Andrew Beecher departs newly branded Wheels Media, with Christian Clark stepping up as CEO
Andrew Beecher, CEO of Are Media’s automotive division, now branded Wheels Media, has left the business, Mumbrella can reveal.
Christian Clark, current chief revenue officer will step up as CEO, in what is understood to have been a planned change.
Wheels Media director, Ben Hawter thanked Beecher in a statement to Mumbrella: “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.”
The brands under Are Media’s automotive division, WhichCar.com.au, Wheels, MOTOR, 4X4 Australia, Street Machine and Unique Cars have been brought together under one media company, Wheels Media, which will be led by Clark.
Clark joined the company in March 2020, previously holding roles as country manager at geo-data business Near and commercial director at CarAdvice during the sale to Nine. He was also head of auto at Nine
Mumbrella understands that Beecher was always intended to be a “change agent”, helping the business through a “rough period”.
Beecher was hired by Are Media at the back end of 2020, shortly after the publisher’s rebrand from Bauer Media.
Clark takes over as CEO of Wheels Media
Beecher was formerly CEO of Car Advice, stepping down after five years when Nine announced it would be merging Car Advice and Drive, following its merger with Fairfax.
He was brought in by former Are Media CEO Brendon Hill, with the view to building the business into a standalone entity.
At the time he said: “Andrew is a proven leader with a passion for automotive audiences. He has a track record in transforming automotive media properties and we see a strong future for these brands that require a specialist focus within the wider Are Media portfolio.”
As a division of Are Media, the auto titles are operated separately, brought together under the title Wheels Media.
Jane Huxley replaced Hill as CEO six months later in April 2021.
Beecher has over two decades of experience in automotive and digital publishing, having previously led Carsales’ early marketing efforts and launched the business’ display advertising division.
Clark said on his role: “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.”
“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; as we continue to create content for our audience’s interests and needs, explore new platforms and embrace emerging technologies and new ways to engage.”
The role is based in Melbourne.
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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