Former Mag Boss Expects Bauer To Axe Pac Mag Titles

Former Mag Boss Expects Bauer To Axe Pac Mag Titles
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine
SHARE
THIS



A former magazine boss says she foresees Bauer Media closing several Pacific Magazine Titles following the formal closure of the deal last Friday.

Last Friday, Bauer Media and Seven West Media’s Pacific Magazines finally sealed the $40m deal after weeks of speculation the sale had fallen through amid the coronavirus crisis.

And now, ex-magazine titan Deborah Thomas says she expects some Pac Mag titles to go under the new ownership, she told The Australian.

The deal, which was struck in October last year, appeared to be on the rocks for a few months as Bauer struggled under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic which saw advertising revenue wiped out.

With Bauer quickly needing to cut costs, Thomas says she tips the saving measures to come from shutting down some Pacific Magazines titles, most likely those that are similar to mags in Bauer’s stable.

She told The Oz: “There would have to be titles in the Pacific portfolio that may be shut down in the same way that they’ve shut down the four at Bauer during this period where the advertising dollar is just not happening.”

Thomas, who is a former editor of Bauer’s The Australian Women’s Weekly, couldn’t say which titles may close, but that it might not be just a financial decision. She said it may also come down to contract details, especially when it comes to licensing deals with international owners of the titles.

It’s been a hard few months for Bauer and the wide magazine industry, which was already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic.

Just recently it was also revealed Bauer stopped the use of freelance journalists and suspended staff expense claims days before the final completion of the Pac Mags sale was due to go ahead.

The cost-cutting measures followed the decision to close Bauer’s New Zealand arm and reports it bought EY onboard to review the business locally.

And, last Wednesday it was revealed due to the impact of COVID-19 in Australia, and the correlated decrease in advertising revenue, Bauer is set to suspend the print publication of certain titles and to restructure parts of the business. The proposal means that 70 Bauer staff will be made redundant and a similar number stood down.

 

 

Please login with linkedin to comment

Bauer Media Pacific Magazines

Latest News

Leadership, Humanity, Technology – The Sweet Spot
  • Media
  • Technology

Leadership, Humanity, Technology – The Sweet Spot

The SingularityU Australia Executive Program will take place this may, celebrating leadership at the intersection of the values of humanity and the value of technology. The Elon Musks, Apples and Xeros of the world are taking risks for humanity and creating new  technologies that streamline and beautify business operations. They simplify life by providing basic […]

Recommended

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
OMD Alumnus Launches Specialist Media Agency For The Franchise Sector; TFM Digital
  • Marketing

OMD Alumnus Launches Specialist Media Agency For The Franchise Sector; TFM Digital

Brisbane media professional and former OMD Australia Account Director Taylor Fielding (pictured) has officially launched TFM Digital. TFM Digital is a specialist media agency based in Newstead which primarily provides media buying services, and strategy development, to businesses chiefly, but not exclusively, within the franchise sector. Prior to the launch of TFM Digital, Fielding spent […]

FutureFeed Appoints Five By Five For Global Launch
  • Media

FutureFeed Appoints Five By Five For Global Launch

Launch marketing specialists Five by Five Global have been appointed by FutureFeed to develop their brand, international certification trademark and go to market strategy. The innovative livestock feed ingredient developed by CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australian and James Cook University uses a specific genus of seaweed, Asparagopsis, which significantly reduces methane emissions in ruminant livestock. […]

SKMG’s Andrew Knowles Snares B&T’s 30 Under 30 For PR
  • Marketing

SKMG’s Andrew Knowles Snares B&T’s 30 Under 30 For PR

Andrew Knowles, partner and co-founder of the corporate communications consultancy Shoebridge Knowles Media Group (SKMG), has won the PR category in the 2021 B&T 30 Under 30 Awards. Knowles received the award at a ceremony in Sydney last night, claiming victory in a highly competitive field that included leading executives from some of Australia’s biggest […]

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Jack Viney of the Demons and Mitch Wallis of the Bulldogs pose for a photo during the Theragun & AFL Partnership announcement at AFL House on April 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
  • Marketing

AFL Names Therabody As Its Official Recovery Partner

The AFL is delighted to welcome Therabody as its Official Recovery Partner of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Therabody’s industry-leading devices and research will be integrated into pre-match training and post-match recovery routines to help prevent injuries and help improve overall athletic performance. Therabody will also become the naming partner for the end-of-season AFL […]