Why click and collect is winning Australia’s fuel price crunch
As we move into the second quarter of 2026, the retail landscape is being reshaped by a factor once thought to be a relic of a bygone era: the geopolitical volatility of the Persian Gulf. For those of us with long enough memories, the current headlines carry a distinct sense of déjà vu. While I […]
David Jones must stick to its guns and prioritise its premium store experience
Retailers are seeing a massive push toward agentic AI – AI bots making purchases on behalf of consumers. The Navigators AI Brandscape Report found 39 per cent of Australians are already using AI to make shopping decisions, 31 per cent act on AI recommendations, and 27 per cent are open to buying directly via an […]
Agencies urge clients to look past the April ad slump
Ben Willee, executive director of media and data at Spinach, put it more plainly. “Right now, the advertising industry feels like it’s standing in the corner with its wallet out, counting the notes twice before spending anything,” Willee told AdNews. “As the market’s largest advertising category, continued weakness from the retail sector will be difficult for […]
‘Peak uncertainty’: Why Australia’s marketing industry says this downturn feels different
Spinach’s Miranda said client confidence now “fluctuates between being cautious and somewhat paralysed”. “The cost-of-living crisis and margin squeezes mean ROI scrutiny is intensified, and every dollar spent is being interrogated,” she said. “This paralysis happens when marketers are forced to defend long-term brand support in a room demanding short-term visibility and performance.” She added […]
Albanese mocked by entrepreneurs using AI images to fight CGT changes
In addition to his comments in the article, there’s one more thing that didn’t make the article. The Labor Party will be using social listening and research to better understand how people feel about these changes. Will be interesting to see if that leads to policy changes. Advertising veteran Ben Willee, executive director of media […]
A ‘nervous’ advertising market feels the war in the Middle East
Ben Willee, executive director – media and data at Spinach Advertising, said looking at the latest SMI numbers is a bit like checking your bank balance after a long weekend. You already know it’s not going to be good. “The market is back about 5.2% year on year, which on the surface doesn’t look great. […]
What is the simplest way to start using AI in my business without risking data leaks?
Data security is the number one reason small business owners hesitate to adopt AI. For many small business owners, the biggest barrier to adopting AI is not knowing where to start. It is not knowing what happens to their data when they do. Customer records, financial information, internal documents, the fear of feeding sensitive business […]
Is this a vote of confidence in the Outdoor Sector?
Our Executive Director Media and Data Ben Willee talks to Tim Burrows and Hal Crawford on the Mumbrella cast about how Pacific Equity Partners has made an offer to buy outdoor advertising company Ooh Media and also the Government’s News Media Bargaining Code. Listen to Ben speak here: Check out the podcast here:Mumbrellacast: Ooh Media takeover bid and the […]
The ‘uncomfortable’ change at media agencies
Commenting on the latest dip in jobs in the media agencies, our Executive Director – Media and Data Ben Willee said the situation is more evolution than revolution. “Evolution in advertising is like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone,” said Ben Willee, Spinach’s executive director of media and data. “It’s uncomfortable, a few […]
Money News with James Willis on the Journalists strike at the ABC
Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media and Data at Spinach Advertising, talks to James Willis on Money News (3AW, 2GB, 4BC, 6PR) about the Journalists strike at the ABC. Listen to Ben speak here: Check out the podcast here: Money News with James Willis Or read the transcript: James Willis (Host) I don’t quite understand […]