The year 2017 was dramatic, globally, locally and politically. It was a roller coaster in media and marketing too.
AdNews had some hard-hitting news stories this year, from revealing several Australian brands caught up in the YouTube brand safety saga, to investigating Facebook's overinflated metrics.
Our readers also enjoyed some lighter stories, such as The Bachelor coverage and Dove's breastfeeding ad uproar.
It kicked off with a bang in 2017 with the first radio ratings and all eyes were also on The Monkeys' first work from CrownBet. We brought back the Top Agency Rankings, which proved as popular as ever - as did interest in Pandora shutting down its Australian operations.
A media buyer's scathing assessment of Facebook's viewability also made the top 10.
Important articles that just fell outside of the top 10 include the AdNews investigation into Facebook reach inflation, a global exclusive that found Facebook claimed it reached 1.7 million more millennials in Australia than actually exist. The initial article and the follow up investigating global inflation claims fell just below the top 10; combined they would have made the top five.
Other high rating news articles include our Power 50 list and AdNews awards winners, Accenture's acquisition of The Monkeys, Cooper's Bible Society fiasco, Nike's first Aussie brand campaign, the Maxus and MEC merger announcement and the recent brand safety boycott over videos placed alongside inappropriate videos of children.
What the list below illustrates is that our readers like a broad mix of content from pieces about tent pole TV shows and our events coverage to stories about big brands in the market and hard-hitting industry news - it's about getting the balance right.
It also shows that negative headlines tend to attract more traffic. AdNews tries to take a constructive approach to our news agenda and how we frame important issues and will continue to do so, but there is a grain of truth in the old adage that readers tend to gravitate to negative news.
These were the most read stories of the year on AdNews:
1. First radio ratings of 2017
The first radio ratings of 2017 caused a stir as the industry had its first peak into how 2017 would play out on the airwaves.
2. Q&A: AdNews quizzes adman turned Bachelor Matty J
AdNews sat down with heartthrob Matty J to find out more about his background, being an influencer and how he got into the marketing industry.
3. Dove's 'severely misguided' breastfeeding campaign under fire
Skin care brand Baby Dove sparked backlash over its stance on public breastfeeding with a new advertising campaign that mums have described as "judgmental" and "appalling".
4. Australia's Top Agency Rankings revealed
Clemenger BBDO Melbourne topped the league as the most awarded Australian agency of 2016 in the AdNews Top 50 Australian Agencies Rankings.
5. Ten's gamble on a Biggest Loser reboot fails, show pulled from prime time
After consistently poor ratings, Network Ten has pulled the reboot of its weight loss reality TV program The Biggest Loser: Transformed off prime time and moved it to lunchtime viewing.
6. A 'new standard' in Aussie betting ads: The Monkeys' first work for CrownBet
Aussie actress Nicky Whelan and cricket legend Ricky Ponting starred in CrownBet's first work from The Monkeys.
7. Pandora hits stop on Australian operations
AdNews revealed that Pandora is to close its Australia and New Zealand operations.
8. Christmas ads 2017 round-up: Watch the festive best from around the world
AdNews takes a look at the best (and worst) holiday ads from around the world.
9. Media buyers warn Facebook viewability 'diabolical and horrible'
Media buyers described Facebook's viewability as “diabolical” with scores well below the MRC's viewability standard - a warning to marketers to tailor advertising to the platform.
10. Netflix slammed for 'worst product placement ever'
Spot the bad product placement.
Want more? See:
AdNews top 10 most read Industry Profiles of 2017
AdNews top 10 most read opinions of 2017
AdNews top 10 most read Young Gun profiles of 2017
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
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