Struggle Street to return
SBS has confirmed it has commissioned a second series of contoversial show Struggle Street, which will be filmed in locations in Queensland and Victoria.
The first season of the documentary series revealed life in Western Sydney suburb Mt Druitt. It courted controversy from the local community by portraying the suburb negatively, with some critics describing it as "poverty porn". During the series there was the story of an Aboriginal man who hunted wild birds with a slingshot for food, and another family who had to deal with an ice-addicted child.
SapientNitro to bring 'Avatar' to life
SapientNitro has signed a multi-year deal with James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Fox to crate a digital experience for the upcoming Avatar films.
According to AdWeek, the deal will see the agency start the project before the second film launches in 2018 and through the next four sequels, with a brief of bringing the fictional world of Pandora to life.
AOL’s new sales director
AOL has announced the appointment of Stephanie Famolaro as sales director Australia and New Zealand, a promotion from her previous role as head of platform sales for AOL Platforms. Her appointment further strengthens the gender balance in AOL’s leadership team in Australia and New Zealand, which includes attribution APC head of data Nikki Retallick and programmatic TV senior director Yasmin Sanders.
ANZ to offer Apple Pay for Australian customers
ANZ today announced it will offer Apple Pay to its five million customers in Australia. ANZ customers in Australia are now able to use Apple Pay to make quick purchases wherever contactless payments are accepted with either an ANZ Visa debit or credit card or an ANZ American Express credit card.
51% of eBay vote for gender pay equity
51.2 percent of eBay shareholders voted for a resolution calling for the tech giant to take action to close the gender pay gap. In response to the vote, the CEO of eBay promised to “fix” the situation at the company. EBay is the sixth of nine tech companies at the focus of gender pay equity resolutions, reflecting the major momentum building for tech companies to improve the treatment of women in the workplace.
Unlockd raises $15m in funding round
Australian startup, Unlockd, has closed a $15 million funding round, as the company looks to launch in the UK. Existing backers, such as Lachlan Murdoch, joined new investors including Swisse Wellness CEO Radek Sali and Carsales.com.au founder and CEO Greg Roebuck in the latest round of funding for the company, according to the AFR.
Unlockd allows consumers to watch advertising or sponsored content in exchange for credit which can be used to pay phone bills.
World's first DAB+ smart phone to launch in May
The radio industry is bracing for the lunch of the world's first DAB+ enabled smartphone, with the LG Stylus DAB+ set to launch in Australia from the start of May.
To promote the phone, participating radio stations will promote the phone with an extensive on air-marketing campaign from 9 May including listener give-aways for 250 handsets.
In addition, industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has developed a tailored interface for the smartphone, which allows listeners to enjoy digital radio alongside internet content.
CRA CEO Joan Warner says: “Now with the LG Stylus DAB+, radio stations will be able to deliver an even richer radio experience for listeners through the broadcast of visual content such as pictures and text about the track now playing, breaking new and web links.”
Woolworths renames liquor business
Woolworths is restructuring its liquor business under a new brand name, Endeavour Drinks Group. According to the Australian Financial Review, the new name, which will become official in June, is said to better reflect the needs of customers and vision of the business. However, the paper is speculating it could be a sign that Woolworths could be looking at selling off the business.
Stan rolls out pop-up to launch Wolf Creek
To celebrate the launch of the Stan Original series, Wolf Creek, streaming service will be opening two fully-immersive pop-up bars in Melbourne and Sydney. Bringing Wolf Creek’s rugged outback setting to the urban centres of Melbourne’s Federation Square and Sydney’s Martin Place, fans of the TV thriller will have the opportunity to take in all the sights and sounds of Wolf Creek Roadhouse, which is featured in the new series.
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