AAP Medianet - 22 November 2018

 

November 22, 2018

Welcome to this week's AAP Medianet newsletter featuring notable career moves and publication changes in the media industry, our Editor's pick for news release of the week and upcoming events. 

This Week's Media Movements

 

2GB’s Alan Jones returned to air this week after spending time in Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital recovering from crippling back pain.

Free TV Australia chairman, Harold Mitchell, has resigned from his position following recent allegations of corporate misconduct during his time as a board member at Tennis Australia. Harold was the founder of Mitchell & Partners and previously was the executive chairman of Aegis Media Asia Pacific.

Former Labor politician Sam Dastyari is currently the fill-in host for Triple M’s Nightshift. Sam is covering for regular host Luke Bona who is on a two-week break starting Monday 19th November. Sam was previously a regular on KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O show where he took listeners behind the inner workings of Australian politics.

Dan Wilkie has returned to Business News as an associate editor. Dan was previously chief-of-staff and journalist at Business News for over eight years before leaving in 2017 to join Australia China Business Review as editor-in-chief.

SBS has announced TV veteran Noni Hazlehurst >will host a new documentary series called My Family Secret which is expected to explore the complex multicultural history of everyday Australians.

Paul Bevan has announced he is retiring from hosting Drive at ABC Newcastle. Paul began his radio career in 1986 and has presented the afternoon Drive program for the past eight years. Paul's last show will be on 14th December. 

Scott Menz is the new music director at Brisbane's Triple M. Scott was most recently the executive producer for Triple M's The Big Breakfast with Marto, Robin & The Moonman. His earlier roles in radio include assistant music director at Nova 100 FM, and content director and music director for Central Coast's Star 104.5.

Editor's Pick: Press Release of the Week...

Three tips to protect your pet ahead of a disaster 

        

      
 






 

 Image: World Animal Protection  

Summer is fast approaching and along with it comes the threat of bushfires, floods and tropical cyclones. World Animal Protection is encouraging people to be prepared by planning ahead – and they have disaster packs available to help our beloved pets.

Read full story

Media Spotlight

Cynthia Wang, Features Editor at TV WEEK 
Cynthia Wang - TV WeekCynthia Wang is a features editor at TV WEEK and TV WEEK Close Up. Born near Baltimore, Maryland, Cynthia received a Bachelors of Science in Journalism at Northwestern University. She then worked for People Magazine for 18 years as an entertainment writer, reporter and editor. Cynthia moved to Sydney at the end of 2011, where she freelanced for WHO Magazine, AdNews and Empire before becoming a senior writer at WHO Magazine. Cynthia wishes she could be a guest programmer for Rage. Her Twitter handle is @peowang.

Before working in Australia, you spent over 18 years at People Magazine. How does entertainment journalism in the US compare to Australia?
In regards to covering entertainment personalities and product (film, TV, music, games, etc), US reporters and writers have to work with many more layers of publicity to get a story. It seems more streamlined in Australia. Another difference is in the US, most entertainment reporters, like their counterparts on other beats, received a degree in journalism from a four-year college or university.

What do entertainment journalists look for in a press release?
For me, I love the five Ws and in this order: When, Who, What, Where and Why. When - so we know if we can make the deadline, and if not, the rest is of little use. Who - so we get a sense of the access and voice being offered. What - so we get a sense of the project being pitched. Where - so we can determine if it’s something that can be covered in person or on the phone. Finally Why - so we can hear the rep’s take on the story. Related to all this is relevance. When I worked at People, our mission statement was “to tell the ordinary stories of extraordinary people, and the extraordinary stories of ordinary people”. If the pitch didn’t fit that, I couldn’t consider it.

In what ways have you seen entertainment journalism influence the industry in Australia?
Covering entertainment goes beyond glitzy shows and celebrity profiles. #MeToo stories, and pieces or profiles related to gender and diversity parity, can shake up the status quo, advocate for positive change and shine a light on difficult issues.

What has been your most memorable celebrity interview and why?
Interviewing a shy, young Jay-Z for his first-ever People Magazine profile in 1999. It took place at a small flat in Fort Lee, New Jersey. He spoke quietly, sitting at the foot of his bed and staring at a large-screen television the whole time. But when the interview ended, he thanked me quite sincerely and then turned his attention to his friend’s son, who had come over to visit. Playing with him, Jay-Z broke into a big smile himself. It’s a sweet memory.

Upcoming Media Events

Walkley Awards 2018Indigenous Governance Awards
Thursday 22nd November, Brisbane
The annual awards recognising and rewarding excellence in journalism. With 33 categories the awards cover all media including print, television, radio, photographic and online media.

Kaldor Centre Conference 2018
Friday 23rd November, Sydney
Anne C Richard, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration will be the keynote speaker for the event. Anne will discuss how the US-Australia agreement to resettle Manus and Nauru refugees was reached and how people seeking asylum are currently faring under the Trump Administration.

Indigenous Governance Awards 2018 (pictured above)
Friday 23rd November, Melbourne
The Indigenous Governance Awards, held by Reconciliation Australia, celebrates and promotes effective Indigenous governance by sharing success from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations. 

The Duke of York to visit The University of Western Australia
Friday 23rd November, Perth
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, will visit The University of Western Australia to learn about the University’s project to build the world’s biggest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), in Western Australia and southern Africa. 

Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights (pictured left)
Saturday 24th November, Melbourne
Now in its 21st year, this is the largest free Christmas festival in Victoria where families can enjoy entertainment including Santa’s grand arrival, parades, fireworks and the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree.

'Give a Dog a Bone Keep Kitty Happy' Christmas Appeal
Sunday 25th November, Sydney
Launched this year at the Casula Power Station, the Christmas appeal distributes donations to animal shelters caring for dogs and cats across Sydney.

©2018 AAP.  
This material has been reproduced with the kind permission of AAP Medianet. It is not for commercial reproduction.

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