Sally Eagle Named Are Media CEO, Replacing Jane Huxley

Sally Eagle has been appointed CEO of Are Media, Australia's largest magazine publisher, effective early April 2025, replacing Jane Huxley who is stepping down after five years in the role.

Internal Promotion Signals Board's Strategic Priorities

Eagle has spent 16 years at Are Media, working across finance, the company's book division, and three years as customer director before moving into her most recent role as director of content.

Are Media chairman Ben Hawter confirmed the appointment in an internal note to employees. He said Eagle "brings to the CEO role a unique blend of people leadership, commercial acumen, customer insights and a deep understanding of consumer engagement."

Hawter credited Huxley for leading the company "during a formative period, during which time Are Media established its identity as the pre-eminent media platform for women in Australia and New Zealand, across print, digital and live events and social media."

Huxley's Five-Year Record at Are Media

Under Huxley's leadership, Are Media underwent significant restructuring. The company acquired Are Direct, the Australian magazine industry's sole distribution platform, securing supply chain control for itself and other publishers.

The brand portfolio was also rationalized, with the company sharpening its focus on women and lifestyle audiences. Are Media now publishes 32 brands, including The Australian Women's Weekly, Marie Claire, ELLE, Better Homes and Gardens, and Gourmet Traveller.

The company reaches nine in 10 women in Australia annually. It also commands 21 million social media connections and 4.5 million unique website visitors each month.

ELLE Australia expanded from two to four annual print issues during this period. The marie claire Skincare Awards were also launched as a new revenue-generating program, showing that selective investment in premium print can run alongside a broader digital strategy.

Are Media's Broader Business Model

Are Media positions itself around the idea that women control 85% of consumer spending. Its corporate tagline is "Where connection ignites intention," framing its brands as tools that connect editorial content to purchase decisions.

The company operates digital marketplaces for The Australian Women's Weekly and Home Beautiful, enabling direct product transactions alongside editorial content. This content-to-commerce model integrates affiliate marketing, product licensing, and fulfillment into a single platform.

In October 2025, Are Media launched Are Media Collectives, a customer segmentation product built on first-party audience data and designed specifically for luxury brand advertisers. The launch signaled that commercial product development continued even as the leadership transition was underway.

Eagle Steps Into a Multi-Revenue Business

Eagle's cross-functional background spanning finance, publishing, customer management, and content reflects the range of revenue streams Are Media now operates across.

Hawter noted she has "incredible passion for our brands, our vision and our people."

The leadership transition takes effect in early April. No further executive changes have been announced in connection with Eagle's appointment.