Following the liquidation of Oyster magazine owner and publisher Inception Digital, the magazine has been placed in safe hands – with DT CEO Jonathan Pease and MM Media Management director Maddison McKay purchasing the print and digital assets of the magazine. Inception Digital was placed in voluntary administration in mid-May after it lost representation of larger clients including The Guardian and Mashable.
Pease and McKay have created new company Oyster Media Group Pty Ltd to house the title’s assets, with the publication’s editorial and online staff breathing a sigh of relief that their jobs are secure thanks to this latest move.
McKay will be taking a hands-on role in the Oyster business, while Pease will provide counsel when needed.
“I fondly remember the launch issue of Oyster magazine in 1994 and have watched the brand evolve and flourish ever since. Oyster has a strong voice across fashion and culture globally and we’re thrilled to be involved," says Pease.
“Our plan is simple: retain and nurture the current Oyster editorial team whilst building the brand partnerships side of the business and strengthening the overall digital product and brand.
“A key factor in buying the business was to make sure we could keep Monica Nataka, publisher of Oyster, involved. We’ve managed to achieve that and I’m excited to see where the brand can go next.”
Nataka adds: “Maddison and Jonathan’s experience with fashion media, digital influencers and marketing makes them the perfect team to take the Oyster brand forward. I plan to stay close to the business and will work in an advisory role.”
The Inception Digital company and sales team will no-longer be involved in Oyster.