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'''David James Koch''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|ʃ}} {{respell|KOSH|'}}; born 7 March 1956), nicknamed "'''Kochie'''" ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|ʃ|i}} {{respell|KOSH|ee}}), is an Australian television presenter who is best known as a host of the ]'s breakfast program, '']'' from 2002 until 2023.<ref name="retirement">{{Cite web |last=Cartwright |first=Lexie |date=29 May 2023 |title=David Koch gets emotional as he quits as host of Sunrise after 20 years |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/david-koch-quits-as-host-of-sunrise-after-20-years/news-story/fa8e592ce0379fd7d4ee29ebd8f1ec3b |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=]}}</ref> From ], he began his media career as a ], writing for a number of different publications before eventually moving to television. Koch has been the chairman of the ], an ] (AFL) club, since October 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/port-adelaide/power-president-david-koch-digs-line-in-the-sand-deeper-making-bigger-hole-for-coach-ken-hinkley/news-story/f21191ee519d747331326a79307f3fb0|title= Koch turns up the heat again|website=Adelaide Now|access-date=26 April 2017}}</ref>
'''David James Koch''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|ʃ}} {{respell|KOSH|'}}), nicknamed "'''Kochie'''" ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|ʃ|i}} {{respell|KOSH|ee}}), is an Australian ] and financial journalist. He is best known as a host of the ]'s breakfast program, '']'', from 2002 until 2023.<ref name="retirement">{{Cite web |last=Cartwright |first=Lexie |date=29 May 2023 |title=David Koch gets emotional as he quits as host of Sunrise after 20 years |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/david-koch-quits-as-host-of-sunrise-after-20-years/news-story/fa8e592ce0379fd7d4ee29ebd8f1ec3b |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=]}}</ref> He began his media career in ] as a ], writing for a number of different publications before eventually moving to television.
Koch has been the chairman of the ], an ] (AFL) club since October 2012.
Koch was born on 7 March 1956 in ] to a ] family. He trained as an accountant and started as a cadet on the business pages of '']'' newspaper before joining '']'' magazine soon after its launch in the early 1980s. He was one of the founders of consumer finance journalism in Australia and created ''Personal Investment'' magazine, which made him the youngest editor in the ] group.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} He then launched ''Personal Investment'' magazines in New Zealand and the UK. He produced Britain's first "rich list" which started in ''Money Magazine'' which he had bought for Fairfax.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
David James Koch<ref name="ta">{{cite web|url=https://theage.com.au/national/australia-day-honours-2024-the-full-list-of-this-year-s-winners-20240124-p5ezt6.html|title=Australia Day Honours 2024: The full list of this year's winners|work=The Age|date=25 January 2024 }}</ref> was born in ] to a Jewish family.
He trained as an accountant.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
Koch started as a cadet on the business pages of '']'' newspaper before joining '']'' magazine soon after its launch in the early 1980s. He was one of the founders of consumer finance journalism in Australia and created ''Personal Investment'' magazine, which made him the youngest editor in the ] group.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} He then launched ''Personal Investment'' magazines in New Zealand and the UK. He produced Britain's first "rich list" which started in ''Money Magazine'' which he had bought for Fairfax.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
In 1988, he launched trade publishing group Australian Financial Press in a joint venture with Fairfax. AFP went on to create ''Business Magazine'', ''New Accountant'' and ''Money Management'' magazines.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
In 1988, he launched trade publishing group Australian Financial Press in a joint venture with Fairfax. AFP went on to create ''Business Magazine'', ''New Accountant'' and ''Money Management'' magazines.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
He provides business and financial commentary for several publications, including ], ] and the "Your Money" section of ] newspapers.
He provides{{when|date=May 2024}} business and financial commentary for several publications, including ], ], and the "Your Money" section of ] newspapers.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
Koch was a director of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation Ltd for eight years after its inception in 1996. As a former business owner and operator and now{{when|date=May 2024}} director of Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd, he speaks regularly at corporate events about small business, finance and investment issues.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}}
Koch has presented a weekly small business program on the Seven Network, ''Kochie's Business Builders''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=David Koch - Kochie's Small Business Builders |url=https://www.kochiesbusinessbuilders.com.au/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Kochie's Business Builders |language=en-US}}</ref> It was produced by Koch's company Pinstripe Media.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/david-koch-kochie-dynamic-business-1234.html |first=Jen |last=Bishop |date =23 July 2010 |title=David Koch builds business |publisher=dynamicbusiness.com.au}}</ref>
Koch was a director of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation Ltd for eight years after its inception in 1996. As a former business owner and operator and now director of Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd, he speaks regularly at corporate events about small business, finance and investment issues.
In 2007, Koch launched Pinstripe Media, a video production and content marketing agency that manages a network of sites including Startup Daily, Flying Solo and Kochie's Business Builders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinstripemedia.com.au/ |title=Kochie's Video and Content Marketing Agency |website=pinstripemedia.com.au |access-date=2020-09-10}}</ref>
Koch has presented over 100 episodes of a weekly small business program on the Seven Network, ''Business Builders'',whichhelpsprivatebusinessownersimprovetheirbusiness. Theprogramis produced by Koch's company Pinstripe Media.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/david-koch-kochie-dynamic-business-1234.html |first=Jen |last=Bishop |date =23 July 2010 |title=David Koch builds business |publisher=dynamicbusiness.com.au}}</ref>
In 2007, Koch launched PinstripeMedia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinstripemedia.com.au/ |title=Kochie's Video and Content Marketing Agency |website=pinstripemedia.com.au |access-date=2020-09-10}}</ref> a video production and content marketing agency that manages a network of sites including Startup Daily, Flying Solo and Kochie's Business Builders.
In 2013, Koch launched KBB Digital, a ] agency for small business which is an extension of the Kochie's Business Builders brand.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kbbdigital.com.au/ |title=Kochie's Digital Marketing Agency Sydney & throughout Australia |website=Kbbdigital.com.au |access-date=2016-01-22}}</ref>
In 2013, Koch launched KBBDigital,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbbdigital.com.au/ |title=Kochie's DigitalMarketingAgencySydney& throughout Australia |website=Kbbdigital.com.au |access-date=2016-01-22}}</ref> a ] agency for small business which is an extension of the 'Kochie's Business Builders' brand.
In 2020, in partnership with Kylie Merritt, Koch launched ausbiz, an Australian business and finance streaming platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kochie's finance and investment livestreaming website |url=http://www.ausbiz.com.au/ |access-date=2020-09-10 |website=ausbiz}}</ref>
In August 2023, Koch joined ] as an economic director.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/experts/david-koch/|title=David "Kochie" Koch is Compare the Market's Economic Director, leading research and campaigns to help Australians make educated financial decisions.}}</ref>
In 2020, in partnership with Kylie Merritt, Koch launched ausbiz,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kochie's finance and investment livestreaming website |url=http://www.ausbiz.com.au/ |access-date=2020-09-10 |website=ausbiz}}</ref> an Australian business and finance streaming platform.
==Television career==
==Television career==
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==Recognition==
==Recognition==
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Koch was nominated for a silver ] in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter.
Koch was nominated for a silver ] in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
In 2007, readers of ''Banking and Finance Magazine'' voted Koch Australia's Best Finance Journalist, while the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia presented him with the "Small Business Champion award" in recognition of his support of Australian small business.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}
Koch has written several practical books on family and business financial management; he has also published a book of jokes compiled from his daily joke segment on TV. The book was parodied in an episode of '']'' where reading jokes from "Kochie" was the only thing that got a laugh at a stand-up comedy club. In a survey conducted by '']'' newspaper, his peers recognised him as one of the 10 most influential people of all time in the financial services industry.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}} There may be a conflict of interest in this recognition he received from ''Money Management'' newspaper given he set up the publication via his trade publishing group Australian Financial Press (see above).
Koch was frequentlyparodiedon the television show '']'', in which he was played by ]. '']''listedhiminthe top 50 Most TrustedAustralians.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Kochie Blog–AboutKochie |url=http://www.kochie.com.au/about-us |website=kochie.com.au |access-date=12July2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806202038/http://www.kochie.com.au/about-us |archive-date=6August2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Koch was named 2007 ] by the Australian Father's Day Council on 31 August 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kochie named Father of the Year |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22339145-10388,00.html |access-date=27 October 2007 |agency=AAP |date=31 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921114738/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C22339145-10388%2C00.html |archive-date=21 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>
Koch was honoured with the ] (AM) in 2024, "for significant service to media as a television presenter and to economic journalism".<ref name="ta" />
In 2007, readers of ''Banking and Finance Magazine'' voted Koch Australia's Best Finance Journalist while the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia presented him with the "Small Business Champion award" in recognition of his support of Australian small business.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}
=== Parodies ===
Koch was named 2007 ] by the Australian Father's Day Council on 31 August 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kochie named Father of the Year |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22339145-10388,00.html |access-date=27 October 2007 |agency=AAP |date=31 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921114738/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C22339145-10388%2C00.html |archive-date=21 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>
After he had published a book of jokes compiled from his daily joke segment on TV, the book was parodied in an episode of '']'' where reading jokes from "Kochie" was the only thing that got a laugh at a stand-up comedy club.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}
Koch was frequently parodied on the television show '']'', in which he was played by ]. '']'' listed him in the top 50 Most Trusted Australians.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Kochie Blog – About Kochie |url=http://www.kochie.com.au/about-us |website=kochie.com.au |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806202038/http://www.kochie.com.au/about-us |archive-date=6 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He appeared on Australian soap opera '']'' in 2007 and appeared on '']'' in 2004 as an ].
== Port Adelaide Football Club ==
] AGM in January 2020.]]
] AGM in January 2020.]]
Koch was the number one ticket-holder of ] team ] from 2007, jointly with Australian model and actress ] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Teresa Palmer Power's No. 1|url=http://portadelaidefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/Default.aspx?newsId=71576|access-date=30 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902194158/http://portadelaidefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/Default.aspx?newsId=71576|archive-date=2 September 2010|date=30 January 2009}}</ref>
Koch was the number one ticket-holder of ] team ] from 2007, jointly with Australian model and actress ] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Teresa Palmer Power's No. 1|url=http://portadelaidefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/Default.aspx?newsId=71576|access-date=30 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902194158/http://portadelaidefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/Default.aspx?newsId=71576|archive-date=2 September 2010|date=30 January 2009}}</ref>
On 2 October 2012, Koch was announced as the chairman of the club, effective from the beginning of 2013, succeeding Brett Duncanson.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/port-adelaide/power-president-david-koch-digs-line-in-the-sand-deeper-making-bigger-hole-for-coach-ken-hinkley/news-story/f21191ee519d747331326a79307f3fb0|title= Koch turns up the heat again|website=]|access-date=26 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/club/board | title=Board of Directors | publisher= Port Adelaide FC}}</ref>
He played the voice of the News Report in the Australian version of the 2009 ] film, '']''.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
On 2 October 2012, Koch was announced as the chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club a position he started at the beginning of 2013, succeeding Brett Duncanson.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/club/board | title=Board of Directors | publisher= Port Adelaide FC}}</ref>
In October 2014, Koch launched his website rescue competition (Rescue My Website), to help change the digital lives of 3 Australian small businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rescuemysite.com.au/ |title=Kochie's Rescue My Website Competition - Kochie's Business Builders |website=Rescuemysite.com.au |access-date=2016-01-22}}</ref>
In October 2014, Koch launched his website rescue competition (Rescue My Website), to help change the digital lives of three Australian small businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rescuemysite.com.au/ |title=Kochie's Rescue My Website Competition - Kochie's Business Builders |website=Rescuemysite.com.au |access-date=2016-01-22}}</ref>
He has climbed ] twice to raise money for charity and walked the ].{{cn|date=May 2024}}
==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
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Koch is a patron of ]' Koch Centre For Youth and Learning in Sydney's Macquarie Fields, which opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://ministers.dese.gov.au/ellis/new-koch-centre-youth-transform-lives-young-australians-macquarie-fields | date=1 December 2011 | title=New Koch Centre for Youth to transform the lives of young Australians in Macquarie Fields | publisher= Ministers' Media Centre}}</ref>
Koch is a patron of ]' Koch Centre For Youth and Learning in Sydney's Macquarie Fields, which opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://ministers.dese.gov.au/ellis/new-koch-centre-youth-transform-lives-young-australians-macquarie-fields | date=1 December 2011 | title=New Koch Centre for Youth to transform the lives of young Australians in Macquarie Fields | publisher= Ministers' Media Centre}}</ref>
He has also been involved with the ], an annual event raising money for charities, including the Perth Children's Hospital<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/telethon/telethon-2022-top-10-moments-on-a-record-breaking-year-for-beloved-childrens-charity-c-8637563 | title=Telethon 2022: Top 10 moments on a record-breaking year for beloved children’s charity | publisher=Perth Now | date=23 October 2022}}</ref> and Melbourne's ], raising money for the ]. Koch has been involved in 13 consecutive Good Friday Appeal fundraisers.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/i-have-a-bullst-job-why-kochie-supports-the-good-friday-appeal/news-story/25fb6fd3f9caf4b558670e1da550df0e | title=‘I have a bulls**t job’: Why Kochie supports the Good Friday Appeal | publisher=News | date= 28 March 2018}}</ref>
He has also been involved with the ], an annual event raising money for charities, including the Perth Children's Hospital<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/telethon/telethon-2022-top-10-moments-on-a-record-breaking-year-for-beloved-childrens-charity-c-8637563 | title=Telethon 2022: Top 10 moments on a record-breaking year for beloved children's charity | publisher=Perth Now | date=23 October 2022}}</ref> and Melbourne's ], raising money for the ]. Koch has been involved in 13 consecutive Good Friday Appeal fundraisers.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/i-have-a-bullst-job-why-kochie-supports-the-good-friday-appeal/news-story/25fb6fd3f9caf4b558670e1da550df0e | title='I have a bulls**t job': Why Kochie supports the Good Friday Appeal | publisher=News | date= 28 March 2018}}</ref>
Through a ''Sunrise'' campaign and his involvement in ShareLife, Koch influenced the federal government to establish a national authority (the Organ & Tissue Authority) to oversee Australia's organ transplant system.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} Previously Australia had the highest level of registered organ donors per head of population in the world but one of the lowest transplant rates. The new national authority aims to bring Australian transplant rates up to world's best practice. Koch was Chairman of the 'Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council' but resigned on-air, during a ''Sunrise'' broadcast on 27 May 2015, in protest over a government review of organ donation.<ref name=abc-pm-audit>{{cite news |last1=Brennan|first1=Bridget |title=Organ transplant audit: Government will review donation to authority |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4243661.htm |access-date=28 May 2015 |work=PM |publisher=] (ABC) |date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Assistant Health Minister ] had failed to advise him about the review.<ref name=abc-otaac-resign>{{cite news |last1=McDonald|first1=Susan |title=David Koch resigns as chairman of Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council in protest |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-27/david-koch-resigns-as-chairman-of-organ-and-tissue-authority/6500546 |access-date=28 May 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=ABC (Australia) |date=28 May 2015}}</ref>
Through a ''Sunrise'' campaign and his involvement in ShareLife, Koch influenced the federal government to establish a national authority (the Organ & Tissue Authority) to oversee Australia's organ transplant system.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} Previously Australia had the highest level of registered organ donors per head of population in the world but one of the lowest transplant rates. The new national authority aims to bring Australian transplant rates up to world's best practice. Koch was Chairman of the 'Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council' but resigned on-air, during a ''Sunrise'' broadcast on 27 May 2015, in protest over a government review of organ donation.<ref name=abc-pm-audit>{{cite news |last1=Brennan|first1=Bridget |title=Organ transplant audit: Government will review donation to authority |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4243661.htm |access-date=28 May 2015 |work=PM |publisher=] (ABC) |date=27 May 2015}}</ref> Assistant Health Minister ] had failed to advise him about the review.<ref name=abc-otaac-resign>{{cite news |last1=McDonald|first1=Susan |title=David Koch resigns as chairman of Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council in protest |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-27/david-koch-resigns-as-chairman-of-organ-and-tissue-authority/6500546 |access-date=28 May 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=ABC (Australia) |date=28 May 2015}}</ref>
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{{Criticism section|date=April 2016}}
{{Criticism section|date=April 2016}}
In May 2006, Koch and then ''Sunrise'' co-host ] were acquitted of ] charges in a Melbourne Local Court after the name of a 14-year-old boy was published in a case in which the boy sought an irreconcilable differences order against his parents. The Seven Network and the show's producer were convicted of the offense.<ref>. ABC News Online. Accessed 12 December 2006</ref>
In May 2006, Koch and then ''Sunrise'' co-host ] were acquitted of ] charges in a Melbourne Local Court after the name of a 14-year-old boy was published in a case in which the boy sought an irreconcilable differences order against his parents. The Seven Network and the show's producer were convicted of the offence.<ref>. ABC News Online. Accessed 12 December 2006</ref>
On 4 December 2006, Koch told a joke on air regarding then prime minister ]'s wife, ], and then Opposition Leader ] that resulted in heavy backlash. Koch was required to apologise to John Howard by Seven Chair ].
On 18 January 2013, Koch attracted criticism after he made comments about breastfeeding, which were condemned by media consultant ].<ref>King, Madeleine (20 January 2013) . ]. Accessed 20 January 2013</ref>
On 18 January 2013, Koch attracted criticism after he made comments about breastfeeding, which were condemned by media consultant ].<ref>King, Madeleine (20 January 2013) . ]. Accessed 20 January 2013</ref>
On 16 October 2018, Koch made a "clumsy" joke in relation to slavery when reviewing a segment about Jamaican sprinter ] training with the ] (a soccer team) in Australia's ]. There was extensive backlash about the incident on social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/sunrise-panel-stunned-at-kochies-usain-bolt-slavery-joke/news-story/447490048bb50d6718f2c4ddb320f5d9|title = Sunrise panel stunned at Kochie's Usain Bolt slavery 'joke'|date = 16 October 2018}}</ref>
On 18 March 2019, Koch was criticised by viewers for allegedly bullying ] Leader ] on the Sunrise program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/calls-to-sack-kochie-over-fiery-debate-with-pauline-hanson-intensify/news-story/997f4480f1ad137457dd26b9552a5cb0|title = Calls to sack Kochie over fiery debate with Pauline Hanson|date = 20 March 2019}}</ref>
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On16October2018,Kochmadea"clumsy" joke in relation to slavery when reviewing a segment about Jamaicansprinter ] training with the ] (a soccer team) in Australia's].Therewasextensivebacklash about the incident onsocialmedia.<ref>{{Citeweb|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/sunrise-panel-stunned-at-kochies-usain-bolt-slavery-joke/news-story/447490048bb50d6718f2c4ddb320f5d9|title= Sunrise panelstunnedatKochie'sUsainBoltslavery'joke'|date = 16October2018}}</ref>
Koch's name and image have been falsely used in several online ]s in Australia, which Koch warned ''Sunrise'' viewers about in January 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/sunrise-host-david-koch-warns-viewers-about-strange-scams-using-his-image/news-story/ad5d13e9f715cdada37f4790bb7c3488?amp|title= Sunrise host David Koch warns viewers about strange scams using his image|website=news.com.au |date =10 January 2023|first =Ed |last =Bourke }}</ref>
On 18 March 2019, Koch was criticised by viewers for allegedly bullying ] Leader ] on the Sunrise program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/calls-to-sack-kochie-over-fiery-debate-with-pauline-hanson-intensify/news-story/997f4480f1ad137457dd26b9552a5cb0|title = Calls to sack Kochie over fiery debate with Pauline Hanson|date = 20 March 2019}}</ref>
Koch's name and image have been falsely used in several online ]s in Australia, which Koch warned ''Sunrise'' viewers about.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/sunrise-host-david-koch-warns-viewers-about-strange-scams-using-his-image/news-story/ad5d13e9f715cdada37f4790bb7c3488?amp|title= Sunrise host David Koch warns viewers about strange scams using his image|website=news.com.au}}</ref>
David James KochAM (/ˈkɒʃ/KOSH), nicknamed "Kochie" (/ˈkɒʃi/KOSH-ee), is an Australian television presenter and financial journalist. He is best known as a host of the Seven Network's breakfast program, Sunrise, from 2002 until 2023. He began his media career in Adelaide as a financial journalist, writing for a number of different publications before eventually moving to television.
Koch started as a cadet on the business pages of The Australian newspaper before joining BRW magazine soon after its launch in the early 1980s. He was one of the founders of consumer finance journalism in Australia and created Personal Investment magazine, which made him the youngest editor in the Fairfax Media group. He then launched Personal Investment magazines in New Zealand and the UK. He produced Britain's first "rich list" which started in Money Magazine which he had bought for Fairfax.
In 1988, he launched trade publishing group Australian Financial Press in a joint venture with Fairfax. AFP went on to create Business Magazine, New Accountant and Money Management magazines.
He provides business and financial commentary for several publications, including Pacific Magazines, Yahoo Finance, and the "Your Money" section of News Ltd newspapers.
Koch was a director of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation Ltd for eight years after its inception in 1996. As a former business owner and operator and now director of Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd, he speaks regularly at corporate events about small business, finance and investment issues.
Koch has presented a weekly small business program on the Seven Network, Kochie's Business Builders. It was produced by Koch's company Pinstripe Media.
In 2007, Koch launched Pinstripe Media, a video production and content marketing agency that manages a network of sites including Startup Daily, Flying Solo and Kochie's Business Builders.
In 2013, Koch launched KBB Digital, a digital marketing agency for small business which is an extension of the Kochie's Business Builders brand.
In 2020, in partnership with Kylie Merritt, Koch launched ausbiz, an Australian business and finance streaming platform.
Koch was co-host of Seven Network's Sunrise breakfast program for 21 years, from 2002 until 2023. He was initially hired to replace Chris Reason who stepped down after a cancer diagnosis towards the end of 2002; however, his position later became permanent. He and his original co-host, Melissa Doyle, hosted the program over a period that saw viewer ratings grow until Sunrise became the leading breakfast television show in Australia.
In August 2022, the Seven Network released a statement declaring Sunrise had won the breakfast TV ratings in its timeslot for the 19th year in a row.
Koch announced on 28 May 2023 that he would leave the program to spend time with family and to manage the Port Adelaide Football Club. After a 21-year tenure, he is Australia's longest-serving breakfast television host, having broadcast 16,000 hours of live TV across 5,300 shows, and conducted 50,000 interviews. Matt Shirvington was announced as his replacement on 5 June 2023. His last broadcast was on 9 June 2023.
Other
Koch also co-hosted another Seven Network production, Where Are They Now?, also with then-Sunrise co-host Melissa Doyle. He also hosts a show for small businesses, Kochie's Business Builders, which airs on Sundays on the Seven Network.
Koch was nominated for a silver Logie in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter.
In 2007, readers of Banking and Finance Magazine voted Koch Australia's Best Finance Journalist, while the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia presented him with the "Small Business Champion award" in recognition of his support of Australian small business.
Koch was honoured with the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024, "for significant service to media as a television presenter and to economic journalism".
Parodies
After he had published a book of jokes compiled from his daily joke segment on TV, the book was parodied in an episode of The Chaser's War on Everything where reading jokes from "Kochie" was the only thing that got a laugh at a stand-up comedy club.
Koch was frequently parodied on the television show Comedy Inc., in which he was played by Paul McCarthy. Reader's Digest listed him in the top 50 Most Trusted Australians.
In October 2014, Koch launched his website rescue competition (Rescue My Website), to help change the digital lives of three Australian small businesses.
Inspiring time with kids from @YOTSAustralia
unveiling their welcome totems at Koch Centre For Youth Macquarie Fields
24 March 2015
Koch is a patron of Youth Off The Streets' Koch Centre For Youth and Learning in Sydney's Macquarie Fields, which opened in 2011.
He has also been involved with the Channel Seven Perth Telethon, an annual event raising money for charities, including the Perth Children's Hospital and Melbourne's Good Friday Appeal, raising money for the Royal Children's Hospital. Koch has been involved in 13 consecutive Good Friday Appeal fundraisers.
Through a Sunrise campaign and his involvement in ShareLife, Koch influenced the federal government to establish a national authority (the Organ & Tissue Authority) to oversee Australia's organ transplant system. Previously Australia had the highest level of registered organ donors per head of population in the world but one of the lowest transplant rates. The new national authority aims to bring Australian transplant rates up to world's best practice. Koch was Chairman of the 'Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council' but resigned on-air, during a Sunrise broadcast on 27 May 2015, in protest over a government review of organ donation. Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash had failed to advise him about the review.
In May 2006, Koch and then Sunrise co-host Melissa Doyle were acquitted of contempt of court charges in a Melbourne Local Court after the name of a 14-year-old boy was published in a case in which the boy sought an irreconcilable differences order against his parents. The Seven Network and the show's producer were convicted of the offence.
On 18 January 2013, Koch attracted criticism after he made comments about breastfeeding, which were condemned by media consultant Mia Freedman.
On 16 October 2018, Koch made a "clumsy" joke in relation to slavery when reviewing a segment about Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt training with the Central Coast Mariners (a soccer team) in Australia's A-League. There was extensive backlash about the incident on social media.
On 18 March 2019, Koch was criticised by viewers for allegedly bullying One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson on the Sunrise program.
Avatar of David Koch
David Koch @@kochie_online
Just for clarity I’m alive and well and enjoying
@AFL #gatherround in Adelaide with all my family. This stuff is really giving me the shits.
14 April 2023
Koch's name and image have been falsely used in several online scams in Australia, which Koch warned Sunrise viewers about in January 2023.
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David Koch in 2013.jpg)
