Bauer Media and News Corp Australia today announced that Bauer has acquired Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife.com.au from News Corp to add to its portfolio of leading Homes brands, Real Living, Australian House and Garden, Belle and digital platform, Homes to Love.

The acquisition sees Bauer’s Homes portfolio become the preeminent destination for readers who are looking for creative inspiration and expert advice in an ever-changing home environment. No matter the readers’ preference of style or budget, Bauer’s Homes portfolio will be at the heart of Australian homes.

Bauer General Manager, Publishing, Fiorella Di Santo, said, “We’re thrilled to bring Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife.com.au to Bauer. Although we already have a strong position in the homes category, this acquisition is a natural fit for us in terms of further deepening our category specialisation. We will now be part of the entire customer Home journey, no matter what budget, geographical area or aesthetic.

“Homes are central to Australian lives; it is elemental to who we are, not just where we are.  With almost 3 million^[1] Australians now reading at least one home magazine every month, we are delighted to work with brands which will become an important destination for readers who are looking for creative inspiration and expert advice across all areas of Home interest.”

News Corp Australasia Executive Chairman, Michael Miller, said: “These are strong brands with strong teams behind them and we want the best for their future. These titles and their editorial teams are the ideal complement to Bauer’s existing stable of homes titles and we know that they will have a strong publishing future with Bauer.”

Bauer CEO, Paul Dykzeul, said “We are extremely pleased to announce this news, as it’s a key milestone in delivering against our core strategic priorities, our strategic business growth and our commitment to invest in deep category specialisation. It is the first acquisition for Bauer in Australia since we bought beautyheaven in 2015, and it signifies our position of leadership and as subject matter experts in this category.”

The addition of HomeLife.com.au advances Bauer’s position as the preeminent Australian publisher of homes and lifestyle content, across both print and digital.

“Introducing these trusted brands into the Homes to Love network is an exciting move in our goal to be Australia’s online category leader in homes and interiors. The wealth, quality and depth of our content will ensure that we can deliver on our audience needs no matter where they are in their home journey,” said Sarah-Belle Murphy, Bauer General Manager, Digital. “Our teams are focussed on building a highly engaged community across our Homes to Love assets and, with the addition of Homelife.com.au’s combined online and social audience of 2.8 million, we have never been in a stronger position in terms of both our consumer and customer offering.”

The Homes print portfolio, which will consist of House & Garden, Inside Out, Country Style and Real Living will be overseen by Bauer Homes Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Green, who has been at the helm of House & Garden since 2006. House & Garden has been a trusted source of information for aspirational home owners for more than 70 years and Lisa’s leadership has seen it become the most-read premium homes title in Australia.

Inside Out equips readers with inspiration, expert style and renovation advice, whilst Real Living is at the forefront of Australian interiors, featuring creative and contemporary homes and personalities. Country Style celebrates the diversity of Australian living, from country to coast, sharing stories of inspirational people and places.

Tanya Buchanan will continue to lead Belle, which delivers readers a global style and design journey with a uniquely Australian perspective. Real Living Editor, Elle Lovelock, Country Style and Homelife.com.au Editor-in-Chief Victoria Carey, and Inside Out Acting Editor Victoria Baker also remain in their roles. Associate Publisher Homes Claire Bradley will remain at News for a new opportunity.

The Inside Out, Country Style and HomeLife.com.au editorial teams will be making the move to 54 Park Street from the 19th June. The first Bauer print issues of Country Style, Inside Out and Home Life will be on sale 12 July 2018, 26 July 2018 and 20 August 2018 respectively.

^[1]Roy Morgan Readership December, 2017