Allure Media has announced the appointment of Amanda Bardas (main photo) as executive editor of its women’s lifestyle division, which includes global and award-winning digital properties POPSUGAR, Who What Wear, Byrdie and MyDomaine Australia.
Alison Rice has decided to leave Allure Media at the end of September after more than six years with the company including four years as group publisher women’s lifestyle.
Stepping into the new role as executive editor from today, Bardas takes on group publisher responsibilities and will oversee women’s lifestyle editorial, brand extension, audience development and partnerships.
Bardas is currently editorial director, women’s lifestyle. She joined Allure Media in 2015 as fashion editor of Who What Wear Australia and led the site’s launch, which was recognised at the Publish Awards for ‘Launch/Relaunch of the Year’ in 2016.
The site achieved audience uplift of 40 per cent in 18 months. Prior to Allure Media, Bardas held digital marketing and editorial roles at Scentre Group and Bauer Media.
Allure Media chief executive officer Jason Scott said: “Amanda is an immensely talented digital media executive. We’re thrilled to have her stepping up to lead the continued development of our women’s lifestyle portfolio.
“The strength of our women’s lifestyle assets is a credit to the leadership of Alison Rice and her team’s impressive work over several years to deliver growth and increase reader and advertiser engagement.
“Alison is a true digital maverick with a bright future ahead of her. What she has achieved at Allure puts her front-and-centre on the world stage of digital publishing.
“We have only the highest regard for Alison and wish her all the very best as she moves onto her next exciting opportunity.”
Rice said: “I will look back on these seven years as some of the most joyful and enriching of my career. I couldn’t have asked for a better runway to succeed.
I would like to thank Jason Scott for his trust and steady mentorship, our US partner leads who I now proudly call my friends, and every single one of our hardworking team members over the years.
“I leave our brands in the safest of hands. Amanda is an exciting young leader and an astute digital operator. I’m extremely proud of her.”
Commenting on her appointment, Bardas said: “To follow in the footsteps of Alison Rice is an absolute career highlight — her unwavering leadership, guidance, and expertise has laid the foundations for the continued success of Allure Media Women’s Lifestyle. I look forward to a fresh challenge and to lead our talented team into its next chapter, innovating and driving our world-class brands forward.”
