The Brag Media acquires The Music Network, and promotes Poppy Reid to editor in chief
The Brag Media has acquired music trade title, The Music Network, with publisher and editor Jake Challenor joining also as executive editor, B2B of The Brag Media. The move is effective tomorrow, 1 March.
Challenor will report into Poppy Reid, who has also been promoted from managing editor to editor in chief of The Brag, as part of the moves.
Reid becomes editor in chief of The Brag Media
He will be responsible for the “editorial direction of The Industry Observer, The Music Network and future trade titles”, suggesting potential new titles to be announced by The Brag Media.
The Brag said that the publication will remain focussed on the music of business, while The Industry Observer will “double down on its coverage of the Australian live sector”, while also merging the two brand’s music industry job portals.
Reid, who joined The Brag Media in 2017 from The Music Network said she is excited to be reunited with the publication she started out as a music journalist at.
“The Music Network has had a special place in my heart ever since I joined the company as an intern back in 2010,” Reid said. “It gave me my start, and I’ve loved watching it go from strength to strength under Jake’s leadership. He’s always had a way of honouring the title’s respected history and deep industry ties, while keeping it future-focused with a unique perspective”
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome The Music Network and Jake into The Brag Media fold,” Reid added. “Jake is an incredible media professional who cares deeply about the music industry and that is reflected in how incredible The Music Network’s content and growth has been since he took ownership. We are so thrilled to welcome him as a Bragger.”
Jake Challenor
CEO of The Brag, Luke Girgis commented on Reid’s promotion: “Poppy was Bragger #1 all the way back in 2017. From day one we worked together building the vision, team and culture of the company. Everything we have achieved at The Brag Media has happened under Poppy’s leadership – she has an incredible ability to take insane and ambitious ideas and turn them into a reality. Poppy is a Bragger to her core making this promotion absolutely reflective of all her work every day at The Brag Media.”
Former editor of Mumbrella, Vivienne Kelly, and Lars Brandle will also work across the trade division as senior journalists at The Brag Media, reporting to Challenor.
Challenor said that the deal shows the intent of The Brag Media’s commitment to supporting independent Australian business journalism. Challenor also sold Radio Today to AMT, the owners of Radioinfo in 2021.
“If you can’t beat them, join them.,” he said. “Luke, Joel and Poppy have built a formidable business. I’ve been so impressed by The Brag Media’s meteoric rise, that it made the decision to sell The Music Network and join the team an easy one for me.
“The Music Network has been independent since day one, unapologetically telling the stories that matter most to its readers. That same ethos will continue across The Brag Media’s trade titles with two seasoned and fearless journalists that I admire greatly in Lars and Viv.”
Girgis appeared on the Mumbrellacast last year, speaking about the business, and his continued investments in print.
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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.
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