Month: June 2024

NOVA Entertainment has launched a captivating new Smooth FM brand campaign that celebrates the unifying power of music.

Developed by creative agency The Hallway on Smooth FM’s new brand platform ‘Together in Music’, the campaign is spearheaded by a brand film that shows audiences that the music on Smooth FM is so unifying, not only does it transcend generations, genders, and borders – it transcends galaxies.

The film features a music-loving UFO appearing in the sky above a quiet suburban street, spreading joy and music to the residents below as the UFO tunes into Smooth FM’s frequency. Through this engaging visual narrative, we learn that the unifying power of Smooth FM has an even more profound reach that we ever imagined.

The choice of the timeless pop classic ‘We Built This City’ by Starship is a favourite of Smooth FM listeners and infuses a sense of familiarity for existing audiences and an opportunity for discovery for a new younger audience.

Adam Johnson, NOVA Entertainment’s Chief Growth Officer said, “’Together in Music’ says everything about the unifying power of the kind of music Smooth FM plays all day long, so it’s amazing to see this new positioning brought to life so powerfully by this campaign. Whilst ads from radio brands tend to follow a certain formula, we wanted this to be an ad like no other and I’m delighted with what the team have delivered.”

Dan Saunders, Creative Director at The Hallway said, “Adam challenged us to break the usual radio advertising formula and we were happy to oblige. It’s been a great collaboration and we’ve already proven that ‘Together in Music’ is a brand platform with intergalactic potential. The exciting question now is where shall we take it next?”

The film is directed by Australia’s most awarded television commercial director, Paul Middleditch, who has won over 300 awards during his career, including eight Cannes Lions awards.

Paul Middleditch said, “What an amazing project to lend my skills to as a dramatic and comic director. A wonderful script that demands cinematic expanse with a touch of craziness at the end of your driveway. That Starship track will never be the same. Loved it. So brave and great.”

The ‘Together in Music’ commercial will be screened nationally across TV, Cinema and Digital Video Channels. The campaign will be accompanied by comprehensive OOH activity showcasing another creative execution that delivers on the ‘Together in Music’ strapline. The creative titled ‘You. Me. Together in Music’ includes a series of key artist names accompanied by lifestyle images reflective of Smooth FM’s broad audience base who are united by the music.

Featuring a respected lineup of announcers, Smooth FM stations include Smooth FM 95.3 in Sydney, Smooth FM 91.5 in Melbourne and Smooth FM DAB+ stations in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, plus a range of era and mood-based DAB+ and streaming stations.

Watch the film here: Smooth FM – Together in Music 2024 Brand Film (vimeo.com)

Campaign credits:

Creative Agency: The Hallway

Production Company: Plaza Content

Director: Paul Middleditch

Executive Producer: Peter Masterton

Producer: Mel Weinman

Cinematographer: Daniel Ardilley

Post-Production: The Editors

Post Producer: Nicoletta Rousianos

Editor: Stu Morley

Colourist: Ben Eagleton

Online: Matt Edwards

UFO: Fanatic Films

VFX Supervisor: Russell Masters

Sound: Massive Music

Sound Producer: Luci Roe

Sound Engineer: Myles Lowe

Media: Carat, Sydney

NOVA Entertainment today announced the appointment of one of the industry’s most respected digital and ad tech execs, Esther Carlsen, to the role of Digital Commercial Director.

With over two decades of experience, Carlsen is uniquely positioned to drive continued momentum for NOVA Entertainment’s live and on-demand digital audio offering, ensuring advertisers can access a market-leading standard of digital product, service and capability.

Carlsen is the second significant digital ad executive appointment to senior commercial leadership positions in recent times, after Nicole Bence joined the business last year in the role of Chief Commercial Officer.

Says Bence of Carlsen’s appointment, “Audio is the fastest growing digital media in Australia and there are few executives better placed than Esther to capitalize on that opportunity. I’m confident she’ll play a critical role in continuing to drive the transformation and adoption necessary for us to not just keep pace but lead the market.”

Carlsen said, “I’m excited to be joining the NOVA team at such a pivotal point in their transformation, to become an all of audio business. After learning of the company’s vision, I believe my experience across both the buy and sell side will enable me to help clients unlock the full value of the growing audiences across the network.

“As the media landscape becomes more complex, I believe NOVA have a compelling offering that will help clients and agencies optimise their spend and maximise their reach and impact.”

Carlsen began her career as a sales leader across Yahoo7! and ninemsn, before leading Group M’s programmatic business unit, Xaxis in the role of MD. Carlsen went on to lead the local operation for consumer data business, Axciom, before leading the digital performance agency, Bench.

More recently, Carlsen worked as Commercial Director for Nine Digital Audio, and has built extensive knowledge across the digital audio data and product stack.

Continues Bence, “There is still a considerable gap between the share of audience audio currently represents, and the share of investment advertisers are committing to it. Esther’s appointment is critical to helping us close that gap, to the direct benefit of our clients and partners who we believe will become advocates for the positive campaign performance that audio – and specifically NOVA Entertainment – can deliver them.”

Carlsen starts today at NOVA Entertainment, based in Sydney and Warrane offices.

Hosted by beloved Melbourne broadcasters Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins and Lauren Phillips, next Friday’s launch date will treat Melbourne listeners to their first taste of the eagerly awaited new show, ahead of the Victorian Labour Day long weekend.

The three-hour debut show is set to be an exciting one, as the dynamic duo reunite to bring their unique blend of unbeatable chemistry, light-hearted humour and authenticity back to the Melbourne airwaves.

The hugely popular hosting team firmly established their place on Melbourne radio when they debuted their first show together in 2021, leading to record ratings figures when the show concluded at the end of 2023.

Jase and Lauren’s new home at Nova 100 was announced in early February, with the news attracting an overwhelmingly positive response from listeners.

Lauren Phillips said, “We’ve been genuinely overwhelmed by the response over the past few months and in particular the excitement of the last few weeks. No one is more excited to be back together and back on air than the two of us. We are counting down the minutes until next Friday. We’ve got plenty of stories to tell and lots of catching up to do. Melbourne, we are back and can’t wait to have a laugh with you.”

Jase Hawkins said, “The response from everyone has been overwhelming and we really appreciate it. It’s added a lot of pressure on that first show and those three hours of work, so I do feel we’ll need the weekend off to recover. Jokes aside, we are so pumped to have our dysfunctional family back together and we can’t wait to get on the air at Nova and catch up with everyone.”

Brendan Taylor, Group Programming Director for the Nova Network, said, “We’re so excited for Jase and Lauren to kick off their show next Friday. In their short time with us so far, they’ve settled in seamlessly with the Nova family and I know they’re going to bring their best show to listeners this year.”

The current Nova 100 Breakfast Show team Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton and Belle Jackson will wrap up their breakfast hosting duties on Thursday, March 7, before taking the reins of Nova’s new national show Late Drive with Ben, Liam and Belle from 6pm-8pm on Monday, March 11. Since joining NOVA Entertainment in 2020, the talented threesome has delivered some excellent results and are ready to take their unique content back to a national audience.

Smallzy’s Surgery will continue to broadcast across the country on weeknights – in a new timeslot of 8pm-10pm. Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small, one of Australia’s most accomplished music and entertainment broadcasters, has hosted Australia’s number one night show since 2012. Smallzy’s love of music and his unique relationships with some of the biggest artists in the world, combined with his extensive career in broadcasting, has produced some outstanding results for Nova.

From Friday, March 8:  

Jase & Lauren can be heard weekdays 6am to 9am on Nova 100 in Melbourne

From Monday, March 11:  

Late Drive with Ben, Liam & Belle can be heard weekdays from 6pm-8pm nationally on the Nova Network

Smallzy’s Surgery can be heard weekdays from 8pm-10pm nationally on the Nova Network

Listeners can also stream the shows live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the Nova Player.

NOVA Entertainment has announced the launch of a refreshed brand identity for FIVEAA, Adelaide’s premier commercial talkback station.

The forward-looking brand refresh reflects FIVEAA’s new lineup and vision, while paying homage to the station’s previous logo and rich heritage.

Built upon the new tagline of Always Adelaide, the new direction celebrates the ‘AA’ branding by evolving the positioning on from the previous Talking Adelaide strapline.

The new logo maintains the well-established brand colours of red, black and white but now features a more dynamic word mark and a speech box that helps provide a modern interpretation of FIVEAA’s proud history and position in the market.

Adam Johnson, Chief Growth Office for NOVA Entertainment said, “As FIVEAA looks to the future and is committed to serving the evolving needs of its audience, the brand refresh is a brilliant nod to the station’s enduring legacy, while bringing the brand’s identity into 2024 and beyond. ‘Always Adelaide’ and the associated ad campaign to launch it encapsulates FIVEAA’s continued commitment to Adelaide listeners. We researched the new direction heavily and the data suggest that current listeners love the new approach and that the new branding will also entice new listeners to the station.”

Craig Munn, Station Manager for FIVEAA said, “We’re extremely excited to reveal a fresh new look for FIVEAA that we believe aligns perfectly with our new, more contemporary station line-up. Led by our outstanding Breakfast Show in David & Will with the recent additions of Jade Robran, Graeme Goodings and Jess Adamson to the extended Breakfast team, Matthew Pantelis in Mornings, new recruit Stacey Lee in Afternoons, Rowey & Timmy G in Drive, Leith Forrest in Evenings and our entire content team, we’re excited about what the future holds for the station and excited to share the new FIVEAA with the people of Adelaide.”

The brand refresh will be applied to the digital identity of the brand including the FIVEAA Player app and FIVEAA website as well as on-air via station imaging. The new look & feel will also feature on a multiple heavyweight outdoor advertising campaigns and partnership signage around Adelaide.

FIVEAA is Adelaide’s only commercial talkback station. David Penberthy and Will Goodings host Adelaide’s favourite breakfast show for news and current affairs. Entertaining and credible, the team cover all the big, relevant stories making headlines locally, nationally and internationally.

With continuing partnerships with the AFL, Port Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide Strikers, Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Gluttony and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, amongst others FIVEAA leads the talk agenda in Adelaide.

The key weekday lineup is as follows:

• The Sports Wrap with Tom Rehn – 5.30am to 6.00am

• Breakfast with David Penberthy & Will Goodings – 6.00am to 9.00am

• Mornings with Matthew Pantelis – 9.00am to 12.00pm

• 7News Adelaide Bulletin on FIVEaa – 12.00pm to 12.30pm

• Conversations with Cornesy – 12.30pm to 1.30pm

• Afternoons with Stacey Lee – 1.30pm to 4.00pm

• Rowey and Timmy G – 4.00pm to 7.00pm

• Evenings with Leith Forrest – 7.00pm to 12.00am

Listeners can also stream the shows live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the FIVEAA Player. FIVEAA is Adelaide’s most streamed radio station, according to GFK radio ratings.

NOVA Entertainment has announced seasoned news and sports journalist Clint Stanaway will join Nova 100’s hotly anticipated new Melbourne breakfast show, Jase & Lauren as their resident newsreader.

The hugely popular Melbourne-born presenter was a key part of the team’s previous radio show and is set to reunite with Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins and Lauren Phillips for their eagerly awaited debut tomorrow, Friday March 8.

The announcement of Jase and Lauren’s new home at Nova 100 has attracted an overwhelmingly positive response from listeners and the addition of fan favourite Clint completes the lineup.

Clint Stanaway said, “I’m over the moon to be reuniting with Jase and Lauren here on our new Nova breakfast home. I’m pumped to be back behind the mic with my radio family and broadcasting again from my hometown. What a dream…here we go!”

Brendan Taylor, Group Programming Director for the Nova Network, said, “We’re very excited to have Clint join Jase and Lauren and to lock in such a key part of the show ahead of their launch tomorrow. Melbourne listeners know and love this trio and we can’t wait to get them back on air.”

As a highly experienced sports and news journalist, Clint has enjoyed many career highlights, including his current role as host of Weekend Today on the Nine Network. Clint’s quick wit, cheeky sense of humour, news expertise and enduring relationships with Jase and Lauren will be a welcome return to Melbourne breakfast radio.

From Friday, March 8,

Jase & Lauren can be heard weekdays 6am to 9am on Nova 100 in Melbourne.

Listeners can also stream the shows live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the Nova Player.

 

LiSTNR has been named an Honoree by the judging academy at the prestigious 28^th annual Webby Awards for Apps & Software – Best Streaming Service.

Earning the distinction of Webby Honoree, recognised by judging academy, the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, is a significant achievement and granted to only the top 25% of all work entered into the 28th Annual Webby Awards.

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honour” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organisation honouring excellence in digital media, content and innovation.

The Best Streaming Service category recognises mobile apps offering superior streaming services for audio and video content, including podcasts and radio; and filmed content, including music videos, news segments, television, sports, etc.

LiSTNR is Australia’s fastest growing digital audio destination, housing more than 900 podcasts, 100 Triple M and Hit radio stations, 25 music streaming stations, news, sport and information. It has nearly 1.9 million signed up listeners.

“Honorees like LiSTNR are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said Claire Graves, President of The Webby Awards. “It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 13,000 projects we reviewed this year.”

SCA Executive Head LiSTNR Product & Strategy, Chris Johnson, said: “This is a great achievement for LiSTNR given it is up against some global competitors like Apple Music and Spotify and that the app is only three years old. The Webby Awards are the top global accolade for the internet industry, so it’s a fantastic recognition for the entire LiSTNR team. We have recently launched our most significant app update since LiSTNR’s launch with new features, a new design and improved user experience, which has been really well received, so we are expecting big things for the next Webbys.”

LiSTNR today announced that Mick Molloy and Titus O’Reily’s podcast has expanded to become Bizarre with Mick Molloy and Titus O’Reily, featuring more episodes, more laughs, and more hilarious stories.

Following the ongoing success of the pair’s original Sports Bizarre podcast, Mick and Titus are expanding the format to now include an additional weekly episode called Animal Bizarre. With their trademark wit, banter, and storytelling, Mick and Titus will take listeners on a captivating journey through the animal kingdom as they share wonderful and wacky stories.

Mick Molloy said: “From seagulls who are too fat to fly, drunk echidnas, a crypto-investing hamster, racoons hell bent on disrupting a ‘gender reveal party’, and a bear who invaded a military base, every week we will be looking at the most bizarre stories from the animal kingdom.”

Titus O’Reily said: “We’ve been thrilled with the ongoing success of Sports Bizarre – and we will continue to find the weird stories from the sports world, but we’ve always wanted to branch out with other topics. When it comes to the stories we tell about animals, we are like David Attenborough if he didn’t fact check and had an incredibly poor understanding of wildlife.”

LiSTNR Original Podcasts Head of Entertainment and Culture, Sam Cavanagh, said: “We couldn’t be more excited that Mick and Titus are expanding their smash hit podcast Sports Bizarre. To be in the top 50 All Australian Podcasts Ranker* in less than 12 months is an incredible achievement.

“Mick and Titus have developed a winning format, and we can’t wait to hear the incredible, true stories of the animal kingdom brought to life by these Australian comedy legends.”

Bizarre with Mick Molloy and Titus O’Reily will feature two new episodes weekly on LiSTNR. The Sports Bizarreepisodes will continue to be released every Monday, and the Animal Bizarre episodes will be available each Wednesday.

Source: *Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 All Australian Podcasts – March 2024.

About LiSTNR:

LiSTNR is a curated and personalised, free app offering radio, podcasts, music, and news, creating a new audio destination for all Australians. Featuring a fun and intuitive onboarding process, LiSTNR delivers an audio destination that is built for individual listeners’ routines and preferences. Highly personalised, it provides listeners a new world of audio entertainment, with their own daily feed of audio and easy discovery of new content through curated recommendations. Available across a large array of devices including both iOS and Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant and Alexa and Android TV, LiSTNR enables a fantastic listening experience, anytime and anywhere. Open your Ears to a new world of audio – download the free app today. LiSTNR.com

 

Melbourne’s no. 1 FM Breakfast show, Fifi, Fev & Nick, is inviting listeners to join Melbourne’s biggest party in a new campaign that reinforces the trio’s strong connections with the hearts and minds of Melburnians.

The ‘Melbourne’s Biggest Party’ campaign brings to life the energy, fun and excitement of being a part of the show by listening to Fifi, Fev & Nick on The Fox.

Featuring a pimped up stretch limo, the trio rocking motorbikes and leathers and a party bus, with real listeners joining the party, the multi-million dollar campaign will run across TV, BVOD, cinema, socials, digital audio and out-of-home.

The commercial was filmed across multiple locations in Melbourne and aims to reinforce The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick as the city’s no. 1 FM Breakfast show. The soundtrack to the campaign is the ARIA-nominated dance track People Happyby up-and-coming Aussie producers KLP and Stace Cadet.

This year, Fifi, Fev & Nick are taking the show to every corner of Melbourne with its popular ‘Brekky in the Burbs’, bringing the biggest stars to the suburbs – from Steven Sanchez live from Sunbury, Delta Goodrem in Pakenham, Amy Shark in Mornington, The Wiggles in Epping to Guy Sebastian in Ringwood – and giving away massive prizes to Melburnians.

SCA Head of Hit Metro Content and The Fox Content Director, Amanda Lee, said: “Fifi, Fev & Nick have such a strong heritage in Melbourne and a deep connection and love for their audience. ‘Brekky in the Burbs’ has been the perfect way to further connect with their audiences on the ground. The team is Melbourne through and through and we know our listeners love the energy and fun they bring to Breakfast and this campaign reinforces our strong position here.”

SCA Head of Consumer Marketing, Naomi Gorringe, said: “Fifi, Fev & Nick on The Fox is the antidote to the daily grind and seriousness of the world. For three hours every weekday morning, listeners can escape the mundane and their worries and jump into a place where it’s pure fun and frivolity.

“This campaign brings that energy to life with Melbourne’s biggest party and a soundtrack to match. It is a great way to celebrate Melbourne’s most listened to radio show.”

The campaign, which went to air last night, can be viewed here: Fifi, Fev & Nick on The Fox – Melbourne’s Biggest Party on Vimeo.

LiSTNR today announced a second season of the successful 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers podcast with host Davina Smith to loudly explore the often silent truth of perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).

For many parents, pregnancy and the first year of parenthood can be a challenging and overwhelming time, but for one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers, those bad days become the norm when they are experiencing PNDA.

The Gidget Foundation Australia has once again partnered with LiSTNR to shine a light on those affected with season two of 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers.

Nine News presenter Davina Smith and her husband Mark gave birth to their daughter Rose in 2016. The isolation of being away from family and friends and with their baby daughter experiencing reflux and food allergies, along with sleep deprivation, saw Davina diagnosed with PNDA after several months.

In season two of the podcast, Davina, who is now a Gidget Foundation ambassador, will provide listeners with raw and honest accounts from some of the one in five mothers and one in ten fathers living with PNDA. Paired with expert insights from psychologists and counsellors in the field, this podcast explores the realities of parenthood, breaks down the stigma surrounding perinatal mental health, and gives parents the tools on how and when to seek support.

Special guests this season include Ellidy Pullin, the host of LiSTNR’s Darling, Shine!, who tragically lost her husband, mother of triplets and Director of the Australian Multiple Birth Association Silje Andersen-Cooke, solo mum Alexandra Collier, mental health educator Kylianne Farrell, and experts including Dr Daniel Golshevsky from the Dr Golly and the Experts podcast, and clinical psychologist Dr Erin Seeto, among others.

Gidget Foundation Australia was established 23 years ago to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care. Gidget was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who tragically took her own life while experiencing postnatal depression, a diagnosis that she kept to herself.

1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers host, Davina Smith, said: “I’m so honoured to help share the stories of these wonderful parents in the second series of the podcast. Last year we spoke to families who faced a perinatal anxiety or depression diagnosis. This year is a little different. It’s a tool kit for parenting, inspiration for when the Hollywood script of having a baby doesn’t run exactly to plan – when does it ever though? We offer practical tips to guide you through those challenges, easy things you can incorporate into your busy, crazy, challenging, unique, colourful, and frustrating new life as a parent.

“My greatest fear when I was very sick with PNDA was I was failing, and I was all alone. Through these stories we prove you are not alone. We all feel it, being a parent is tough. During recording, I laughed and cried, every parent we spoke to hitting a nerve and helping me now even in my parenting journey. I hope listeners like me will be empowered and supported by these deeply personal stories.”

Gidget Foundation Australia Marketing Director, Alicia Yelavich, said: “At Gidget Foundation Australia, we hope to ensure that all parents know they are not alone, and that support is available to them when needed. Our podcast alike shares carefully curated stories to demonstrate that every parent’s journey is unique and that no two experiences are the same. In season two, we delve deep into some taboo topics that come with pregnancy and the newborn phase, such as IVF, grief and loss, and single parenting. It is our hope that listeners will find comfort and connection in these honest stories and take away some helpful tips from our experts.”

LiSTNR Senior Executive Producer, Branded Podcasts, Todd Stevens, said: “This latest season of the podcast builds on the foundations created in season one where stories of PNDA and coping strategies were discussed and takes it further by unpacking the vast array of challenges that parents face, and the impact that these challenges can have on mental and overall health.

“Covering topics ranging from solo parenting to the nuances of raising neurodivergent children, and the unique intricacies of parenting triplets, these personal stories and the roundtables that follow them will offer valuable insights to anyone undergoing their own parenting journey. LiSTNR is proud to partner with the Gidget Foundation to discuss such an important topic.”

Launching today, 1 May, 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers will have eight episodes in season two, released fortnightly every second Wednesday. Listen here on LiSTNR.

The Hit Network today announced Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris will be taking over the Hit Network’s regional Afternoon shift from Monday, 6 May.

Pez knows a thing or two about radio with a career spanning over 15 years, working in Townsville, Adelaide, Western Australia and most recently, Newcastle. Now, Pez will take over the national regional shift that broadcasts across most of Australia from Hobart to Broome and Albany to Cairns. He will host the program from SCA’s Gold Coast studio.

Pez said: “After spending the last decade achieving some massive personal and professional goals in Newy, I’m excited to be entering the next phase of my radio journey by joining the amazing team on the GC.

“A big thankyou to every single person in the Newcastle team who has made the last 10 years some of the best – now bring on sunny Queensland!”

SCA Head of Content – Regional, Blair Woodcock, said: “We’re so excited to have Pez across the country on the Hit Network. Over the last 15 years, Pez has shown he’s got the creativity and the enthusiasm to nail this role and we can wait to watch him!”

Listen to Pez weekdays 12-3pm from Monday, 6 May across the regional Hit Network and LiSTNR.

 

About The Hit Network

The Hit Network is Australia’s biggest radio network broadcasting across metro and regional markets with a unique collection of 50 FM and DAB+ stations. The Hit Network targets people aged 25 – 54, skews female and features a mood focused, ‘feel great’ pop music format alongside the most entertaining local breakfast and national drive shows. It is home to popular personalities including Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola, Nick Cody, Ed Kavalee, Dave Hughes, Erin Molan, Abby Coleman, Matty Acton, Stav Davidson and many more.

The Hit Network entertains more than 6 million Aussie radio listeners across B105, 2Day, The Fox, SAFM, Mix94.5, Sea FM, 41 Hit stations plus DAB+ stations including Oldskool 90s Hits, Buddha Hits, Oldskool 80s Hits, RnB Fridays Radio and Dance Hits. All Hit Network’s content is also available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.