Independent youth publisher Junkee Media has announced the relaunch of its pop culture title Junkee with a new website and brand identity.
Junkee has been a staple in the Australian media landscape for nearly a decade. The relaunch marks the final phase of the publisher’s brand evolution, driven by editor-in-chief Alice Griffin, who took up the mantle in November 2022, moving from her post as editor of MTV Australia.
Griffin was tasked with taking the youth brand into its next phase, supporting the publisher’s evolving mission, voice, and strategy across all platforms, and engaging a new generation of young people. These efforts resulted in what the publisher has dubbed ‘Junkee 2.0,’ defined by a social-first approach, a strategy to cover topics other youth publishers may miss, and a vision of “reporting that adds to the conversation, not the noise.”
Alice Griffin
“You can expect us to continue giving young writers a platform to say their piece. We’ll delve into the most curious corners of pop culture, sit across from politicians we don’t agree with and say things with our full chest,” said Griffin.
“We’ll always honour the foundation built by the people before us, and Junkee 2.0 promises to be bolder, brattier, and braver than we’ve ever been.”
Supporting Griffin on the Junkee editorial team is managing editor Nick Bhasin, head of video and social media, Lauren Jones, brand partnerships lead, Jannah Anderson, creative producer Talecia Vescio, multimedia reporter, Ky Stewart, culture writer and producer, Lia Kim, and ideographer and editor, Abbey Sheather. Katie Stow serves as the editor of ‘cheeky younger sister’ brand, Punkee.
From left, Jannah Anderson, Katie Stow, Ky Stewart, Nick Bhasin, Alice Griffin, Talecia Vescio, Lia Kim, Abbey Sheather & Lauren Jones
The new era of Junkee also sees a greater focus on its key verticals: social justice, music, and culture. These areas will be explored by the team along with key contributors, and supported across Junkee’s social platforms – TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube – as well as the new Junkee website.
In March, Junkee and Pinterest Australia partnered for a content series that aimed to empower and inspire Gen Z LGBTQIA+ Australians to celebrate Pride in the ways that are most authentic to them.
The series explores the theme of “Quiet Pride” and delvesd into LGBTQIA+ trends and topics over 230 pins on Junkee and Punkee’s Pinterest accounts.
See also: Junkee Media and Pinterest empower Gen Z Australians with ‘Quiet Pride’ content series