Bauer Media have today announced Dolly and Cleo are set to merge staff, with some employees needing to reapply for their job.
A meeting was called at 10am this morning, with chief executive Matt Stanton and publisher Sebastian Kadas informing employees that there are expectations that the current staff producing the magazines will be cut by half. Current Cleo editor Sharri Markson and Dolly editor Tiffany Dunk will both have to compete to become the new editor-in-chief.
A statement released by Bauer Media reads: The company is now discussing with staff a proposal to bring the teams behind Cleo and Dolly together. An editor-in-chief would be responsible for both titles, with other team members either working directly on the brand or where possible across the two brands.”
Bauer CEO Matthew Stanton adds, "Cleo and Dolly are quickly evolving to meet the needs of a target audience which is itself rapidly changing. In such a dynamic environment, it makes sense to bring the staff creating these young women's lifestyle titles together. The single publishing unit enables us to tap the synergies and expertise between the mastheads to further enhance the reach and relevance of these two much-loved Australian magazine brands."
Bauer spokeswoman Deborah Thomas confirmed to SMH this morning, "The idea is to have one editor-in-chief, one managing editor and one publisher overseeing both titles, but nothing is a done deal it is simply an idea we are looking at."
A source told The Australian that the decision was made by Bauer’s head office in Germany due to declining circulations and revenue.
Stanton revealed that staff will be advised of changes as soon as possible with the new model implemented by early 2014. The main changes will be for the features and fashion teams, according to a source at Cleo.
