High-flyer Hugh Marks, Dentsu joins the merging lane, and Kyle strikes back

About this episode

This episode discusses the implications of Hugh Marks joining the Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Dentsu Australia's brand consolidation, and leadership changes at Southern Cross Media.

Welcome to this week's Mumbrellacast, where Tim Burrowes joins us live from the Qantas lounge but swears he isn't compromised. The reason we mention this is because this week, it was revealed that ABC managing director Hugh Marks has accepted a membership to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge, one of the most exclusive clubs in the country -- and one where memberships are dealt out -- and rescinded -- by one of the biggest corporations in the country, one which has had a horror PR run since the pandemic. We discuss why this is potentially a huge problem when it comes to the perception of the national broadcaster as an independently minded news outlet, and why other media outlets aren't slamming Marks for this decision, when lesser ABC scandals seem to be beaten up. Dentsu Australia has ditched its Carat and iProspect brands and reduced its Australian operation to one brand. Why did this happen, and what does it mean in a wider sense? These aren't just rhetorical questions: we attempt to provide answers. Now onto radio (or the 'wireless' for our older listeners; don't the kids dress weird these days?). This week, Heith Mackay-Cruise stepped down as chair of Southern Cross Media. He will…

People in this episode

Host: Tim Burrowes

Topics covered

• media ethics
• branding
• corporate mergers
• public relations
• broadcasting changes

Keywords

• Hugh Marks
• Dentsu
• Southern Cross Media
• Qantas
• media ethics
• branding
• corporate mergers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC, Dentsu Australia, Carat, iProspect, Southern Cross Media, Seven West Media

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