This highly influential media executive has quietly been pulling the strategic strings behind the scenes for years.
If you thought Karl Stefanovic walking away from Today was just a standard midlife career change, the real story actually lies deep behind the camera. The true catalyst for his sudden departure from the Nine network and his plum breakfast co-hosting gig is his rapidly growing digital podcast and vodcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
But who is the media mastermind actually steering Karl’s completely unfiltered second act?
Enter Keshnee ‘Kesh’ Kemp, the formidable media executive who has been quietly shaping the ultimate strategy in the Stefanovic camp for years.
“If you think a hit podcast is the end game, I assure you, we’ve seen absolutely nothing yet,” an industry insider reveals. “There’s word that Keshnee is already cooking up massive plans for Karl later this year, including a huge live tour around the country.”
Keshnee operates as the founder of Digital Marketing Agency August One. Corporate records show that her husband, Jason Ibrahim, owns a massive 45 per cent of Karl’s new media company, 123 Podcast Pty Ltd, via his own firm, August 1 Pty Ltd.
Karl’s putting his trust in media maverick Keshnee Kemp. (Credit: karlstefanoviclive )
Karl also maintains a 45 per cent ownership stake, while the remaining 10 per cent is held by his close friend Anthony Bell through his Bell Capital venture.
The insider hints that Keshnee is likely eyeing off more big-name TV talent to join her books in the near future. She previously launched a highly successful farm-focused podcast with Edwina Bartholomew during her time working at Woolworths Group.
“Keshnee has already successfully poached TV’s biggest name in Karl,” the source continues. “She’ll be going after more top tier presenters, that’s for sure. She is incredibly good at making high-level connections.”
Karl and Jasmine regularly holiday with Keshnee and her husband Jason, who holds a significant ownership stake in the axed Today host’s digital media company.
Karl and Jasmine regularly holiday with Keshnee and her husband Jason, who has an ownership in the axed Today host’s media company. (Credit: Instagram)
How Does Keshnee Kemp Know Jasmine Stefanovic?
To fully understand Keshnee’s powerful role in the Stefanovic brand, one must look directly to the other woman by Karl’s side – his wife of seven years, Jasmine. Long before she was producing Karl’s latest digital project, Keshnee was a major supporter of Jasmine’s professional career.
The two are very close friends who grew up together in Queensland and navigate the exact same social circles.
In 2017, Keshnee was at the helm of Cosmopolitan Australia magazine. According to publishing industry insiders, she personally made sure Jasmine’s shoe brand, Mara & Mine, was front and center in the prominent magazine’s fashion pages.
But Keshnee’s most significant media move came when she took over as Editor of sister publication, Who magazine. There, she successfully negotiated a major industry exclusive – Karl and Jasmine’s lavish Mexican wedding.
Attending the 2018 nuptials as a VIP guest, she wrote the cover story directly from Los Cabos, penning: “I’ve known Jasmine and her family my entire life; we grew up together in Queensland.”
One media insider tells New Idea that Keshnee was thought to have “helped orchestrate that spectacular Mexican wedding location as part of a very savvy corporate deal.”
It was perhaps Keshnee’s first major foray into high-stakes media wheeling and dealing, considering she managed to get Nine’s biggest on-air talent to sign an exclusive cover deal with Who magazine, which at the time was owned by rival network, Channel Seven.
Karl’s wife, Jasmine, and his new business partner Keshnee’s friendship spans decades. (Credit: Instagram)
Controlling The Narrative
So, how are they handling the intense industry speculation surrounding Karl’s permanent shift to digital platforms?
“Keshnee takes it all in her stride,” an insider says. “Kesh can deal with anything thrown her way. She’s been in this game a very long time, and she’ll have a definitive plan for Karl.”
“She is extremely savvy. Once she puts her mind to something, she’ll usually get it. She takes no prisoners.”
Earlier this year, Keshnee said of herself and Karl, “If we didn’t both have deep backgrounds in the media, we’d have much softer skin. We are both much tougher now.”
Keshnee featured Karl and Jasmine’s wedding on the cover of Who whilst Editor. She attended as a guest alongside her husband, Jason. (Credit: Who magazine, Instagram)
For Keshnee, the digital space offers a seamless way to completely bypass traditional press outlets and speak directly to the target audience.
“Digital has completely changed how you can control the narrative in a way that feels honest. We can come out and make sure that people have the absolute truth,” she said.
Their working dynamic is a demanding, around-the-clock operation.
“All day, every day, literally!” Keshnee has said of their constant planning. Until now, Karl has been wired for his early morning Today call times, leaving Keshnee to wake up to a wave of his production ideas at 6:00 AM.
“That’s a good way to wake up, it’s a bit like a cold shower,” she recently joked.