Michael Rodrigues departs Time Out, Elise Bucholtz named managing director
Time Out’s Australian managing director, Michael Rodrigues, has announced his departure from the business to take on a new role as the inaugural 24-hour economy commissioner for the NSW Government.
He’ll be replaced in the role by Elise Bucholtz, who has been with the company since 2010, with the changes to take effect from March 29.
Rodrigues spent close to 15 years with Time Out, having been the original licensee of the brand in Australia in 2006, before launching Time Out Sydney in 2007.
He would go on to launch Time Out Melbourne, and took Time Out Australia to over 1,000,000 readers by 2017 before the title was re-acquired by Time Out Group in 2017.
He stayed on as managing director, and oversaw the publisher through significant growth, with Time Out recently named Publishing Company of the Year (Large) in the 2020 Mumbrella Publish Awards.
Now he’ll take on the responsibilities of delivering the NSW State Government strategy for a reinvigorated night-time economy.
Rodrigues will be replaced by Elise Bucholtz as MD
In a statement, Rodrigues said: “I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life’s work of helping to create vibrant and diverse cities. I’d like to thank the many Time Out stakeholders who have supported us and me personally over the years.
Rodrigues added: “I leave behind a passionate and united group of publishing professionals whose dedication has made Time Out the indispensable guide to going out in Australia, and an award-winning local business.”
Buscholtz started at Time Out as a sales executive, and was promoted to commercial director in 2019. She has worked across Time Out’s marketing, partnerships and events, and established Time Out Australia’s Food Awards and Bar Awards.
Speaking on the Mumbrellacast recently about the state of publishing in Australia in 2021, he admitted it has been “a tough time for publishers” recently.
“What really matters is that you come back on the other side of it, stronger than your competition. And with relationships in tact particularly with your core advertising base.
“If this year’s taught me anything it’s about making sure the culture in the business is great, and your team feel as safe as possible by being transparent with the realities of the world.”
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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