The Worst Thing That Could Happen Would Be A Conservative Replacement: Marina Go
Last Friday, general manager of Hearst Australia brands ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR and COSMOPOLITAN, Marina Go, announced her resignation after more than two years in the role. In part one of B&T’s exclusive chat with Go, she shares some sage words of advice for whoever lands in her desk chair.
“This is not a last minute thing. I didn’t wake up one day and say, ‘god I’ve got to get out of here’,” Go assured me about her decision to leave Hearst to sit on the board of prestige automotive retailer Autosports Group.
“The media will never ever leave me, and I’ll never ever leave the media, but I think it’s time for me to take this opportunity with boards because it’s something I’ve been interested in for so long. You have to take opportunities when they surface because they won’t always be there. That’s always been my approach to life.”
Go said she still believes in a thriving future for Bauer Media, and particularly in the ability of the relatively new CEO Nick Chan to drive the business forward.
“Nick and I get on really well and he knows I love this place,” Go said. “I do believe that with Nick as the CEO, this business will do really well.
“It’s hard when you finally get a CEO that you think is going to take it in the right direction to make a decision to leave, but I can’t deny that this is what I wanted to do.”
I think the worst thing that could happen is if someone came in and became very conservative
Given the legacy she will be leaving behind, with iconic titles like Elle and Bazaar, Go said she hoped her successor wouldn’t be someone with conservative values.
“I think the worst thing that could happen is if someone came in and became very conservative, and everything was dumbed down and they looked for a safe option for everything. Because I just don’t think that’s the right approach for the products I have,” Go explained.
“The most important thing will be making sure the brands are protected. The competitive advantage we have are our brands. They’re the things that matter the most in my portfolio, and they’re all very strong brands.
“[My replacement] needs to understand that brand execution on every platform is really critical to make sure the messaging is consistent and that the context matters.
“The kinds of advertisers that we get, particularly with Elle and Bazaar, the context matters all the time. Every touchpoint has to be consistent. I just hope that whoever comes in fights for that, and just continues to evolve the products, because we value innovation.
“My editors have taken risks with their covers, and sometimes they’ve worked, sometimes they haven’t, but I feel like it’s really important to continue to be able to take risks.”
Go said she believes Chan is hoping to come up with a replacement for her position in the next few weeks, but that she imagines once she tendered her resignation a few hands might’ve shot up for the job, both internally and externally.
“It’s a great job and I suspect there will be people who want to do this job. But there’s been no internal speculation. Nick might have someone in mind but if he has, he hasn’t shared it with us.”
It’s hard when you finally get a CEO that you think is going to take it in the right direction to make a decision to leave
Speaking more about her time at Bauer, Go revealed her favourite magazine and best job so far.
“I’m not allowed to have a favourite, but I don’t think it’s a secret that my personal favourite has always been Elle. Even before Elle was launched in Australia, back in the early 90s, I used to buy the American and British edition.
Go added, “Editing a magazine really is the best job in the whole world.”
Check back in tomorrow for part two of our exclusive interview with Marina Go, where she reveals the mistakes that could lead to the death of magazines.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau hearst Hearst Bauer Brands The EdgeLatest News
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.
Entries For Five Decades Of Advertising Graduates Awards Close On Monday
Entries for the Five Decades of Advertising awards close Monday. And no extensions! Any bribery is open til Wednesday.
Cadbury Extends Commitment To Women’s Sport With Sweet New Wallaroos Deal
Rot your teeth, get fat and support women's sport all at the same time with this sweet new sponsorship arrangement.
Campfire X & Nando’s Partner To Acknowledge Traditional Land Owners Across Australia
Chicken chain unveils important First Nations initiative. The actual chickens more concerned with the Adani coal mine.
Lisa Ronson, Naysla Edwards & Ben Hill Join MFA Awards Signature Judging Panel
MFA Awards adds some serious clout to its judging panel. Still no confirmation Paulini will be performing on the night.
Connect Hearing ‘Sounds Good’ Platform Via Bread Agency
Every office has that one hard of hearing person that's oblivious to the fact. Ramp up their insecurities with this.
Ipsos Iris Data: Australians Prioritise Entertainment & Sports Over Serious News In March
Data shows Aussies prioritising light entertainment over hard news. And who can blame them if you've seen the hard news!
Fur Media Partners With Mad Paws To Support Advertisers
It's never good if your office smells like faeces & brine chunks in aspic. Not if you're pet-friendly agency Fur Media.
MAXIBON Drops Epic Flavour Collaboration Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
There are few pluses to be had with global warming, except the extension of ice-cream eating season.
Sling & Stone Scrubs Up With Lush Account
Got friends at Sling & Stone? Expect the dreaded loofah and bath bomb for birthdays/Christmas this year.
SBS’s The Cook Up With Adam Liaw Produces ‘Fewer CO2 Emissions Than Industry Average’
SBS could go full vegan for Adam Liaw's seventh season and reduce its TV audience and emissions by 99 per cent.
GumGum & Playground xyz To Merge Media Portfolio, Creating “Powerhouse” Ad Suite
GumGum & Playground xyz tap into consumer mindset. B&T prefers tapping a keg, but whatever works.
All The Winners & Grinners From The TikTok Young Lions Awards Night!
Last week saw every part of the human experience: Exalted, devastated, exhausted & stuffing sausage rolls in the corner.
TV Ratings (21/4/24): Farmer Wants A Wife Wins Sunday Prime Time
Farmer Wants A Wife does make the country life seductive. Apart from the manure stench & the bleating roosters at 5am.
Australia’s Automotive Industry Shifts Gears With CTV
How much was CTV responsible for Australia's record car sales in 2023? Or those horrible oversized American utes?
Australia’s C7EVEN Communications Launches Services In Japan With New Tokyo Office
Aussie comms agency unveils its Tokyo plans. Confirms it's still getting the hang of the toilets over there.
Daniel Goldstein Promoted To Head Of PR At Example
Try as he may to surreptitiously blend in with the wall in his photo, this PR fellow still relatively easy to spot.
Marie Claire & Volvo Partner For The Planet: Nominees For The Inaugural Marie Claire Sustainability Awards Announced
Fashion bible Marie Claire unveils its Sustainability Awards. Yet still refusing to recycle 2023's maxi skirts trend.
Sefiani Unveils A Wave Of Promotions & Appointments
Life's good in PR/comms as Sefiani unveils new hires. Well, bad news for media sites obsessed with redundancy stories.
Yahoo Launches Identity Solutions For CTV
Connected TV just got a whole lot more exciting with this innovation. Bar the incessant Friends re-runs.
Infosum Launches Data Clean Room Solution With Samsung Ads Australia
Infosum & Samsung Ads launch a data clean room solution that's a lot more than a Wettex & squirt of Ajax.
Fast 10: Bread Agency’s Amaury Treguer On Its “Unrivalled” Social Commerce Focus
Bread Agency's Amaury Treguer takes B&T's Fast 10, as he reveals why he won't be sandwiched up against the opposition.
X And Elon Musk To Sue Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Over Sydney Stabbing Takedown Order
If this all wasn't traumatic enough, Elon weighs in to prove he's the world's richest man & world's biggest dickhead.
CRA Siren Award To Be Presented At B&T Awards 2024!
Often attend award nights & think "I wish this night would never end"? Well, B&T's just got that tiny bit longer.