Archives: Media Releases

As the superstars of world tennis prepare to step into the arena of dreams at Melbourne Park, Nine has unveiled the major partners and sponsors for the 2023 Australian Open.  

With brands leveraging off Nine’s unrivalled combined assets spanning Total Television, Publishing, Digital and Audio, Australia’s greatest sporting epic staged every January gives brands the advantage to ace the new year with an unparalleled audience.  

Nine recently confirmed it will hold the Australian Open rights for a momentous additional five years until 2029, and in 2023 there has been unprecedented demand for premium advertising packages from brands wanting to play in the year’s biggest marketing platform.   

The popularity of tennis is surging. Last year’s Australian Open was the second most searched Google term of the year while the sport’s athletes also dominated the lists of most searched subjects. This year, brands will experience the unmatched marketing power of Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

From a special edition of Tennis, Brought To You By Good Weekend magazine and two brand new 9Podcasts series titled AO The Happy Slam and AO The Happy Slam Daily – featuring an all star lineup including Pat Rafter, Dylan Alcott, Jim Courier and Ajla Tomljanovic – to content on WWOS.com.au and seamless brand integration throughout the broadcast, partners have an entire ecosystem to reach Nine’s 20 million signed in users. 

The AO coincides with a summer of 9Now product launches of new in-app experiences, including instant live TV as soon as you open the app, and the ‘start over’ function that ensures you never miss an ace, rally or tie-break.  

Nine has unveiled their major partners and sponsors for the 2023 Summer of Tennis with Kia, Samsung, Uber Eats, APT, Chemist Warehouse, Peters and Stan returning. Qantas, Chubb Insurance, McDonalds, Optus, Bupa, and Berocca have also accessed the full suite of Nine’s Summer of Tennis premium assets as new partners and sponsors.

2023 has also seen Tennis Australia partners Bondi Sands, Ralph Lauren, Life-Space and Gordon’s Gin capitalise on Nine’s customised AO Extender packages.

“We have seen more of Australia’s leading brands engage with Nine and summer’s biggest marketing platform than ever before,” said Matt Granger, Nine’s Director of Sales – Sport. “Our partner brands have utilised the unrivalled tennis content ecosystem across all of Nines assets – Total Television, Publishing and Radio, leveraging the power of the Summer of Tennis to engage millions of Australians in one place. The Australian Open is the ultimate launchpad for brands delivering the ultimate advantage.”

Nine’s sophisticated approach to working with brands in the sporting arena draws on groundbreaking ways to tell a brand’s story in the most effective way possible. One of the most talked-about brand insertions in 2022 saw Nine utilise state-of-the-art in-house augmented reality technology to partner with KIA, with viewers seeing a new model car drive around the rooftop of KIA Arena. 

Nine’s Head of Content Partnerships, Anne Gruber, said this year Nine has more partners and sponsors leaning into a 360 degree proposition than ever before. 

“Our ecosystem connects brands with tennis enthusiasts throughout the day beyond the screen, into lifestyle content, in depth analysis on WWOS.com.au, mastheads, podcasts and two way conversation on radio,” said Gruber. “We know the innovative nature of tennis lends itself to impactful advertising that works for audiences. Nine’s Summer of Tennis is recognised by brands as a completely immersive sports marketing platform that allows their story to be right there when those big moments happen.”

“In 2023 we are again excited to see the work of Powered and our premium partners come to life through branded content and bespoke commercial solutions, linking the country’s biggest brands with the tennis phenomenon sweeping Australia over January.”

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2023 LIVE & FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD, 9GEMHD & 9NOW FROM MONDAY, JANUARY 16

For further information, please contact: 
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing 
amotte@nine.com.au

Friday, January 13, 2023

Pedestrian Group, ANZ’s largest youth-focused publishing group, has today announced the appointment of Sarah Michael as Publisher. 

Sarah has been in the online media business for more than 12 years, most recently as the Director of Audience Strategy and Growth across Yahoo Australia and Southeast Asia. Sarah has worked across news, lifestyle/entertainment, sport and finance editorial teams to help them grow their audience both on and off-network and covered everything from major news events to reality TV, and also assisted with branded content and affiliate commerce strategies. 

Prior to that she was on the Yahoo News team, and has held a variety of news editor and reporter roles at other Aussie news sites such as news.com.au and the Daily Mail. 

Sarah said, “Young Australians have a diverse range of issues they care about, and the brands under Pedestrian Group cover these with intelligence, humour and passion.

“Personally, Pedestrian has been part of my media diet since it first launched and I have watched the Group build up a strong and successful portfolio of brands. I am honoured to be joining next month and can’t wait to get started.”

Matt Rowley, CEO, Pedestrian Group said, “Sarah has a standout set of skills, experience and qualities that are perfect for the opportunities and challenges our brands have ahead of them. I’m thrilled to see how she will lead our talented group of editorial leaders into the next phase of Pedestrian Group.”

Sarah will commence her role as Publisher at Pedestrian Group in early February 2023.

*About Pedestrian Group*

Pedestrian Group is Australia’s leading youth-centered publisher, reaching a unique audience of more than 4.16 million Aussies per month, and more 18 to 39-year-olds than any other publisher. It is home to PEDESTRIAN.TV, The Chainsaw, VICE Australia, Refinery29 Australia, Lifehacker Australia, Gizmodo Australia, Kotaku Australia and Business Insider Australia, as well as the Open Air Cinemas. It is wholly owned by Nine, Australia’s largest media company.

*Nielsen Digital Content Ratings, Monthly Tagged, December 2020, All Brands, Text, People 2+, Census

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Respected broadcasters Michael McLaren and Luke Grant will step into new roles at 2GB in 2023, with McLaren taking the helm of 2GB Weekend Mornings and Grant moving in to present Overnights across 2GB and 4BC. 

Longtime listener favourite, Michael McLaren, started his radio career at 2GB in 2006 as a program producer. His on-air career kicked off in 2011, first hosting 2GB’s Weekend Overnight program before taking on Australia Overnights Monday-Friday in 2016. 

On his new role as 2GB Weekend Mornings host, McLaren said: “I very much look forward to inheriting a special part of 2GB’s broadcasting schedule and providing our audience with a platform to debate, learn, laugh, reminisce and discuss. Whilst I’ll bring my own interests to the microphone, my years at 2GB have taught me that talk radio is at its best when the audience drives the agenda. And so, Weekends will be a reflection of the issues Sydney is talking and thinking about.”

“I also want to thank the thousands of people who were loyal to my Overnight program for so many years. We became like family and I hope many of you will be able to join me and many new listeners over the weekends ahead.”

Luke Grant has built a loyal following off the back of a broadcasting career stretching more than 30 years. Most recently, he’s enjoyed great success hosting the Money News program on 2GB, 3AW and 4BC.

Grant said: “I’ve been at this institution with the best in the business for 13 years, and I relish every challenge and opportunity that comes my way. What I particularly love about Overnights is it’s where people turn for company, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to give that to our 2GB and 4BC listeners, as well as the first live and local news coverage of the day.”

2GB Content Manager, Luke Davis said: “We’re absolutely delighted to bring our listeners more of their favourite broadcasters in 2023.”

“Michael McLaren’s performance over the past decade has been outstanding, with listeners warming to his intelligence, quick wit and knack of breaking down complex issues. His ability to cover anything from the news of the day, to travel, sport, home improvement, cars, technology, health and nostalgia – with equal aplomb – makes him the perfect companion on Weekends.

“Luke Grant, meanwhile, has proven himself as one of Australia’s most versatile and popular radio broadcasters. Over recent years, he has filled in for just about every program and format on the station, so we’re excited for Luke to make Overnights his own from 2023.”

Michael McLaren commences his role as host of 2GB Weekend Mornings this Sunday 15 January, and Overnights with Luke Grant will premiere on Monday 16 January. 

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au

Thursday, January 12, 2023

As the world’s best tennis players prepare to battle it out at the Australian Open, a special magazine to celebrate the 2023 Summer of Tennis will be published through The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age this Saturday, January 14, produced by the team at Good Weekend.

Tennis features the new guard of players coming through and assesses what makes them different to their long-reigning predecessors; looks back at the glory days of the Roger and Serena era; explores how Melbourne Park has become as much an entertainment as a sporting precinct over summer; and assesses the long links between fashion and tennis.

As the new breed of tennis stars begin to make their mark, the 32-page issue also includes a profile on one of Australia’s most exciting women’s tennis stars, Ajla Tomljanovic, who defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the US Open last September. 

Ash Barty and her former longtime coach, Craig Tyzzer, give a rare interview on their relationship for Two of Us, and upcoming Aussie men’s player, Rinky Hijikata, who took a set off Rafael Nadal in last year’s US Open, rolls the Dicey Topics dice for a revealing chat with Benjamin Law.    

“In this, our inaugural Tennis magazine, we apply the journalistic standards and writing prowess for which Good Weekend has long been renowned to one of the most fascinating and growing sports in the world,” said Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland. “Plus for fans of The Quiz – a test of your tennis knowledge. Do you know your Borg from your Becker? And finally, from two of our resident foodies, Danielle Alvarez and Julia Bussitil Nishimura, dishes to cook for lazy summer days in front of the TV, watching a bunch of supreme athletes hit a ball across a net.”

Tennis illustrates the wide scope of Nine’s assets spanning Total Publishing, Television, Audio and Digital. Nine is uniquely placed to provide brands optimal access to the action, with an enviable media ecosystem that allows marketers to call game, set and match on their campaigns.

“Nine has such a great relationship with tennis, and as the official broadcaster of the Australian Open through to 2029, it made sense to extend the partnership into a quality magazine for print readers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, as well as for online readers of those mastheads together with BrisbaneTimes and WAtoday,” said Amanda Upton, Nine’s Client Director: Luxury & Travel. “Key sponsors from Rolex, Ralph Lauren, Kia and APT jumped at the chance to be involved in what we plan to make a new annual publication.”

The regular weekly Good Weekend Saturday magazine returns on January 28. For a high res image of the Tennis cover, click HERE

For further information, please contact: 
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au 

Thursday, January 12, 2023

The United Kingdom’s hottest reality dating show is back for a brand-new season, with the winter edition of Love Island UK fast-tracked and streaming exclusively for Australian audiences from Wednesday, January 18, on 9Now, with new episodes daily. 

Returning after its inaugural season in 2020, the winter edition of the series will see eleven singles leaving the cold behind to jet-set to a hot luxury villa in Cape Town, South Africa. 

This season will also see the introduction of a new host, TV star Maya Jama, taking over the reign of the villa alongside narrator Iain Stirling, who returns with his commentary on all that unfolds as the Islanders flirt, date, re-couple, break up and make up. 

It will be a sizzling winter of fun, romance and drama, with shock eliminations and bombshell arrivals. Islanders must couple up to secure their place in the villa or risk being dumped and sent packing. They must also win the hearts of the public, as viewers will crown their favourite couple – after facing one final twist. 

Entering the villa this season are: payroll administrator Anna-May (20), TV salesman Haris (21), science and PE teacher Kai (24), makeup artist Lana (25), ring girl and actress Olivia (27), financial advisor Ron (25), airport security officer Shaq (24), student (biomedical science) and influencer Tanya (22), hair stylist Tanyel (26) and farmer Will (23). 

Love Island UK fans are in for a double dose of love in 2023 with the winter edition turning up the heat before the summer series returns later in the year. 

LOVE ISLAND UK
SEASON 9 PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, AT 6PM AEDT
AVAILABLE TO STREAM FOR FREE ON 9NOW

LIKE 9Now on Facebook
FOLLOW @9Now on Twitter
FOLLOW @9Now on Instagram
Visit 9Now.com.au

For further information, please contact: 
Alessandra Muratore
9Network Publicity
alessandra.muratore@nine.com.au 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Australia’s leading motoring news and reviews website Drive.com.au has launched a fresh brand campaign in 2023, encouraging consumers to look forward to what’s new and next in cars.

The interest in electric cars was unprecedented in 2022, with consumers seeking informed advice and automotive brands launching more electric vehicles than ever before. Research conducted by Drive last year found that 64% of Australians believe it is inevitable electric cars will replace diesel and petrol vehicles, however many are unsure about the real life experience of living with an electric car at home.

Adam Rose, Executive Creative Director at Richards Rose said, “We know that rapid change can sometimes feel daunting, so with this campaign we wanted to convey that there’s actually plenty to look forward to with EV ownership, like ‘filling up’ via the sun.”

‘Also, despite these technological changes, some things will reassuringly stay the same – your kids will still have to earn the right to borrow the car! It’s these types of insights that Drive delivers on so well each day.”

Drive CEO, Simon Halfhide said, “The Drive brand has been through a rapid period of reinvention and growth. With momentum within the automotive industry ramping up in 2023, the time is right to promote Drive to a mass market who may not have been thinking about cars over the last three years.”

Drive Marketing Director, Leonora McEwen said, “We’re thrilled with the new campaign that has kicked off 2023. The Drive brand name has represented authoritative and independent automotive commentary and advice to Australians for over 25 years. To reignite that iconic brand awareness and deliver Drive content online and print – and now also in podcasts, TV and radio – will open the brand to new audiences looking for cars now and into the future.”

The new campaign features 30 and 15 second TVCs, VOD, print, display and radio ads now running across Nine platforms. Watch here

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch 
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Esteemed broadcaster Anthony Hudson will call AFL matches for 3AW in 2023.

Widely regarded as one of the finest commentators of the game, Hudson will call all Friday night matches for the upcoming season.

Huddo, as he is affectionately known, will also front a weekly, long-form podcast where he will chat with some of the biggest names of the game. 

The move to 3AW marks a homecoming for Hudson who began his media career at the station in 1991 as a reporter, before progressing to football commentator.

Anthony Hudson said: “I was lucky enough to spend some unforgettable days in the 3AW commentary box with some of the legends of footy radio at the start of my career. While a lot has changed, 3AW remains Melbourne’s number one radio station and I can’t wait to be part of the number one footy team again alongside some of the game’s biggest names and great callers.”

Stephen Beers, 3AW Station Manager, said: “It’s great to have Huddo return to 3AW. He is a premium caller of the AFL and will be a great asset to our coverage. It is also exciting to be able to work with him on our digital content in 2023.”

Throughout his 30 year career, Hudson has commentated a range of sports, including AFL, tennis and cricket. He has worked for the Seven Network, Network Ten, Fox Footy, Fox Cricket and Radio SEN. 

Hudson has also hosted a number of football-themed panel programs, including After the Game, Before the Game and The Game Plan.

For further information, please contact: 
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

The sporting year is set to explode to life on Nine’s Wide World of Sports when the superstars of world tennis fire up for the Australian Open, with exclusive coverage of the first Grand Slam tournament of 2023 from Monday, January 16.

Broadcast on Channel 9HD and 9GemHD, the best matches and biggest moments will be available live and free across 276 hours of coverage.

9Now gives fans the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time on the device of their choosing, in full HD with the new start over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

On court, reigning champion Rafael Nadal is back to defend his men’s singles crown, headlining the draw with the much heralded return of Novak Djokovic, who is in red-hot form to win his tenth Australian Open trophy.

With a Grand Slam final now under his belt, Australia’s main hope for glory rests with the mercurial Nick Kyrgios, who will be riding the wave of home support to take down the biggest names in the game.

Amongst them are 2022 finalist Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 4), Germany’s Alexander Zverev and American Taylor Fritz, fresh from steering his nation to United Cup victory.

The competition for the women’s singles crown will be led by world No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur (No. 2), American duo Jess Pegula (No. 3) and Coco Gauff (No. 7) and Adelaide International winner Aryna Sabalenka (No. 5).

For the Aussie women, Ajla Tomljanovic (No. 33) is looking to build on her quarter-final appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open last year.

Joining Kyrgios to fly the Aussie flag in the men’s draw will be Alex de Minaur (No. 24), who defeated Nadal in the United Cup, Christopher O’Connell (No. 78), Jordan Thompson (No. 84) and Thanasi Kokkinakis (No. 93). 

Aussie wildcards John Millman, Jason Kubler, Alexei Popyrin and Rinky Hijikata will all get a shot at pulling off underdog victories as they fight for a place in the final week.

In a big win for fans, the box-office men’s double combination of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will reunite to defend their memorable 2022 doubles title.

To cover all the action, Nine’s Wide World of Sports has assembled an ace team of hosts and expert commentators who will take viewers through every game, set and match. 

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

On Channel 9, the hosts are James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host our broadcast.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway,Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Also off the court, Andy Lee returns with a new twist for 2023 when Sophie Monk and Mike Goldstein join him for a special Australian Open edition of The Hundred with the biggest names in tennis.

Every morning on 9Now, The Morning Serve will give fans a comprehensive look ahead at the day’s play, as well as dissecting the biggest talking points out of Melbourne Park. 

Men’s tournament wildcard player John Millman will provide expert comments throughout the tournament to Nine’s print mastheads, radio division and @wwos social media accounts. 

In addition to Channel 9 and 9Now, Stan Sport will have every match ad-free, live and on demand.

Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “The Australian Open has become an integral piece of our programming schedule and 2023 promises to be no different. The biggest names in the game are here and the storylines evolving are as compelling as always.  

“Whether you’re a tennis fanatic, a general sports lover or a casual fan, Nine has all bases covered for viewers to consume the ultimate summer sports festival however they choose.”

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2023
LIVE & FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD, 9GEMHD & 9NOW
FROM MONDAY, JANUARY 16

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

To celebrate the Summer of Tennis 2023, Nine has today announced the launch of its brand new podcast, Australian Open: The Happy Slam, produced by 9Podcasts with Nine’s Wide World of Sports. 

From the creators of the highly successful Rugby League podcast “Stories of Origin”, Australian Open: The Happy Slam features an all-star line-up as impressive as the tournament, with some of the best and most loved players from Australian tennis history sharing their recollections on how they helped make the AO what it is today. 

Served up in this six-part series hosted by Channel9 sports presenter, James Bracey, listeners will be given front row access to untold stories from Pat Rafter, Dylan Alcott, Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, Ajla Tomljanovic and Todd Woodbridge.

James Bracey said: “The Australian Open has become the world leader in grand slams. It’s an exclamation mark on both the Australian summer and the sporting calendar. It was a personal highlight to find out how much the Australian Open has impacted and shaped the careers of our favourite players, and the impact they have had on the tournament itself.”

The full six-episode schedule that will air in the lead up to the AO is below, then as the tournament gets into full swing, the podcast will feature daily tournament updates and insights from legendary sports commentator, Craig Gabriel. Released each morning, the daily update from Australian Open: The Happy Slam will review the highs and lows of the previous day’s play and preview the excitement coming up in the day ahead.

• Episode 1 – Pat Rafter: The Aussie Icon
• Episode 2 – Dylan Alcott: The Game Changer
• Episode 3 – Jelena Dokic: The Fighter
• Episode 4 – Todd Woodbridge: The Tennis Lifer
• Episode 5 – Jim Courier: The Adopted Aussie
• Episode 6 – Ajla Tomljanovic: The Future

Australian Open: The Happy Slam is available to stream on all leading podcast platforms. 

Listen Now:

• Spotify
• Apple
• Google

For further information, please contact:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au 

Monday, January 9, 2023

Nine’s Wide World of Sports will turn up the heat on the summer of tennis when the world’s best square off at the two-week Adelaide International, available live and free on the 9Network and 9Now from January 1-14.

In Adelaide International 1, eight of the world’s top 10 men and women will be on court for the first week of competition at The Drive. 

Twenty-one-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will feature, alongside women’s world No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka and former world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.

In Adelaide International 2, more of the world’s best are on show including Australia’s top-ranked men’s player, Nick Kyrgios, who will use the tournament to rev up his 2023 Australian Open preparation.

This will be the first time Kyrgios plays an ATP 250 event in Adelaide, where he can expect tough opposition from world No. 8 Andrey Rublev and Sebastian Korda in the men’s singles.

​​South Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis will also line up for Adelaide International 2. Kokkinakis, who won his first ATP singles title at the Adelaide International earlier this year and then went on to win his first Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open, is looking forward to starting the new year at home.

The second week of the tournament will see the world’s top four-ranked women – Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula and Caroline Garcia – line up with 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Swiatek, a three-time major winner, took the world No. 1 ranking from Ash Barty and has since dominated the women’s tour. Her 37-match winning streak after Barty’s retirement is the best since Martina Hingis in 1997.

Live coverage will be hosted by Nick McArdle and Brett Phillips, with matches available on the 9Network across 9Go! and 9Gem, or to stream anywhere, anytime on 9Now. 

ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL: JANUARY 1-14
LIVE AND FREE ON 9GO! AND 9GEM
STREAM ANYWHERE, ANYTIME ON 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Chris Urankar
9Network Publicity
chris.urankar@nine.com.au

Monday, January 9, 2023