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Bauer Media announces departure of Hearst Australia publisher Marina Go

Bauer Media publisher Marina Go, who oversees Hearst Australia titles Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, has quit after two years with the company.

Go writes about

She will depart at the end of the month to take up a board role with automotive retailer Autosports Group ahead of its initial public offering next month.

Go’s departure as general manager of Bauer’s Hearst Australia titles comes just three months after the magazine publisher appointed Nick Chan as chief executive – a figure Go clashed with earlier in her career.

Go, who last September was also handed responsibility for the digital assets of Cleo, Dolly and Shop, said in a statement: “I have wanted to transition from an executive to non-executive role for sometime now and the opportunity with the Autosports Group was one that was too good to pass up.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the past two years at Bauer and while I’m sad to be leaving such talented colleagues and incredible brands, I know they will continue to thrive under Nick’s leadership. I wish them all every success.”

Chan, who took the reigns at Bauer in July, said: “Marina has been instrumental in driving innovation across some of our leading women’s, fashion and beauty titles and has built them into true multi-platform brands.

Nick-Chan

“I want to thank her and wish her all the very best as she moves into an exciting new period of her career.”

The mutual exchange of kind words between Go and Chan belies a history of antagonism.

In Go’s memoirs, which went to press shortly before Bauer announced Chan’s appointment, the former Private Media chief executive and publishing director, detailed a story of how she clashed with Chan when they worked together at ACP Magazines, now Bauer.

She claimed in the book – Break Through: 20 Success Strategies for Female Leaders – that she threatened legal action after Chan tried to take away her company car when she returned from maternity leave.

Although she ended up keeping the car, Go said her days at the publisher were numbered.

Go, the chairwoman of NRL club West Tigers, told Mumbrella at the time her book was published that the incident was more than 20 years ago, and she was now on good terms with Chan.

Bauer said an announcement regarding Go’s replacement will be made in “due course”.

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