Bauer Media has today announced changes to its executive team in Australia and New Zealand, following the appointment of Paul Dykzeul (pictured above) as its Australasian CEO in June.
The Bauer Media Australia executive team line-up includes re-appointments and expanded roles with new responsibilities.
Jayne Ferguson remains in her role as general manager of publishing, where she will continue to set the strategic direction for the company across Bauer’s lifestyle and celebrity categories.
She will be responsible for 11 brands, including iconic titles such as Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and TV Week.
Fiorella Di Santo has been appointed as general manager of publishing and will be responsible for Bauer’s fashion, luxury, food and home categories.
She takes on the role from her previous position as sales director, where she spearheaded a number of strategic changes, including the integration of the print and digital advertising sales teams.
Christian Fricke will continue in his role as managing director of Bauer Xcel, where he is focused on growing and strengthening Bauer’s digital platforms, including Beauty Heaven and the To Love Network. He will also lead Bauer Labs, the company’s creative platform.
Andrew Stedwell continues in his role as chief financial officer, but adds distribution, retail and circulation to his responsibilities. His remit also includes Bauer Media’s specialist titles.
Paul Gardiner has been promoted as commercial director for Australia from his current position as commercial director for New Zealand.
He will lead Bauer’s advertising sales and creative services in the Australian market, after leading its magazine and digital sales team in New Zealand.
John Hanna continues in his role as chief information officer, adding production, building and photo studios to his current responsibilities.
Kelly Young remains in her role as director of people and culture, where she will continue to build talent for the future through further training and investment in talent development.
Adrian Goss continues in his role as legal counsel, which is now part of the executive team. Terry Williams-King continues in his role as group general manager of trading.
Executive team members will report directly to Dykzeul, who will also have two non-executive direct reports.
Jo Runciman remains in her role as publisher for books, food studio and parenting, and will add Weight Watchers to her remit.
Cornelia Schulze continues in her role as general manager of publishing, with a focus on global leveraging for the group.
Eugene Varricchio, director of operations and general manager of BauerWorks, will be leaving Bauer at the end of September.
He has led the recent growth of BauerWorks – the custom publishing arm of the business – which will now be integrated into various parts of the Bauer business. He also spearheaded the outsourcing of the Bauer Media logistics model as a key efficiency-driving initiative.
Commenting on his departure, Varricchio said: “I’m proud to have had the opportunity to be part of the executive team and help build and transition Bauer Media over the years.
“I achieved the goals that we set and now is the perfect time to take on a new challenge.”
All changes to Bauer’s executive team will be effective from the first week of October.
Dykzeul said his executive team will enable the change that is needed to compete in the future, and noted that Bauer needs to get better at challenging the existing magazine model and find new ideas and strategies to grow.
“As an organisation, we need to be nimble in order to keep up with the rapid pace of change across the media industry,” he said.
“We are creating an environment where new ideas generated from all corners of the business can be brought to life.
“I’m incredibly proud of the calibre of the senior teams on both sides of the Tasman and pleased to announce that the new executive team line up for Australia is made up of internal appointments recognising our best and most highly talented people.
“Bauer Media is committed to nurturing talent at all levels of our organisation, and this senior group will work with their teams to strengthen our business for the future.”
