Women’s Agenda is a news site for business-minded women and is thriving under its new ownership of two such women.
Two-and-a-half years ago, Private Media sold off its online site Women’s Agenda to its then publisher Angela Priestley. The site is well known for being founded by prominent media businesswoman and former editor of Dolly, Marina Go.
Priestley acquired the publication in 2016 with a six-week old baby and toddler at home and succeeded in growing the audience by 30 per cent.
In 2017, Tarla Lambert (ex-Crikey) joined the business as partner and publisher. Soon after, ex-editor Georgina Dent made the return to Women’s Agenda as contributing editor following a 14-month stint as Mamamia’s associate editor.
Over the last year the small business has seen month-on-month audience growth with the news site now attracting a quarter of a million visits each month. Their annual Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards takes place next month on the 5th October which celebrates and awards emerging female leaders across sectors. Speakers include Senator Kristina Keneally, Ten‘s Sandra Sully, reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr Neela Janakiramanan, Dr Kirstin Ferguson and former Australian cricket captain Alex Blackwell.
Speaking to B&T, partner and publisher Tarla Lambert (pictured below) shared what’s next for the the digital publication.
“Being a small business, it’s always hard to strike that balance between healthy risks and dumb ones and it took us a little while to find our rhythm. We’re getting better at taking more healthy risks, and it’s paying off for us massively as a business.
“We can see a whole lot of potential for Women’s Agenda to expand internationally and we have our sights set on New Zealand and Asia Pacific. We also have a few more immediate pipeline plans to grow our audience in key industry areas next year.
“Being purpose driven makes a big difference. Australia’s made a lot of progress in terms of equality in the workplace and it’s encouraging to see a number of big organisations champion diversity and inclusion so fiercely.
“At the same time, there’s clearly a fair bit that needs to improve. We hear stories daily of women facing discrimination at work, gender bias and inequitable conditions.
“We’re trying to agitate the status quo and put pressure on big business and government to do better. We know what we’re trying to do and we put all our efforts into that on a daily basis.
“There’s no other independent news site that advocates for women in the way we do. We’re not a big publisher trying only to make a quick buck. As cheesy as it sounds we’re aiming to make a difference, and I think we are.
“It was a rude shock when, in my first proper role out of university, I looked around and only saw middle-aged, white guys in leadership positions. There’s a wealth of talent and experience out there and it’s not all coming from people named Andrew and John I assure you.”
When asked about the best advice she has received while co-running the business, Lambert joked, “My Grandma: ‘Eat more cake.’
“But seriously, the best advice I ever received was from my Mum who encouraged me to be kind, have a diversity of friends and never operate from a place of superiority.”
If you’d like to attend the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards on the 5th October, get your tickets today.
