EXCLUSIVE: Bauer Media has appointed Peter Holder as publisher of  the company's joint venture titles with Hearst Magazines International (HMI), including Harper’s Bazaar and the soon-to-launch Elle.

Under the reshuffle Jayne Ferguson has also taken control of Bauer's weekly magazine portfolio. 

Holder (pictured), will oversee the anticipated local launch of fashion bible Elle, which was shelved last year because of sluggish circulation in the sector. 

He had previously overseen Bauer-owned titles Cleo, Dolly, Shop 'til You Drop, Take 5, NW, OK!, TV Week, Men's Style, Rolling Stone and Empire, and now taes responsibility for HMI titles Cosmopolitan, Madison and Harper's Bazaar.

The joint venture between Bauer Media and global publishing house Hearst Magazines International began in 1989, when ACP Magazines acquired Cosmopolitan.

Holder’s 30 year career in publishing has seen him edit CondeNast’s upmarket men’s title GQ in 1998, drive the direction of Daily Telegraph’s Sydney Confidential in 2000, and oversee ACP’s launch of Men’s Style in 2003.

He has also written columns for Grazia, as well as opinion pieces for Harper’s Bazaar and Madison, and in 2009 co-authored with Harry M. Miller, the celebrity manager’s autobiography, Confessions of a Not-so Secret Agent (Hachette Australia).

Bauer Media publishing director Gerry Reynolds said: “While Peter is rightly proud of his journalistic background and editorial instincts, he is also determinedly commercial in his approach and has strong relationships with a wide range of luxury advertisers.

"He has proven over the years that he has what it takes to be the publisher of such an important part of our magazine portfolio.”

Holder said: “I'm excited and honoured to become publisher of this portfolio of titles and to be associated with the publishing powerhouse that is Hearst Magazines International.

“While I’m committed to making the editorial offerings even better, I’m also excited about working with the advertising teams to help our commercial partners extend their reach through our various print and digital platforms.”

In addition to Holder’s promotion, Jayne Ferguson has been named publisher of Bauer’s weekly magazine portfolio of OK, NW, Take 5 and TV Week.

Ferguson, whose experience includes stints as digital brand director at NewsLifeMedia and group publisher at Pacific Magazines, has been working at Bauer Media for the past few months as GM of Weight Watchers Publishing.

Weight Watchers magazine is due to re-launch in March 2013 and Ferguson will continue to oversee the title and its website in her new capacity.

At NewsLifeMedia, Ferguson developed paid content strategies for taste.com.au and vogue.com.au. She also oversaw the launch of iPad apps for Donna Hay magazine, MasterChef magazine, Super Food Ideas and Vogue.

Previously, as group publisher at Pacific Magazines, she was responsible for the management and strategic development of a diverse portfolio of monthly magazines, TV and online assets, including Better Homes & Gardens, Home Beautiful, Family Circle, Monument & Men's Health.

Reynolds said: “[Ferguson’s] considerable experience across multi-platform media brands provides her with a depth of understanding and a versatile set of skills that make her the perfect choice to helm this robust group of weekly titles, which are read by 1.7 million people each week.”