Publishing house Are Media has created a specialist customer division to drive retail partnerships, subscriptions and sales growth, which will be headed up by Sally Eagle.
The new team aims to bring “customers to the forefront” of the business which was recently rebranded from Bauer Media after being sold to Mercury Capital.
Led by Eagle, who has been promoted to customer director from her previous role as general manager of the food category, the team will focus on stronger engagement with retail partners, developing subscription channels and broadening its consumer marketing strategy.
“Our customers, both subscribers and those who buy our magazines in retail stores, are critical to the ongoing success of Are Media,” Eagle says.
“So it is important we continue to evolve and drive our portfolio of brands across the retail environment by engaging with retailers effectively and ensuring an end-to-end strategic marketing approach.”
Are Media expects to distribute almost 80 million magazines next year, and the new customer team has been tasked with growing direct-to-consumer channels including Magshop, as well as forging closer relationships with supermarkets and newsagents across the country.
Following the announcement at Are Media’s Showcase that investment in marketing is set to be tripled next year, the new customer division will also oversee retail, subscription and consumer marketing which are being brought together in a more aligned approach.
“While we have strong relationships with our retail partners, more can always be done to understand their priorities and identify new opportunities that will benefit us both,” says CEO Brendon Hill.
“By creating a dedicated team to focus on our customers we are signaling this as a priority area for the business.
“Sally has continually shown an ability to build and grow successful brands and I’m delighted she will be leading the team to manage this important work.”
Since coming under new ownership, Are Media has made a list of changes to its business, including the closure of print magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, establishing a new automotive sector headed up by Andrew Beecher, and relaunching Elle as a digital-only title.
Eagle’s previous responsibilities will now be re-aligned under executive general manager of publishing and digital, Sarah-Belle Murphy.
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