17 December 2025

In this week's Mumbrellacast, our hosts discuss the latest leader movements at ARN; Christian O'Connell's introduction to Sydney; the media coverage of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack; and the biggest developments in AI this year.

Join Nathan Jolly, Tim Burrowes, Cat McGinn and Abe Udy for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.

10 December 2025

Thanks to Earmax Media for sponsoring this episode, click the link HERE to see their maximum impact podcast advertising campaigns or email them directly at [email protected].

On this week's Mumbrellacast, the hosts discuss the newly arrived social media ban for teens, communications minister Anika Wells' expense account, AI assistants having a bad week, the media fight surrounding Warner Brothers Discovery, and Mumbrella turning 17.

Join Nathan Jolly, Tim Burrowes and Abe Udy for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.

3 December 2025

Thanks to Earmax Media for sponsoring this episode, click the link HERE to see the latest maximum impact podcast advertising campaigns or email them directly at [email protected].

On this week's Mumbrellacast Tim Burrowes, Hal Crawford, Nathan Jolly and host Abe Udy unpack the 2026 upfront presentations, which started with SBS, wrapped with ABC, and saw ARN get involved for the first time.

26 November 2025

Thanks to Earmax Media for sponsoring this episode, click the link HERE to see maximum impact podcast advertising campaigns or email them directly at [email protected].

In the latest episode of the Mumbrellacast, the hosts discuss the final radio ratings survey of the year; Mutinex declaring that it will only work with technology platforms that uphold “transparency, independence, and the best interest of the advertiser"; Roblox's CEO David Baszucki and his trainwreck interview with a New York Times podcast; and the latest developments in the merger of IPG and Omnicom.

Join Hal Crawford, Tim Burrowes, Nathan Jolly, Eleanor Dickinson and Abe Udy for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.

19 November 2025

This week, radio industry body CRA launched its unified audio ID for buying and selling ad inventory across podcasts and radio.

We also discuss the fallout between Nielsen and its long-time leader in this part of the world, Monique Perry, who has been sacked and is now suing the analytics company for unfair dismissal.

Elsewhere, we chat to IAB's global CEO Anthony Katsur, and look at which Australian reality TV shows got the biggest audiences for their finales in 2025.

Join Nathan Jolly, Eleanor Dickinson, Tim Burrowes and Abe Udy for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.

17 November 2025

In this special episode of the Mumbrellacast, Tim Burrowes sits down with Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) boss, Lizzie Young, to discuss CRA's Audio ID launch, expensive legal battle with the music industry, and more.

12 November 2025

It's Wednesday evening, which means it's time to pour yourself a glass of warm popcorn, fire up your wireless, and settle into another episode of the Mumbrellacast.

After splashing out an estimated $1.5 million on its first-ever upfront presentation late last month to tout the future of its 'entertainment' company, this morning ARN provided the market with a sobering financial update, forecasting a full-year earnings drop of between 25% and 27%.

On Monday morning, Amanda Laing, the newly minted boss of Nine's streaming and broadcast arm, informed nervous staffers that approximately 50 roles in her division will be made redundant -- some people will be redeployed elsewhere, but contractual roles will not be renewed, and some empty positions slated to be filled will remain empty.

Elsewhere, on the Mumbrellacast, we discuss how M+C Saatchi's future has suddenly become unsteady, and it's all because of pesky activist investor Harwood Capital, which recently increased its stake in M+C Saatchi from 3.6% to 4%.

This week also saw the relaunch of Big Brother, which started in 2001 on Ten, was revamped by Nine in 2012, then resuscitated by Seven in 2020. As they say, fourth time's a charm, and Ten have stripped the show back to its essence: chaotic live TV with every chance of nudity, bawdy language, unbridled fighting, and housemate boredom.

Join Nathan Jolly, Eleanor Dickinson, Tim Burrowes and Abe Udy for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.

In this special episode of the Mumbrellacast, Tim Burrowes sits down with Paramount Australia's Beverley McGarvey, Rod Prossor, and Tamara Simoneau to talk about the network's future plans under a new owner, the death of Think TV, Rebecca Gibney's game show mode - and whether they'll punt for the NRL.

In this week's Mumbrellacast, Hal Crawford, Tim Burrowes, Nathan Jolly, Eleanor Dickinson and Abe Udy dig into the new legislation that will require streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, dedicate 10% of their total local expenditure to Australian content.

You can get up to speed with the proposed law here.

Isn't it great: Australian screen production just won a $300m+ lottery

Meanwhile, 'tis the season for Christmas campaigns and Woolworths launched its 2025 platform using last year's creative. Eleanor asks whether the move is really all about saving money, and notes that arch rival Coles Christmas campaign dropped today.

The hosts also observe that Coke's current Christmas TVC, generated entirely by AI, is severely zoologically challenged ...

Finally, Southern Cross Austereo and Seven West Media's proposed merger was given a thumbs up by advisors yesterday. So, why is investor Sandon Capital mad? Tim and Hal analyse the situation.

29 October 2025

In this week's Mumbrellacast, Hal Crawford, Tim Burrowes and Nathan Jolly discuss ARN's packed upfront. Having taken over the Star Casino in Sydney, the radio network announced a slew of new content. Check out Nathan's breakdown here.

Yesterday, leaders of the Australian publishing industry gathered for Mumbrella's Publish conference. Nicholas Gray, News Corp Australia's MD and publisher of The Australian and Prestige, took to the stage with Mumbrella's Hal Crawford to discuss a range of topics, including AI, the News Media Bargaining Code, and News Corp's culture. The session is included in full.

Join Hal Crawford, Tim Burrowes and Nathan Jolly for a look at everything under Australia's media and marketing umbrella.