Are Media names Kate Kirsten entertainment general manager

Are Media has appointed Kate Kirsten as general manager of entertainment, tasking the editorial leader with growing audiences, developing new editorial products and expanding commercial opportunities across five publishing brands. 

Effective immediately, Kirsten will oversee Woman’s Day, Take 5, that’s life!, New Idea and TV WEEK. According to Are Media, the portfolio reaches 4.7 million Australians each month and has a social community of more than 5.7 million.

The appointment completes the publisher’s new general manager structure under director of content and consumer growth Jocelin Abbey.

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Audience loyalty drives growth plans

Kirsten will lead content strategy and community growth, working with Are Media’s commercial teams to develop opportunities for advertisers and partners.

Abbey said the next phase would focus on deepening audience relationships.

“Our next phase of growth is about moving beyond reach to build stronger, more direct relationships with our audiences. Kate combines exceptional editorial judgement with a deep understanding of what makes people return, engage and become part of a community”, Abbey said.

“Our entertainment brands hold an extraordinary place in the daily lives of millions of Australians. There is significant potential to build on that loyalty through new editorial products and experiences, while creating more opportunities for brands to connect with these highly engaged communities.”

Kirsten steps up from real-life portfolio

Kirsten brings more than three decades of journalism and editorial leadership experience to the position. She was previously Are Media’s editorial director, real life, a role she had held since August 2021.

Before that, she served as editor of Take 5, following more than 15 years as deputy editor. She joined the title in 2005 after holding senior editorial and feature-writing roles at that’s life!.

Kirsten said: “These brands have earned their place in people’s lives by understanding what matters to them, from extraordinary real-life stories to the personalities and television moments that get Australia talking.

“That connection gives us a strong platform to grow. I’m looking forward to working with our talented teams to create new reasons for audiences to spend time with our brands, welcome new readers and followers, and build partnerships that bring something valuable to our communities.”

She joins fellow general managers Nicky Briger, who leads luxury, and Nicole Waudby, who oversees homes and lifestyle.