Media Flash - Monday, June 19, 2000

Monday, June 19, 2000

Expressed Monday Mornings to more than 6000 Media Decision Makers.

Confidential Weekly E-Newspaper.

Published by Ash Long ... the man with the best media connections in Australia.

Phone/Fax: 1-800 231 311.

To subscribe email : mediaflash@yahoo.com

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Inside 'Media Flash' This Week

* DMG SOLD FOR $375 MILLION: Australian options follow

* ADELAIDE BROADCASTER CLEARED: Defamation not proven, says Judge

* PAPUA NEW GUINEA COUP RUMORS: Post-Courier urges caution

* FAREWELL TO WIN HATTWELL: Waverley Gazette founder passes on

* AUSTRALIAN MEDIA JOB DIRECTORY: See bottom of page

Breaking Media News In A Flash

FIRST EDITION: Sunday - At www.crikey.com.au/media/mediaflash.html

LATE FINAL EXTRA: Monday AM - E-Mailed To Your Desktop

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Fairfax Community Newspapers

Victorian Head Office: 142-144 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Dandenong, 3175.

Phone: (03) 9238 7777. Fax: (03) 9238 7682.

Publishers of: Dandenong Journal, Monash Journal, Knox Journal, Maroondah Journal, Yarra Ranges Journal, Whitehorse Journal, Footscray Mail, Altona-Laverton Mail, Williamstown Advertiser, Brimbank Advocate, Melton Express-Telegraph, Bacchus Marsh Express-Telegraph,Macedon Ranges Telegraph, Sunbury Telegraph, Werribee Banner, House & Land.

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Packer Hits At Herald

* KERRY PACKER, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Press Holdings, one of the larger stockholders in John Fairfax Holdings, wrote a Letter to the Sydney Morning Herald Editor on June 8, published on June 14: "I read with some disbelief ELIZABETH KNIGHT'S story in this morning's Herald. The intellectual dishonesty of her argument was mind-shattering, even by her standards. There was, however, one redeeming feature in the story, where she came out from behind the veil of pretending that datacasting was about datacasting and made it clear that her real interests, and the real interests of Fairfax, News Corporation and Telstra is broadcasting. Having now accepted that Fairfax wants a broadcasting licence, her complete and absolute disregard of cross-media laws shows the level of her intellectual dishonesty. In short, she wants newspapers to have the right to breach croos-medi

DMG Radio Sold

* GWR GROUP, the UK's second biggest commercial radio company, is to buy DMG Radio Group from Daily Mail & General Trust for £146 million ($375.6 million) to add more radio stations in the UK, Australia and Hungary. Bloomberg reports the deal includes an option to buy the remaining 75 per cent of DMG's Australian radio business within three years. PAUL THOMPSON, the DMG chief who this month bid $155 million for Sydney's new FM licence, told staff: "It is not likely that there will be any changes to the operational structure of DMG Radio Australia."

Murdoch Sells Riverina Holdings

* RUPERT MURDOCH has sold his Deniliquin stud merino operations for a reported $40 million, according to JAMES WAGSTAFF of The Daily Advertiser (Wagga, NSW). The 117,000 hectare property, held by F S FALKINER AND SONS has gone to Bell Securities. It includes properties at Boonoke, Peppinella, Zara, Barratta, Warriston and Wanganella, bought for $3.5 million in 1978. Murdoch's director, ALEC MORRISON, says the sale was on a walk in, walk out basis: "I sense they are also are acquiring the company as a business and not as a trophy. Negotiations were conducted in a very professional and ethical way."

Sworn To Secrecy

* MEDIA FLASH is sworn to secrecy about a significant shake-up in the Melbourne suburban newspaper industry. We're bursting to tell you ... and will let fly ... in next week's June 26 edition.

Adelaide Broadcaster Cleared

* JUDGE DAVID TAYLOR offered the comment about breakfast broadcaster 'KEEFY' (5AA radio comedian JON BLAKE): "The only part of the program that makes sense is the initial giving of the temperature." Judge Taylor spoke as he dismissed a defamation claim by cafe owner DOMINIC COSENZA against 5AA owner, Festival City Broadcasters. Cosenza - also known as 'The Flash Man' - runs a Hindley Street cafe. The Judge disagreed with Cosenza's claim; His Honour said the broadcast was 'a comic program of complete nonsense', according to MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN, reporting in Saturday's 'Tiser.

Leader Closes Development Unit

* SYLVIA BRADSHAW, Publisher at Leader Newspapers (Vic.), has announed the closure of the group's Business Development Unit. BDU Manager RICHARD SHERMAN and Assistant Manager GRAEME TRAINOR stay with Leader; five staff depart, including ad man RICK HOLST.

GST ... and all that

* MATTHEW JENKINS, Editor of McPherson Media's Benalla Ensign, is one of few Australian editors to be carrying 'house ads' notifying a rate increase, simultaneous with the introduction of the GST: "All prices and rates are plus GST as applicable from July 1, 2000." Casual rate is $3.90 per cm; classifieds are $4.40cm; spot color, $90; full color, $350.

Strewth!

* ED WRIGHT, 'Vice-President, Strewth Institute', writes to Media Flash: 'Hi Ash, This is to let you know that Strewth, Sydney's remaining satirical magazine is celebrating the launch of Strewth5 at the Lansdowne Hotel, cnr Broadway and City Rd, Chippendale on (Wed.) June 21 at 6.30pm. There'll be a band, Lock Stock and Darrell, an appearance from performance poet TUG DUMBLY and a mystery guest. Entry costs $7 and includes a copy of the mag. We would love to be able to advertise this you, Media Flash is a great way to wile away Mondayitis, but we're broke. If you could mention it, I'd be very grateful.'

* EDITOR REPLIES: Sorry Ed, can't help with a free mention.

Asia-Pacific Report

* EVAN HANNAH, Net genius at the Papua New Guinea Post Courier, includes the weekend's front-page story - 'Quash Coup Rumors': 'Rumors that Papua New Guinea might be the next country in the South Pacific to experience a coup following the example of Fiji and the Solomon Islands have created fear in the minds of many people. Key leaders among them the 'Father of the Nation and our founding Prime Minister SIR MICHAEL SOMARE and a former Prime Minister , SIR RABBIE NAMALIU, have expressed various thoughts on this issue ... yesterday Police Commissioner JOHN WAKRON appealed to individuals or groups who might be behind the rumors to stop raising unnecessary fear and anxiety among the general public.'

* IRENE NG of The Straits Times says Singapore's new free morning tabloid, Today, will be launched by the end of the year. The 200,000-circulation paper has joint venture partners including the government-owned rail transport company SMRT Investments, bus operator DelGro, and SingTel's Yellow Pages. Initial working capital is estimated at $10-20 million.

Sydney Desk

* LAWRENCE GIBBONS, Editor of Sydney City Hub, advertises in a novel way for an Editorial staffer: "Write the news and raise hell."

* MARK HOLLANDS, former Editor of The Australian's IT section, has headed an 'Untangle The Web' lecture at the North Sydney Business Forum, sponsored by The Sydney Weekly.

* DIANE CLARK, Features Editor at That's Life magazine, seeks a 'top notch journalist' to work from the McMahon's Point (NSW) office. Diane says the applicant must have 'the ability to meet strict weekly deadlines while juggling 10 stories at once'.

* MARIANA VAN COEVORDEN, Editorial Director at For Me, also at McMahon's Point, is looking for a Deputy Editor for the Pacific Publications masthead.

* MARIE-CLAIRE magazine seeks a Production/Sub-Editor, supervising raw copy to film.

* TCN-9 commences test transmissions from the Artarmon (NSW) tower today on Channel 8.

West Australian Wire

* CATHY WILSON, at West Australian Newspapers' 'West Regional' division, is advertising the position of Editor of The Kalgoorlie Miner daily, an appointment that also includes preparation of the Goldfields-Esperance Magazine.

* JACKIE HADIDA at WA News is taking applications for a Night Shift Printing Machinist to work the Goss Metroliners and Goss Headliners double-width machines.

* DAVID CHRISTIE, consultant for a R firm, wants to refer a Software Engineer for a media-related industry specialising in financial markets anxd facilitation of information.

South Australian Snips

* BRENTON KNIGHT is recruiting 10 Pay TV installers for Comet Satellite and Cable, 'Australia's largest installer of satellite communications', according to an ad in Saturday's 'Tiser.

Queensland Quips

* MAREE MURFETT is assembling a booklet about Brisbane local communities for Reworking Tomorrow, 'looking to inspire people to become connected and create vibrant, friendly places to live'.

Capital Idea

* DR KERRYN PHELPS, Federal President of the Australian Medical Association, will address the National Press Club on Wednesday, July 5. The subject: 'No More Band-Aids'. Phelps featured in a recent Sydney Star Observer front-page: "Lesbian Leads AMA". It reported: "Phelps, who married partner JACKIE STRICKER in a Jewish ceremony two years ago, will continue her work with the Nine Network, Women's Weekly and the Satellite Group. She also practises two days a week as a GP."

* ANITA ANDERBERG-HEWITT is taking applications for the Publishing Manager's job with the ACT Public Service. Salary range: $66,577 - $74,948.

* ANN GIBBS-JORDAN at The Canberra Times is hiring a Promotions Assistant. DON SCHOLTE, Newspaper Sales Manager, requires a Distribution Clerk for The Canberra Times Direct department.

* ANGIE DRAKE, at the CFMEU ACT Branch, wants a Publicity Officer for the Union. Responsibilities include the quarterly union journal, media releases, publicity and promotional material.

This week in Byron Bay

Police bureaucrats to purloin community funds; Byron Bay Reunion festival; Shire Council given three months to get act together; MUNGO MacCALLUM on Australia seen from overseas; Controversial cult plans beachfront motel in Byron - all in this week's ECHO, Byron Shire's independent locally-owned weekly with attitude. THE ECHO hits the streets of Byron Bay and the web at www.echo.net.au on Tuesdays. National advertisers are welcome to communicate with Australia's most sophisticated rural market. Email geoff@echo.net.au or ring 02 66841777. (Advt)

Public Relations Watch

* DOT WEST at Goolarri Media, Broome (WA), seeks a motivated Arts Marketing Manager. Applications close June 30.

Your ABC

* ANNE DAVIES of the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the ABC presence in Asia, on Australia Television (established by the ABC, now owned by the Seven Network), will disappear. Seven will carry some ABC lifestyle programs, but will drop Four Corners, Australian Story and Foreign Correspondent.

* KIM JORDAN at ABC Perth invites applications for a a radio/TV reporter to work 'from some of the country's most remote locations': 'Though based in Broome you will cover the Pearl Coast and the entire Kimberley region'.

* PETER JAMES at ABC Ultimo (NSW) is seeking résumés from applicants wanting to become Editor of the 24 Hours magazine, the Corporation's monthly music and arts mag.

Air Waves

* JASON MORRISON, News Director at 2SM, writes to Media Flash: "Just a note to let you know we've picked up another station for our news network. Radio 7HO FM in Tasmania has started taking news from us via satellite. HO is the first 'non-CARALIS' owned station taking the feed - and becomes the 33rd radio station to join the network. Ironically, one of our reporters VIRGINIA DAW - left 7HO to join us at the start of the year. She's now reading the exact same shift on her old station again.'

* MORRISON continues: "While I've got you, one other thing. I've been told edition of the Margaret Gee Media Guide (or whatever it's called) have got our news fax and phone wrong. If there's a chance, would you mind publishing it again for us. 2SM News. Phone (02) 955 22 454. Fax: (02) 9954 3117."

Community Broadcasting

* JON TAYLOR, Perth Channel 31 spokesbloke, told The West Australian's RUTH CALLAGHAN, that the community TV station's audience has grown from 167,000 in November to more than 200,000. The station celebrated 12 months broadcasting yesterday (Sunday). It brings BBC World News and Bloomberg News to morning viewers, and now has educational programs from TAFE Colleges plus Edith and Curtin Cowan Universities.

* 3CR completed its Radiothon yesterday. One broadcaster reported her program's fund-raising had reduced from about $1000 to $400 over two years.

* INPRESS, the 68-page Melbourne street mag owned by JOHN B. FAIRFAX'S Rural Press subsidiary Dharma Media, edited by MYFANWY WARHURST, and printed by PETER ANTHONY at Rural Press Ballarat, carries an ad for a General Manager for community station 3PBS-FM.

TV Guide

* CAMERON CRAIG, one-time ABC staffer, replaces SIMON PHILLIPS as Ten's Program Manager - Promotions & Programming.

* TVW TELETHON INSTITUTE (WA) is appointing a Research Assistant. A Honors Graduate in Microbiology or Biochemistry is required. MIKE DAUBE, KEITH JONES and REBECCA MASLEN-STANNAGE have been appointed to the Telethon Board, replacing FRANK COOPER, MICHAEL LEWIS and ANNE HECTOR.

* NICK CALLANDER is host of WIN Television's new agricultural program, On The Land (Saturdays, 12.30pm). He worked for Austereo for seven years. Also on the show is DAVE RICHARDSON, formerly on The Farming Show; KATE LESLIE, currently at the DMG Radio Southern National Hub, Albury; ex-Channel 10 newswoman BERNADETTE NUNN; and Cross Country senior reporter DARRYL ANDERSON. The program is sponsored by Combined Rural Traders.

So, This Is Showbiz

* JENNIFER HANSEN, Melbourne Channel 10 newsreader, is pictured in GRAEME GOODSON'S Community News, cutting a ribbon at the Kensington (Vic.) women's clinic. Then in GRAHAM PEARCE'S Sunday Herald Sun 'Penguin' column at an open house for a fashion company.

Australian Media Job Directory

* SEE our Employment Section at the bottom of the page..

Big Names Dept.

* 'WELCOME MIKE WALSH' was the sign outside Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne on Friday night. Walsh, 61, former Midday host on Channel 9, plans to spend $6 million renovating the 1664-seat theatre he has just purchased.

* FRANK BLOUNT, former Telstra numero uno, has resigned from the boards of BHP and NAB, following his decsiion to take the position of CEO of Cypress Communications.

* LIZ SULLIVAN, one-time 3KZ breakfast co-host with PETER MEEHAN, is handling PR for The Westin Melbourne, branding with "Choose Your Travel Partner Wisely".

Smaller Names Dept.

* TROY DUNKLEY is new Art Director for SundayLife! - the Sun-Herald and Sunday Age insert. ROBIN COWCHER is Age Magazines Art Director, and she will work on publications such as Uncorked, Fashion and SundayLife! special issues.

Movers and Shakers

* BRUCE FINK is being appointed CEO of Telvision & Media Services Ltd, after being Executive Director at its Global Television arm.

* STEVE OUTRIM, Sausage Software founder, is likely to be leaving the Board of that company.

* MATT DOWDNEY is new Manager of Rural Press' Snowy Mail Times.

* HENRI de GORTER has been promoted to Odyssey (Optus) GM: Programming and Administration.

Odds and Ends

* CHANNEL V is conducting Melbourne auditions on June 23 for chesty babes (male or female) 'desperate to get on television for purely superficial reasons'.

* GREG HYWOOD'S Sun-Herald offered a bonus copy of Home Beautiful for 80 cents on Sunday.

Court Report

* AAPT is facing unfair dismissal cases after 82 call centre staff were abruptly sacked, according to the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union. Sydney staff lost out with the opening of a new Bendingo (Vic.) call centre.

* CHANNEL 9's Footy Show - compered by EDDIE McGUIRE - is being sued for $250,000 after comments made by Western Bulldogs' JOSE ROMERO on March 23 about Brisbane Lions' doctor PAUL McCONNELL: "The plaintiff (Dr McConnell) has been hurt in his reputation, and been shunned or avoided," says the Brisbane District Court Writ, reports AAP.

The Local Report

* TONY IVERS, National Marketing and Advertising Manager for News Limited Suburbans, is recruiting a Network Sales Manager for New South Wales, working from North Sydney offices.

* LEE ABRAHAMS' District Reporter, Camden (NSW), now includes a full color real estate section, printed on JOHN ENGISCH'S Torch Publishing plant at Bankstown Airport.

* SHARON MAKEHAM has spent 'hundreds of hours' compiling the Riverina Leader's new community services directly, previously published by the Wagga Wagga City Council. The local government version had a $4 cover price; the newspaper's A4 48-page is delivered free to 23,000 addresses.

* BEV WARD, Assistant Credit Manager at Fairfax Community Newspapers (NSW), is advertising for a 'Junior' to work in credit control at Condell Park.

Country Cousins

* JACQUI LEACH of the Southern Highland News (at TV star GRAHAM KENNEDY'S Bowral, NSW) is helping to organise the Southern Highlands Home & Motor Show 2000 for the thrice-weekly paper (cover price $1.10). The Rural Press masthead, with the Highlands Post, is also sponsoring a Bride of the Year and Bridal Expo next month. The 64-page Wednesday issue of last week includes a weekly 32-page Southern Highland Community News, and the Highland Drive midweek motor section measures eight pages.

* PATRICK SULLIVAN continues to run the classic old-time 12-page Gundagai Independent (NSW) weekly ... which last Thursday included a PB of three photographs! His Buzz column notes that SBS-TV's Food program featured Gundagai's famed Niagara Cafe, going to air 'in those areas lucky enough to receive the network'. The Independent, and the similar-looking NSW Molong Express weekly, must be next targets for takeovers.

* ALAN OAKLEY is running an impressive Schools Page in the Newcastle Herald, sponsored by Newcastle Permanent Building Society.

Personal Bests

* DICK CHANT, fast-talking veteran ABC Radio sports reporter in Far North Queensland, retires this month after 45 years in the job. He began his career in 1955 as a rugby league broadcaster after a successful career as a player. His final show was on Saturday, succeeded on Far Northern Grandstand by Regional Editor MATT BROWN.

Absent Friends

* WINIFRED MARY HATTWELL was farewelled at a funeral service held at Springvale (Vic.) on Thursday morning. The Hattwell family, headed by former Weekly Times journalist JIM (dec.), established the Waverley Offset Publishing Group. This included their Waverley Gazette and Go-Set in the late 1960's and mid-1970's, later absorbed by Melbourne's Leader Newspapers owned principally by the MOTT FAMILY, and chaired at the time by MARC CRAMPTON. The company continued until Leader's takeover by The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd in the late 1980's, after which there was a fire which destroyed the works. WOPG had come about with the urging of then-Latrobe Valley Express chief PATRICK HEGARTY, later of the Ballarat News and PANPA. The Hattwell family's involvement started from printing and publishing activities in Mulgrave, and for a time was under the General Managership of VIC CASTLE, known also

* MAUDE AMOR, born on January 20, 1913, has passed away. The Amor family were proprietors of the Mansfield Courier for almost 100 years. Maude was widow of LES (dec.)

'Living Legend Passes Away'

* 'BONES' RYNEHART, one of the Riverina Leader's first columnists, passed away this month at his Gumly Gumly home (NSW). His 'Those Old Bones' column recalled many (mostly fictional) exploits around Wagga Wagga. He wrote in the May 1989 10th Anniversary edition: "I am proud to say that I was on the staff for the opening issue of The Leader. my job as copy boy was really quite easy. All I had to do was to speak up to Hunter's and read all the other papers and then copy them for The Leader.' Prior to his Leader stint, Bones wrote a column for the Riverina Express.

Glass House Dept.

* ROHAN ALDOUS, Editor of The Seymour Telegraph (Vic.), has shared that 'we have received calls from alert readers suggesting that the names signed to four of last week's letters on Page 2 are false': 'In light of this, future letters will not be printed without the sender's full name and address or telephone number.'

* TRIPLE M (SA) ad rep RICHARD KELLY tried hard to get to air during in his debut as a boundary rider last week's footy broadcast, according to The Advertiser's PATRICK McDONALD and SIMON YEAMAN. Kelly kept repeating 'Can you hear me guys' ... then, in frustration, 'What the f... is going on?' Guess which one actually made it to air?

* MARK DAY'S column went missing from some copies of the Media section of Thursday's Australian. An apology in Friday's broadsheet attributed the glitch to a 'production error'.

* JANICE RAY, Executive Director of Victorian Country Press Association, was quick to the web with three editions of the VCPA News. Our look still shows the Summer 2000 dateline ... must be blue skies with all that GST full-page advertising for member newspapers.

And Now In Sport

* JOHN CLARKE, BRYAN DAWE and GINA RILEY launch their new The Games series on ABC-TV from tonight (Monday, June 19). It is written by Clarke and ROSS STEVENSON.

* TIM LANE, ABC radio footy commentator, will head The Age public forum on 'The Future of Football' to be held on July 25. Communications Director NIGEL HENHAM tells Media Flash that other speakers include the paper's chief football writer CAROLINE WILSON, AFL supremo WAYNE JACKSON, commentator ROBERT WALLS, former champ DERMOTT BRERETON, Hawks President IAN DICKER, legend MALCOLM BLIGHT, writer MARTIN FLANAGAN, and Richmond's WAYNE CAMPBELL. Associate Publisher MICHAEL GAWENDA will chair the night which has an entrance fee of $45.

Writers' Block

* HARTLEY HIGGINS' Chronicle (Wangaratta, Vic.) is promoting the 2000 Writing Awards with cash prizes totalling $790.

* PAULINE HANSON has released her Not Just Fish 'n' Chips book, borrowing multi-cultural cuisine including Thai, Malaysian, Italian, Indian, Chinese and Hungarian. 'I've got the pumpkin soup which is absolutely beautiful that I make,' Ms Hanson told ABC radio, and quoted by the Cairns Post (Qld).

* COLIN RODERICK, 88, died on Friday, in Townsville (Qld). PETER PIERCE of the SMH wrote that the author was first Chair of Australian Literature at Sydney University, and had a long association with Angus and Robertson. In 1957 Roderick became a judge of the MILES FRANKLIN Award. He wrote critical and biographical works on Franklin, ROSA PRAED, BANJO PATTERSON and HENRY LAWSON. He was foundation Professor of English Literature at James Cook University, Townsville, in 1965, until his retirement in 1976.

Members' Mailbag

* MICHAEL BROWN, Editorial Technology Manager at The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd, joins our Media Flash subscribers' list. Many of the Southbank staff are doing likewise, many through Hotmail aliases. Up front is RACHAEL HODDER, Herald Sun Urban Affairs Reporter. Other News Ltd newcomers include ANGELA E. CLARKE, Property Editor at the North Shore Times (NSW); NATALIE GRISS and SHANNON DAVIS at Leader (Vic.).

* So too do AMELIA DALY, PR Manager at Hope Advertising; MICHAEL PICKERING, Managing Editor at Hannan Interactive Publishing; AMANDA HAINSWORTH, Senior Journalist, Public Affairs and Development, University of New South Wales; WENDY LLOYD JONES of Lloyd Jones and Associates; ALEX W. du PREL, 'Directeur de la Publication' of Tahiti-Pacifiique Magazine, Moorea, French Polynesia; DAVE PRIOR at Batavia Coast FM; CRAIG TREWEEK at InPress; MIKE DALY at The Age; ADRIAN JENKINS, MD at AJB Publishing/PC Authority; PAULA WRIGHT at Skillsnet; ANNA KMAID.

Editor's E-Mail

* ANDREW COLLINS writes: "Hello from the United States. Just thought you want to give mention to a former Australian journalist who is now entering his third year of employment in the United States, working breakfast ar radio KCFX. His name is SCOTT MAYMAN and he is definitely one of those up-and-coming people."

* ANTHONY WOOD, Editor of The Armidale Independent (NSW), writes: "Dear Ash, Just a note to tell you how much we look forward to our weekly fix of media goss and goings on. To bring you up to speed: BRAD EVANS is Managing Director of both the Armidale Independent and Tamworth and District Independent; ANTHONY WOOD is the Editor of the 12,000-distribution Armidale weekly, while SIMON BOURKE is Editor of the weekly Tamworth 40-pager. We've filled the graphic designer possie (Media Flash, June 12) with former Newcastle Herald and Newcastle Star artist ANTHONY MOREHEAD in the role.'

* WOOD continues: "Meanwhile the Tamworth and District Independent - only five issues old - has broken the Rural Press monopoly in Tamworth. The magazine-style free has already seen Rural Press heavies scurrying up from the North Richmond bunker to re-design the flagship daily which comes out of the music capital, the Northern District Leader, with a (you guessed it) magazine-style design."

Fan Mail

* MILLIE EDWARDS, at Victorian Parliament House, writes: "It would be much appreciated if you could change my subscription ... I am going to live in Seoul and would like to stay in touch with what's going on in the Australian media industry."

Shooting The Messenger

* MEGAN LLOYD, Chief of Staff, Messenger Newspapers (SA), writes: "Anyone working in the media knows the importance of attributions or giving the appropriate credit. Hence my surprise to read a recent edition of Media Flash (May 29) which quoted directly from interview with former ABC Adelaide radio broadcaster JULIA LESTER which failed to mention where you had lifted it from!!! It is not much to expect when using anything from Messenger Newspapers' 11 suburban newspapers and its monthly magazine Adelaide Matters you should give due credit."

* MEDIA FLASH replies: 'Megan, Avoid being so precious over a 30-word quote that belongs to Ms Lester anyway, not you. By your logic, we should name everyone at Messenger from GM TOM MILOSEVIC, down to the delivery boy, for being connected with Ms Lester's utterance.' It wasn't that interesting anyway.

* POSTSCRIPT: By the way, we did mention Adelaide Matters in the same Media Flash, and named six of its staff, including Ms Lloyd.

Stix and Stones

* STEVE STICKNEY, Editor at The Manly Daily, looks at hopes, ropes, dregs and legs.

* "People will get a sore throat on Tuesday and be dead by Friday." - Sobering prediction from feted scientic researcher GEORGE POSTE, and believes a tiny nick of the finger could soon prove lethal for millions of people unless we discover new drugs to combat resistant bacteria. The Australian.

* "Police believe one of the dead men abseiled safely to the bottom but became stuck when he returned up the line to help his friend." - Obviously a case of post-humous heroism. The Daily Telegraph.

* It was a cold day and I can tell you he had nothing to be proud of." - The helmet London bobby BRUCE PERRY used to cover Aussie streaker MICHAEL O'BRIEN'S modesty at a Twickenham rugby match in 1974 is for sale. Melba Column (The Oz).

* "A sort of combination of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER and MICK JAGGER ... kind of like a Schwarzenjagger." - Acid-penned columnist CINDY ADAMS describes Aussie tough-guy RUSSELL CROWE'S strut as frontman for his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunt. - New York Post

Long Shots

* THE NILLUMBIK MAIL this week carried an ad feature called 'Diamond Creek In Focus' ... which is more than can be said for the full color printing in the copy delivered to us!

Credit Where It's Due

* MEDIA FLASH receives goods and services from companies in exchange for publicity services provided by Ash Long Media. In the past week this included apartment accommodation at Pacific Waves, Manly (NSW), organised by MEGAN KEMP of Manly Seaside Holiday Apartments. Thanks also to Rockman's Regency Hotel, Melbourne (IRVIN ROCKMAN, GM ALAN McLEAN and PA CHRISTINE FORD) where paid accommodation was upgraded to the Rockman's Suite.

Media Money

* ROSEMARIE DAL CIN and DAVID GILL are advertising their This Month In The Hunter Magazine for sale. 'Opportunities are also available in other states.' The monthly, published under licence, has '132,000 copies annually'. Meanwhile, JOHN WILLEMSE publishes a successful edition, This Month In Bushranger Country, centred in Bathurst, Gulgong, Forbes, Parkes, Dubbo. He has introduced a 'Color Maps' section.

* NEIL SIZE is selling franchises to his Informer Magazine business. The mag is best known for its free 36-page fornightly in Sydney and Canberra. Size says total start-up cost is under $50,000 per franchise.

* MEL DENNIS' City Weekly (Sydney) has landed the full-page South Sydney City Council ads withdrawn from ALEX CLULOW'S South Sydney Bulletin newspaper, while he stands for that Council. PAM WALKER of the Wentworth Courier reported that a Coun cil minute recorded: 'The South Sydney Bulletin has become a political tool for candidates in the forthcoming election and has ceased any attempt at fair minded reporting ... the minute also announced that the council was holding discussions with the Hannan Group for a weekly page in the Wentworth, the Southern and the Inner West Couriers. The move would include the distribution of the council's own internal publications.'

* GOULBURN POST (NSW) says 'a salary range of $450-$570 per week is envisaged' for a journalist's position, who will 'keep abreast of local events in designated areas as assigned by the editor, attend local shows and events, court, council, sporting games as required and will be required to take photographs'.

Bottom Line

* 3 PER CENT is the maximum holding that anyone can hold in a Singapore newspaper company, under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act. A waiver has been granted to the three shareholders in the new morning Today commuter tabloid.

* 50 ELVIS IMPERSONATORS are required by PHIL AVALON for his latest movie, The Finder, featuring SIMON WESTAWAY.

* $46,246 is top end for the Web Co-Ordinator full-time job at Central West College of TAFE, Geraldtown (WA). KELLY EDWARDS says a contract, up to five years, is available.

* $47,000-$60,000 is the salary range for a Sciene Writer/Journalist sought by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. PAM KEENAN is accepting applications until June 30.

* $50,000 is offered by AIMEE ODELL at Michael Page Sales and Marketing for a Sponsorship Co-Ordinator for a company in the financial services industry.

* $40 MILLION is expected Pay-TV ad revenue this year, according to Multi Channel Network's LEIGH MONTI, quoted by JANE SCHULZE.

Last Word

* ALAN PEASE, body language expert, had advice in Good Weekend: "I say to all new speakers, at the end of your speech what you do is go into the toilet, lock the door and sit on the can. When the audience comes in, they'll tell the truth - that guy was a load of rubbish, that guy was great. It might be tough, but you'll know where you stand."

P.S. -

* RED SYMONS - of Hey Hey fame - has been signed by the Nine Network to appear in a new Sunday afternoon Information Technology program. JOHN WALSH will be Executive Producer. MS MEGABYTE, who writes for Woman's Day, will be his assistant. (Thanks to HARVEY SHORE of Mediaweek for this news.)

Australian Media Job Directory

* SEE our Employment Section at the bottom of the page.

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Australian Media Job Directory

Reach 6000 Media People With A Media Flash Job Ad.

Just $100 for up to 200 words. Fax your ad: 1-800 231 311.

E-Mail your ad - mediaflash@yahoo.com - by 5pm Friday. We'll bill you.

Media Flash - Monday, June 19, 2000

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