Bauer CEO Brendon Hill Outlines Plans For Beleaguered Publisher

Bauer Media chief executive Brendon Hill has outlined his plans for the new publishing business following the purchase of Seven West Media’s Pacific Magazines.

In a Zoom address on Friday, he outlined his plans for the new media company to staff and said the merger of the two businesses will create a “new, stronger media company”.

Hill said: “As we all know, our industry is changing. In Australia and across the world, advertisers have more options than ever before about where to spend their money. Readers have more options than ever before about where to find information and entertainment.

“The traditional media landscape as we know it is forever changing, it always has been. This deal gives us even more of a chance to lead this change and help shape the next chapter.”

He also said Bauer is “completely committed to every brand”, adding that “the brands exist wonderfully at the moment” and that he has “no idea why that would change under a new ownership structure.”

The chief exec said the new media company will “super-charge” its digital strategies with a content partnership with Seven West Media.

“We are both committed to collaborating on Channel 7 shows and our brands. And we are going to work closely together on marketing our brands through each-others platforms with a major contra-advertising deal.”

Addressing the period of uncertainty, in which it was unclear whether the deal would go ahead, Hill said the new Bauer media has “exciting plans” for its clients to connect with Bauer’s brand communities.

He also flagged changes to its fleet of titles, including putting certain magazines on hold. This includes NW, OK! and WHO. Other titles on pause include Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Instyle, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Good Health.

Hill said Bauer’s intention is to “absolutely” reinstate these titles and get staff back to work as soon as possible, with his aim being September this year.

Hill outlined the new leadership structure of the business, which is as follows:

Publishing

Shane Sutton – Group publisher of homes
Fiona Connolly – Group publisher across our weeklies
Susie Loxton has joined us and will head up the Luxury Group
Nicole Byers’ role has been extended and will now oversee Australian Women’s Weekly, Country Style and Better Homes & Gardens

Digital brand and operations

Fiona Baker – Digital Director Entertainment and Parenting
Lorna Gray- Digital Director Beauty, Luxury and Health
Amber Manto – Digital Director, Homes and Food

Operations

Dean Burge – Head of Product/Technology
Neil Donnelly – Head of Digital Ad Ops
Tessa Rex – Director Video & Audio
Annabel Hodges – Director Audiences

On what’s next, Hill said from a publishing perspective, Bauer will continue to look at where it distributes and where new opportunities lie both in retail and digital edition distribution.

Further information on Bauer’s strategy will be revealed in the coming weeks.

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Bauer Media Brendon Hill Pacific Magazines