I leave this month my board position on the Australian Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) the peak trade association for online advertising in Australia that was incorporated in July 2010.

It’s been a wonderful three years representing Telstra on the IAB board with a key principal objective to collectively support and enable the media and marketing industry to ensure that the industry thrives in the Australian digital economy.

The role of the IAB is to work with its members and the broader advertising and marketing industry to assist marketers to identify how best to employ online as part of their marketing strategy, to better target and engage their customers and build their brands.

Australian online advertising spend has surged again this year delivering 33 percent year on year growth for quarter ending 30th September 2015, reaching $1.565m for the quarter.

The data, which comes from the latest IAB/PWC Online Advertising Expenditure Report (OAER), shows that General Display advertising was the leading sector for the quarter, achieving 53 percent year on year growth; while Classifieds grew 28 percent and Search & Directories grew 21 percent.

It’s been a very productive association and one I will miss my board members, Chairman Ed Harrison, CEO of Yahoo7 and CEO  Alice Manners some of the most experienced digital and media specialists on the globe.

Ed Harrison, Chairman of IAB Australia and CEO Yahoo7

Alice Manners, CEO of IAB Australia

A big congratulations has to go to Alice. She was unanimously appointed by the board in August 2013 as CEO of IAB Australia and has driven the organisation to many IAB Australia achievements. She drives the organisations objectives and represents and promote the interests of it’s members to continue to grow the interactive advertising industry with distinction. 

Alice has more than 20 years’ experience with online advertising industry with particular expertise in the Asia Pacific region and it’s workings. Alice before leading the IAB in Australia was an agency leader at WPP with the most recent stint as GroupM Asia Pacific COO of Interaction that became a juggernaut during her time there.

The IAB addresses the core pillars of growth of the online advertising industry and has simplified the standards of online audience measurement, research through online operational standards and guidelines, and regulatory affairs programs of work.

IAB Australia leverages the skills, experience and commitment of its board members to advocate the benefits of online advertising by acting as an authoritative and objective source for all online advertising issues whilst promoting industry-wide best practice.

In terms of the breakdown of the 33 percent year on year growth of Australian advertising spend for quarter ending 30th September 2015 that reached in total of $1.565m.  Mobile advertising expenditure increased to $418.9 million in the September quarter 2015, with 55 percent mobile advertising expenditure attributed to mobile display and 45 percent to mobile search.  Smartphones now hold 67 percent of the device category share and tablets at 33 percent.

Video advertising also maintained its strong performance, recording an increase of 107 percent year on year to reach $128.9m of the total advertising expenditure.  According to the report, FMCG now dominates video advertising with a 17 percent share which is almost three times higher than its 6.3 percent share of total General Display advertising.  The Health/Beauty/Pharmaceuticals and Motor Vehicles categories are the other leading industry categories in video display advertising.

Motor vehicles and real estate maintained their dominance of the General Display market in the September quarter 2015, representing 29.9 percent of the reported market despite a slight dip for motor vehicles share. The same two industry categories made up 27.3 percent of General Display in the equivalent prior year quarter.

According to the latest CEASA analysis, for the six months ending June 2015, online advertising accounts for 41.3 percent of total advertising revenue, up from 36 percent last report.

The National Basketball League (NBL) is pleased to announce that Telstra will be the Official Technology and Data Partner of the league. NBL is regarded as one of the premier basketball leagues in the world, and after a humble beginning, is today home to some of the world’s best players.

The NBL has grown from a fledgling competition with games played in front of just a few hundred people to a league that attracts more than 750,000 spectators each season, as well as securing this year an exclusive Pay TV television deal with Fox Sports to broadcast in high definition all games nationally.

Basketball also has one of the highest participation rates of any team sport in Australia, with numbers continuing to grow each year.

Eight teams currently compete in the NBL – the Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Melbourne United, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings, Townsville Crocodiles and Illawarra Hawks.

NBL Executive Director Larry Kestelman said he was excited to welcome Telstra to the NBL team as the league repositions itself as a premium entertainment sport in Australia.

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone for the NBL. We have a real agenda to create Australia’s most innovative, technology-driven sports brand where fans can access content 24/7 from wherever they are in Australia. “With Telstra on board, we can genuinely strive to be the most connected game ever,” he said.

The NBL will work with a number of Telstra media enablement services including Telstra Media Digital Content Services, Ooyala and Chief Entertainment to support and bring the Official NBL app to market.

The NBL Live Pass subscription streaming service for the 2015/16 season allows fans to get closer to the game than ever before with all the action in the palm of their hands. After a one-week free trial to kick off the season, NBL Live now features two options for fans to catch all games live with a Full Season Subscription priced at $60 while a Monthly Subscription is available for $15.

Fans who subscribe to NBL Live will be given access to every game of the 2015/16 season live on their mobile device with full game replays made available within 12 hours of the game concluding. The Streaming service adds to the NBL Live suite of features which also includes unparalleled access to stats, shot charts, video highlights and news content.

Download or Update the NBL Live App on Android here and iOS (Apple) here

Also with Telstra and Telstra Thanks, customers can purchase NBL tickets at a 20% discount off the recommended Adult RRP for matches each week throughout the 2015/2016 NBL Season.

Telstra is partnering with Apple to give Australian music fans the best music streaming experience in the country, offering  eligible post paid mobile customers a 12 month Apple Music membership.

With Apple Music, millions of tracks and your entire music library are at your fingertips. Stream just about every song ever recorded—and discover music you’ll love based on what you already listen to and love. Find handcrafted playlists and albums curated by the world’s leading music experts.

Curation is the soul of every playlist created on Apple Music. Apple has hired the most talented music experts from around the world, including Australia, dedicated to creating the perfect playlists based on your preferences, and they become better curators the more you listen.

A key feature in Apple Music is Connect, a blog platform where artists share media with fans. Some of the uploaded media will be exclusive to Connect’s platform. Apple Music also accepts Siri voice commands, including requests for specific songs and more generalised selections.

The Apple Music app has several tabs. The “For You” section recommends music for the user. Human expert selections supplement the algorithmic curation. Every artist has a “My Music” section that shows both purchased songs and tracks available for streaming.

Also part of Apple Music is Beats 1 Radio that brings you the latest music, interviews, and culture, 24/7—broadcasting worldwide from Los Angeles, New York, and London. Beats 1 plays continuously in 100 countries and is staffed by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, hip hop DJ Ebro Darden, and Julie Adenuga.

Telstra’s offer of a 12 month membership to Apple Music is available to Telstra post-paid customers using iPhone and iPad with a 12 or 24 month Go Mobile Plan. At the end of the 12 month membership trial, customers will continue to enjoy Apple Music and a monthly membership fee of $11.99 will be billed to their Telstra account. Standard data charges apply to download and use Apple Music.

Apple Music combines the largest and most diverse collection of music on the planet with the expertise of world-class music experts who have programmed playlists for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, PC, Apple TV and Apple have said it will be available for Android users later this year.

If you are already a Telstra mobile customer on a plan, it’s easy to claim your complimentary 12 month Apple Music membership. Follow these steps:

• Log in to Telstra My Account
• In the Plans & usage tab, select your Mobile service
• Click the Add-ons tab
• Add Apple Music

If your not with Telstra go online at www.telstra.com/applemusic, or call 13 2200 or visit a Telstra store.

The evolution of Apple Music has been a long and winding journey.

The bones of Apple Music streaming product first came from MOG that was launched in the USA and in Australia with Telstra on June 2012.

Later that year Beats Electronics acquired MOG and under a project name “Daisy”, the service was combined with an algorithm-based personalization with a strategy of expert music suggestions led by a team of high profile music executives that have spent their entire careers in service of music, fans, and artists including Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre, Luke Wood, Trent Reznor, and Ian Rogers.

Beats Music launched in the USA on January 2014 and MOG remained in Australia with the anticiption of an Australian launch as well.

But then on May 2014 there was another twist in the journey, Beats Electronics including Beats Music was acquired by Apple Inc. The Beats team then joined the Apple iTunes team and began a twelve month program of work to create Apple Music. On June 30, 2015 the product was launched worldwide by iTunes Worldwide President Eddy Cue.

So now with the launch of Apple Music in market with Telstra in Australian, MOG will close on August 31 2015 and we hope our  MOG customers will take up our great 12 month membership offer and join Apple Music.

Telstra today announced it is partnering with the market leader in entertainment streaming devices, Roku to develop the new device, called Telstra TV, specifically for Australian consumers.

Telstra TV Powered by Roku will be available for purchase in October 2015 with plans to offer customers the three leading subscription video on demand services in Australia, Presto, Stan and Netflix. In addition to subscription video apps and a selection of TV catch up services, the device will also feature exclusive entertainment and the latest new release movies from BigPond Movies, Australia’s leading online movie store.

Roku, Inc. is a privately held company located in Saratoga, California founded in 2002 by Anthony Wood, the inventor of the digital video recorder (DVR). Rook is a market leader in streaming entertainment devices for the TV with millions of units sold across the world.

Roku vision has always believed that anything you want to watch, lisen to, and enjoy should simply be there on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku streaming players are renowned for their simplicity, variety of entertainment choices, and exceptional value.

Key Product Features

• Speed – Roku’s fastest processor to date
• Apps – Access to a huge range of local and international content
• Video & Audio Support – 720p/1080p HD and Dolby Digital 7.1
• Connectivity – 802.11n dual band wireless or 10/100 Ethernet Port
• Remote – Infrared (IR) Remote with quick replay button
• Extra Storage – MicroSD slot and USB port for additional storage
• Mobile Integration – Support screen mirroring with Mirracast and 2nd screen ‘casting’ with Netflix and Youtube

Device Specifications

• Processor – Dual Arm A9 1Ghz Processor 32KB L1 Cache
• RAM – 512MB DRAM
• Storage – 256MB Flash NAND
• Ports – HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0, MicroSD Slot,
• Remote – Roku Standard infrared (IR) Remote  with 2x AAA batteries
• Other Inclusions – Power Adapter, 1.5m HDMI Cable

Foxtel’s iQ3 set top box is making a big splash at Telstra. With the iQ3, there’s always something brilliant for you to watch. Connect this little beauty to the internet and you’ll find it easy to enjoy more of what you love. The standard iQ3 set top box has a 1-terabyte hard drive tthat can record 172 hours of content in high definition resolution.

iQ3 is Foxtel’s first national set top box. The iQ3 is a true ‘hybrid’ set top box, seamlessly blending broadcast and IP and your recorded content integrated.

With full internet connectivity, including WiFi, the iQ3 also opens up new internet-based capabilities including richer applications and improved serviceability.

A new TV Guide, search and intelligent recommendations, and simplified navigation helps people discover what’s best for them while allowing them to watch what they want, when they want.

It’s not just a brand new box. It’s a brand new head in, it’s a brand new platform. The whole architecture is designed to make it very easy to upgrade things in the future and to keep it as flexible as possible.

It can record three shows simultaneously while a fourth is being watched; however, inside it are eight television tuners, and this means it will be used to deliver new features over time.

The redesigned bluetooth remote control has large navigational- and menu-buttons, which will double as a trackpad. The platform has been designed ready for the national broadband network such as ultra high definition content delivery.

Foxtel’s iQ3 gains several notable features. Shows half-way through a television broadcast can be seamlessly restarted over a video-on-demand stream. The television guide can display programs aired in the previous 24 hours and those that are in the upcoming 24 hours. Applications contextual to television shows can be downloaded, and a ‘Trending’ subheading summarises which television shows across Australia are the most popular in five minute intervals.

The set top box has been redesigned. The only physical button is a power button. Capacative keys glow blue anytime a hand nears and then dim when not in use. The iQ3 works over Wi-Fi and or can be plugged directly into a modem-router using an Ethernet cable. Other connection types include Wi-Fi direct, HDMI, USB and an optical output.

New and existing customers can order an iQ3 starting at $125. For more details click here.

Key features:

•Record up to three subscription TV shows at once while watching another live program

•Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to simplify installation

•Much more recording space with up to 145 hours of HD recording

•10x faster processor

•Ten tuners, integrating 8 subscription and 2 free-to-air terrestrial tuners

This week Telstra Media boosted its media production capability with the opening of its Chief Entertainment branded studio complex on the old ABC campus at Gore Hill, on Sydney’s lower north shore.

The state of the art creative services facility incorporates broadcast TV and digital media production, and high definition fibre connectivity and distribution to the world.

The new “Chief” 100% owned by Telstra, has been built in response to an increasing production slate across Telstra’s broadcast, IPTV, Online and Mobile platforms; and to meet the growing demand of Telstra’s rostered agencies and business partners. The powerful new facility reflects Chief’s decade plus years of production and digital media knowledge, the best of Telstra’s network solutions and input from the Industry’s best minds.

David Thodey, Telstra’s outgoing CEO has been a supporter of the expanded production capability since its inception and Chief Marketing Officer Joe Pollard sees the new capability as the catalyst that will enable connected experiences to Telstra and its partners, and be the lynchpin to their online video portal Ooyala and international satellite services acquisition Globecast.

Chief CEO Hamish Cameron who has headed the business since its inception describes the studio as a collaboration point for creative ideas and technical solutions. “We’ve been producing and streaming video content for over 14 years, we have a really strong team of award winning creative and technical staff, and our technical back-end is world class.

It’s a really exciting time for Telstra, agencies and clients that want to work in this integrated environment. We’re keen to provide a creative campus where clients can access resources as required, a complete production package, or tap in to one of our new-media distribution solutions”.

Chief already has a very strong broadcast slate. It’s two new 100 square metre Live TV studios are producing Channel 7’s Bill Woods hosted The Clubhouse, programs for Racing Victoria, NRL HQ, The Low Down as well as content for the SportsFan, BPM music and BigPond Movie Extra channels for Telstra’s T-Box service.

Chief also records and packages video on demand content of all NRL games for online and streams these to the commercial radio networks. It records and packages SANZAR Rugby for international distribution, streams the ANZ Netball Championships and brings in all thoroughbred racing from Victorian tracks for VOD packaging.

Essentially the new capability allows:

• • Long form TV program production
• • Short form TVCs, Promos, Branded content, Highlights, Web films
• • Camera crews
• • Outside broadcasting
• • HD Editing
• • Motion graphics
• • 3D animation
• • Talent/Voice over recording
• • Audio production
• • Studios – live TV
• • IPTV channel production, programming and distribution
• • Ad insertion/Traffic management
• • Live streaming
• • Video on demand
• • Media logistics
• • Content licensing
• • Catalogue / Library management
• • Secure encoding
• • Metadata enrichment
• • Digitisation
• • Broadcast playout

To achieve this the Chief facility hosts:

• • 2 x 4K edit suites
• • 8 x HD edit suites
• • 2 x 100m2 HD live studios with control rooms
• • Make up and Green Rooms
• • Downstream control room
• • Digital audio post production and music studio
• • Live event master control and presentation
• • Centralised digital media ingest and secure digital encoding

And for the technical buffs Chief’s connectivity includes:

• • Direct redundant fiber connectivity into the Telstra Internet Backbone
• • Telstra DVN fibre connectivity with national and international broadcasters and major venues via a mix of HD and SD links
• • ISDN services for Radio streaming and Broadcast communications
• • HD and SD video encoders
• • Audio encoders
• • On premises transcoding server for delivery to multiple CDNs

Chief’s Commercial Production unit, which is focussed on outside broadcasts and location shoots, is also benefiting from the move to Gore Hill. The team can now draw on networked production facilities to support Telstra and outside Agency marketing activities, producing high end TVCs, corporate programs, branded media and social media content. Mike Purcell who heads the commercial team said “We have a really great team of producers, directors, DOPs and editors who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. This puts us in a very good position to cover a broad range of specialist needs. The team can come up with the ideas, set up the shoots, provide really creative direction and ensure a great outcome”.

The NRL season is well and truly underway for 2015 and with the action only set to get hotter, I want to share with you some exciting news that will help you enjoy the game and connect with it on a brand new level.

We are very passionate about our footy at Telstra and we want to make sure fans don’t miss out on the action. The best way to keep across all the action on the field and beyond is definitely through the fantastic Official NRL App and Digital Pass on your compatible smartphone or tablet.

The app has already been downloaded more than 1.5 million times and today I’m very excited to announce it is now available to download on the new Apple Watch.

Only Telstra gives NRL fans access to exclusive premium content on multiple devices and from today, they will be able to follow live scores, kick offs, live stats and scoring timelines right from their wrist!

We have worked closely with our developer, YinzCam, to create a beautiful and seamless app with a focus on giving you the best real time scoring experience, even if you’re not at the game.

I’m very excited to have what I consider the best game in the world embedded in one of the most anticipated and groundbreaking devices in recent memory.

But that’s not all.

If you already subscribe to the NRL Digital Pass, you know that live games, scoring replays, highlights, live press conferences and all our great exclusive content is right at your fingertips. We want to share the love and I’m excited to announce an In-Venue Streaming trial with ANZ Stadium where fans will get full access to the Digital Pass while they’re at the venue at selected games. All you have to do is make sure you have the Official NRL App on your compatible smartphone or tablet, enter some details and you’re in!

You’ll be notified that a game is available as part of the in-venue streaming feature via Push Notifications before selected games, so make sure you’re subscribed to the ‘Breaking News’ category under Settings > Push Settings. Using the Digital Pass and in-venue streaming is data free on Telstra mobile phones. Otherwise, data charges apply.

Fans that can’t get to ANZ Stadium can trial the Digital Pass with a bonus two minute preview* of live matches available on any game day. This is a great way to get a free taste for the excitement of live action on your device and, if you decide to keep watching, you can do a simple in-app purchase and not miss out on the action!

*Note that data charges apply to watch the preview unless you are using a Telstra mobile.

Telstra has opened a Customer Insights Centre (CIC) in Sydney tonight. Spanning 3600 square metres over the second level of Telstra’s 400 George Street office in Sydney’s CBD, the CIC houses a 300-person auditorium with 78 LED displays, 4K-ready broadcast studio, workshop and collaboration spaces, partner pop-up installations, a restaurant, and hands-on technology demonstration areas featuring business solutions all ready for our clients and partners to use and collaborate with Telstra staff and our technology services.

The CIC is about bringing all those elements together and co-creating the right solution to give our customers a competitive advantage.

The new precinct is the perfect space for design thinking, collaboration and solution design with clients and partners. The centre follows the Pacnet acquisition, the Blue Jeans Network partnership and investment in Docusign.

At the heart of the space is the aforementioned “Insight Ring”, a nine metre, 360 degree interactive circle-shaped platform that surrounds visitors with digital insights mined from Telstra’s knowledge of markets, customers and industries.

There is an immersive 1080p@60fps video conferencing infrastructure to provide for 10 collaboration rooms.

The network can handle 100 simultaneous video calls via Telstra IP Telephony, while more than 48 fibre ports provide high speed content distribution.

The theatre has the first Meyer sound constellation system which enable the acoustical properties to electronically altered to suit the nature of the event. It also has a 8.5 by 6.2m 4k screen. The broadcast studio and theatre will be rented out when it is not being by customers and partners.

Alongside all this, is “The Exchange”, an in-house restaurant to entertain our customers and partners. It was designed to reflect Telstra’s history and contains devices from the Telstra museum. Head chef Lauren Murdoch has previously worked at Atlas Bistro, Rockpool, and the Concourse Restaurant. She also opened Felix Bar and Bistro.

On opening night of the CIC we invited 300 clients and partners to experience the centre in operation. I was tucked up in the Forum area and was lucky enough to interview State of Origin coaches and superstars of Rugby League Laurie Daley and  Mal Meninga on sports innovation and collaboration techniques.

Laurie played over 240 first grade games, won three Grand Finals with Canberra, captained his State of Origin team 13 times and he’s only one of two men to both captain and coach the Blues to victory over Queensland last year. Mal also won three Premierships at the Raiders and coached the Maroons to victory 8 years in a row and he’s a colossus in the code.

Telstra built this Customer Insights Centre so businesses could collaborate, and share their ideas and come up with better ones. We learnt on the night when you are coaching sports team the same rules apply that the environment and the collaboration process between players and coaching staff gives you the winning edge.

Telstra welcomed the new year in as the streaming sponsor of last night’s spectacular 2014 Sydney fireworks show in partnership with the City of Sydney.

Telstra created the official Sydney News Year’s  Eve mobile app and were happy how it all integrated with the Sydney New Year’s Eve Telstra YouTube Show live from Sydney Harbour.

The Telstra YouTube show was hosted by Luke Jacobz, Em Rusciano, Jules Schiller and Anna Teslik who counted count down to midnight with special guests Troye Sivan and Tyler Oakley.

The official smartphone app had an Australian first created where we allowed users the ability to watch exclusive videos from New Year’s Eve with incredible 360° view of all the fireworks fun.

The 360 degree footage of the pyrotechnics were captured using two purpose-built drones equipped with HD cameras which created its own custom UAVs.