The Guardian has appointed Danika Johnston as interim managing director of Guardian Australia, stepping into the top role following Rebecca Costello’s departure.
Johnston commenced in the role on 23 September and will report to Guardian Media Group CEO Anna Bateson.
She will take on the wider leadership remit while continuing to oversee the Guardian’s commercial division, as the publisher begins the recruitment process for a permanent managing director.
Johnston joined the Guardian in June 2025 as director of commercial partnerships for Australia and New Zealand, leading the publisher’s advertising division across sales, operations, branded content and insights.
She brings more than a decade of experience across media, publishing and technology, having held leadership roles at Nova Entertainment, Mamamia, SBS and TikTok.
Prior to joining the Guardian, Johnston was Australian managing director of UK-founded social media platform WeAre8.
Her appointment comes after Costello stepped down as managing director earlier this month, following more than two years in the role.
Costello announced her departure in August, having led Guardian Australia through a period of business change focused on strategy, developing new capabilities and strengthening relationships with audiences and commercial partners.
At the time, Bateson said Costello had led the business “through a period of major industry change and digital disruption”, adding that she left “a Guardian Australia business and team that is stronger and well-equipped to meet future opportunities”.
Johnston’s move into the interim MD position comes just 15 months after she joined the Guardian, having initially been brought into the business to strengthen its commercial operation and partnerships.
She will now lead the Australian business while the search for Costello’s permanent successor gets underway.
