Are Media has announced the rebranding of Ovato Retail Distribution (ORD) to Are Direct across Australia and New Zealand. Are Media acquired the magazine distributor from Ovato earlier this year for the amount of $15m plus the acceptance of $27m of “negative working capital”.
The Ovato Retail Distribution business was known for many decades as Gordon & Gotch under the ownership of PMP Limited.
PMP became Ovato which is now under control of the Hannan family with Michael Hannan as chairman and James Hannan as CEO and MD.
In a statement, Are Media said it remains committed to supporting and strengthening the retail and newsagency sector and the magazine category in its entirety, by ensuring retailers receive a reliable supply of diverse and relevant magazines to drive revenue and foot traffic in store.
Are Direct will continue to distribute Are Media’s magazines and the magazines of local and international publishers to 2,800 newsagents and travel outlets, 2,300 supermarkets and 1,900 convenience stores around Australia and to retail outlets across New Zealand.
Some 250 employees who previously worked for Ovato have transitioned to Are Direct, with former distribution head David Hogan continuing to lead the newly acquired business in Australia and Tony Edwards continuing to lead it in New Zealand.
Jane Huxley, CEO of Are Media, said: “Are Direct’s focus continues to be on ensuring magazines from all publishers are efficiently distributed to retailer partners, supporting their businesses and enabling easy access to magazines by all consumers. So it’s very much a case of business as usual.
“I’m delighted to welcome Are Direct’s team to the Are Media family, meaning the deliveries and service support our partners have come to expect are not only maintained but enhanced.”
The Are Direct name change will be effective from Monday 1st November.