SYDNEY, Wednesday: Bauer Media Australia is heading down a similar path to the NZ arm of the German company, which closed suddenly last month – taking with it a huge swathe of the NZ magazine market.
Bauer Australia, with AUNZ ceo Brendon Hill still at the helm, has made 70 staff redundant, “temporarily” stood down another 70, and “suspended” publication of some of its top titles, including (apparently) TV Week, Australian Women’s Weekly, NW and Take 5.
Hill – who now appears to have moved his base from Auckland to Sydney – told Mumbrella the action was necessary because of decreased advertising revenue “in the face of Covid-19”.
“These are unprecedented times,” he said.
“Bauer Australia titles included Woman’s Day, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Belle, House & Garden, Country Style, Inside Out, Motor, and Wheels.”
“The Covid-19 crisis and the strict measures being taken to control it are having a profound impact on the Australian economy and any business that operates in it.
“This has led to a sharp decrease in advertising revenue in Australia over the short term and we have had to reshape our organisation accordingly.”
Bauer Media brands included The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, TV Week, NW, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Belle, Australian House & Garden, Country Style, Inside Out, Motor, Wheels and Which Car.
No NZ buyers yet
Meanwhile, there’s been no news from Hill about the “strenuous efforts” he said he is making to sell at least some of the company’s NZ titles.
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