Are Media names Levine as Director of Technology and Product

Are Media has appointed Bruce Levine as Director of Technology and Product, adding him to the publisher's executive leadership team.

Levine joins from Australian Community Media, where he was Chief Technology Officer and led digital transformation across its publishing titles. Earlier in his career, he held senior technology roles at Fairfax Media and AGL, formerly APG.

Technology strategy

He will report to Chief Executive Officer Sally Eagle and oversee technology strategy across a portfolio that includes The Australian Women's Weekly, Gourmet Traveller, ELLE, marie claire, Better Homes and Gardens, TV Week, Woman's Day, New Idea, WHO, BeautyHeaven and Country Style.

His remit covers the publishing systems and product functions that shape how audiences find and use Are Media's content. The role will focus on building a more agile and scalable publishing framework, strengthening data and personalisation, and supporting the launch of new products across its brands.

The appointment comes as publishers adapt to shifting audience habits. Search, social platforms, newsletters, video, audio, membership products and artificial intelligence tools have become increasingly important routes for content discovery, placing greater emphasis on product design, distribution systems and first-party audience data.

Digital expansion

Are Media has been reshaping its business as it expands beyond traditional magazine publishing. It has increased activity across digital and social channels and says its footprint on those platforms has grown to more than 22 million people.

The company has also launched new video, audio and membership products tied to established consumer brands. Recent additions include The Australian Women's Weekly: Love Stories, marie claire's You're Gonna Want to Hear This and Home Beautiful's The Edit.

Another recent initiative is My Women's Weekly, a direct-to-consumer membership product linked to The Australian Women's Weekly. The offer includes curated meal plans, recipe content, video masterclasses and promotional offers, reflecting the company's push to build recurring relationships with readers beyond traditional print and advertising models.

That strategy reflects broader pressures across the media sector, where publishers are trying to deepen direct audience ties and diversify revenue streams. Product and technology leaders are playing a larger role as media groups seek to connect editorial brands with subscriptions, memberships, commerce and new digital formats.

Roy Morgan Single Source figures cited by Are Media show its brands reach 7.4 million Australians each month. The group presents that scale as evidence that its titles remain relevant across homes, cooking, lifestyle and entertainment.

Leadership focus

Eagle said the appointment formed part of a wider investment in digital operations and audience products.

"Are Media has some of the country's most trusted and influential lifestyle content brands, and we're focused on ensuring we have the capabilities to deliver those experiences wherever and however audiences choose to engage with us. Bruce brings an exceptional combination of technical expertise and media experience, and his leadership will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and optimise our digital ecosystem," said Sally Eagle, Chief Executive Officer, Are Media.

Levine said the role offered a chance to shape the company's next stage of development.

"Are Media occupies a unique position in the Australian market, with an extraordinary portfolio of brands that have deep relationships with Australian women built over decades. The opportunity is to ensure the technology framework that supports audience consumption allows us to move faster, innovate more effectively and create richer experiences for consumers and partners alike," said Bruce Levine, Director of Technology and Product, Are Media.

Levine's remit underlines how central technology leadership has become for consumer publishers seeking to modernise legacy systems while extending well-known brands into new channels and services.