Just three weeks since a news alert told Aotearoa that Paddy Gower has a new job at Stuff, a further press release has now revealed what he’ll actually be doing.
A Kiwi-as video and audio show on stuff.co.nz, The F#$%ing News flips the script on the news – short, upbeat, inspirational and good fun journalism with Gower interviewing the good, the great and the brains of our nation.
“TFN, the show, will make Kiwis feel great about their country and great about being a Kiwi themselves,” says Gower.
“Think news with heart – bloody good yarns and positive journalism about life in Aotearoa New Zealand today. Kiwis today are looking for community and connection and I’m on a mission to do that. This really is the beginning of something special.”
Devised by Gower and his award-winning creative leader Jon Bridges – founder of Paddy Gower Has Issues and 7 Days, and former executive producer of The Project – TFN will make its first appearances on stuff.co.nz this month, in a bespoke content site that will be the home of all the best Paddy Gower content past and present.
Stuff Brand Connections Managing Director Matt Headland says Gower’s enormous appeal across young, diverse, middle-aged and middle New Zealand is a unique opportunity for commercial partners to connect with audiences, from the news avoidant to news junkies.
“We call it the Paddy effect,” says Headland. “From the moment Stuff announced its partnership with Paddy and Jon, our engagement with audiences across not only stuff.co.nz but all of the social channels, from Linkedin to Insta and TikTok, went through the roof. Paddy is deeply trusted, a reflection of all that’s good in our country and he can talk to anyone, about anything, and make it informative, inspirational and fun.”
Gower’s first content for stuff.co.nz landed on the weekend and delivered incredible audiences on site.