Australian digital publisher Broadsheet Media has appointed a new Melbourne editor, Katya Wachtel.

A long-time Broadsheet contributor, Wachtel has spent the past eight years between Melbourne and New York. She graduated from Columbia University’s School of Journalism and has covered cultural and financial news for Reuters, Business Insider, Vault and others.

“We put a lot of thought and energy into helping people experience the best of their city,” says Tim Fisher, editorial director at Broadsheet. “The Melbourne editor is a hugely significant role for Broadsheet, and Katya is a perfect fit. With her experience producing innovative, high-quality media, and her deep knowledge and enthusiasm for Melbourne and its culture, we’re really excited by what she brings to the team.”

Katya will continue the work begun by incumbent Melbourne editor Tacey Rychter, who is stepping aside to pursue freelance opportunities with a focus on culture and travel journalism.

Joining the Broadsheet Melbourne team in 2012, Tacey headed up the publication through a period of incredible growth. Now established as Australia’s leading city guide, Tacey helped Broadsheet Melbourne  transition from a one-city start-up to a national publication delivering a combination of breaking cultural news stories and in-depth interviews with the city’s cultural leaders.

“Tacey’s role helping Broadsheet become an authority on what matters to Melbourne cannot be overstated. Although she’s departing the editorial team, Tacey remains a valued member of the Broadsheet family and will work with us on future projects,” says Fisher.

Since launching in 2009, Broadsheet has become an essential guide for Australians who want to understand and experience the best of their cities. Broadsheet is recognised for premium editorial that  pinpoints and forecasts trends in food and drink, design, fashion and the arts.

Broadsheet is now a national publication, with 1.2 million unique visitors to the site each month. In 2016, Broadsheet launched new publications in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth and expanded its multi-channel approach incorporating social media, a business directory, a jobs classifieds business (Scout) and a number of special projects. These include pop-up restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney, best-selling cookbooks, curated events, sponsored partnerships, award programs and video production.

“I’m thrilled to join Broadsheet, which, from its inception, has broken new ground and set new standards for digital media in Australia,” says Katya Wachtel, incoming Melbourne editor.

“Broadsheet is an exciting, important voice in Melbourne’s cultural-news landscape and I look forward to building on the excellent work Tacey, Tim and the entire editorial team have done so far.”