Private Media to launch SmartCo Media; Ex-Buzzfeed Australia founding editor leads local Inc. title
Private Media is set to launch SmartCo Media, an umbrella brand for its business titles SmartCompany and the newly licensed Inc. Australia, with founding editor of Buzzfeed Australia, Simon Crerar onboarding as editor-in-chief of both.
The launch comes as publisher Private Media laid out its defence last week in the defamation trial brought by Lachlan Murdoch, co-chairman of News Corp.
Crerar [left], alongside Olivia McDonnell, Will Hayward and Peter Fray
Crerar is largely known for his time at Buzzfeed Australia, departing in 2019 – six years after he was appointed as the first editor for the Australian edition of the site’s news function. This came a year before the decision to close its Australian news operation entirely.
Since then, he has co-launched a local news startup, PS Media.
Inc. is a tech, startup, and business-focused publication, and will join the market after the recent entry of Forbes Australia, which launches its first print edition today.
Private Media described Inc. as the “go-to resource for entrepreneurs – the world’s boldest and most ambitious people – Inc. targets real founders, innovators and influencers, and the leaders of the fast-growing businesses that shape our future”.
SmartCo Media will also be home to an expanded Smart50 event series, and another newly launched event series, The Pitch.
Private Media has expanded its The Pitch event series
Alongside Crerar’s appointment, Olivia McDonnell has been promoted to managing director of both publications, Inc. Australia and SmartCompany, while Eloise Keating has been appointed as news editor of both.
On joining for the launch of Inc. Australia, Crerar said: “I am enormously excited to join Private Media, to launch Inc. in Australia, and help grow SmartCompany at a time when entrepreneurship has never been more central to the Australian economy. Last year saw 34% more small business registrations than 2019, with women, migrants and purpose-driven businesses leading the charge. At a challenging moment for established SMEs and startups, I can’t think of a more important mission than serving the entrepreneurs driving Australia’s real economy.”
McDonnell also said: “I’m excited to take on the challenge of leading the growth of the newly formed SmartCo Media and welcome Inc. to the stable of titles within Private Media. Over the coming months, the team will release a suite of data rich products and special features.”
“With the Smart50 awards later this year, we will expand further into in-person experiences, celebrating the best and brightest business minds in the country. I am especially delighted to work with the hugely talented Simon Crerar, as we build our team and expand our reach to a business audience of close to two million readers across Australia and New Zealand.”
Former head of events at Mumbrella, Liz Baldwin has also joined Private Media as head of events, to help with the expansion of its live events series’, while Tegan Jones was also made senior tech journalist.
CEO of Private Media, Will Hayward commented that Crerar is “one of Australia’s best, most accomplished digital editors”.
“Inc is one of the world’s top business resources. I’m hugely excited to add both to Private Media and offer them to our audience of entrepreneurs and small business owners.”
Last week, Private Media and Crikey set out its key points to Justice Michael Wigney, before Lachlan Murdoch’s legal representatives, including Barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC did so on Friday. Wigney set a date for the trial, which will begin on 27 March next year.
Last month, editor-in-chief of Crikey, Peter Fray and chairman of Private Media, Eric Beecher appeared on the Mumbrellacast to discuss the finer details of the case.
Got a tip?
Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
Linkedin
Have your say