The rumblings are right - welcome Josh McDonnell, who joins Mi3's London-based contributing editor Brendan Coyne and myself in the editorial team.

In keeping with Mi3’s launch mission for considered, constructive and challenging conversations across the marketing, media agency and tech sectors, McDonnell will cover weekly news analysis of industry innovation, people moves, talent development and broader marketing trends and issues. 

He joins Mi3 from Yaffa Media’s AdNews where he covered media, agencies, TV, radio, out-of-home and marketing.

In the eight months since we launched Mi3, the market response has been overwhelming. 

As crowded as the Australian trade press is covering marketing, media agencies and tech, we knew there was frustration at the senior end of industry about the dearth of considered industry debate and depth of coverage across the big issues, trends and structural challenges that are relentlessly confronting the sector. A more complex, sophisticated and nuanced industry needs a similarly inclined industry journal.  

The dopamine hits that come from the daily headlines of people and company changes, fallouts and fist fights are well served by various titles. But as massive challenges confront all parts of the marketing supply chain, Mi3’s mission is to go beyond the daily transactional news – and the negative commentary and carping that defines much of the Australian market – with coverage that advances debate, talent, knowledge, understanding and capabilities. We still need challenging and sometimes uncomfortable conversations, but handled with a different lens than just generating clicks. The balance needs to shift.

We’ve seen this philosophy resonate deeply at industry’s highest levels and we’ll continue to lead that important agenda. In 2020 we’ll broaden our news analysis with a genuine intent to pursue a similar agenda for emerging leaders as we have for industry thought leaders. 

Mi3 welcomes Josh to the great Mi3 adventure for 2020. 

Here’s McDonnell’s first words in Mi3 – enjoy: “I couldn't be more excited to join Paul and the team over at Mi3. Their great work over the past year has been really noticed by the industry and I'm keen to help drive that mandate. 

"At a time where the market is calling out for more thought leadership and in-depth content, it will be a great opportunity to help develop that offering and strengthen Mi3's position. A special thanks as well to AdNews and the Yaffas for the past three years."

Good one Josh. Let’s go! 

Josh will be contactable on josh@mi-3.com.au. He starts on January 6.