Media Insider: Failed TV corporations – Boss’ new alias and $2 raised on-line for brand new movie; Redundancy blow for Newshub contractors; Revealed – the value of economic integration on TVNZ Breakfast

Boss of failed Stripe Studios is utilizing one other identify for brand new initiatives, raises $2 on-line for brand new movie; Some Newshub employees to overlook out on redundancy; Revealed: The value for business integration on TVNZ’s Breakfast
and Seven Sharp; New advert income evaluation; Radio station rides Taylor Swift wave; 5 issues to look at for at Voyagers.

The managing director of a gaggle of New Zealand display screen manufacturing corporations in receivership – owing greater than $20 million – has a brand new alias, a brand new firm in the UK and hyperlinks to a variety of proposed new TV and movie initiatives.

Stripe Studios boss Alex Breingan has been utilizing one other identify, AJ James, which has been connected to a collection of proposed initiatives within the UK and US. James is Breingan’s center identify.

Breingan has registered a UK-based firm, Loveday Movies, and up till yesterday, funding was being sought on the Kickstarter donations web site – underneath the AJ James identify – for a documentary movie in regards to the lifetime of Spandau Ballet chief singer Tony Hadley.

After launching the Kickstarter fundraising challenge on Might 6, with plans to have it open till June 6, the decision for donations was cancelled yesterday – of the $10,000 searched for the challenge, $2 had been raised.

The Kickstarter donation marketing campaign provided a variety of choices for potential donors, together with $500 for a signed mini movie poster; $750 for a signed full-size film poster; $750 for a thanks credit score on the finish of the movie; $1000 for a red-carpet premiere invite; $1500 for an affiliate producer credit score; and $5000 for an government producer credit score.

None of those choices have been taken up by potential supporters.

The Kickstarter web page additionally outlines particulars of Hadley’s profession and says of the film challenge: “This isn’t merely a narrative of occasions passed by, as we hear from in the present day’s music royalty reminiscent of Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora who reaffirm Hadley’s significance to the British music world.”

Breingan can be the managing director of Auckland-based Stripe Media which – together with 10 associated corporations – was positioned in receivership in March.

Collectors of the businesses – together with Kiwibank, financing agency Fulcrum Media Finance and American TV stars David Hasselhoff and Iliza Shlesinger – are owed greater than $20 million and the receiver claims its investigations have uncovered “irregularities” within the firm’s funds.

The receiver says these alleged “irregularities” have been referred to “related authorities” – this follows the New Zealand Movie Fee (NZFC) referring its personal issues about Stripe to the Critical Fraud Workplace final yr.

The SFO has confirmed it obtained a criticism from the NZFC however has refused to say whether or not it’s investigating any issues in relation to Stripe.

Hasselhoff and Shlesinger travelled to New Zealand final yr to movie separate, Stripe-produced journey reveals. Breingan was listed as the manager producer for each collection.

Whereas the reveals have been shot, they’ve been held up in post-production following Stripe’s monetary difficulties, and have but to display screen.

Hasselhoff is reportedly owed cash whereas Shlesinger, who efficiently sought to have Stripe Studios (Comedy) Ltd liquidated in March, is owed greater than $600,000 for her movie work in New Zealand.

Breingan has refused to answer quite a few messages over many weeks from the Herald together with questions prior to now week in regards to the AJ James alias, Loveday Movies, and the Tony Hadley challenge.

Up till Thursday this week, AJ James was listed on the IMDb web site as being the producer of 4 new reveals – the Tony Hadley movie, in addition to a Scandinavian journey present that includes British broadcasting stars Pat Sharp and Chris Moyles; and reveals with American hyperlinks referred to as Make or Break and Haunted Hearts.

Nonetheless, the IMDb web page which confirmed AJ James’ hyperlinks to these reveals has now been edited, with a number of initiatives eliminated or anonymised as ‘untitled’.

In line with a short bio on IMDb, “AJ James is an skilled TV director and producer within the actuality, unscripted and documentary genres with titles for Discovery, NBCU and Netflix. Moreover, he has an intensive profession in UK radio as a producer on the BBC and in business radio. AJ’s growth slate consists of UK titles with vital star expertise.”

And on the Kickstarter website, it states: “AJ James is a particularly skilled producer in movie and TV having overseen 30+ productions lately. He’s additionally a author and director who has labored with Common, Netflix, the BBC, Warner Brothers in Hollywood and Sky.”

Meanwhile, again in New Zealand and in accordance with a liquidator’s report into one of many 11 Stripe corporations, Breingan stated a funding settlement U-turn by the New Zealand Movie Fee (NZFC) was accountable for the liquidation – however the NZFC has stated it “rejects that it’s accountable in any means for the monetary circumstances” of the corporate.

A not too long ago launched receiver’s report revealed extra background, together with NZFC issues over Stripe and alleged “irregularities” involving display screen manufacturing grant (SPG) functions – the grant, administered by the NZFC, is now referred to as the display screen manufacturing rebate and is a taxpayer subsidy for qualifying display screen initiatives.

“Previous to the appointment of receivers, NZFC had recognized irregularities in relation to the provisional certificates of the SPG, granted to sure [special purpose vehicles],” says the receivers’ report.

“In consequence, they sought additional info and paused all present SPG provisional and closing functions pending additional passable info being offered.”

The receivers stated that Stripe’s Breingan had suggested them “that ongoing funding of the broader Stripe Studios corporations required the SPG to be paid out on reveals that had been accomplished”.

“It seems the businesses ran out of money and have been unable to proceed buying and selling. We perceive the businesses ceased buying and selling round mid-December 2023.”

Newshub contractors miss out on compo

Quite a lot of individuals who will lose their jobs when Newshub closes in early July are contractors, who seem set to overlook out on redundancy funds.

Numerous employees are in contracting roles, starting from digicam folks to some on-air expertise, together with AM host Lloyd Burr, who began with the enterprise final yr after dropping his job when MediaWorks’ In the present day FM closed.

Burr initially returned to Newshub as a reporter within the political gallery in Wellington, earlier than transferring to Auckland to host AM, alongside Melissa Chan-Inexperienced, from the beginning of 2024, after earlier host Ryan Bridge moved throughout the firm to arrange for a brand new night primetime present that by no means eventuated.

Neither Burr nor Warner Bros Discovery wished to remark when approached by Media Insider this week, however sources counsel he has been contemplating his choices.

One argument is perhaps that with common hours on a set present, Burr may very well be thought of an worker. It can even be fascinating to see whether or not Newshub has beforehand indicated it might rent him as a fulltime worker.

Regardless of the case, given his wide-ranging expertise, it’s unlikely he’ll battle to seek out work, regardless of the well-documented financial challenges within the media trade.

Employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk advised Media Insider that contractors weren’t lined by New Zealand employment legal guidelines and due to this fact couldn’t convey a private grievance or unjustified dismissal declare.

“Nor do the great religion obligations within the Employment Relations Act apply to them, which implies that there is no such thing as a statutory obligation to offer them with all related info referring to the restructuring and seek the advice of.

“As the connection is pushed by the contract that they enter into with the enterprise, they are often given discover of termination in accordance with the contract and reduce unfastened, at any time.”

Any entitlement to redundancy compensation could be primarily based solely on the phrases of the contract, she stated.

“Most agreements of this nature don’t present for any compensation, so contractors usually obtain discover of termination and nothing additional.

“This may very well be considered as unfair, which is why there have been quite a lot of latest circumstances through which contractors have challenged their authorized standing and have claimed that they’re in actuality workers (for instance Uber drivers).

“Additionally it is the rationale that the previous Labour-led Authorities was exploring tips on how to develop the scope of the Employment Relations Act to cowl ‘dependent contractors’, nevertheless, this isn’t more likely to be continued underneath the present Authorities.”

TVNZ’s massive Breakfast and Seven Sharp sale

TVNZ is promoting $10,000 spots to advertisers and sponsors for a particular built-in contest to run on Breakfast and Seven Sharp in early July, simply because it faces new-look competitors within the broadcast information area.

One unbiased and skilled marketer – upon receiving information of the deal – stated of TVNZ: “If it breathes, they may promote it!”

Gross sales groups in all of our business media corporations have unenviable duties proper now – the market is tough, in a tricky economic system.

There’s little doubt, although, that Breakfast and Seven Sharp are thought of by TVNZ to be sturdy business platforms, fairly than conventional present affairs reveals – a motive, in my view, why they have been untouched within the latest spherical of cost-cutting.

A TVNZ e mail to potential advertisers, obtained by Media Insider, says the state broadcaster is planning a two-week “Mid-Winter Win-a-Thon” from July 1.

“Every day, we’ll function an unimaginable prize for our viewers to win, promoted throughout each Breakfast and Seven Sharp, supported by our in depth TVNZ advertising belongings,” wrote business integration producer Becky Busché.

“Viewers will tune in to catch the every day ‘prize phrase’ for his or her likelihood to win, with the every day winner introduced on Breakfast the next morning.”

For $10,000 “and a really helpful prize contribution” of an extra $10,000, advertisers would obtain three in-show mentions on Breakfast, of about 45 seconds every – together with “one key message per point out”.

Their logos and product pictures could be screened prominently on the Breakfast set digital wall, behind presenters.

There could be one other point out – once more of 45 seconds – on Seven Sharp every night.

Connected would even be a “full day” of devoted advertising time and social media “buzz”.

Integration and competitions like this are nothing new – my very own firm NZME does this, particularly by way of radio promotions.

However the place TVNZ must be further cautious, particularly as a state broadcaster, is in the way it presents this content material. Final August, the broadcaster stated it might “strengthen transparency” over Breakfast content material after revelations the broadcaster was paid $300,000 by a Authorities company to air a collection of local weather change items.

Whereas this competitors is more likely to look quite a bit totally different from editorial content material, the very fact is advertisers will probably be paying for the spot. It will likely be fascinating to see the labelling.

A TVNZ spokeswoman stated yesterday: “Working competitions or integrations on Breakfast and Seven Sharp is just not new and integrations are clearly marked. We’ve got a rigorous course of to make sure each built-in piece of content material on these reveals is an editorial match. The help of our promoting companions pays for our journalism. Transparency in promoting is necessary to us.”

By way of the trade insider’s remark about TVNZ promoting something that breathes, she stated: “TVNZ is absolutely reliant on promoting income and doesn’t obtain taxpayer funding. We’re mandated by legislation to behave as a business organisation.”

She additionally rejected any suggestion the timing a part of TVNZ’s response to the brand new Stuff 6pm information bulletin on Three, launching on July 6. The business integration staff was repeatedly creating initiatives, she stated.

Advert income evaluation

Fascinating new evaluation from Infometrics reveals the ever-changing income streams in New Zealand media.

Infometrics has charted general annual income – for digital, tv, newspapers, radio and different platforms – for the previous 32 years, since 1991.

No surprises in that it reveals declines for tv and newspapers, whereas radio income is extra steady. Magazines are additionally declining whereas out of doors promoting is on the rise.

However not one of the tendencies – optimistic or detrimental – are fairly just like the “unstoppable rise of digital”, says Infometrics.

“Nonetheless, it was solely within the 2021 calendar yr that digital surpassed mixed non-digital advert spending on different media,” writes Infometrics chief government and principal economist Brad Olsen.

“By 2023, digital advert spending totalled $1.87 billion, a 4.9 per cent pa improve on the earlier yr. Spending on digital-only adverts in 2023 totalled simply over $370 million greater than non-digital advert spending mixed.

“Non-digital spend totalled $1.49b, down 7.3 per cent from a yr earlier than.”

Inside the non-digital area, tv income comes out high – $534m in 2023, an 11 per cent decline on the earlier yr.

Trade insiders anticipate this quantity to fall by one other $70m this yr – a quantity that’s driving lots of the cost-cutting choices at our main networks.

In 2023, newspaper revenues have been $297m – additionally down 11 per cent – whereas radio advert revenues have been $267m, and steady.

Olsen stated everybody knew digital was enormous, “however I feel lots of people (together with myself) assume that each one the opposite media mixed nonetheless get a bigger complete sum of advert spending. I feel everybody thinks that collectively, all media advert spend dominates digital nonetheless – however it doesn’t”.

“Digital is now bigger all by itself than all different advert spending mixed.”

Infometrics additionally went again to 1964 to point out advert spending in comparison with GDP.

“Advert spending as a share of GDP has been falling since 2006, from 1.3 per cent all the way down to a low of 0.7 per cent within the March 2021 yr,” says the Infometrics report.

“Though there was a slight rally over 2021/22 and 2022/23, again to above 0.8 per cent of GDP, the most recent figures for 2023 yr noticed a fall again to 0.75 per cent of GDP.”

Olsen picks up this level: “The very fact it’s as little as it’s now, and decrease lately than any time for the reason that Sixties, actually does present that advert spending is a better a part of spending for companies to chop or restrict – and speaks to the necessity for extra progressive funding fashions for the longer term.”

The facility of Taylor Swift

There have been many highlights, for each NZME and MediaWorks, in yesterday’s radio survey outcomes – and likewise a number of “work-ons”.

I’ve been intently watching the battle between ZM and The Edge through the years – NZME is actually ecstatic about ZM’s efficiency which has seen its cumulative viewers (537,400) overtake The Edge (510,900) for the primary time.

MediaWorks will probably be proud of the efficiency of most of its different music stations, specifically The Rock, Mai FM, and Magic – all serving to that enterprise obtain a 51.5 per cent business share.

However ZM’s rise has been telling, on the again of constantly sturdy Breakfast and Drive reveals, reside occasions – and Taylor Swift.

As Media Insider reported in February, ZM was inundated with tens of 1000’s of calls over many weeks because it gave away the real-life equal of Willy Wonka golden tickets – airfares, lodge lodging and passes to Taylor Swift’s Australian live shows.

Having now attracted such a giant viewers, ZM will probably be targeted on retaining it.

In a press launch, NZME radio boss Jason Winstanley stated he was “significantly proud” of ZM and its end result.

“NZME has put an enormous quantity of vitality and useful resource into delivering essentially the most cherished and listened to content material, investing in attracting one of the best radio hosts within the nation and complementing our on-air providing with sturdy digital platforms which might be an extension of our much-loved radio manufacturers. All of this has led to the expansion we’re seeing within the outcomes in the present day, with a few of our greatest stations displaying constant progress.”

Voyager Media Awards: Who, what to look at for

New Zealand journalism’s massive day has dawned. The annual Voyager Media Awards tonight give the trade some respite from an annus horribilis.

As we collectively mud ourselves off from an unprecedented wave of cuts – and the lack of a whole information organisation – tonight’s occasion and the varied after-parties are an opportunity to rejoice the easiest within the enterprise.

Round 420 journalists and media trade friends will collect for the black-tie occasion at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.

With a giant reduce within the variety of awards comes the promise of a sleeker, extra refined ceremony – Jeremy Corbett and Madeleine Sami have the unenviable activity of retaining the present on the rails, and a roomful of journalists in verify as a lot as doable.

There are lots of juicy classes. Listed here are 5 watch-outs:

One Good Textual content

This week we meet up with Jeremy Corbett, who, together with Madeleine Sami, hosts the annual Voyager Media Awards tonight.

Don’t fear in regards to the gangs…

The Auckland Writers Competition is celebrating a file yr – greater than 85,000 folks attended the six-day competition final week, that includes 167 occasions and 240 contributors. Nearly 11,000 books have been bought at pop-up guide stalls throughout the competition. Hooray!

On Friday, I popped into a type of 167 classes – a panel that includes senior journalists Jared Savage (NZ Herald) and Benedict Collins (1News) discussing their latest, respective crime books Gangster’s Paradise and Mad on Meth.

The incomparable Steve Braunias – who’s on high of his writing sport in the intervening time with items like this and this and this – was an excellent panel ringleader, weaving his means throughout the hour with questions in regards to the internal workings of gangs, the rise of meth and the broader travails of the New Zealand media trade. He probed them each on the latest, deadly Ponsonby Rd capturing.

It was an clever and considerate session, with lighter moments.

Savage remembers entrance web page tales within the Herald when the police uncovered 1kg of meth.

“Police don’t get off the bed or at the least 100kg lately,” he joked to laughter.

Braunias needed Savage to checklist the highest 5 gangs in New Zealand. Savage didn’t wish to play that sport however did checklist a number of – Comancheros on high after which in no explicit order, Hells Angels, Head Hunters, King Cobras, Rebels and the Mongols.

The viewers questions have been atypical of those festivals. Some oral dissertations, with barely a query in sight.

An nameless viewers member did ask a digital query: “I reside 200m from the Head Hunters headquarters – what’s going on there?”

One other viewers member requested if the panellists had ever feared for his or her security in masking the gangs and meth.

Braunias stepped in, dryly noting that each one three of them have been a part of a media trade the place the larger concern was the wave of an accountant’s pen … and redundancy.

In case you missed it

Editor-at-Giant Shayne Currie is one in all New Zealand’s most skilled senior journalists and media leaders. He has held government and senior editorial roles at NZME together with Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.