BotD: More adland green shoots but SWM takes ASX hit; Change at the top for SXSW Sydney; Poppy Reid's next gig
Welcome to Best of the Day, on a data-driven start to the week with SMI’s January numbers offering reason for cautious optimism, and Nielsen releasing its ranking of the top advertisers in 2024. In people moves, the boss of SXSW Sydney moved on, and Poppy Reid popped back up.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to an Unmade membership, this is the perfect time. Your membership includes:
A complimentary ticket to all of Unmade’s events, including HumAIn (6 May 2025), REmade (23 Sept), Unlock (Oct 2025), and Compass Australia (Nov 2025)
Member-only content and our paywalled archives;
Your own copy of Media Unmade.
SWM stocks take a 5.7% smack
Seven West Media stocks took a hit today, with the company losing 5.7% to land on a market capitalisation of $253m.
There was no obvious explanation for the big swing, with no fresh announcements to the ASX from SWM. Television rival Nine was up by 0.3% to $2.6bn. Among the audio broadcasters, ARN Media was up by 0.8% while Southern Cross Austereo was down by 0.7%.
The wider ASX All Ordinaries was up by 0.9% today.
The Unmade Index was almost flat, dipping by 0.2% to land on 559.1 points.
The day: SMI optimism as Harvey Norman tops advertisers and SXSW Sydney chief departs
More green shoots from SMI
New numbers from Guideline SMI covering advertising spend by media agencies in January offered more evidence that Australia’s advertising market has stabilised.
Compared to the same time a year ago, SMI said spend was down by just 5%, Belatedly updated bookings by agencies could see the final number move into positive territory. In another win for Boomtown, SMI said that regional media is outperforming metro.
Colin Daniels steps down from SXSW
Colin Daniels, who led culture conference SXSW’s push into Sydney in 2023, stepped down as managing director of the TEG-owned business. He will be replaced by joint MDs Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman. SXSW Sydney returns in October.
Hazel McGuire to lead Intrepid Travel marketing
Intrepid Travel named Hazel McGuire as chief marketing officer, following the promotion of Leigh Barnes to a US role.
Foxtel quadruples down on golf
Foxtel Group added the US Masters to its suite of golf rights, alongside US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship .
Poppy rides again
Former Brag Media editor-in-chief Poppy Reid revealed she has teamed up with money man Steve Grace to launch podcast company Curious Media.
Harvey Norman tops Australian ad spend
Harvey Norman topped Australian ad spending in 2024. According to AdNews, Nielsen Ad Intel estimated the following ranking:
Harvey Norman
McDonald’s
Woolworths
Amazon.com
Reckitt
Hungry Jack’s
Chemist Warehouse
Toyota
Coles
KFC
Time to leave you to your evening. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.
Have a great night.
Toodlepip…
Tim Burrowes
Publisher Unmade + Mumbrella
tim@unmade.media
