Group publisher of weekly titles at Are Media, Fiona Connolly has stepped down from her role.
In an internal email to staff, Connolly shared the news about her departure, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Connolly wrote, “I have decided to step away from my role at Are Media to pursue my next adventure.
“I’m incredibly proud of all I’ve achieved… but I’m now ready to explore the opportunities of a rapidly developing media landscape here and internationally.”
Connolly said she is “enormously grateful to my talented colleagues who have underpinned every success, not least my senior leadership team and editors who have been unwavering in their support personally and professionally.”
Connolly has been group publisher of Are Media’s weekly titles since 2009, including the publisher of Woman’s Day, New Idea, and That’s Life. With more than 25 years of experience, her role as group publisher saw all editorial directors and editors report to her.
Connolly was the youngest editor of Woman’s Day in its 65-year history and under her leadership, was the nation’s top-selling weekly magazine.
Prior to her 13 years at Are Media, Connolly spent 12 years in national newspapers, starting her career at the News Ltd National Bureau in the Press Gallery, Parliament House, Canberra.
Moving away from political reporting she joined Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph, where she had numerous roles, including over five years as the editor of the Sydney Confidential brand, it’s weekend liftout, radio and TV show. Among her other roles at The Daily Telegraph, she was the paper’s real estate editor, media editor, night editor and opinion editor.
In 2018, Mediaweek interviewed Connolly about her exclusive interview with Schapelle Corby. The interview, conducted over two days by Connolly, provided insight into the real Corby, focusing on her life at the time and what’s ahead for her.
See also: Fiona Connolly on Woman’s Day exclusive interview with Schapelle Corby