ARN Media has teamed up with the Walkley Foundation to offer a $10,000 audio scholarship which will allow the winner to develop their skills in a fast-paced newsroom environment.    Newly created this year, the ARN Audio Scholarship offers an early-career journalist the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in a busy commercial newsroom, including in radio and podcasts. Supported with a $10,000 stipend, the successful applicant will get the opportunity to learn from commercial newsroom leaders and sharpen their writing, reporting, producing, presenting and podcasting skills during a 10-week placement. . Judges will look for applicants with a passion for commercial news and entertainment stories.  There are ARN newsrooms around Australia and the successful applicant has options for a regional or metro placement, or a mix of both. During the program, they will learn how to hone their writing, reporting, producing, presenting, and podcasting skills while receiving direct m

Crosshairs Communication will continue as the PR partner for India Today Conclave 2025, extending its 12-year association with the event. Scheduled for 7-8 March 2025 at the Taj Hotel, New Delhi, the 22nd edition of the conclave will be held under the theme "Age of Acceleration," according to an official press release accessed by Influencing India. It will feature discussions on politics, defence, entertainment, sports and technology, with speakers including Rekha Gupta, Yogi Adityanath, Aamir Khan, Toby Walsh, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and D. Gukesh. Crosshairs Communication will manage strategic messaging, media coordination and outreach for the conclave. Stuti Jalan, Founder & MD, stated, "The India Today Conclave has always been a platform for meaningful conversations. With this year’s theme, we look forward to amplifying discussions on innovation, leadership, and the future." The conclave is expected to drive key discussions shaping business, artificial intelligence, poli

The NDTV Auto Awards 2025 took place on 28 February, recognising key achievements in the automotive industry. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, addressing the event, highlighted India's growing role as a global automobile hub and emphasised the future of electric vehicles. The jury panel featured Mugdha Mishra, Editor, NDTV Auto, Hari Singh, Founder, Drivetecindia, and Rachit Hirani, Founder, Motor Octane, overseeing the car category, while Dr Arun Thareja, ENT Surgeon and Motorcyclist and Kalyani Potekar, Professional Motorcyclist, judged the bike category. Leading manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hero MotoCorp, and Mahindra Auto, participated, with senior industry figures in attendance. Mandeep Singh, Revenue Head, TV, NDTV, stated that the event served as a platform to connect brands with the right audience and drive business impact in a rapidly evolving market. Mugdha Mishra, Editor, NDTV Auto, added that this year’s awards highlighted groundbreaking innovati

The Supreme Court of India delivered a sharp rebuke to the Gujarat Police, emphasising that law enforcement must understand and value the right to free speech and expression, particularly 75 years after the Constitution came into force. The court, while hearing a case concerning an FIR against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi over a satirical poem, emphasised that police forces across the country must grasp the fundamental right to free expression. The Supreme Court took a firm stance against the Gujarat High Court’s reasoning in the case. Reading aloud the poem’s translation, the bench on Monday stated: “Those who are bloodthirsty, listen to us. Even if the fight for justice is met with injustice, we will meet that injustice with love…This is what the translation of this poem is…What else can it be but promoting non-violence?” stated the bench of justices led by Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan. Hot Off the Press The Times of India’s Amit Anand Choudhary reported that th

...then it matters to news.com.au, is the tagline of the new consumer campaign from News Corp for its very popular online news service news.com.au says it's a "bold new campaign" and it is "reinforcing its role as Australia’s go-to source for everything that matters, from news, entertainment, and sport to the stories shaping our lives". The campaign has been created in partnership with News Corp Australia's in-house agency, Roller, and highlights how, again according to the company of course, news.com.au delivers, "trusted, up-to-the-minute coverage that keeps Aussies informed and entertained. It leverages the strength of news.com.au’s distinctive brand, featuring fast-paced, dynamic, and visually striking creative, brought to life through animation and motion graphics". Free News and Lifestyle Editor-in-Chief Mick Carroll said, "the campaign has been designed to keep news.com.au top of mind for Australians who are balancing busy lives, while trying to stay across what’s

Former tech journalist turned PR Pro, AZK Media founder Azadeh Williams has called her nomination for PR Professional of the Year at the 2025 Mumbrella CommsCon Awards a “real team effort” by the AZK Media team.  “In all honesty, I think it has been a team effort, so I can't take all the credit for everything that has been achieved at our agency,” Williams told Influencing. “What we've done is push boundaries and have highlighted our real passion and dedication to technology. That genuine passion for delivering real results has also been highlighted in our submission.” Williams is Managing Director of the agency founded in December 2017, and this is not her first rodeo - she won the same award last year and this year’s nomination is her third.  “ I'm humbled and honoured to have been considered, and yeah, it's always an exciting night,” Williams said, “As a former journalist turned PR agency leader, it's a wonderful way for the industry to recognise that gr

Laura Spurway is joining Melbourne radio station 3AW's Football team as the station’s first dedicated AFLW reporter, with Nine-owned 3AW saying it's the first radio station to appoint a dedicated AFLW reporter. They add it's an 'historic move'  because of the growing popularity of the women’s code and the station’s intent to help grow the sport.    Spurway will cover all elements of women's football, including all state leagues, and her work will feature across Nine Radio’s websites, social media channels, and as part of the network’s news service. She will also work across the station’s AFL coverage.  Spurway said, "It’s an absolute dream come true to join the 3AW Football team. This radio station is the heartbeat of Melbourne and their exceptional coverage extends way beyond that. I can’t wait to join the ranks of some of the most respected voices in the field for a huge 2025 and beyond." Stephen Beers, 3AW’s Station Manager, said, "We are delighted to