Opinion

Opinion 11 Jun 2025 -

Big bang theory: WPP breaks up, private equity-backed David Droga, Brian Lesser lead unlisted media and combined creative-digital groups – relist at Trade Desk multiples?

By Paul McIntyre - Executive Editor

Almost anything could and is happening in the combusting global media and marketing services sector. Warner Bros. Discovery just announced it would break in two, creating a future-focused streaming and content business and a legacy operation in traditional TV. After WPP’s global CEO Mark Read announced on Monday he was stepping down, let’s entertain some high-level spit balling well underway at the top echelons of industry about what next could look like. Consider this.

Opinion 23 Apr 2025 -

‘Google’s break-up has just begun’: US court rules Google an online ad monopoly, ‘willfully’ damaged publishers, gamed advertisers; third party cookie cull reversed – they’re staying

By Ricky Sutton - Founder, Future Media

Yesterday Google announced it was reversing its position on sunsetting third party cookies after the global ad industry spent four years preparing for a new privacy-compliant regime. Now third party cookies are staying. More on that in tomorrow’s edition. First to last week’s US District Court ruling by Judge Leonie Brinkema in a benchmark case brought by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). Google, Judge Brinkema said, was liable for “willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power” in advertising exchanges and ad servers, allowing it to secretly manipulate pricing and demand and use its market power to block publishers attempting to find alternative tech. Google has already said it will appeal – it has 30 days to give notice – but Future Media’s Ricky Sutton says Google’s online advertising and infrastructure supremacy is about to be busted.

Opinion 30 Sep 2024 -

To break through the adoption barrier, Australia's biggest companies must lead the charge on Gen AI governance

By Lucio Ribeiro and Vijay Solanki

Generative AI (Gen AI) is reshaping industries at a breakneck pace, unlocking new efficiencies, driving innovation, and transforming how businesses operate. While startups are often seen as the fast-moving adopters of AI, it is large corporations that must play a critical role in leading the charge on Gen AI governance.

Opinion Library

IWD Special 7 Mar 2022 - 3 min read

Let’s swap out Ben for Jane – ‘we can’t show the imbalance’

By Anonymous - Agency Executive

In this anonymous piece, a highly placed female agency exec says the pendulum has swung too far the other way – the industry is in danger of discriminating against men.

IWD Special 7 Mar 2022 - 5 min read

Ballbreakers versus victims: Why powerful women must solve a crisis of confidence, help others – and refuse to work for those that don't get it

By Amber Collins - CMO, Australia Post

"When I resigned from Coles, there was a dust cloud as three male colleagues bolted to apply for my job. But the most qualified person – a woman – was waiting to be tapped on the shoulder," says Australia Post CMO Amber Collins. Likewise Susan Coghill at Tourism Australia. Collins has been criticised for suggesting women lack men's confidence. But she's doing something about it, and won't work for, or hire, anyone who doesn't pull in the same direction. While men might be unsure of holding open doors for women, female leaders should be the last people metaphorically closing the door for others.

Opinion 11 Oct 2021 - 5 min read

Advertising’s dopamine doomsday: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce warns Instagram, Facebook ‘your time is over. We are going to do something [before the next Federal election]’

By Paul McIntyre - Executive Editor

By May next year, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms could be far more expensive for advertisers and have less user targeting scope than they’ve enjoyed for a decade. The odds for a doomsday social media scenario for advertisers, large and small, just increased dramatically – the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are mad.

Covid: One year on 12 Apr 2021 - 2 min read

I lost my job in Covid. The uncertainty taught me how to help others more

By Sergio Brodsky Founder and Principal - SURGE + Marketing Academy Alumni

When Sergio Brodsky was suddenly unemployed, he did what he knew best: helped others manage the pandemic. He says it taught him three important lessons about marketing.

Covid: One year on 12 Apr 2021 - 4 min read

Samsung Head of Brand Marketing: ‘Say what you want about Millennials and Gen Z – they taught me how to lead well in a crisis’

By Hayley Walton, Head of Brand Marketing - Samsung + Marketing Academy Scholar, 2021

Samsung’s Hayley Walton was four months into the job when Covid hit. It’s taught her success isn’t defined exclusively by achieving business objectives but also human connection. And that her younger colleagues won’t get the credit they deserve for making her a better leader.

Covid: One year on 12 Apr 2021 - 2 min read

In lockdown the government pushed hard on digital regulation — we need to be educated on the impacts

By Andrea Martens CEO - ADMA

When everyone was chained to a computer at home in 2020, ADMA was busy making their courses remote and accessible, Andrea Martens says. But the regulatory wheels were moving quickly, and education should be an important part of the 2021 recovery.

Covid: One year on 12 Apr 2021 - 3 min read

‘All advertising will become digital and programmatic’; e-commerce critics banished

By Peter Barry, Regional Director ANZ and Head of Audience APAC - PubMatic

Covid wore down many ardent critics of everyday e-commerce, Peter Barry says. And if you’re looking for an upside, 18 of the 30 companies currently in the Dow Jones Industrial Index were started in downturns. Read on.

Covid: One year on 12 Apr 2021 - 4 min read

Why getting teams back to the office works: OMG CEO Peter Horgan

By Peter Horgan, CEO - Omnicom Media Group ANZ

Within 48 hours in March 2020, Peter Horgan went from a Hunter Valley fundraiser to discussing an impending Covid economic collapse. He says the disruption has meant more exco meetings, more strategic planning and projects, and greater focus on getting people back to the office

Covid: One year on 9 Apr 2021 -

Publicis Sapient APAC MD Emma Scales: Jury still out on hybrid work state; enabling staff to disconnect from work is crucial for sustainability

By Emma Scales, Managing Director APAC - Publicis Sapient

We are yet to quantify the productivity impacts of hybrid work, says Emma Scales. For it to remain sustainable, staff must be enabled to disconnect from their work, so they can reconnect with their families. Imbalances around gender, share of voice, and ability to contribute also demands new operating mindsets from leaders.