The youth and pop culture publisher The Brag Media has entered into a new license agreement with Variations parent company, Penske Media Corporation, to launch Variety Australia.
The iconic entertainment bible is launched online today with original and syndicated content. A print edition is also planned for the end of 2022, along with a number of first-class industry events.
It will be led by Jake Challenor, CEO, B2B, who joined The Brag Media in March following the acquisition of The music network. The seasoned journalists Lars Brandle and Vivienne Kelly will also work across Variety Australia, The music network and The industrial observer.
That’s what Brag Media’s editor-in-chief, Poppy Reid, said Variety is a brand she has long admired.
“The American team has contributed game-changing examples of journalism in the entertainment industry and continues to shake up the commercial sector in all the right ways,” Reid said.
“I could not be more excited to have Jake Challenor at the helm Variety Australia. I have so much respect for his work with professional publications TMN and TIOand knows he will bring the same journalistic integrity and nose for future-focused coverage to the global legacy of such an iconic title, ”she added.
Jake Challenor will oversee The Brag Media’s trade titles
Variety is the most authoritative and reliable source of entertainment news, recognized and respected worldwide. Since 1905, influential producers, executives and talents in entertainment and more have turned to Variety for news, insightful price season coverage, must-read feature spotlights and intelligent analysis of the industry’s most prominent players.
The agreement between The Brag Media and PMC marks the pairing’s second local edition of a global media brand following the successful launch of Rolling Stone Australia / NZ in 2020.
Variety Australia is the second international edition after the launch of Variety China in 2019.
“Variety is excited to launch Variety Australia“said its CEO and group publisher, Michelle Sobrino-Stearns.” Over the past century, we have covered the exciting developments that have led to Australia’s status as one of the world’s most important and dynamic film and television production centers. Australian culture is influencing the world, and this new publishing project will help readers stay up to date on Australia’s creative leadership role today. “
The arrival of Variety Australia also follows the recent acquisition of Epic Digital in February.
Variety Australia joins The Brag Media’s growing network, which i.a. Rolling Stone Australia, The music network, IndieWire, Billboard, thebrag.com, Tone deafness, The industrial observer, do not bore us, Funimation, Enthusiast games, Life without Andy, HypeBeast and more.