Australian automotive media group, Wheels Media, has today announced its current CEO, Andrew Beecher, Is resigning and will be replaced by Christian Clark.
Wheels Media director, Ben Hawter expressed his thanks to Beecher, saying, “Andrew has made a very significant contribution in the relaunch of our digital publishing platform and the rejuvenation of the print media offering and has also driven senior recruitment that well positions the business for future growth.”
“He has provided leadership and vision through a period of transition and evolution for Wheels Media and we sincerely wish him the very best for the future.”
Under Beecher’s guidance, Australia’s most-respected motoring publications – WhichCar.com.au, Wheels, MOTOR, 4X4 Australia, Street Machine and Unique Cars – were brought together to form the cohesive, Wheels Media.
Wheels Media takes the six trusted automotive brands and creates a new media company that manifests the absolute best of resources, intimate market knowledge and specialist skills to deliver measurable results for auto industry stakeholders through surfacing its actionable first-party data.
The new venture is driven by a team of experienced and dedicated automotive professionals, and will now be led by new CEO, Clark (featured image), who joined Wheels Media in March 2020 to head up the company’s commercial business strategy.
Prior to Wheels Media, Clark held roles as country manager at geo-data business Near and Commercial
Director at CarAdvice during the successful sale to Nine, and then went on to Head of Auto at Nine.
“Our clear ambition is to be Australia’s number one media company for engaging and influencing automotive audiences. Our breadth of brands and experience ensures we are able to reach car buyers, whether their purchasing intentions lie with a practical, emotional, performance or adventure vehicle choice,” said Clark.
“Cars are our life. We know what our audience wants because we are that audience. We’re proud of the strong brands that we’ve built and excited about the future.”
Since Beecher and Clark’s team began restructuring the business last year, magazine subscriptions are up 34 per cent and site traffic to whichcar.com.au has grown 15 per cent.
Wheels Media now boasts more than 1.4 million unique digital users, a social media audience of over 1.2 million, and over 100,000 monthly magazine buyers.
“Iconic brands aren’t enough to drive strong results anymore. We’re focused on making the most of our fantastic legacy, while continuing to evolve and diversify our offering,” said Clark.
“We’re already a go-to destination for brands looking to communicate to an engaged automotive audience, but that will only improve as we move into this new phase of growth.
“Our diverse mastheads, exceptional digital solutions and unique subscriber model ensure we can, and will, continue to reach Australia’s broadest and most engaged automotive audience.”
