News Corp Australia director of prestige and lifestyle Nick Smith has announced that Michael Christensen has been appointed editor of Australia’s leading premium men’s lifestyle brand GQ Australia.
With more than 10 years’ publishing experience Christensen has worked with GQ for five years, as managing editor for the past 18 months and prior to that he was chief sub-editor.
He steps into his new role as editor immediately, taking on the responsibility of growing GQ Australia’s number one market position with Australian men across print, digital, social and events.
Smith said: “Michael has an incredible passion for the GQ brand, and an innate understanding of our mission of helping ambitious young men become successful gentlemen.
“As we move into the 20th anniversary year of GQ Australia, the GQ brand is on a high, with our highest readership levels, the strongest digital and social audience in the men’s premium lifestyle category and an incredible experiential platform in the GQ Men of the Year Awards. I have Michael and our brilliant team to thank for that.
“But we’re not done there. In the next six months we’ll see a supercharged digital proposition for GQ, an exciting new program we’re calling the Gentlemen’s Initiative and celebrations as we work towards our 20th birthday. I’m glad Mike’s in the hot seat to bring all this to market.”
Christensen said: “It’s a huge privilege to be appointed editor of GQ Australia. I would like to thank Nick for his continued support and mentorship over the past 18 months. Together with the extremely talented and dynamic team I’m fortunate to have at GQ, we are excited about, and dedicated to, fulfilling the responsibilities a brand like GQ has in today’s society.
“Stepping into this role at Australia’s most prestigious men’s title, some of my biggest influences are actually women. My mother has always instilled in me the importance of good manners, not to mention an innate appreciation of personal style. And I have a wife who inspires me to be ambitious, innovative and respectful – all with a smile on my face. I’m looking forward to maintaining and evolving these traits in every Australian gent – challenging men to be the best they can be.”
GQ Australia has a readership of 145,000 and a strong social media audience of 339,656 across Facebook (199,167 likes), Twitter (54,910 followers) and Instagram (85,579 followers). GQ Australia’s events such as the upcoming GQ Men of the Year Awards in November are key anchors in the social calendar.