Brisbane-based publisher and music company SGC Media has acquired music and entertainment website TheMusic.com.au from Melbourne’s Handshake Media.
Founded by music marketer Stephen Green in 2010, SGC is home to an assortment of publishing and marketing businesses.
This is the announcement from SCG and TheMusic.com.au:
Created from the amalgamation of Sydney’s Drum Media, Melbourne’s Inpress, Brisbane’s Time Off and Perth’s Drum Perth in 2013, The Music and its original titles have been the keepers of Australian music history, now moving into their fourth decade. With the print edition of the magazine being put on hold during the Covid outbreak, the publication has more recently weathered the same difficult conditions as the industry it serves but has continued its important role as a publication of record for music and the arts.
“The last two years have been a cultural and economic reckoning and the music industry that emerges on the other side will be a different place,” said SGC Media CEO Stephen Green.
Stephen Green
“That place will need the stories of Australian musicians and events told and our titles will be leading the charge to pioneer content that connects people to musicians and their stories. We feel the responsibility of being the custodians of these iconic brands and are pleased to secure their past, present and future.”
SGC Media has told the stories of Australian music for over 10 years with successful PR and digital marketing arms creating campaigns for artists and events including Gurrumul, Sheppard, Lauv, MJR TEG, Amazon Music, BIGSOUND and Fire Fight Australia.
Early 2020 saw its acquisition of electronic and youth music title Purple Sneakers and the creation of Country music website Countrytown.com.au.
The addition of TheMusic.com.au will create a music media group reaching over 400,000 music fans every month across websites, social media, DSP playlists and 100,000 strong direct mailing. SGC Media also works with the music industry to deliver data, insights and charts via Radio Monitor and The Music Network.
SGC Media and Handshake Media will work closely over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition with new editorial and commercial appointments to be announced, joining existing editorial staffer Daniel Cribb at SGC. Current staff Andrew Mast and Tiana Speter will remain with Handshake Media’s ThePodcasts.com.au which includes the successful series The Green Room, Rewind, That Sucks! and The Take with Willie Mason.
“When you have spent over 20 years of your lives building a business you hope that, when you do decide to your time is done, that those when take it on have the same ethos as you do,” said Handshake Media CEO Leigh Treweek (top photo). “We are both so happy that The Music is going to Stephen and his team who share the same values to create strong independent quality content. Their ideas, passion and respect for the brands point to an exciting future. With their experience across the digital medium and their respect for journalism, with the support of the industry, we look forward to seeing the publication thrive for another thirty years and beyond. It’s no secret that the music industry is hurting right now, but as things return to a new normal next year, I urge the industry to support independent, Australian music media.”
See also: One Last Goodbye: A farewell from The Music’s Leigh Treweek