient rank with down under Australians?

Poker and online poker battles for industry supremacy heats up: Poker News Daily vs PokerNews.com on one front; World Series of Poker vs World Poker Tour vs Aussie Millions at Crown Melbourne and other start-ups

A Facebook for every season; Google getting googled by business and government

Multimedia

Over the Top Rope - Trailer - Documentary about World Championship Wrestling Australia
1964 - 1978

Bitcoin ATM. Cosmopolitan Hotel. Sydney, Australia (video)

PM Malcolm Turnbull addresses Google presented conference: Let's Put Our Businesses On The Map with Google. (Question by Greg Tingle - Media Man Australia and Media Man Int) video