• Publishing dream team: Andrew Cook returning to print
• Additional roles for Nicholas Gray, Edwina McCann & Fiona Nilsson
• Nick Smith and Vaughan Cottier leaving News for UK and US
News Corp Australia is launching a new publishing division, the News Prestige Network.
The new division will bring together the company’s prestige mastheads into a single division, which will operate The Australian and the Condé Nast International titles Vogue Australia, Vogue Living and GQ Australia.
Last year, the News Prestige Network was launched as an advertising proposition for prestige and luxury brands. The creation of the new publishing division is designed to further align and develop the News Prestige Network.
News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller said: “We are proud of the commercial results driven since the launch of the Prestige Network to the luxury brands market last year. With this new publishing division, we will now leverage our prestige editorial talent, harness our commercial strengths and marketing capabilities to continue to deliver the best content and commercial solutions to Australia’s largest AB audience.”
The offer
The News Prestige Network will now offer advertisers access to an unrivalled stable of high-end magazine brands with Vogue Australia, Vogue Living and GQ Australia and The Australian’s luxury inserted magazines Wish, Mansion, The Deal and The Weekend Australian Magazine.
Dream team creation
The new division will result in several key executive changes:
• Nicholas Gray, current CEO of The Australian, will take on the additional role of News Prestige Network publisher with responsibility across commercial, product and marketing.
• Edwina McCann, current editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia, will take on the additional role of editorial director across Vogue Australia, Vogue Living and GQ Australia.
• Fiona Nilsson, current director of Food Corp, will move to the role of Lifestyle Director for News Corp Australia responsible for the Food and Homes portfolios.
• Andrew Cook, formerly director of media sales at SBS, has been appointed general manager of advertising for The Australian and the News Prestige Network. Andrew replaces Vaughan Cottier, who is moving to the US. He will begin his new role on April 30.
• Nick Smith, current Prestige and Lifestyle director, has resigned from News Corp to take on a new career opportunity in the UK.
The Australian’s editor-in-chief Paul Whittaker and McCann will work together developing the editorial strategy across the network, while Gray, Whittaker and McCann will focus on new commercial opportunities for the combined luxury mastheads.
Gray said: “The News Prestige Network is Australia’s largest and best portfolio of media properties for reaching and engaging with Australia’s AB audience. I am pleased to be given the opportunity to lead this division of the company and work with Paul, Edwina, Andrew and the teams to help the News Prestige Network grow further.
“I also want to thank both Vaughan Cottier and Nick Smith for their outstanding careers with News Corp Australia. Both are moving overseas for further career development. We are sad to lose them, and they leave with our best wishes.”
McCann said: “This furthers our commitment to the beautiful Condé Nast brands in Australia, and I’m thrilled to take on this new role as editorial director.”
Cook said: “I’m looking forward to joining The Australian and the News Prestige Network. The Australian has a proven history in contributing to making a better Australia. The distinctive brand proposition offers advertisers the ability to connect with the nation’s influencers in a premium environment. I believe it’s the perfect time to take on this opportunity to help build on The Australian’s success.
“Vogue Australia, Vogue Living and GQ Australia are truly global influencers, synonymous with fashion, style and design. Each brand is a leading authority in its category, defining cultural movements for sophisticated readers.
“The three brands in combination with The Australian newspaper are the best combined prestige offering for advertisers in both environment and readers.”
Top photo: Fiona Nilsson, Andrew Cook, Edwina McCann & Nicholas Gray