Bauer Media acquires Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife from News Corp
Bauer Media has acquired three media brands from News Corp Australia: Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife.com.au.
The editorial teams of the titles will move across to Bauer’s Park Street offices on 19 June.
Bauer wants to be the pre-eminent publisher for home and lifestyle content
The print products will be led by Bauer Homes editor-in-chief Lisa Green, who has been at the helm of House & Garden since 2006.
Inside Out acting editor Victoria Baker and Country Style and HomeLife.com.au editor-in-chief Victoria Carey will remain in their roles and move across to Bauer, while associate publisher of homes Claire Bradley will remain at News Corp “for a new opportunity”.
A Bauer spokesperson told Mumbrella there would be no redundancies as a result of the acquisition, and a statement also noted Tanya Buchanan would continue to lead Bauer title Belle, and Real Living editor Elle Lovelock will maintain her position.
Bauer said the acquisitions make its Homes portfolio “the pre-eminent destination for readers who are looking for creative inspiration and expert advice in an ever-changing home environment” – despite the publisher axing five magazines including Yours, Recipes+ and Homes+ late last year.
At the time of the scale back, CEO Paul Dykzeul said: “These are essential changes so we can anticipate and respond to changes in the publishing market and are in line with our previously-announced strategy. The organisation will ensure all employees impacted by the closure of these titles are well supported to find future opportunities.”
Bauer’s general manager of publishing Fiorella Di Santo said the acquisitions were a natural fit.
“We’re thrilled to bring Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife.com.au to Bauer. Although we already have a strong position in the homes category, this acquisition is a natural fit for us in terms of further deepening our category specialisation. We will now be part of the entire customer home journey, no matter what budget, geographical area of aesthetic.”
Dykzeul said the news was a milestone for Bauer – which has spent the past few years scaling back its print operations in favour of digital networks, selling magazines, restructuring its management teams, changing its digital strategy and focusing on certain verticals.
“We are extremely proud to announce this news, as it’s a key milestone in delivering against our core strategic priorities, our strategic business growth and our commitment to invest in deep category specialisation. It is the first acquisition for Bauer in Australia since we bought Beautyheaven in 2015, and it signifies our position of leadership and as subject matter experts in this category,” he said.
Sarah Belle-Murphy, Bauer’s general manager of digital, said the acquisitions also boosted the publisher’s digital credentials.
“Introducing these trusted brands to the Home to Love network is an exciting move in our goal to be Australia’s online category leader in homes and interiors. The wealth, quality and depth of our content will ensure that we can deliver on our audience needs no matter where they are in their home journey.
“Our teams are focussed on building a highly-engaged community across our Homes to Love assets and, with the addition of HomeLife.com.au’s combined online and social audience of 2.8m, we have never been in a stronger position in terms of both our consumer and customer offering.”
News Corp executive chairman Michael Miller added: “These are strong brands with strong teams behind them and we want the best for their future. These titles and their editorial teams are the ideal complement to Bauer’s existing stable of homes titles and we know they will have a strong publishing future with Bauer.”
The terms of the sale were not disclosed.
topics
Bauer Media
Elle Lovelock
Fiorella Di Santo
Lisa Green
magazines
Michael Miller
News Corp
Paul Dykzeul
Sarah-Belle Murphy
Tanya Buchanan
This was a long time coming. Talent started jumping ship earlier this year when there were whispers about a merger and talk of mass layoffs. Doubtful there’ll be much of a long term future at Bauer but wish the teams all the best with the move.
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It’s out with the old and in with the old at Bauer.
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After axing Recipes+, Homes+ and selling off National Geographic to Blue Ant Media, not sure if this is the wisest decision made by the Paper Giant…
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Is Home Life still being printed and if so when is next magazine due out ??
Thankyou
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