KFC reviews media in US
Fast food giant KFC has begun the hunt for a new media agency in the US with incumbent MEC opting to sit out the review. The Yum Brands chicken chain spends about US$219 million on media each year. AdAge reports the pitch is being driven by cost and includes media buying and planning across all channels. AdNews can confirm this has no bearing on the Australian market and KFC Australia's relationship with its agency MediaCom, as agreements are worked out on a local basis.
Media Thursdays this week - RSVP now
Get your RSVPs in now for the next Media Thursday event, this 15 September at 630pm. It's set to be a big night with the final of the Media DJs competition and the last session of the year at the Burdekin Rooms in Darlinghurst. After battling it out for months, mixing incredible sets and getting media people on the dancefloor, the final will feature North Shore FM's Sophie Lewicki, OMD's Cody Prendergast, Starcom's Sasha Krajnc, Safe and Sound's Sébastien Fava-Verdé, HM Communications Group's Kat Camrass and Shopper Media's Michael Callan. Don't miss out - RSVP now at sydneymediathursdays@gmail.com
Biggest Loser to return without Michelle Bridges and Commando
Network Ten is bringing back the The Biggest Loser next year without two of its biggest names, fitness gurus Michelle Bridges and Steve “Commando” Willis. The show, which focuses on transforming the lives of unhealthy individuals, was not broadcast this year after two seasons of flailing ratings. The revamped program will feature leading trainer Shannan Ponton and Libby Babet and will take advantage of advancements of health and fitness as well as an increased emphasis on nutrition. Commando has acknowledged his exit on Twitter, retweeting "You guys will be missed". According to an article in The Sunday Telegraph Bridges and Commando “opted not to take part in the latest season”, but said it was an honour to be a part of the series.
Could Shane Warne be getting his own TV show?
Shane Warne is tipped to hit the small screen, with a report in the Daily Telegraph indicating that Channel Seven is very close to finalising a deal for a mini-series about the life and many, many loves of Shane Warne. Nine have expressed an interest in the show as a possible sequel to the ratings winner that was Howzat! Kerry Packer's War, but per the latest reports, Seven are looking likely to close the deal, pending a Screen Australia funding decision this week. While Warnie become famous for his cricket career, it's his romantic life that has kept him in the headlines and that will play a major part in the series, particularly his rocky relationship with actress Liz Hurley.
In other Warnie news, the Australian celeb has just launched a range of emojis - #WarnieMojis.
Marketo MD exits, Bill Binch returns
Marketing software firm Marketo's MD Greg Taylor has been replaced by Bill Binch. Taylor had been at the helm for one year. Binch will lead Marketo's activities in Australia and New Zealand and will be responsible for overall business operations across the region. Previously he served as senior vice president, Worldwide SMB Sales, where he was “instrumental in building Marketo”. During his tenure, Marketo’s customer base grew from 27 in 2008 to more than 4,000 in 2016. His new role will assist in expanding the company’s regional presence across both sales and marketing.
More eyes on OOH
The national audience for out of home advertising has increased 2.8% year on year, according to the 2016 update of the Outdoor Media Association's Move data. It is the sixth successive year of growth reaching 20.3%. That means there are 2000,000 more people in out of home environments each day, allowing outdoor billboard sites to reach up to 12.4 million people daily, according to the OMA. Charmaine Moldrich, CEO of the OMA, says: “This primal urge to ‘survive and thrive’ means we are hard wired to scan our environments for events that impact us, or that are linked to our goals and interests. Brands, agencies and media owners all share the same goal – to grab the attention of their audiences – and the 2016 update proves that if you want eyes, then OOH is a clear winner."
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