Media Flash - May 21, 2001

Media Flash and Australian Media Job Directory

Australia's Media Independent E-Newspaper - Updated Continuously

Last Updated: Monday, May 21, 2001

For full graphics, click on at www.mediaflash.com.au

E-Mail: mediaflash@yahoo.com

Phone: 1-800 231 311. Fax: 1-800 231 312.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

BREAKING NEWS

Who Wants To Be A Billionaire?

* KERRY PACKER heads this year's BRW 'Rich 200' with an estimated net worth of $6.2 billion. Other media and related industry rich boys and girl are RICHARD PRATT, paper, $3.3 billion; KERRY STOKES, Seven Network, $875 million; JOHN B. FAIRFAX and TIMOTHY FAIRFAX, Rural Press, $850 million; REG GRUNDY, $600 million; BRUCE GORDON, WIN Corporation, $425 million; ALAN RYDGE, cinema (son of SIR NORMAN RYDGE), $290 million; JAMES FAIRFAX, $250 million; JOHN SINGLETON, advertising and 2GB-2CH, $245 million; PAUL RAMSAY, Prime Television, $240 million; JODEE RICH, One.Tel co-founder, $220 million (asterisk); LADY MARY FAIRFAX, $215 million; SPIROS (and son HARRY) STAMOULIS, Ta Nea Greek newspaper and 3XY, $145 million; ROC KIRBY, Village Roadshow, $117 million; GEORGE CHAPMAN, Ten Queensland shareholder, $110 million; EVA PRESSER, Sunraysia TV/50 per cent operator of Perth's Channel 9, $110 million; TRACEY ELLERY and EVAN THORNLEY, Internet, $90 million; BRAD KEELING, One.Tel co-founder, $90 million. Harvey Norman ad buyer, now MD KATIE PAGE (she married boss GERRY HARVEY in 1988), is valued at $80 million.

* THE HANNAN FAMILY, of IPMG, are assessed at $380 million. THE CALVERT-JONES clan (JOHN'S wife JANET is RUPERT MURDOCH'S youngest sister) is valued at $275 million. THE LAMB FAMILY, who have recently sold 2UE to Southern Cross Broadcasting, have their bottom line calculated at $190 million. THE ALBERT FAMILY, entertainment and music publishing, are said by BRW to be woerth $170 million. HELEN HANDBURY'S family (she's RUPERT MURDOCH'S eldest sister) is written at $160 million; they own Ace Radio Broadcasters.

* NEIL SHOEBRIDGE'S BRW team puts its best foot forward this week with its annual Rich 200 edition, which he acknowledeges is the 'biggest issue of the year, in terms of sales, media coverage and effort'. It would want to be: some recent $4.95 editions have been under 100 pages and lacklustre. However, Ad Director HEIDI VOLPE led the effort which saw this week's issue log in at 196 pages; and kudos were also given to 'brand manager' KAMMERON CRAN for planning the advertising and publicity campaign, and circulation sales and distribution manager PAT ZINGHINI for 'developing promotional material to appear in newsagencies'. SHOEBRIDGE also gave a curtain call for BRW Production Manager ANNA WOLF, Art Director TIM CLAEYS, Sub-Editor ANGUS SMALES, Chief Copy Editor PAUL WATSON, Inforgraphics Editor EMILY ROSS, Deputy Art Director JUSTIN GARNSWORTHY, Senior Designers ESTER PAPADOPOULOS and AIDAN GIFKINS, and Pictorial Editor JAMES DAVIES. To the best of our knowledge, none of them are millionaires.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Media Flash and

Media Flash Confidential

Media Flash is Australia's largest circulating media E-newspaper.

7000 copies are e-mailed every week.

Thousands of people read Media Flash - and its updates - at our website.

Media Flash Confidential is the subscriber-only newsletter sent several times weekly, with the latest media news.

Subscriptions are currently $50 per year. Soon to rise to $100. Be quick!

Subscribe Online now at: www.mediaflash.candela.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

BREAKING NEWS

BHP Chief Aims At Westfield

* PAUL ANDERSON, BHP chief, has taken legal advice over MARK WESTFIELD'S item in The Australian suggesting that MRS KATHY ANDERSON'S desire to return to America plays a big part in the BHP-Billiton merger. Business Sunday host MICHAEL PASCOE offered the opinion that The Oz report was a serious defamation.

Remembering The Holocaust

* DEBORAH STONE edits The Australian Jewish News - Melbourne Edition, which appears to have heightened its coverage and links to the World War II Holocaust. PAGE ONE: JANINE SCHLOSS' item looks at Holocaust survivors joining the campaign to aid the plight of asylum seekers. PAGE TWO: A lift from The Chicago Jewish News about vandalism at Holocaust graves at the Auschwitz Jewish Cemetery. PAGE THREE: MARK BRISKIN reports on alleged Nazi war criminal KONRADS KALEJS' Court appearance. PAGE FOUR: JANINE SCHLOSS reports on child holocaust survivors mobilising. PAGE SEVEN: CHANTAL ABITBOL notes suspected war criminal ANTANAS GUDELIS lives in South Australia. PAGE EIGHT: Canberra correspondent BERNARD FREEDMAN asks about the League of Rights: 'What about their antisemitism and Holocaust denial?' PAGE NINE: DANNY GOCS looks at 'Flinders Lane, Memory Lane' - 'In its glory days immediately after World War II until the early 1960s, there were more than 600 clothing firms in Flinders Lane, many of them operated by Jews.' PAGE 11: RICHARD ALLEN GREENE'S "Holocaust Denier (DAVID IRVING) Denied By Oxford'. PAGE 12: AGNES BOHM'S 'Hungarian Jews Want Holocaust Denial Outlawed'. PAGE 13: TOM TUGEND'S 'Controversy Over Anne Frank's Legacy Grows'. PAGE 14: PROFESSOR EDWARD SAID comments on many topics ... including the Holocaust. PAGE 18: MARK BRISKIN headlines the "Community Page' with 'Holocaust Continues To Impact On Daily Lives'. That point seems more than obvious.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Wilson Everard in bed with Partex!

www.wilsoneverard.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Newspaper's Own Survivor Show

* THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN is running its own Survivor show. The daily paper's TV critic - MICHAEL 'SQUARE EYES' CARROLL - is inviting readers to a game of local politics where they vote off two local Councillors every week. The local government version of the reality series could catch on in papers across the nation. It can get very personal. Of one Councillor, 'mole' JERRY asks: 'What is the driving force behind her love for big buildings?'

Radio's Own Survivor Show

* LIVINIA NIXON was axed on Thursday as TT-FM Melbourne's drive program, co-hosted with ED PHILLIPS. This was the day she received publicity as The Age Green Guide's personality of the week.

* ROB DUCKWORTH was flung from MIX FM Sydney last week as part of the ARN restructure. AMT Online Radio Industry Newsletter reports other casualties were newsreader JENNY MAY, breakfast presenter DAVID RYMER, TREVOR SINCLAIR and producer JODY PRIDAMES. TROY DEIGHTON is no longer at 2WS.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATIONS - SECURE YOUR DOT COM !

Domain Search offers a flat rate $99 per year registration for all domains - .com , .net , .org , .com.au ,.net.au.

All registrations include:

*** FREE DOMAIN PARKING *** for the term of the registration,

*** FREE UNLIMITED EMAIL *** ADDRESSES (single or multiple forwarding),

*** FREE URL WEBSITE REDIRECTION ***

and of course all setup fees are covered within your initial registration fee.

Don't waste time searching and registering multiple domains one at a time, Secure your DOT COM now, simply visit the web site www.domainsearch.com.au or phone FREECALL 1800 157 157 today

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

New Weekend Paper In Australia?

* SHANNON McKENZIE of WA Business News reports on the possibility of a new newspaper: 'Claiming ties to Perth's now-defunct WA Daily News and Weekend News, a new weekly is being marketed as an independent people's voice in the national market. The Australian Weekend News' backers, Weekend News Publishing Group, are trying to drum up support for the newspaper by offering 100 free shares in newspaper publishers International News Limited to the first 100,000 subscribers. An advertising leaflet claimed the first 20,000 subscribers will be given further share options.'

* 'WPNG hope these strategies will attract more than one million subscribers across Australia. Advertisers are also being targeted. Those who spend $500 or more on advertising have been offered the equivalent value in $1 INL shares. According to the newspaper's promotion, it is expected INL will float on the stock market next year. As yet, no prospectus is available for INL, but it is understood one is in the works. WPNG has listed its aims as providing an independent public voice, colourful and interesting news and an alternative workplace for journalists and others wanting to work in the media industry.'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

"The First Century"

Doug Aiton and Terry Lane are well-known Australian broadcasters and writers. They have collaborated on a reference book that provides all the information the average Australian needs to know about Federal politics since Federation in 1901. It is called "The First Century" and tells the Federal story by way of an account of each of our 39 elections and profiles of all of our 25 Prime Ministers. All the issues, dates, results, drama, charts, personalities are there. Such a reference book has never been written about Australian politics. It is a concise and invaluable reference for students, business people, teachers, the media, politicians, families. Available at most book stores for $43 including GST. Or call the publisher, Information Australia, direct on (03) 9654 2800.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Melbourne's Leader Re-Brands

* SYLVIA BRADSHAW'S stable of Leader Community Newspapers are gradually re-badging, with a small in-paper campaign managed by Wilson Everard. (We know the above logo is outdated, but this is the one that appears at the www.news.com.au website)

* WALTER MOTT JNR. was chosen as the face to announce the 66-year-old Whittlesea Post will now be known as The Whittlesea Leader. MOTT is part of the family that published the paper from its beginnings in 1935, until their sell-out to The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd. in the mid-1980's. Journalist TIM KING quoted MOTT to outline the recipe of the family firm's local newspapers: 'Photos and names of people and what they were doing was the most important part of a suburban newspaper.' Editor RICK EDWARDS and Manager PETER ZAWACKI included several pages about the paper's history, noting that MOTT remains in the media business as a Director of East Gippsland Newspapers including The Bairnsdale Advertiser.

* JACK BATES, veteran journalist, 92, was used to ease the changeover from Maroondah Mail to Maroondah Leader. The paper started life in 1924 as the Croydon - Mount Dandenong Advertiser, but soon was better known under its Ringwood - Croydon Mail masthead. BATES worked as a racing writer on The Age for 45 years before he was made redundant: 'A few of the oldies copped it. I was 61 and it came as a bit of a blow to me.' BATES said he walked into the newspaper's office at Mitcham on the Monday after leaving the Age: 'We used to have great fun on the paper, no one cared about anything. It was a good paper really. It had the support of Ringwood.'

More Local Mastheads Go

* PAT HEGARTY, NEVILLE HOARE and JUDITH NORTON'S proprietorship of the Knox News in 1970 was remembered as journalist BEN HOPKINSON traced the history of Leader's newspaper which started on April 19, 1967. The paper, which has just become The Knox Leader, traces its origins to a local Knox Severance Association newsletter. The paper was bought by the Leader group in 1972.

* SIMON KINCH, now 79, was one of the journalists who worked on The Nunawading Gazette and Box Hill Gazette newspapers, after a career which included stints at The Argus and The Age. The Whitehorse Gazette becomes The Whitehorse Leader. The paper was established by GEORGE BAKER on January 29, 1965. An early district newspaper was the Box Hill Reporter.

* THE WHALLEY BROS., who came from Creswick in country Victoria, were remembered in the history piece for the Preston Post-Times history piece, upon its name change to the Preston Leader. The flagship Northcote Leader commenced publication in 1888, soon branched out in Preston with its own Preston Post edition, and The Northern Times in Reservoir. THE WHALLEY BROS. sold to DECIMUS MOTT and his sons in 1924.

* SALLY BIRD reported on the long history of the Oakleigh and Ferntree Gully Times which started life in 1887. Its successors, the Oakleigh-Monash Times and the Springvale-Dandenong Times, change to Leader badging.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement Are you paying too much for your TV ads? Find out at P3TV http://www.P3TV.com.au or email: people@p3.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

British Tradition v Technology

* TOM DART, writing in a Times (London) supplement, laments that a British sports-publishing tradition could be buried by newer technology: 'Today, sports evening sports papers - Pinks, Greens, Buffs, Blues - are going the way of - well, BRYAN FERRY.' GARRY SHERRARD, Sports Editor of The Leicester Mercury: 'We all know what the future is. They're the most threatened species of newspaper around.' LEON HICKMAN of Birmingham's Sports Argus: 'There are two great problems: the competition from new media, and the diffusion of football across the whole weekend ... the paper's unimmediate within an hour.'

* DART concludes: 'The key to the slump of the Saturday sports paper is the blanket, instant football coverage available - on demand, not just between half-five and half-six, from teletext, radio and mobile phones. When scores can be text-messaged to your phone the moment a goal goes in, and you can read match reports for every league team on the Internet by 6pm, you're less inclined to buy a paper.' He says there are 28 such papers, with combined sales of 300,000.

* MEDIA FLASH ponders - with weekly AFL gates totalling about 300,000 - if there is an audience for a free Saturday night commuter sports paper (such as FRED HILMER'S Melbourne Express) that would actually pay its way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

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, Community News - Moonee Valley, Community News - Moreland, The Flier, House & Land, New Homes & Land

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Asia-Pacific Wire

* JOSUA TUWERE, Fiji Times journalist, had a great yarn in Friday's edition with news that lawyers for GEORGE SPEIGHT are refusing to hand over TV footage of the hostage crisis to State prosecutors who apparently gave to them by mistake.: 'The Director of Public Prosecutions Office claims SPEIGHT'S lawyers have the original television footage shot by Fiji Television and want it back because their copies are not clear. However, defence lawyer RABO MATEBALAVU refused saying that disclosure documents and evidence served to the defence belonged to them ... Magistrate AMINIASI KATONIVUALIKU replaced Chief Magistrate SALESI TEMO on Nukulau yesterday for the last mention of the case before committal proceedings begin in two weeks. He will rule on the matter of television footage next Monday. MR TEMO is on leave.'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

'Instant Win' Online Promotions

a.. Choose from a wide variety of compelling 'Instant Win' and 'Collect and Win' techniques from Promotional Results, Australia leading producer of Instant Win promotions.

b.. Exclusive representation of Real Time Media's (USA) proven and popular 'scratch n win' promotion formats.

c.. Extensive track record across a wide range of 'blue-chip' clients and advertising agencies.

d.. Online clients have included Best Bid, OzEmail, Toy Spot, and The Internet Amusement Group.

e.. Totally secure coding and encryption used.

f.. Creative direction using 'state of the art' mechanics is available.

g.. Full range of offline 'instant win' and 'Scratch n Win' game cards.

PROMOTIONAL RESULTS PTY LTD

Level 4, 22 Darley Rd, Manly, Sydney 2095 gary@promoresults.com.au & sam@promoresults.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Sydney Siders

* ALAN REVELL'S Sun-Herald took a four-page wrap-around in Ad News to celebrate the Sunday paper's eight new sections.

* LOUISE BARRETT is new General Sales Manager at 2UE, heading 16 direct reps, and five agency execs. IAN SHEPPARD becomes Network Sales Manager SCB, in Sydney.

* FIONA RIVERS and MATTHEW NOLAN have introduced a growing local services directory to their 11-times-a-year New Metro Times 32-page short tabloid, delivered in the Newtown, Enmore, Glebe, Erskineville, Camperdown and Leichhardt areas. The modern-design job is printed by Harris Print, Burnie (Tas.)

* ALBERT JAGGER, original publisher of The Epping & District Times (NSW), was remembered in the 16-page Northern District Times 80th anniversary supplement published this month by Cumberland Newspapers. The name change took place in 1937. Local MP JOHN HOWARD sent a congratulatory note to Editor DI BARTOK and her team.

* THE ADVERTISER (Woolgoolga) has introduced a 60-cent cover price for shop and newsagency sales. The weekly will still deliver free in its core area, but the cover price 'will allow people in the outlying rural areas to still stay in touch with the latest news, particularly those at Halfway Creek, Nana Glen and Coramba'.

Tassie Tales

* REX GARDNER'S Hobart Mercury daily is energetically responding to Law Society claims that media coverage of a solicitor's funds fiasco has been coloured. ANNE BARBLIUK has been leading the paper's thorough coverage, which reports about the Senate's inquiry looking into how 300 people, 'many elderly and retired', were owed up to $20 million from schemes which went bad. 'The problem is ... we're dealing with lawyers,' said witness PATRICK TOOMEY. Also reporting in the extensive first-class coverage is Chief Political Reporter MARTINE HEALY.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

HYRO NEW MEDIA

www.hyro.com

Visit our website for client & project list, company profile and news HYRO - 'ideas beyond boundaries? Sydney >> Gold Coast >> Melbourne >> New York

Hyro would like to discuss the creation of concepts to utilise the Internet for marketing and branding opportunities as well as any Web development needs your company may have. This work is second to none in creativity and design. We constantly lead the world in development and functionality, having won many prestigious Australian Interactive Media Internet Awards. View our site for more details on

www.hyro.com or e-mail mike.ryan@hyro.com

VIEWING OUR SITE MAY LEAD TO ANGER CAUSED BY JEALOUSY IN DESIGN

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Melbourne Memo

* 3MBS-FM holds its annual Radiothon this week, until Sunday (May 27), under the theme of 'Be Part Of The Music'. Some 200 volunteers are involved at the station.

* WAYNE ROGERS' Renaissance TV is sponsoring the Advertising Club of Victoria luncheon on May 25 to highlight its daily 8am-4pm Channel 31 push for the 'Baby Boomers'. The invitation says 'Renaissance Television is a new medium for sponsors looking to market products to a captive audience who have a high disposable income.'

Queensland Quips

* MARK PENNISI has presided over a first-class face-lift for Quality Journal Australia. The publication now also appears as The Business Improvement Journal, with production handled by Polygranet Pty Ltd.

* THE REPORTER suburban weekly had it wrong when they ran a Pizza Haven offering two large pizzas for $5.95 (instead of the right price of $15.95). This week's edition saw a full-page ad with the latest offer. Reckon the fast food chain might have received the ad for about $5.95 ... or less.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Does Someone Forward Media Flash to You? Get your own, free copy first thing every Monday morning: send your name, company name, title and email address to: mediaflash@yahoo.com

For the REALLY HOT GOSS, take out a $100 annual subscription (get one for $50 if you hurry) to

Media Flash Confidential. It's our subscriber-only E-Mail.

Subscribe Now at www.mediaflash.candela.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

West Wire

* RUPERT MURDOCH'S Sunday Times is taking trade press ads to boast of 'Perfect Colour ... Only On A Sunday'. The weekend paper boasts of 'the most advanced printing facilities in the country ... it's comforting to know that your colour campaign will turn out just how you intended it to be - perfect'. Meanwhile, our copy of Saturday's West Australian looked decidedly letterpress by the time it reached McGills!

* ACCESS 31 says it has built a 'solid following in excess of 220,000 viewers per week'. The Perth community television station is advertising with quarter-pages in the WA Business News that its major clients include 'Friedman Lurie Singh, Tropicanne Fitters, Advanced Mobile Tune, Budget Removals and Storage, Handy Hire, Jo Jo's, Peter's By The Sea, Top Gun Tyres, Westlink, United Fuel Injections, Residential Fencing and Gloucester Park.'

South Aussie Snips

* THE ADVERTISER published this item on Saturday: 'On Friday, May 11, The Advertiser published a report of court proceedings concerning the alleged importation of cocaine, in which we referred to Fasta Pasta. The report was in error. The Fasta Pasta chain of restaurants has never had any connection with the defendant in the proceedings, or with the importation of cocaine. We apologise to Adelaide Fasta Pasta Pty Ltd.'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Air Waves

* BIG BROTHER TV program is having an impact in the bush, if the Shepparton News editorial item (Page 3, May 18) about its McMedia subsidiary is any indication: 'McMedia Internet manager GLENN JAMES has reported an increase in data being used since the inception of Big Brother. 'It's been a big hit and a lot of people are logging on and watching the Big Brother house as a real-time video,' MR JAMES said. He remained tight-lipped, however, if online usage skyrocketed about 9.30pm - shower time!'

* AARON PETERSON, Southern Star Producer, defends the program's charging up to 55 cents a minute of Big Brother viewers, who telephone to vote off members of the show's cast. Queensland Labor MP LINDA LAVARCH says it costs about $15 to vote online. PETERSON reportedly said the show is expensive to produce and needed various ways to recover costs as it requires production staff 24 hours a day.

* NEIL MITCHELL, 3AW morning host, says Medownick Laser Clinic ads, have an almost inaudible voice whispering 'Medownick' behind the main content. The Herald Sun's COURTNEY WALSH reported this, with subs running the story as '3AW Admits To Mind Play'.

TV Guide

* COLIN JAMES, Adelaide Advertiser reporter, says the ABC has been ordered to weaken its digital TV signal after severely disrupting ambulance communications in the South Australian capital. A Mt Lofty transmitter signal was reduced after it spasmodically blocked two-way radio transmissions on VHF Channel 3.

* SIMONE RICHARDS, of Sydney's North Shore Times, says radio-controlled garage doors are misbehaving ... and the ABC signal from Gore Hill is suspected. ABC Director of Technology and Distribution, COLIN KNOWLES, says garage door openers were 'very prone to all sorts of interference'.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Your ABC

* JONATHAN SHIER, ABC MD, advertises for a Head of Light Entertainment, advertised as 'Sydney/Melbourne'. Contact CAROL ADAMSON. Ref. MNT119240. He also advertises for a Head of Drama, 'Sydney or Melbourne'.

* JENNY MOWBRAY is taking enquiries for an Executive Producer's position, in a TV Science and Environment field.

* ROBERT CLARK, Executive Producer of Behind The News, Adelaide, seeks a Presenter. Ref. DST119238. recruitment@your.abc.net.au

* KIM JORDAN seeks a Reporter for ABC TV News, Perth. ZWJ119234

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

SUBS PLUS - Reduce Costs and Increase your subscriber base.

In the last 3 months, DCA (using Subs Plus software) has taken on more clients - because they need a magazine Customer Service operation that handles all customer service calls, data entry, renewals managements and orders from the Internet. Outsourcing to a Australia's largest outsourced magazine subscription operation was the only choice.

This allows publishers to focus on their marketing activities and concentrate of lifting circulation, not just maintaining it. And by reducing headcount and costs, they can use the savings for great marketing ideas.

DCA provides a premium magazine Customer Service department for magazine publishers - providing reports, handling all customer service queries - all the way through to the despatch of the magazines.

We do it all for you. No more staff re-training, holiday hassles and staff overheads. And we use Australia's leading subscription management software - SUBS PLUS, which can also be purchased for internal use by your own staff.

If you want to save $$$ as well as build and cultivate your subscriber base, call DEREK HOLT on (02) 9817 1044 or email at dholt@data.com.au or see our site www.subsplus.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

So This Is Showbiz ...

* HUGH RIMINTON, National Nine News journalist, has an off-screen passion, according to DAVID SIBLEY, Media Reporter for The Canberra Times. RIMINTON is one of the top 1000 book reviewers at www.amazon.com

* IVAN DEVESON, one-time Seven Network Melbourne boss, speaks at the Bairnsdale Health Service Business Supporters Program on June 14.

Absent Friends

* PETER CROSS, former Editor of The Land, has died at the age of 76. The New Zealander had previously been Agricultural Editor of The Examiner at Launceston (Tas.), Editor of the now defunct National Country Life, and a stint of The NZ Farmer. VERNON GRAHAM contributed an obituary to The Land.

* NEIL THOMPSON, veteran radio man, died last week after a long illness. He had been a 3UZ journalist, and conducted the legendary News Beat program. A career lowlight, no doubt, must have been arriving at a Notting Hill motor vehicle accident, and finding out that the fatality was his own son. Vale Thommo.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

Need to control the information you receive? Visit www.presspass.com.au and register your preference for receiving the latest information on Australian organisations. PressPass delivers, media releases, print quality images, event invitations and expert bios when and how you want. PressPass Gives You Back Control

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement VOODOO SOFTWARE

So you've tried all the software so why not VOODOO to protect your computer system from electronic glitches and viruses.

We paid a Kenyan witchdoctor, Ndungi Gitare to put a charm on a traditional doll which gives 100% protection for your computer against electronic bugger ups. WHAT YOU GET. Authentic traditional, African doll (not made in Taiwan) approx 4" with a peel tab so that it can attach on the surround by your monitor. FREE colour photo of our witchdoctor putting charm and the guarantee including text `....charms essentially work on the basis of faith and belief. If you have sufficient faith this voodoo doll will totally protect your computer. On the other hand, should your computer still be effected by glitches, virus or any type of malfunction then it is quite clear the operator has insufficient faith in the protective powers of the doll and the doll suppliers cannot be held in any way responsible.' Nonetheless, there is still a FULL ... MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. In the event of the user being struck by lightning return the doll and we will give you a full refund.' Ideal novelty gift for the computer geek who has everything. $15 plus $5 for post and registration. Forward Money order or $20 note to The African Bazaar / P.O. Box 1094 Byron Bay 2481. Freecall 1-800 062209. Or place order with credit card number by e mailing to: hmartin@mullum.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Movers And Shakers

* MICHAEL STUTCHBURY, new Editor of The Australian, now includes his plans for the next day's paper at the revamped website. 'Editor's Choice provides a quick daily digest of what The Australian's editors believe are our most important news items and breaking news is constantly updated by our sister organisation, News Interactive.'

* DEBORAH GOUGH has left Fairfax Community Newspapers to become Chief-of-Staff at the struggling Melbourne Express. Award-winning Werribee Banner Editor SEAN CALLANDER becomes the paper's Sports Editor. JOE CROPP, Ballarat Courier layout sub, joins soon. JOSIE MOLLOY and LUCY BEAUMONT also join Editor ANDREW HOLDEN'S team as Researchers/Administration Assistants.

* RAY MARTIN'S gift of waratahs for NICOLE KIDMAN was well covered in the weekend's Telegraph. Will the posie translate to a RAY MARTIN special interview on the Nine Network?

* KENDALL HILL and PETER GOTTING have assembled their 2001 Cafe & Bar Guide, which has Sydney Morning Herald branding.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

FORMAT

A monthly email newsletter for those involved in the production of formatted print publications -- newsletters, magazines, newspapers etc. Includes news and hints involving QXP, InDesign, PageMaker etc. See back issues at http://www.worsleypress.com/format or subscribe with a message of "subscribe" to format-request@lists.best.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

The Local Report

* NEIL COLLYER'S Fairfax Community Newspapers (Vic.) have run a two-page feature in five titles celebrating their two years in the FCN stable since their purchase as Post Newspapers from PETER BOYLE. Advertisers included Rural Press, PMP, The Dynamite Group (commercial print suppliers to FCN's Creative Media Solutions division) and Prominent Press. Other advertiser invited to join the celebrations was Liberal MP for Casey, DR MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE. More ads from them before the year is through!

Glass House

* CAMPBELL REID'S Daily Telegraph ran this note on Saturday: 'Some copies of today's Weekend section may include a page that has also been printed in our Homes supplement. This duplication was caused by a printing error.' (The page/s were MICHAELA VARDANIS' piece on 'Bark's Backyard'. Hardly worth running once.)

* JENI COOPER'S Sunday Telegraph carried an apology to Aboriginal leader PATRICK DODSON: 'In particular, it was suggested that MR DODSON overcharged for his participation in the conference, that he abused his position of leadership in the Aboriginal community and that he selfishly wasted resources meant for the Aboriginal community. The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph acknowledge that these allegations are false.'

* ROSS McPHERSON'S Shepparton News troops ran this 'clarification' in Friday's issue about use of an old press release: 'The story 'Hospitals Helped' which appeared in The News on May 7, may have led some readers to believe that the Nagambie and Euroa hospitals had received extra funding. The content of that story actually came from an old Victorian Government press release that had been sent to The News as background information.' If that is so, did the newspaper item carry a by-line?

* THE McPHERSON FAMILY'S internet pages, McMedia, now charge for access to the news archives. The canny Scots ask for a $10 credit card payment for two day's access to the files. An annual sub costs $300.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Stix And Stones

* STEVE STICKNEY, Editor at The Manly Daily, finds these gems at the Subs' desk:

* 'Bob's gums have died, but the plaque lives on' - red river gums planted in NSW country town of Wentworth to mark BOB HAWKE'S `One Billion Trees' program have died (so has the program), survived only by the obligatory brass plaque to honour the bigwigs. SMH

* 'Dry spell blamed for rain'' - first it was El Nino and now its dreaded sister La Nina takes responsibility for the woeful weather forecasting. Daily Tele.

* 'Victim to eat attacker'' - not a new twist to confront-your-victim justice. just snorkeller ANDRANIK MARKOSSIAN'S plan to fillet the gummy shark which attached itself to his arm and refused to let go until lifeguards chopped its head off at Bronte Beach. Tele.

* 'Sharp axe falls on trio'' - blood-letting a-la Northern Eagles as coach PETER SHARP loses patience with some senior players. Manly Daily.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Long Shots

By Ash Long, Publisher, Media Flash

* GREG HYWOOD'S boys at The Age went on the attack on Thursday afternoon, just prior to the 5pm embargo of Roy Morgan readership figures which showed the broadsheet with reduced weekday and Sunday readership. NIGEL HENHAM, Director of Communications, started his release: 'In a desperate attempt to divert attention away from their failing circulation performance (100,000 sales decline over the past 10 years) and their poor advertising performance, the Herald Sun has made some erroneous claims about The Age following the release of the latest Roy Morgan readership figures.'

* RUPERT MURDOCH'S The Times (London) is beefing its Saturday editions, now priced at 60p. The magazine inserts now come in a plastic-wrap, and the May 12 edition included the 88-page Times Magazine, 64-page Play TV-radio guide, 32-page London List, and a 64-page Football Handbook Monthly.

* TONY McGRATH, HIH provisional liquidator, did not look at his best for part of his TV interview with MICHAEL PASCOE on Business Sunday (Nine Network). MCGRATH gave silly grins as he tried to block some of PASCOE'S questioning regarding the quantum of HIH losses. In view of the mum-and-dad shareholders' losses, it's not really a smiling matter.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Media Money

* 69: Number of names this week in the BRW skite box.

* $100,000 PLUS BONUS: remuneration for the General Manager's position for electronic media company, Virtual Magic, part of The Hope Group in Hobart. Responsibilities for 36 employees. Contact STEPHEN PORTER or ANNE KIRBY-FAHEY at Searson-Buck: sporter@searsonbuck.com.au

* $30 MILLION: cost of Ansett boss GARY TOOMEY'S 'Absolutely' campaign. Some $20 million goes on ads; $10 million on staff training.

* $75 MILLION: 'One.Tel founders JODEE RICH and BRADLEY KEELING have extracted close to $75 million during the past five years from the junior telephone company,' writes KEVIN MORRISON of The Sydney Morning Herald.

They Said It ...

* LEON HICKMAN, reporter for 25 years on the Saturday evening sports paper, Birmingham's Sports Argus (UK): 'There's no more perplexing job in newspapers, but it's a great feeling to pick up the paper less than an hour after you've written your article and say, there it is, a complete package.'

* DONNA TOUT and KATE REDFERN at Professional Public Relations sent a news release to Media Flash on behalf of MATT HANDBURY, chief of Murdoch Magazines. He supposedly said: 'The key take-out is that marketers must realise the value of individualism and authenticity in an era of contradictions.' Marketers also must realise the value of plain language.

* DEBORAH STONE, Editor of Australian Jewish News (Melbourne Edition), wrote this week: 'The best problems an editor has are when there are so many important events that its is hard to decide what to put on the front pages. This was one of those weeks.' STONE led with 'Government Softens Tolerance Legislation' and 'Protesters Support Detained Asylum Seekers'.

The Last Word

* THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING AUTHORITY advised The Sunbury Telegraph newspaper that the frequency for new station 3NRG is to be 88.6FM, according to a Page 3 apology in the local weekly. Station Manager JOHN BENT advises the correct frequency is 99.3FM.

P.S.

* MEDIA FLASH reported last week on the 3AK 'merger' with 3MP. AK owner, DCL, says it will look to offer a Board seat to 3MP company, Malbend Pty Ltd, of which communications commentator MARK DAY is a Director. Will DAY become boss of his one-time nemesis DERRYN HINCH?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Australian Media Job Directory

Employment

* SHANE HIGGS' Metropolis Media - publishers of The Melbourne Times, Emerald Hill Times and Melbourne's City Weekly - is advertising nationally for an Editor. christineb@metmedia.com.au

* PROFESSOR ALLAN FELS of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission advertises for an Assistant/Advisor, paying $59,724 - $80,695. PO Box 1199, Dickson, ACT 2602.

* JENNIFER LUGSDIN is handling enquiries for the Marketing Director's position at the Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations. jlugsdin@facts.org.au

* AIMEE ODELL at Michael Page Sales & marketing is accepting CVs for a Public Affairs Manager position, with a media relations focus. The position offers $100,000. melb.marketing@michaelpage.com.au

* GRAHAM McMAHON, Advertising Manager at The Ballarat Courier, hunts for a professional telemarketer.

* CORINNE EASTLEY, Company Accountant at Davies Brothers Limited (The Mercury at Hobart), advertises for an Accounts Payable Clerk.

* CATHERINE WRIGHT, at Hender Consulting in Adelaide, seeks a Director, Public Relations and Admissions, for a 'leading independent school'. apply@hender.com.au

* VON BIBRA MOTORS, Gold Coast, seeks a Public Relations/Customer Liaison Consultant. PO Box 3230, Southport.

* LLOYD BOND, of Toobi Wild at Burleigh Junction (NSW), seeks a Book Editor, and an Illustrator. lloyd@bondii7.com

* ALICE ARCHER, Regional Editor at Fairfax Community Newspapers (Vic.), Werribee, seeks a Copy Writer/Features Co-Ordinator. aarcher@fcnvic.fairfax.com.au

* ANTHONY McDONALD of The Melbourne Weekly Magazine is looking for an Advertising Co-Ordinator. resumes@textmedia.com.au

* PAULA NOLAN, at APN News & Media in Brisbane, hunts for an Advertising Salesperson to work on features and special projects for Presspak.

* EDDIE ABELNICA at Melbourne's Cheapest Cars wants to appoint an Advertising and Marketing Co-Ordinator. marianfox@bigpond.com

* MAREE STARK at Spin Communications, Melbourne, wants applications for an Advertising Account Director. m.stark@spin.com.au

* KEN VAUGHN at Geddes Parker & Partners seek a Sales Manager for video-on-demand. A $200,000 package carrot is offered. geddesparker@gpandp.com.au

* JAMIE WEBB, Online Operations Manager at the Australian Caption Centre, is employing TV news captioners. jamie.webb@auscap.com.au

* MICHAEL HANNAN'S IPMG seeks a National Account Manager reporting to 'the Queensland and New South Wales State Manager'. kedwards@ndd.com.au

* PETER SEXTY GRAPHIC DESIGN wants a, you guessed it, Graphic Designer. admin@sextydesign.com.au

* ELIZABETH LANGREITER, Human Resources Manager at Hill & Knowlton, advertises for a Director, Public Affairs, Sydney, for a global company. elangrei@hillandknowlton.com.au

* DAVID SHEARER, at Val Morgan Sydney, needs a Copywriter.

* JOHN BOOTH, publisher at The Weekly Times local paper, North Ryde (NSW), requires an Advertising Sales Executive.

Work Wanted

* Advertise your 'Work Wanted' notice in Media Flash. We'll print your 'Work Wanted' ad for free. Simply E-Mail it to us by 5pm Friday at mediaflash@yahoo.com

* BRAD: I am a 25-year old male marketing graduate whom has spent the last four years feeling unfulfilled in transport & logistics roles but now wishes to move full time into the industry I am passionate about - media news and entertainment. I have experience as a news reader and sports reporter for an on-line information service and have done some stand-up comedy. I am interested in any on or off air radio and television roles and am willing to move to the moon if need be - anything to bring the right side of the brain out of hibernation. I have a strong knowledge of sport (especially AFL, cricket and soccer), the internet and television, as well as a knowledge of pop culture that scares most of my friends. I've procrastinated long enough and really want to give this a crack, so if you've anything in mind - please e-mail me on pace2001@start.com.au.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

Effective Words

If you are looking for someone who can create advertising copy, write media releases and proofread in a single bound (well almost) then I'm your woman. I'm a freelance writer with a variety of government and private sector clients. My career in both the media and education goes back 25 years. If you want effective words and you want them quickly and at very reasonable rates then call Alison Grahame (that's me) on 02 4324 3328 or fax 02 4324 0061.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Advertisement

Access to multiple markets with one media buy

As a media professional you understand the value of a highly targeted and effective media buy. The Courier Newspaper Group provides an unparalleled opportunity to reach single or multiple markets with a diverse range of quality newspaper publications - locally, regionally and globally via the Internet. Whatever your target market, there's a Courier publication that reaches it.

Wentworth Courier - circulation 46,431, readership 131,000 The unrivalled market leader in Sydney's affluent Eastern Suburbs.

Inner Western Suburbs Courier - circulation 71,241, readership 180,000 Complete coverage in the densely populated Inner West from Glebe and Balmain to Burwood and Homebush.

Southern Courier - circulation 45,669, readership 96,000 The undisputed market leader in the rapidly growing areas from Clovelly to Mascot, La Perouse to Maroubra and Waterloo to Coogee.

Sydney Weekly - circulation 90,500*, readership 181,000* Covering the North Shore corridor from the harbour through Hunters Hill, Chatswood and Mosman to Wahroonga.

City Weekly - circulation 60,000*, readership 120,000* Recognised for its vibrant lifestyle and entertainment content and authoritative employment section, covering the CBD and North Sydney.

wM (Weekly Messenger: Anything but average) - circulation 51,000*, readership 89,000. A brand new lifestyle publication with the look and feel of a contemporary weekend magazine, wM covers the key areas of Sydney's South Eastern suburbs.

9 to 5 - circulation 60,000, readership 250,000* Packed with Sydney's hottest jobs, news, entertainment and lifestyle information, 9 to 5 gives Sydney's busiest people a great start to their working week. Hand delivered to CBD commuters and pedestrians.

Weekender - circulation 40,500*, readership 107,000* The fastest growing news magazine on the Sunshine Coast. An informative lifestyle publication offering comprehensive news, real estate, classifieds, entertainment and more.

www.couriernews.com.au providing links to: www.search4it.com.au From real estate and entertainment, to employment and trade directories - find what you need fast. Search all the Courier classifieds in one go - all in one place. www.propertypath.com.au In just a few clicks you'll find all the information you need to buy, sell or invest in property. www.sydneyis.com.au The ultimate local guide to entertainment and things to do in Sydney. Searchable information on Sydney's best restaurants, outdoor recreation, cinemas and movie times, music venues, CD reviews, retail shopping, the arts, galleries, theatres and performance.

To get your message to the right market call: 9353 9999

*Publisher's claim

© Scoop Media