Mediaweek: Misbehaviour in power and industry silence
Reports of serious misconduct in the Australian media and marketing industry in recent months have raised concerns about complicity and accountability from those within the sector. Mumbrella has launched an investigation surrounding recent allegations made at Mediaweek.
It’s been over five weeks since a report by the Australian Financial Review alleged serious misconduct against Mediaweek’s publisher and managing director, Trent Thomas.
Thomas owns Mediaweek under his company Chattr, a pop culture and entertainment publication, which he founded in 2016. The 31-year-old took over Mediaweek in 2021 as editor, and in 2023, he named himself publisher and MD.
Within a day of the AFR report going public, it was confirmed by Mediaweek that Thomas was to “step back” from his role.
Certainly a real lack of whistleblowers too, with some (now recently departed) staffers liking Trents LinkedIn posts up until very recently. How many people just looked the other way?
@whistleblowers It seems as though there was a power imbalance and potential silencing of the alleged victims. It’s plausible that they were unable or afraid to speak out publicly due to fear of reprisal or due to contractual obligations. Such tactics are unfortunately not uncommon in situations where those in power seek to protect their reputation or avoid accountability. The fact that others at MediaWeek might have known about the alleged misconduct but did not take action raises concerns about a culture of complicity or fear within the organisation. Ideally, colleagues should support and stand with victims, but this may not have happened because of their own self-interest. The individual/s who had the courage to speak out against him, despite the potential risks and consequences, deserve our admiration and respect. They are the genuine heroes in this situation, as their actions may have prevented further harm to others and have sparked a much-needed conversation about workplace conduct and accountability.
Who’s ever even heard of Chattr?
So the guy stepped down when the stories were published but the industry had been talking about it for months before that. That means the management team knew everything and did nothing. Is Sportsbet taking odds on that same management team moving over to Vinyl with the sale?
Hopefully SWIFT justice for all.
Beautifully written Lauren. I wish more people would speak as candidly and courageously as you have.
Can you please do News Corp? Or do they spend to much with Mumbrella to investigate?
Nobody wanted to go on the record which is understandable, but the ex media trade perpetrator is out their plying his trade. Worst kept ‘secret’ in town, but escaped scot free.
@whistleblowers? Really? Surely that’s where the stories have come from.
many people – men and women, are facing challenging times in a crippling industry, when holding onto your job is so important. Blowing the whistle on companies and naming high profile leaders, who unfortunately still have weight, could be the nail in the coffin for those who were on the receiving end of their bullying and misogynistic behaviour. This behaviour was often displayed in open office environments, with HR and CEO’s brushing it aside and labelling it as “it’s just them” or “everyone knows they behave like this”.
It’s great to see Mumbrella call this out but where are the industry leaders commenting on this? The entire industry has been talking about Media Week for months but what has changed? As always it’s the victims that continue to suffer while the industry whispers and gossips at events. This industry bangs on about innovation and leadership – I’m sure many of the companies still advertising on their website included – but is it all talk?
Mediaweek isn’t the only publication with this history – there’s others that have a longer history of harassment, bullying and assault. It’s an open secret in market.