Are Media has appointed Nicole Waudby as general manager of Homes & Lifestyle.
Reporting to director of content and growth Jocelin Abbey, Waudby will lead the strategic content direction and commercial performance of Are Media’s Homes & Lifestyle portfolio.
Working across content, sales, product and partnerships, she will be accountable for growing audiences and creating new opportunities for partners across Are Media’s expanding content footprint, including print, digital, audio, video, social and live experiences.
The appointment follows Abbey’s recent move into the expanded role of director of content and consumer growth.
Waudby brings more than 20 years’ experience across the Australian and UK media industries, spanning publishing, sales, digital, partnerships and commercial strategy.
Abbey said Waudby’s combination of publishing expertise, commercial leadership and experience building multi-channel media brands made her ideally suited to lead the category’s next phase of growth.
“Nicole is a highly respected and accomplished media leader who understands how to bring editorial, audience and commercial strategy together,” Abbey said.
“Homes and Lifestyle are key growth categories for Are Media, supported by some of Australia’s most trusted and influential brands. Nicole’s experience building compelling propositions for audiences and advertisers will be invaluable as we continue expanding these brands across channels and creating new ways for commercial partners to connect with their highly engaged communities.”
Waudby’s appointment comes as Are Media continues to build and maintain strong audience momentum. The company’s latest Roy Morgan results showed Better Homes and Gardens reaching 2.17 million Australians across print and digital, while The Australian Women’s Weekly reached 1.64 million and Australian House & Garden reached 894,000. Luxury living brand Belle also recorded 40 per cent year-on-year growth in print readership, reaching 194,000 Australians.
Waudby said: “Are Media’s Homes & Lifestyle portfolio brings together some of Australia’s most recognised and trusted media brands, with deeply engaged audiences and enormous potential for continued growth.
“I’m excited to work with Sally, Jocelin and the wider content teams to build on that strength, find new ways to introduce Are Media’s brands to broader audiences and develop innovative commercial propositions that deliver meaningful value for audiences and advertising partners.”
Waudby commences in the role from Wednesday 26 August.
