Australian Financial Review leans into lifestyle coverage with new appointments
The Australian Financial Review is leaning into lifestyle content in 2025, with four key appointments across its glossy titles.
Lauren Sams has been appointed as editor of Fin Magazine, the Financial Review’s seasonal glossy magazine. Sams was the Financial Review’s fashion editor since 2019, and will replace Matthew Drummond – who will continue as editor of the monthly AFR Magazine.
“Fin Magazine is the Financial Review’s glossy guide to the finer things in life,” said Sams.
“If AFR Magazine is about success, then Fin Magazine is about reaping it. We’ll travel the world to bring readers the very best in absolutely everything, guiding them from discovery to obsession.
“In 2025, we’re introducing new formats and features including beauty and wellness. And we will continue to lead the way when it comes to fashion, culture, motoring, watches and jewellery.”
Before joining the Financial Review, Sams was features director at ELLE Australia and has worked at Cosmopolitan and delicious.com.au.
Meanwhile, Anna McCooe has been appointed to the newly-created role of senior travel writer at the Financial Review, where she will oversee travel content across the masthead, including afr.com, the daily newspaper, Life & Leisure, AFR Magazine and Fin Magazine.
McCooe was recently deputy editor of Gourmet Traveller, and before that, travel and lifestyle editor for Marie Claire.
Jessica Beresford has been appointed as associate editor of Life & Leisure, the Financial Review’s weekly lifestyle insert, joining from the Financial Times where she was a contributing editor and fashion features editor for that title’s luxury glossy, HTSI.
Lastly, Maria Shollenbarger will write a regular column on travel for AFR Magazine.
“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to ensure the Financial Review’s lifestyle offering has the same authority as the rest of our award-winning journalism,” said AFR Magazine editor, Matthew Drummond.
“As we gain greater data-led insights into the habits of our subscribers, we can see the need to build upon and broaden our coverage across travel, fashion, jewellery, watches, wellness and other lifestyle categories.”
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