News Corp Australia is closing its female-led content platform Whimn.com.au as part of changes to its women’s lifestyle portfolio.
As part of the shake-up, the publisher’s new network News Women’s Network, which includes body+soul, Kidspot.com.au, Stellar Australia and news.com.au/lifestyle, will also launch a new magazine next month.
Whimn.com.au launched in 2017, and covers topics such as news, health, beauty and lifestyle. The platform will cease publication June 30, with relevant content to be housed on bodyandsoul.com.au.
Richard Skimin, managing director for News Women’s Network, announced the changes in a note to staff yesterday afternoon.
“I would like to acknowledge the whimn.com.au team who have delivered an engaging product over the past three years in a competitive environment and thank them for their dedication and professionalism,” Skimin said.
“The changes we are making today will be significant for how we position these titles for growth to meet consumer needs and ensure we are less complex for clients to leverage.
“Operating as the one News Women’s Network will enable us to better collaborate to create brilliant storytelling that resonates with consumers and their lifestyles, while also developing advertising and custom marketing solutions using our data insights to ensure advertisers and clients are connected with the right consumer demographics for their products and services.”
As part of the changes, Kate de Brito, editor-in-chief of news.com.au, will have her role expanded to oversee the editorial direction of Kidspot.com.au.
Additionally, Sarrah Le Marquand will become editor-in-chief for Sunday brands body+soul and Stellar. She will oversee the development of the new magazine, launching on Sunday July 5, which will combine both brands.
“This move will create a premium weekend women’s product, for the first time, across all our major markets of NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, and enable us to have a co-ordinated, compelling content offering for readers and importantly, advertisers,” Skimin said.
The changes come as news publishers are under increased financial pressure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with many, including News Corp Australia, reporting weakening advertising revenue as a result. In the past month, Buzzfeed Australia and 10Daily have closed their newsrooms.
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