Bauer Media has sold Australian Geographic to Northern Pictures, a documentary production company based in Sydney.
Jo Runciman, the current publisher of Australian Geographic, will move with the magazine to its new home at Northern Pictures along with editor-in-chief Chrissie Goldrick and the entire Australian Geographic team.
Runciman, whose role as publisher covers consumer magazines, websites and books jointly commented along with Goldrick: “It’s wonderful to be joining an organisation whose central mission is completely aligned with Australian Geographic’s and we look forward to taking Australian Geographic to new and greater heights.”
Paul Dykzeul, CEO of Bauer Media said the sale was “consistent” with Bauer’s refocussing of resources.
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“The sale of Australian Geographic is consistent with our strategy of focussing resources and investment on our core consumer and customer segments,” he said.
“I’m delighted that the magazine and its staff are going to a home that is so passionate about documenting Australian landscapes, wildlife and adventure. I thank all staff who have worked on Australian Geographic and wish them and the new owners every success.”
The news follows a slew of recent title axes by Bauer, including Men’s Style, Yours, Recipes+, Homes+ Weight Watchers and Shop Til You Drop magazine.
In October 2016, Bauer sold five of its adventure titles to a group of investors led by staffer Robert Gallagher.
Australian Geographic was founded by Dick Smith in 1986. When the magazine was sold to Bauer in 2012, Smith told the Australia he was disappointed by the news, saying “anything good will be sold off because the rest of the world is wealthier than Australia”.
Northern Pictures was bought by Canada’s Blue Ant Media from former Nine chairman David Haslingden in May 2017. Blue Ant owns and operates television production companies, television channels and magazines in North and South America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.