RosTrace

Sunday November 15 2026 News

RosTrace

Tag: Media Innovation

Eden Brooks

Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee Phenomenon: How a Quirky Game Show Became a Cult Hit

Guy Montgomery’s journey from a mischievous dinner-table prankster to a carnival barker for chaos on television might, on the surface, appear unlikely. Yet, 36-year-old Montgomery credits his childhood antics—making his sister snort milk out of laughter and impersonating a “South African exchange student”—for honing the irreverent comedic instincts that drive his hit game show, Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. What began as a Zoom-based diversion during the COVID-19 lockdown has blossomed into a second Australian season on the ABC, replete with celebrity guests, absurd spelling challenges, and unexpected fan devotion.

· 10 min read

Ash Cooper

“We Need to Set the Terms or We’re All Screwed”: How Newsrooms Are Tackling AI’s Uncertainties and Opportunities

As artificial intelligence continues its relentless march into every corner of modern life, newsrooms worldwide are grappling with both the disruptive challenges and exciting opportunities that AI presents. The rapid evolution of AI tools—from chatbots generating text to algorithms sifting through vast datasets—has sparked vigorous debates within the media industry. Many insiders now warn that without carefully defined parameters, AI could upend the traditional model of journalism and alienate audiences. “We need to set the terms in the right way in the next couple of years, or we are all screwed,” one UK media executive lamented, capturing the existential anxiety that permeates newsrooms today.

· 6 min read

Ryder Valentine

How a New Zealander Working from Her Mum’s Kitchen Started a News Service Read by Madonna

Lucy Blakiston, 27, is no stranger to being underestimated – a fact she embraces with a bold mix of irreverence, colour, and unapologetic language. The founder of the online media platform Shit You Should Care About has built a global news service that cuts through conventional media clutter to deliver bite-sized, accessible content for a younger audience. Operating from the unassuming setting of her mum’s kitchen in Wellington, Blakiston has transformed her passion for news and pop culture into a thriving media empire, now read by everyone from Ariana Grande to Madonna.

· 7 min read