Bauer Media’s GM of women’s lifestyle Jayne Ferguson departs, with CEO Paul Dykzeul to absorb responsibilities
Jayne Ferguson, Bauer Media’s general manager of women’s lifestyle and entertainment, is set to leave the company.
Newly installed CEO Paul Dykzeul will add the entertainment and lifestyle portfolio to his remit.
Ferguson is leaving Bauer after five years
The announcement:
Jayne Ferguson, General Manager – Women’s Lifestyle and Entertainment at Bauer Media has decided to step down from the role, Bauer Media announces today.
Jayne said: “It hasn’t been an easy decision but after five fantastic years I think the time is right to move on. It’s been a privilege to work on some of Australia’s iconic magazine brands. “
“Bauer is full of fantastic people and I’ll miss their passion and enthusiasm, but I’m excited about the next chapter.”
Paul Dykzeul CEO ANZ, said: “Jayne has made a great contribution to Bauer Media, her achievements have been significant while working with us and we wish her the very best for the future.”
As a sign of how important the portfolio is, Paul Dykzeul will take responsibility for the Entertainment and Lifestyle category in addition to his role as CEO.
Ferguson was publisher of some of Bauer’s biggest brands including TV Week, Take 5, NW and OK!, before being promoted to the general manager role in 2016, which included taking on the additional responsibility of Women’s Day and The Australian Women’s Weekly.
In September last year, Bauer once again shuffled its executive team as it announced the closure of its custom publishing arm BauerWorks and the departure of the department’s GM Eugene Varricchio. As part of the shuffle, Ferguson maintained her GM title, and Fiorella Di Santo – who had previously been sales director – also became GM.
At the time of the announcement in September last year it was said Ferguson will “continue to set the strategic direction for the company across Bauer Media’s lifestyle and celebrity categories” and be responsible for 11 brands including The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and TV Week.
Di Santo would have the same job title, but be responsible for Bauer Media’s fashion, luxury, food and home categories.
Mumbrella understands Dykzeul intends to maintain the dual roles long term and is not taking on the responsibilities temporarily.
The past few years have been tumultuous for Bauer Media’s print magazines with various staff shuffles and product closures.
In November, the German-owned publisher dropped Yours, Recipes+ and Homes+ in addition to some custom titles and in March last year, the publisher announced the immediate closure of Shop Til You Drop magazine.
In late 2016 the iconic Dolly brand was folded, which came after the closure of Cleo after 44 years.
2014 saw Bauer stop producing Women’s Fitness.
In addition, last year Australian actress turned Hollywood star Rebel Wilson sued a number of Bauer’s women and entertainment titles over a series of articles which she said painted her as a liar.
Wilson won the defamation trial, and Bauer was ordered to pay her a record $4.5m.
The publisher has subsequently revealed it will appeal the decision.
Bauer Media’s general counsel Adrian Goss said at the time of the initial judgement: “Bauer Media has a long history of delivering great stories to our readers and we have a reputation for developing some of the best editorial teams in this country.
“It is about continuing to do what we do best and that is delivering great content to more than 85% of Australian women across the country via our iconic portfolio.”
When he announced the intention to appeal, he added: “It’s important for us to revisit this unprecedented decision on the quantum of damages, which also has broad implications for the media industry.”
Paul will do this job well
50something white male who is an ex CFO of various screw ups and cut his teeth in the 80s . Who better than to take over the women’s lifestyle portfolio?
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Yes he seems rather over qualified doesn’t he? No one at Bauer knows more about women’s lifestyles than a male CEO, who is a long term member of the boy’s club.
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