So what has been the biggest story of 2025?
Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media and Data at Spinach Advertising, talks to Tom Storey on Nine Radio’s Money News about the year in media and marketing. Listen to Ben speak here: Check out the podcast here: Money News: Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media & Data for Spinach Advertising Or read the transcript: Tom Storey […]
Taking hits but nowhere near a knock out – Ben Willee in the Adnews 2026 Forecast
Ben Willee, Executive Director – Media and Data at Spinach, said the economy is not as strong as some would have us believe. “There’s no Advertiser Confidence Index, but if there was, I’d bet the farm it’d be parked right next to ‘used car dealer trust levels’,” Willee said. “If you thought 2025 was a lot, strap in, […]
Perspective – Predictions are like weather forecasts from people selling umbrellas
This time last year, when I sat down to ponder the year that was 2024, I landed on the view that advertising is like riding a high-speed rollercoaster, missing half the track. Twelve months on, that sentiment is still the same. I also recall thinking that predictions from advertising executives are like weather forecasts from […]
The race has been won for the 2025 best TV channel but who really came out on top?
The race has been won for the 2025 best TV channel – but why are two stations claiming the crown? Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media and Data at Spinach Advertising, talks to Brooke Corte on Nine Radio’s Money News about the latest in media and marketing. Listen to Ben speak here: Check out the […]
The great unravelling: Digital advertising at a crossroads
For AdNews Perspectives last year, I wrote about a transformative period for our industry. Today, I’d argue we’re in a state of unravelling. The neat threads of digital advertising — privacy, platform neutrality, and search — are being pulled apart by political inertia, geopolitical manoeuvres, and the monopolistic ambitions of Big Tech. What was meant […]
Is this the last ‘traditional’ Christmas?
The dust has barely settled on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As we brace for the final Christmas sprint and the inevitable Boxing Day crush, take a moment to really look at your customers. You are likely witnessing the last ‘traditional’ holiday sales period in retail history. While this year we see shoppers consulting AI […]
A soft advertising market turns soggy
“The market has fallen a massive 14.7% in October, which is the advertising equivalent of hitting a pothole so deep it rearranges your dental work,” said Ben Willee, executive director – media and data at Spinach. “One more month of negative growth, and we are in a technical advertising recession. Tough times are a very […]
Kyle & Jackie O face new ACMA pressure over offensive content. Ben Willee unpacks the fallout for ARN along with AFL and NRL moves
Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media and Data at Spinach Advertising, talks to Evan Lucas on Nine Radio’s Money News about Kyle & Jackie O facing ACMA pressure, ARN fallout, AFL and NRL moves and more. Listen to Ben speak here: Check out the podcast here: Money News: Ben Willee, Executive Director of Media & […]
The true cost of loyalty: planning for profit beyond the sales peak
The Australian retail sector is bracing for its annual litmus test: the Black Friday-to-January sales period. Forecasts are bullish, and the e-commerce operational focus is squarely on website load-balancing, inventory management, and conversion rate optimisation. For a few frantic days, success will be measured in record-breaking revenue and transaction volumes. But this is a dangerous, […]
‘Immediate trust and credibility:’ Sport fronting a brand campaign
Shell Motorsports collection has utilised the new motorsport fandom with miniature car models for fans to collect. Behind the creative, Spinach executive creative director Dom Megna told AdNews that sports stars add credits around the physical benefits for product or services. “That’s body physical, not material physical. They also bring a very distinctive fan base along with […]