Collective Artists Network has launched ‘Collective Media Network’, aiming to create and distribute original content across platforms while engaging with pop culture trends. The new media division, according to Social Samosa, integrates platforms like Terribly Tiny Tales, Under 25, Big Bang Social, and Galleri5, offering storytelling, youth engagement, and creator-led formats such as digital IPs and live shows. Recent projects include Rashmika & Ru with TTT and Marathi Minded featuring Neel Salekar, signalling a focus on regional and genre-specific narratives. “In today’s world, new media is about owning eyeballs… We intend to become the media network that defines attention,” said Vijay Subramaniam, founder and group CEO. The network has also introduced AI-powered creators Kavya Mehra and Radhika Subramaniam and appointed Sudeep Lahiri as head of channels and distribution.

BW Businessworld has launched BW Travel, a new B2C vertical aimed at experience-focused travellers. The platform marks the publication’s move beyond its B2B core, offering destination features, lifestyle content, expert interviews, and travel stories across digital, social media, live events, and a print edition launching in July. “Travel is about moving hearts, not just bodies. With BW Travel, we want to inspire journeys that transform and connect,” said Dr Anurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief. Bhuvanesh Khanna, CEO of BW Communities, called the move a natural extension following the success of BW HOTELIER. Vivek Mittal, Business Head of BW Travel, added that the new platform blends digital innovation with aspirational storytelling.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has handed India’s armed forces a blank cheque, complete operational freedom to choose the mode, time and target for retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives.  Hot off the Press As reported by Akhilesh Kumar Singh & Manash Pratim Gohain for The Times of India, this isn’t bluster, it’s a strategic signal. Modi chaired a top-tier security meeting alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan and the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs. Every option is on the table. India also brought its sharpest diplomatic knives to the United Nations. At the UN Security Council, India's Deputy Permanent Representative, Yojna Patel, didn’t mince words, calling Pakistan a “rogue state fuelling global terrorism,” citing the Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy group behind the Pahalgam attack. She specifically highlighted Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif's "open confession" about his count

(L-R) Travis Cardona, Director of First Nations and Outreach, NIDA; Liz Hughes, CEO of NIDA; Dena Curtis, Head of Commissioning and Production, NITV; Nakul Legha, Head of Scripted, SBS.   SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) have announced a new three-year partnership to provide practical and structured pathways for emerging creatives and support the transition for students into the screen industry. The NIDA Pathways with SBS and NITV partnership will offer students industry experience, expertise and opportunities, supporting historically underrepresented creatives, and reinforcing a shared commitment to building a diverse and inclusive screen industry that reflects contemporary Australia. SBS, NITV and NIDA will work together to deliver opportunities for students to foster meaningful industry connections, enhance their experience and skillset, along with mentorship from the SBS Scripted and NITV commissioning teams.  

PR company Media-Wize is looking to build the media profile of cybersecurity company Excite Cyber, following last week's announcement of its latest contract win. “Our aim is always to help Excite Cyber find the great stories they've got to tell,” Media-Wize co-CEO Anthony Caruana told Influencing.  “And that’s whether they're customer stories, insights into what's happening in the industry or responding to events that are going on. It’s essentially just assisting Excite Cyber in building that profile so when people speak to them, they’re not an unknown quantity.”  For Media-Wize, the deal with Excite Cyber is not just about building brand recognition but also about “building trust in the organisation”. On the deal itself, Caruana said the team was “excited”.  “Excite Cyber is just such a great story. They're a great company. The people inside are just so enthusiastic. They're experts in what they're doing. There are a few people there that we've known

Peter Dutton campaigning in the NSW southern highlands yesterday. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP As the big voting day gets ever closer - though 2.5 million people have already voted early - Peter Dutton has told people to “forget the ABC” when it comes to coverage on Saturday’s election night.    As reported by Guardian Australia’s Josh Butler, Dutton - following up on his earlier comments about the ABC and the Guardian being “hate media” - gave the free advice when he appeared on an early morning FM radio interview in Melbourne this morning.  Just to balance the books, Crikey’s Alexandra Wake has a great story up today headlined: “Amid Dutton’s ‘hate media’ and Trump’s despotism, press freedom is more vital than ever”. Well worth a read for anyone who cares about the future of the media. Calling Exclusive for The Australian, reporters Mohammad Alfares, Lily McCaffrey and Damon Johnston report Labor minister Clare O’Neil “rushes to axe Chinese

News Corp Australia has launched The Mushroom Cook: The Trial, a daily podcast and editorial series that delves into the highly-anticipated trial of Erin Patterson, taking place in the Supreme Court of Victoria.  Led by the Herald Sun’s investigative news team and spearheaded by journalist Brooke Grebert-Craig, court reporter Laura Placella and Gold Walkley-winning reporter Anthony Dowsley, The Mushroom Cook: The Trial takes audiences inside the courtroom delivering the latest developments and insights as the trial unfolds.      Patterson faces charges stemming from a family lunch at her rural Victoria home that turned deadly in 2023. She has entered a not guilty plea to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Herald Sun Editor Sam Weir said the podcast will provide listeners with a front-row seat to one of the most anticipated trials in Australian legal history. “The Mushroom Cook: The Trial will keep listeners up-to-date with the latest from inside t