Hayley

2022 Good Friday Appeal raises $22 million

By Hayley SEVEN

Record-breaking result for The Royal Children’s Hospital

Some of the biggest names in television and entertainment gathered on Friday for the Seven Network’s annual Good Friday Appeal, helping raise a record-breaking $22,328,154 for The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

The Good Friday Appeal is an institution that unites Victorians like few others to raise much-needed funds for the hospital. This year marked the 65^th year that Seven had broadcast the iconic event and the network is proud to have continued the tradition on Channel 7 in Melbourne and 7plus.

It was an honour and a privilege to bring the sheer joy and heart-warming stories of the Good Friday Appeal to Australians, on a truly special day on the Victorian calendar.

To see Victorians rally together and dig deep to support the Good Friday Appeal, after an incredibly difficult two years during the pandemic, proves how special The Royal Children’s Hospital is to all of us.

The Appeal is a great partnership between The Royal Children’s Hospital, Channel 7 and the Herald Sun, and we’re rapt by how Victorians responded this year.
Lewis Martin, Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport

Hosts Peter Mitchell, Jane Bunn, Rebecca Maddern and Mike Amor from 7NEWS kicked off the telecast at 12.00pm, sharing the inspiring stories of children and their families who have been touched by the life-changing work of the team at The Royal Children’s Hospital, including this year’s faces of the Appeal, Alex and Isla.

Football fans across Victoria were treated to a half-time goal shoot-out between Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne legends, Doug Hawkins and Brent Harvey, with the pair raising much needed funds for the Appeal.

April 19, 2022

Love0

Seven launches 7Connect

By Hayley SEVEN, Seven West Media

New ad solution to maximise national reach

The Seven Network today announced the launch of a significant new advertising product to turbocharge marketers’ national reach across Seven, 7plus and 7news.com.au.

7Connect gives clients the ability to simultaneously place one television commercial at the same time in all capital city and regional markets, plus parallel placements across 7plus and 7news.com.au.

7Connect will come to life on Sunday 17 April during 7NEWS at 6.00pm with the official launch of Hyundai’s major new “We’re not waiting for the future | Imagine that” campaign.

The first of its kind ad solution in Australia, 7Connect is part of Seven’s ongoing strategy to deliver unmatched national total video trading for commercial partners and brands.

Following the acquisition of Prime, Seven is the largest premium video content company in the country and we’re focused on creating easier and more effective ways for advertisers to connect with the scale of our unrivalled audience.

7Connect is a new product within Seven’s Enhanced Advertiser and Viewer Experience [E.A.V.E.] initiative and was developed to help brands easily maximise reach across capital city and regional markets on our broadcast and premium digital channels.

7Connect is the best place for brands to achieve fast and effective reach across Australia’s most-watched network and we are thrilled that Hyundai and its media agency, Hearts & Science, are the first to take up the opportunity and we can’t wait to see their new brand spot up in lights this Sunday.
Georgie Nichols, Seven NSW Sales Director

Hyundai Motor Company demonstrates and delivers leadership in innovation. Locally in Australia we excite with the innovative products on sale today. At Hyundai, we believe innovation comes in more forms than just product, it’s the product and services that are available. What better way to demonstrate such attributes than by launching the campaign via another innovative and exciting platform such as 7Connect?” Hearts & Science Business Director, Gail Halbert, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the Seven Network to launch 7Connect. Hyundai’s shift to brand marketing is a game changer and our campaign needed unmissable media moments to showcase Hyundai as the most progressive automotive brand in Australia. A nationwide 6pm news roadblock across linear TV and digital screens is the perfect platform to launch Hyundai’s new brand messaging into market.
Kevin Goult, Hyundai Marketing Director

April 14, 2022

Love0

A very Big 21st birthday

By Hayley SEVEN

New housemates face off against Big Brother royalty

Hello Australia. Big Brother is back and ready to celebrate his 21st birthday with a thrilling new season and even more exciting guest list, coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus.

Twenty-one housemates will be invited into the Big Brother house; including some of the biggest, noisiest and most-loved housemates from the past facing off against a new breed of young, hungry housemate in the ultimate showdown.

One massive celebration every step of the way, this party promises an explosive mix of huge characters, heart-warming nostalgia and the devilish twists and turns of Big Brother’s modern game.

Everything that has ever happened has been leading to this. Can the new housemates outwit Big Brother royalty? Who will rise to become the greatest housemate of all time?

The Big Brother royalty include:

Dave Graham, 42 – 2006 housemate
Anthony Drew, 33 – 2013 housemate
Estelle Landy, 33 – 2012 housemate
Layla Subritzky, 33 – 2012 runner-up
Reggie Bird, 42 – 2003 winner
Tim Dormer, 37 – 2013 winner
Trevor Butler, 48 – 2004 winner
Tully Smyth, 34 – 2013 housemate

The first five new housemates are:

Aleisha, 24 – Entrepreneur
Joel, 26 – Fitness fanatic
Johnson, 25 – Big Brother superfan
Josh, 32 – Ex international model
Sam, 31 – Intimacy coach

Think you know Big Brother’s game? Think again.

April 12, 2022

Love0

Guy Sebastian to headline Good Friday Appeal 2022

By Hayley SEVEN

Live on 15 April from 12.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus

Superstar singer-songwriter and The Voice coach Guy Sebastian will lead a cavalcade of Australia’s most-loved musicians including Human Nature and The Voice 2021 winner Bella Taylor Smith as part of this year’s Good Friday Appeal on Channel 7 in Melbourne and 7plus on Friday, 15 April.

The Good Friday Appeal is an institution that unites the people of Victoria and beyond like few others to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. This year marks the 65^th year that Seven has broadcast the iconic event.

Viewers will be treated to a special performance by Guy of two hit songs from his latest album, Love On Display and Standing With You, before he embarks on his national T.R.U.T.H tour.

Human Nature will perform a medley of hit songs as part of their People Get Ready Again – Live 2022 Rebooted tour, while Bella Taylor-Smith will perform her single Nice To Know Ya.

I’m stoked to be part of the 2022 Good Friday Appeal. I’m in awe of the incredible work of our doctors, nurses and medical staff at The Royal Children’s Hospital and recognise how hard they all work to support families in their greatest time of need.

I am proud to be joining many great entertainers to help raise much-needed funding for medical research, education and equipment.
Guy Sebastian

The Good Friday Appeal is a truly special event. Most Victorians – and countless other Australians – have been touched in some way by the world-leading care The Royal Children’s Hospital has lovingly provided to our kids for more than 150 years.

Seven is proud to this year celebrate a milestone 65-year association with the Good Friday Appeal, and we are rapt to have Guy, Human Nature and Bella headline what is going to be an exciting line-up of live entertainment planned for the day and night. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Lewis Martin, Managing Director Seven Melbourne

We are thrilled to have the support of Guy Sebastian. We look forward to seeing Guy perform for families all across Victoria. I’m sure many families will be delighted to see an Australian icon throw his support behind one of the world’s best hospitals, The Royal Children’s Hospital. This is one you cannot miss, especially as the Appeal also celebrates an incredible 65 year milestone with Channel 7.
Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of The Good Friday Appeal

Seven’s broadcast of the 2022 Good Friday Appeal will kick off live from 12.00pm on Channel 7 in Melbourne and 7plus.

The annual Good Friday AFL blockbuster takes centre stage at 4.00pm, when North Melbourne takes on the Western Bulldogs, followed by a jam-packed night of live entertainment from 7.30pm.

People can donate to the Good Friday Appeal:

Online NOW at goodfridayappeal.com.au or virtualtinshake.com.au
By calling 1300 277 325 or 1300 APPEAL between 9.00am and 11.30pm AEDT on Good Friday, 15 April

Last year’s Good Friday Appeal raised more than $17 million.

Good Friday Appeal 2022 is Live on 15 April from 12.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus

April 12, 2022

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7NEWS welcomes Abbey Gelmi

By Hayley 7NEWS

Gelmi to join the 7NEWS Melbourne team

Australia’s #1 news service today announced Abbey Gelmi is joining Melbourne’s top-rating 7NEWS team, led by Peter Mitchell, Jane Bunn and Tim Watson.

From next Saturday, Gelmi will present sport on weekends alongside Rebecca Maddern, Mike Amor and Sonia Marinelli.

Gelmi will continue her roles across the breadth of the 7SPORT schedule, including her work on Seven’s AFL coverage and the upcoming Commonwealth Games. She will host Seven’s Footy Central for the first time tonight.

Gelmi has quickly become one of Seven’s most versatile hosts, having presented across the AFL, cricket, horse racing, motorsport and, most recently, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 coverage with poise, grace and infectious enthusiasm. As the granddaughter of Australian middle-distance great Herb Elliott, sport is in Gelmi’s blood.

I’m thrilled to join Mike, Bec and the 7NEWS team while continuing my role across 7SPORT. The opportunity to work with and learn from the best is something I’ll never take for granted and that’s exactly what the Melbourne newsroom offers.
Abbey Gelmi

Abbey has established her sporting credentials across Seven’s AFL, Olympics, cricket and motorsport coverage. She’s a great fit for a great team and another reason to watch 7NEWS for Melbourne’s best coverage of news, sport and weather.

She will be front and centre of our sporting coverage on the weekends, with exclusive access to the grounds on match day, and she will continue to be in the middle of the coverage for 7SPORT.
Shaun Menegola, Director of 7NEWS Melbourne

7NEWS. Nightly at 6.00 on Channel 7 and streaming on 7plus

Get Involved:
7NEWS.com.au
7NEWS on Facebook
7NEWS on Instagram
7NEWS on Twitter
7NEWS on 7plus

April 12, 2022

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Melissa Doyle to host This Is Your Life

By Hayley SEVEN

Special event series coming to Seven in 2022

The Seven Network is proud to announce that acclaimed journalist and presenter Melissa Doyle will host the return of one of Australia’s longest running and most loved television series, This Is Your Life.

The new-look This Is Your Life will debut on Channel 7 and 7plus later this year as a series of special events.

This Is Your Life celebrates one iconic Australian at a time, offering revealing insights, emotional reunions and never-before-seen footage from their closest colleagues, friends and family, including international names and stellar surprise performers.

This Is Your Life was an iconic and incredibly successful show for many years. We can’t wait to bring the format into 2022 and to welcome Mel Doyle back to Seven as its host.

Mel is one of the best in the business. Intelligent, warm and engaging, she is the perfect person to present This Is Your Life and to celebrate the careers and achievements of some extraordinary Australians.
Angus Ross, Seven’s Chief Content Officer, Entertainment Programming

During her 25 years with Seven, Melissa hosted Sunrise, Sunday Night, 7NEWS, Today Tonight, The Zoo, Where Are They Now?, The Latest, and morning and afternoon news bulletins.

Melissa and the 7NEWS team were recognised with a Walkley Award, a TV Week Logie Award and three international Edward R. Murrow Awards for their coverage of the Lindt café siege in 2014.

She is also an accomplished radio presenter, National Patron for the Make A Wish Foundation and an Ambassador for World Vision, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Adopt Change. In 2016 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her “significant service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups, and to the broadcast media”.

I am honoured to continue the legacy of such an iconic program as This Is Your Life. I can’t wait to present the Big Red Book to some of our most loved Australians and together celebrate their remarkable lives and the people and moments which mean so much to them – and to all of us.
Melissa Doyle

Making its original debut on Seven in 1975, hosted by Mike Willesee, This Is Your Life became one of the most popular shows on television over its six-year run on the network. It was also hosted by Digby Wolfe and Roger Climpson. The program ran on the Nine Network, on and off, from 1995 to 2011.

The new version will be produced for Seven by ITV Studios Australia. The format for This Is Your Life is owned by TIYL 2010, LLC whose authorised representative is Ralph Edwards Productions and is distributed by All3Media International.

ITV Studios Australia negotiated the deal with All3Media International after its acquisition of the DRG/Nent library.

This Is Your Life, hosted by Melissa Doyle, is coming to Channel 7 and 7plus in 2022

April 12, 2022

Love0

Chris Reason awarded for Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 coverage

By Hayley 7NEWS, 7SPORT, Seven West Media, SPORT

7NEWS Chief Reporter Chris Reason has been recognised for excellence in journalism for his “extraordinary” reporting during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Mr Reason was awarded the prestigious Harry Gordon Memorial Award by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and commended for his special report on the showdown between Australia’s Ariarne Titmus and US legend Katie Ledecky in the women’s 400m freestyle – the first television journalist to ever receive the honour in the award’s history.

Mr Reason said: “I’ve covered 11 Olympic Games now, but this was one of the most extraordinary events I’ve ever had to report on. I’ve rarely seen a moment so uplifting and inspiring. It was the race that stopped two nations. And thanks to COVID, next to no one was in the stands to witness it. So being front and centre to relay that history and emotion to Australians back home was an honour and a privilege.

“It was a career high point being on this assignment, and it’s a high point too to be receiving the Harry Gordon Memorial Award. I met Harry multiple times and had enormous respect for him. I’d like to pay special tribute to producer Emma Dallimore, cameraman Paul Walker and editor Guiseppa Nastasi. Outstanding, each of them.

“The Tokyo Olympics was one of the most criticised and questioned in the modern era, but all credit to the International Olympic Committee, the AOC and the Games organisers for pushing through and delivering them – just at a time when the world needed them most. They brought hope and happiness to millions, and I was happy to play a small part in helping deliver that,” he said.

Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson said: “This award acknowledges a true master of the art of television journalism. As 7NEWS Chief Reporter, Chris spearheaded our exceptional Olympic News team, providing our audience with a nightly all-encompassing trip through the events and spotlighting those who made the Games all the more memorable.

“It’s fitting that Chris is the first from television to earn the Harry Gordon Memorial Award. He’s now set the bar extremely high.”

The independent panel of judges further observed: “Chris Reason’s story for 7NEWS was extraordinary. In the five minutes that it ran for, only 30 seconds was allocated to the race itself. Chris added more than four minutes to make it a much more personal story.”

Entries from both the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Games were considered by a three-person independent panel.

April 12, 2022

Love0

Hey Hey It’s 100 Years

By Hayley SEVEN

Daryl Somers back by popular demand with star-studded new special

The 50th anniversary special was one of the most watched television events of 2021. Now Daryl Somers returns with Hey Hey It’s 100 Years: an all-new celebration of the iconic, long-running variety show Hey Hey It’s Saturday, coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus.

The outrageous new special showcases a cavalcade of stars who appeared on the original series of Hey Hey and features some of Daryl’s funniest memories from much-loved segments including Red Faces and Celebrity Head.

The television event features appearances from the original Wiggles, Delta Goodrem, Kate Ceberano, Lee Kernaghan, Tommy Emmanuel and plenty more.

Daryl will also present a special Hey Hey tribute to Shane Warne and The Amazing Johnathan.

The special is dedicated to the late, great Ernie Carroll aka “Ossie Ostrich”.

Hey Hey It’s Saturday’s trademark madness and mayhem was essential family viewing for an incredible 30 years, featuring some of the biggest names in show business, from Australia and overseas.

The 50th anniversary special, Hey Hey It’s 50 Years, was a television sensation and the fifth most-watched entertainment program in 2021 with a total TV audience of 2.11 million viewers.

Hey Hey It’s 100 Years is a Somers Carroll production for the Seven Network.

Hey Hey It’s 100 Years is coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus

April 12, 2022

Love0

Seven strengthens sales leadership team

By Hayley SEVEN

Seven West Media today announced the creation of a new senior role and a restructuring of its sales senior leadership team to reflect its position as Australia’s leading total audience network in across capital city, regional and digital markets.

Seven has appointed Prime Media Group’s Sydney Sales Manager, Adam Forbes, to the new role of National Direct and Independent Agency Sales Director, responsible for building and overseeing client relationships across independent agencies and direct channels.

Following the recent acquisition of Prime’s assets, which has created the largest national total video audience in the country, Seven has expanded the responsibilities of its capital city television sales directors to include regional markets:

Georgie Nichols is NSW Sales Director
Peter Charles is Victoria Sales Director
Todd Dickinson is Queensland Sales Director
Damian Hampson is Western Australia Sales Director
Stephen Woolley is South Australia Sales Director, working alongside Russell Media

Katie Finney, Director of 7RED and the executive responsible for the strategy, creative direction and implementation of brand integration in Seven’s programming, has expanded her remit to include regional amplification and creating deeper connections for brands with critical regional audiences.
The new roles report to Seven West Media National Sales Director, Natalie Harvey, and are effective immediately.

Ms Harvey said: “The expanded remit and new structure of the senior leadership team across capital city, regional and digital has been designed for customer and business success. The new structure ensures we will retain expert knowledge in capital city and regional markets and have the right skills, resources and capabilities in place to ensure our commercial partners and brands remain at the heart of what we do.

“As Seven accelerates towards a dynamic and converged audience trading model, we are rapidly adapting and innovating our commercial strategy to ensure an easier, faster and more effective ecosystem for our clients as they engage with the largest national total video audience in the country.

“As the most watched free-to-air broadcaster across all screens, Seven can now help advertisers and agencies easily reach more than 91% of Australia’s population each month, including in the capital cities, regional Australia and digitally on 7plus,” she said.

April 11, 2022

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Face to Face with Bree Johnson

By Hayley SEVEN, Seven West Media

In this weeks’ Face to Face, Bree Johnson shares what her Sales Coordinator role entails and her journey at Seven as well as her go-to spot in Brissy!

Q1. What made you want to join Seven?

Working for a market leader is what initially drew me to Seven. Fresh out of University and unfamiliar with the Media industry, I never expected to land the role of Sales Coordinator. Luckily for me, I had a very close friend working for Seven at the time who reached out and encouraged me to apply. Almost four years later, I have made lifelong friends and learned so much that I will value for years to come.

Q2. Tell us a bit about what your role involves as Sales Coordinator?

Having been at Seven since 2018, I have worked as a Sales Coordinator across Broadcast and Digital. My day-to-day includes assisting in the implementation and management of campaigns as well as putting together converged brief responses for clients. I also have been in the Salespro team for a few years representing the Brisbane market where I assist in the training and development of new and existing team members.

Q3. Do you have any predictions for the media industry this year now that travel is back and there’s some normality in people’s lives?

It will be great for the Media industry to get back into the social scene. I think the return of events will have a positive influence on everyone’s well-being and help harness relationships. We are already seeing a strong advertising market and I think this will only grow more as the world goes back to normal.

Q4. What’s the most creative campaign that you’ve seen so far in 2022 and why?

I think the new Qantas ad featuring a remake of Peter Allen’s ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ is extremely emotive and well done. Covid obviously hit the travel industry hard, and to see the world opening again and people being able to reunite with friends and family is so special.

Q5. Who or what inspires you most?

I get inspired by the people around me. Whether that be friends, family, or colleagues. I am lucky to be surrounded by great people at Seven, and they always inspire me to work harder and go after my goals.

Q6. Finally, what does a day off look like for you and what do you get up to in your spare time?

In my spare time, you can catch me wining and dining with friends – An afternoon down at Howard Smith Wharves is always a winner! I also enjoy simply relaxing and unwinding at home with a good book, cuddling (aka annoying) my two cats, and of course, watching the AFL any chance I get. Go Bulldogs!

April 4, 2022

Love0

2022 Good Friday Appeal raises $22 million

Record-breaking result for The Royal Children’s Hospital

Seven launches 7Connect

New ad solution to maximise national reach