14 years of Gruen: 4 legendary panellists share their stories
Seja Al Zaidi speaks with adland legends Russel Howcroft, Dee Madigan, Christina Aventi, and Carolyn Miller to hear their unfiltered thoughts on the best & worst ads of Gruen – as well as their most unforgettable, hilarious moments filming the iconic show.
Gruen, the show designed to unpack the dark arts of advertising and spin, has wrapped up its 14th year on air – so I took a look back at the legacy of a program Russel Howcroft says was never “produced for the industry”.
Gruen, which has aired on the ABC since 2008, has entertained, triggered and educated an Australian public who are widely pessimistic and cynical about advertising – and OG panellist Russel Howcroft, who is one of the most noteworthy faces of the Australian ad industry today, says this cynicism is precisely what’s fostered Gruen’s longevity in the Australian media landscape.
