BotD: Optus joins the HumAIn lineup; WeAre8 shuts its doors in Oz; Emirates up for grabs
Welcome to Best of the Day, on the day that WeAre8 threw in the towel on its Australian operation; The Hugh Marks era began at the ABC and Emirates called a media pitch.
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Optus to share AI insights at HumAIn
Cat McGinn, curator of humAIn, writes:
We can today announce our first case study session for our AI event for the media and marketing industry humAIn. Cam Luby, head of consumer marketing at Optus, will share real-world insights from years of testing and refining AI-driven solutions - from enhancing customer experiences, streamlining workflows, and unlocking data-driven insights.
Joining Luby are Matt Farrugia, co-founder, and Grace Gilbert, marketing scientist, both from Mutinex, for a discussion on when gen AI works, when it doesn’t, and how to find the "sweet spot" where it accelerates smarter decision-making.
Early bird tickets for humAIn are on sale until 25 March.
The day today: WeAre8 closes local operation; Hugh Marks’ first day at the ABC; News Corp moves on from Foxtel
WeAreLate
WeAre8, the social media platform that makes a business model of non-toxicity, said it was closing its Australian operation two-and-a-half-years after launching into the market.
Hugh Marks, set, go
The new managing director of the ABC, Hugh Marks, began his first day in the role with an all-staff email telling employees there’s never been a better time to work for the organisation.
News Corp gets ready
News Corp prepared to kick off its 2026 Upfronts-style roadshow D_Coded with a new approach to video, as the company prepared for life without owning Foxtel Group.
Kenty goes primetime
Former News Corp journalist Paul Kent launched his own rugby league-led podcast, Kenty Prime Time. Kent left his previous role after a widely reported episode of pub biffo. He told Mediaweek: “I just think it’s a way that I can make money and move forward at the same time.”
Emirates up for grabs
Airline Emirates has put its $200m global media account - held by IPG Mediabrands agency UM - up for pitch. B&T reports that Australia is included in the process.
The next MAFS?
Endemol Shine Australia is pitching new reality format The Insider. A reboot of Japanese gameshow Actors Vs Reactors, The Australian quoted ESA CEO Peter Newman: “Combining the thrill and addictiveness of strategic gameplay with explosive laugh-out-loud excitement, this hysterical genre-busting show promises surprises, deception, celebrities, comedy and sleuthing – perfect ingredients for a universal travelling hit.”
Unmade Index kicks off the week directionless
The Unmade Index started the week almost flat, with five media and marketing stocks sinking and four improving.
Seven West Media had the worst day, falling 3.1% to land on a market capitalisation of $239m, the company’s lowest number in two months. Fellow TV stock Nine lost 1.6% to land on a market cap of $2.5bn, its worst position since CoStar announced its bid to buy Domain three weeks ago..
Vinyl Group did best, improving by 9.4%.
The Unmade Index lost 0.1% to land on 550.8 points
Time to leave you to your evening.
We’ll be back with more for Unmade’s paying members tomorrow morning. I’ll be conducting a postmortem on WeAre8’s decision to close its Australian operation.
Have a great night.
Toodlepip…
Tim Burrowes
Publisher - Unmade + Mumbrella
tim@unmade.media
