Are Media has appointment two general managers as part of the company’s strategy to invest in content verticals to become Australia’s leading omnichannel content commerce media company for women.
Susan Armstrong becomes GM – entertainment and Nicky Briger GM - fashion and beauty.
Armstrong joins from The Suite Collective, a media company committed to celebrating, informing, and supporting women in leadership, where she was founder and editor.
She also worked at ACP, before moving to Ireland where she founded the country’s first teen magazine, Kiss, and launched another successful title, STELLAR.
She was part of the executive team at IMAGE Publications as executive editor, as well as the global content director at The CEO Magazine.
In her new role, Armstrong will lead Are Media’s Entertainment vertical, including Woman’s Day, New Idea, Take 5, That’s Life, TV WEEK, WHO and Puzzles.
Briger has more than 25 years’ experience in the publishing industry, is currently editor of marie claire and has been editor of WHO, InStyle and SHE magazines and deputy editor of Sunday Life.
In her new role, Briger will lead the fashion and beauty vertical including marie claire, ELLE Australia, and Girlfriend.
Are Media director of content and commercial, Agnieszka Hatton, said Are Media is continuing to invest in its vertical content strategy and the team are delighted to welcome Armstrong and Briger into these newly created roles.
“We know that our Fashion and Beauty vertical, for example, attracts high potential, high intent-based audiences, who are motivated to transact across Elle, marie claire and Girlfriend," said Hatton.
"To that end, Nicky will oversee a portfolio of fashion and beauty brands, and develop that vertical into an omnichannel media business with strong content commerce capabilities.
“We will continue to ensure that each brand under the new verticals maintains their distinct masthead, voice and style, while at the same time leveraging the vertical structure to grow revenue.”
Armstrong said she was thrilled to have joined Are Media at this very exciting inflection point.
"I’m looking forward to working with such a strong and experienced team of content creators as we continue to guide Australia’s most iconic brands for women through the omnichannel transformation," she said.
Briger said it's a privilege to be able to lead these iconic brands as part of Are Media’s newly created fashion and beauty vertical.
"The opportunities are endless and I’m thrilled to be able to work alongside such an experienced and creative team to bring our omnichannel plans to life," said Briger.
"While I’ll miss my gig editing marie claire, I can’t wait to see the next editor’s vision come to fruition as the brand evolves into a multiplatform powerhouse.”
These key appointments follow the recent announcement of an expanded executive leadership Team at Are Media, under CEO Jane Huxley, with new roles and digital transformation and ecommerce skills as part of the company’s strategy to become an omnichannel media company with a key focus on its content commerce capability.
A search is underway for a new editor of marie claire. Both appointments are effective immediately.
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