Brendan Hill, CEO of Are Media is leaving the company. This, from Mumbrella:
Jane Huxley replaces Brendon Hill as Are Media CEO April 22, 2021 2:03
by ZANDA WILSON
Are Media has announced the departure of CEO Brendon Hill, with former Spotify, Pandora, Microsoft and Fairfax executive Jane Huxley appointed to the role.Huxley will start on 26 April, with Hill revealing the change follows extensive recent discussions about the company’s future strategy with the board.
Hill said: “The board and I have been discussing the future strategy for the business and the opportunity to accelerate the growth in digital.
“Following the integration of Pacific and the development of a new strategic plan for the combined Are Media group, this is the right time for me to step aside and make way for a leader experienced in digital transformation.”
Huxley was most recently Spotify’s regional managing director, covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She also spent time with Microsoft and Fairfax, and was the founding managing director for Pandora in Australia and New Zealand.
Are Media chairman, Clark Perkins, thanked Hill for his time with the company. “Brendon has done an excellent job at Are Media, especially the integration of the Pacific Magazines business, managing the business through COVID 19, and in crafting a new strategy for 2021.
“The business is very profitable and is delivering excellent results, and we are in a strong position to perform even better over the coming years.
Perkins added: “The board of Are Media is eager to sustain the excellent combined publishing platform that has been established under Brendon’s leadership and to accelerate the growth of the digital business.
“The key pillars of the business in women’s entertainment and lifestyle, food, homes, motor and industry all have significant opportunities to grow and develop both their traditional media and digital audience reach. We are delighted to have attracted a leader of Jane’s calibre to lead the business.”
Hill has served as Are Media CEO since 1 June, 2019 (then Bauer Media), when he took over from Paul Dykzeul.
Dykzeul spent two years in the role, which was previously held by Nick Chan for a period of just over 12 months.
I don’t expect much change for us. Until they offer a reasonable margin their products will be of only incidental interest to newsagents. I met Hill once. Lots of noise, little action.