Esquire Australia taps ex-GQ deputy editor Christoper Riley as editor-in-chief
Men’s lifestyle magazine Esquire Australia has appointed former GQ Australia deputy editor Christopher Riley as its new editor-in-chief ahead of the debut of its digital and print editions this month.
The hiring follows the title’s announced launch in March by publisher Switzer Media + Publishing, as part of the company’s multi-year licensing agreement with Hearst Magazines International.
Esquire Australia editor-in-chief Christopher Riley
“We are so excited to bring Esquire to the Australian market and have assembled what we believe to be an experienced team to bring the title to life for our readers. Moreover, we are delighted to have appointed Christopher Riley as editor-in-chief, who was previously deputy editor for GQ Australia,” Switzer Media + Publishing head Alex Switzer said.
Joining Riley in the editorial team are commercial content director Grant Pearce, features editor Amy Campbell, art director Cathryn Zhang, watches and lifestyle editor Josh Bozin and digital content director Tess Ogle.
Riley most recently worked freelance roles for T: The New York Times Style Magazine Australia and Men’s Health Australia after finishing up at GQ Australia in 2020. He first joined GQ in 2017 as a sub-editor before being named deputy editor shortly after.
Prior to becoming a journalist, Riley worked as a proofreader, bid writer, copywriter, editor and schoolteacher between Australia and the United Kingdom.
The cover of Esquire Australia’s upcoming print edition.
Commenting on his appointment, Riley shared his editorial vision for the title: “I can promise three things. First off, excitement. When you open the pages of Esquire Australia, or visit our website, you’ll read the sort of stories that made us all fall in love with reading in the first place: deep, immersive journalism that makes you feel like you’re right there in the story. Secondly, the voices you will hear will represent Australia in all its wonderful diversity. Because a range of perspectives is always a good thing. Finally, my team and I will create content that challenges: not just our readers, but our subjects and ourselves. We may not always get it right, but we’ll learn from our mistakes and adapt.
“That’s why I wanted to launch this magazine with Nick Kyrgios on the cover. You won’t find a more exciting representation of Australia right now than the mercurial tennis star from Canberra.
“His story may be a complicated one but it’s impossible to ignore. Which is exactly the storytelling we’re about.
“We’ve also got writers like Tim Winton in the first issue continuing the legacy of literary icons within Esquire, like Ernest Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald before him. We’re finding a balance between the classical and the rebellious because it’s within that tension where exciting things happen.”
Switzer added: “There’s a strong demand for an international and high-quality brand men’s platform. The hallmark of Esquire is long-form journalism, harkening back to legendary early contributors like Ernest Hemingway.
“In a modern media landscape one of Esquire’s key strengths globally is its content pillar diversification – spanning culture, entertainment, news, lifestyle, style and sport. We’re committed to delivering excellence in all areas.”
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Alex Switzer
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Switzer Media & Publishing
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