BIG FM was named Radio Network of the Year at the 15th ACEF Global Customer Engagement Summit and Awards 2026, winning 63 awards across eight categories. The recognition highlights BIG FM’s growing presence beyond traditional radio, with wins spanning regional programming, integrated brand campaigns, digital innovation, experiential engagement, branded storytelling, and RJ-led audience communities. The network’s strong focus on local culture, language-driven content, and audience connection emerged as a key differentiator at the awards. The achievement further reinforces BIG FM’s transformation into a multi-platform content and engagement network in an increasingly digital-first media landscape.  

Thursday, 14 May 2026 1. Why did NTA's 'Zero Error' policy fail? By Maitri Porecha, Srinidhi Madurai K.   ·   The Hindu (Delhi Edition, 14 May 2026)  ·  Page 8 The Hindu's explainer investigates why the NTA's much-publicised 'Zero Error, Zero Tolerance' pledge collapsed in NEET-UG 2026, tracing the failure from the 2024 debacle through the Radhakrishnan Committee's unimplemented recommendations to the revelation that a guess paper containing 120 of 410 questions circulated for nearly a month before the exam. The piece draws on interviews with NTA officials — including NTA chief Abhishek Singh — to document why the shift to Computer-Based Testing stalled, and establishes an institutional accountability trail showing the agency went over a year without a full-time director after 2024. It contextualises the current crisis within a decade-long pattern of compromise and the specific struc

Fresh concerns have emerged over the safety of media professionals in Tripura following successive attacks on senior journalists in the state over the past few days.  The first incident took place at Chakmaghat Purba Bazar under Teliamura police station limits on May 11. According to the victim, local residents staged a blockade on the Assam-Agartala National Highway demanding regular electricity and water supply. The protest reportedly caused traffic disruptions for nearly two hours. “Journalists who arrived to cover the demonstration were allegedly attacked by a group of people,” said Hironmay Roy who sustained injuries during the incident along with others.  Roy said the attack reflected the growing pressure journalists face while reporting from the ground. “This should not have happened. The person who attacked us is involved in politics and is with the Opposition party. The attacker also filed a complaint against us. When my team was covering the p

Victorian community radio station 3APL Apple 98.5FM has announced on Facebook that it will cease broadcasting on Sunday, July 5, 2026, after nearly 40 years on-air. “While it is sad that the station is wrapping up, we are proud of all that 'The Voice Of The Valley' has accomplished,” a statement read. “We would like to thank all the volunteers, members, announcers, Committee members, technical people, sponsors, guests, Shire Council members and community groups who have been involved with the radio station over the decades. And we would especially like to thank the group of visionaries who founded “Bacchus Marsh Community Access Radio” in the mid-80s”.

Budget tax shake-up puts housing and investors in the firing line The federal budget’s changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and other concessions are being framed as a structural reset that could redirect investment towards new builds, but also risk short-term price volatility and fierce political backlash. Several papers argue the burden will fall unevenly—particularly on younger Australians—setting up a generational fight over who pays and who benefits. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, The Australian, The West Australian, The Age. Taylor’s budget reply: bracket indexation and a new tax-war battleline The Coalition is moving to make tax bracket indexation a centrepiece of its pitch, arguing it would stop “bracket creep” and provide predictable relief, in contrast to Labor’s offset-heavy approach. With both sides tying tax to housing affordability and cost-of-living, the coverage signals the budget reply as the opening salvo of

Cole takes over in Stellar rebrand Hayley Cole has taken sole ownership of Stellar Communications and will shift to a more personal, focused model, rather than the traditional agency structure. “Communications has changed significantly over the past decade," Cole said. "Technology has created efficiencies and changed the pace of the industry, but thoughtful strategy, strong relationships and experienced judgement have become even more valuable as a result. Clients increasingly want direct access to senior people who understand their category deeply and can help guide communications with clarity and long-term perspective.” Under its new identity as Stellar PR (stellarpr.com.au), the agency will focus on hospitality, travel and leisure, and currently boasts a client roster that includes Elysium Noosa Resort, Manly Pacific Hotel, Bathers’ Pavilion, Cafe Sydney, Maestro Hospitality’s Cibaria, a’Mare and Ormeggio venues, The Boathouse Group and The Bathhouse Group “We’ve

On Wednesday, Influencing had the pleasure of attending “Builders Day” at the Amazon Web Services Summit in Sydney.   Held at the International Convention Centre, the event will see over 10,000 attendees across both Day One and Day Two.  Day One kicked off with a keynote speech at the TikTok Entertainment theatre. It was delivered  by outgoing AWS ANZ Managing Director Rianne Van Veldhuizen. She announced that while she’s vacating the MD role, she’s remaining with the company.  Chris Casey, AWS Director for APJ Partnerships, was announced as her successor. In his speech, Casey discussed the impact of AWS’s focus on renewable energy and AI/Cloud training investments. Simon Davies, CBA’s General Manager for Core Banking, discussed his bank’s complete technology overhaul project, which has taken place over the last 18 months.  OneNZ’s Summer Collins addressed her telco’s creation of a ‘Network C