Frankie Press co-founders depart as Morrison Media moves sales hub to Melbourne
The co-founders of Frankie Press Lara Burke and Louise Bannister will leave the company this month after launching the magazine nearly ten years ago.
Burke, the magazine’s creative director, and Bannister, publisher of the title, founded Frankie in 2004 and are moving on to “pursue their creative partnership in a new direction”.
“It is bittersweet to leave Frankie Press, as the publications are extensions of ourselves, our interests and our love of print,” they said in a statement. “We are proud as punch to have founded Frankie magazine and are truly delighted with its ongoing achievements.”
Frankie has bucked trends in the print industry by gaining readers and increasing circulation in 10 successive print runs and was named magazine of the year at The Australian Magazine Awards over the last two years.
Burke and Bannister’s departure comes after Morrison Media, the publisher of Frankie Press, made the strategic decision to move its sales and marketing headquarters from its Queensland office in Burleigh Heads to Melbourne six months ago to work more closely with Frankie editor Jo Walker and her online team.
Burke and Bannister will not be replaced as their responsibilities are taken on by the teams in Melbourne and Queensland headed by general manager Gaye Murray, in Melbourne, and Emily Chamberlain, the studio manager in Queensland.
Frankie Press has also increased the staff of its Melbourne office with the hire of a national advertising manager Claire Piras, marketing manager Brendan Mcknight, advertising sales executives Jess Harris and Meredith Cameron, and online editor and editorial assistant Sohpie Kalagas.
Peter Morrison, managing director of Morrison Media, which publishes six titles including the Smith Journal and Surfing Life, said: “Lara and Louise have helped create great brands and worked with talented teams to develop them. Frankie has been a stand-out delivering consistent circulation and readership gains and being voted magazine of the year for the past two years.
“Smith Journal is following in Frankie’s footsteps. Its mix of unexpected, interesting and funny stories is building a dedicated following and will continue to grow under founding editor Nadia Saccaro and associate editor, Rick Bannister.
“Lara and Louise are leaving the magazines in good hands. They go with our thanks and very best wishes.”
Megan Reynolds
Can someone explain the difference between Frankie Press and Morrison Media? Thanks
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Frankie will never be the same. What was once individual will now turn into every other mag (cue Yen et al.)
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Absolutely great team – their next venture will no doubt be a huge success.
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WTF???????
Noooooooooooooooo!!!
I love everything about the mag due to these amazing individuals. I will be following closely their next creative venture.
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Two very talented and amazing people. They will do so well in whatever they take on next.
Good luck ladies
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Been following the fortunes of these 2 individuals since they started, From buying Chick, through to seeing Frankie in Norwich, London, Frankfurt and Sydney. Their vision creatively executed in print. What a loss. On the positive side, wow, what an opportunity to again, show the world your talents~ class is permanent! I look forward to seeing the next venture – good luck ladies!
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Sorry to see them go and look forward to seeing what their next adventure brings. I have no doubt whatever it is will bring them great success and I look forward to it xx Lisa – Editor Renegade Collective
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