As Money and Careers Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Dominic Powell has become Australia’s foremost explainer of complex financial concepts. His award-winning work bridges academic economic theory and everyday money decisions, reaching over 500,000 weekly readers through print and his Real Money newsletter.
“Powell’s newsletter has become required reading for financial advisers seeking to understand retail investor perspectives.” - Australian Financial Review Media Survey 2024
Dominic Powell has established himself as a trusted voice in Australian personal finance journalism, blending analytical rigor with accessible storytelling. As Money and Careers Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, his work demystifies complex financial concepts for everyday readers while maintaining relevance for seasoned investors.
Powell’s journey began in features journalism at SmartCompany, where he honed his ability to translate technical business concepts into engaging narratives. This foundation proved critical when he transitioned to financial reporting, allowing him to bridge the gap between corporate analysis and personal money management.
Published during the 2025 ASX volatility sparked by US-China trade tensions, this analysis combines historical data with interviews from 12 leading fund managers. Powell employs a case study approach, contrasting retail investor experiences during previous crashes with current market conditions. The article’s “stress test” framework for portfolio evaluation became a benchmark for personal finance coverage, cited by multiple financial advisories in subsequent client communications.
This practical guide evaluates 18 budgeting apps through a unique methodology: Powell tracked his own spending across six categories for three months while alternating between different platforms. The piece popularized the concept of “behavioral budgeting,” emphasizing how app design influences financial habits. Follow-up data showed a 27% increase in downloads for recommended apps within Australia.
Co-authored with markets reporter Gemma Grant, this historical analysis uses interactive data visualization to compare eight major market crashes. The article’s “recovery timeline” infographic became widely shared on financial forums, providing context for investors navigating the 2025 downturn. Powell’s contribution focused on translating complex derivatives data into actionable insights for retail investors.
Powell consistently integrates psychological principles into financial reporting, as seen in his analysis of budgeting app design influencing user behavior. Pitches should connect financial products/services to decision-making patterns. Example: A proposal about retirement contribution nudges could reference his 2024 piece on auto-escalation programs increasing savings rates by 18%.
His market crash analysis demonstrates a preference for multi-year datasets that reveal cyclical trends. When pitching market-related stories, include historical comparisons and recovery projections. A recent successful pitch involved a fintech using 20 years of mortgage data to predict rate hike impacts.
While Powell primarily writes for consumers, his early career covering SMEs creates opportunities for business finance angles. A 2024 series on pandemic loan repayment strategies featured case studies from 14 small businesses, driving policy changes to repayment terms.
Notably absent from Powell’s coverage is cryptocurrency analysis. His 2023 newsletter stated: “Until regulatory frameworks mature, crypto remains a spectator sport for most investors.” Successful pitches align with his focus on ASX-listed assets and regulated financial products.
The interactive elements in Powell’s market crash piece demonstrate his team’s investment in data visualization. Pitches including infographic prototypes or dynamic datasets receive priority consideration. A recent collaboration with a superannuation fund used animated contribution growth charts to explain compounding returns.
“The best financial journalism doesn’t just report numbers—it reveals the human behaviors behind them.”
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Personal Finance, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
