Branded content writing ‘undermined’ by meagre Guardian/ANZ offer to Tracey Spicer
Holder
The industry has rounded on The Guardian and ANZ for offering journalist Tracey Spicer a meagre 14c per word for a branded content piece, with the boss of Daily Mail Australia Peter Holder insisting it “undermines the power of content creators”.
Spicer, an experienced and respected writer, took to Facebook to express her disdain at being offered $140 for a 1000 word story, ironically on women’s financial empowerment, describing the rate as exploitative.
Both The Guardian and the bank swiftly back-tracked with the newspaper saying the “wrong rates were applied” while ANZ apologised and admitted it was embarrassed at the offer.
Not sure why Paul Murphy would say that. The MEAA has had the right to collectively bargain on behalf of freelancers with several major publishers since 2010. It has never had a single win.
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/freelance-journalists-may-collectively-negotiate-with-publishers
So many organisations choose to pay a flat fee for a story or comment..which leaves a writer pumping out 800 words or more, for $300 or in The Guardians case, half that amount. It’s disgraceful.
What amazes me is that The Guardian is holier than thou on any and usually all issues. Yet it is happy to exploit freelance writers.
Nor am I surprised Fairfax hasn’t responded. Their rates are highly flexible. But the major issue with Fairfax is getting them to actually pay an invoice. You could die of hunger waiting.
What annoys me is that you are not paid until publication so that makes it utterly impossible when you are waiting on a wing and a prayer for a piece to be used. I have waited up to 18 months for articles to be published. How can I expect to pay for my groceries when I don’t know when I will be paid.