Sophie Tedmanson has left the editor's role at The Australian Women's Weekly after three years, with publisher Are Media confirming she had vacated the role but not saying whether it would be cut altogether.
Are Media, the nation's largest magazine publisher, confirmed Tedmanson had vacated her role as editor of The Australian Women's Weekly. The publisher would not be drawn on whether the editor position would be cut altogether, instead saying it would soon begin recruitment for the newly created role of editorial director of The Australian Women's Weekly and Women's Weekly Food.
Staff at the magazine were told earlier this month that Tedmanson was set to depart the business, according to people familiar with the developments.
During the publishing industry's heyday, the top job at The Australian Women's Weekly was among the most influential in the business. It has been held by figures including former ABC chair Ita Buttrose, Helen McCabe, who went on to found Future Women, and Deborah Thomas, who spent close to a decade in the role before moving into corporate roles at ACP Magazines.
Are Media claims The Australian Women's Weekly has a monthly print readership of 1.3 million and a multi-platform audience of 2.8 million. Roy Morgan Research puts the monthly print readership at 1.4 million in the year to June 2026 and the multi-platform audience at 1.64 million. The magazine is now slipping to Australia's second-most read paid magazine after Better Homes and Gardens.
In June, the company confirmed it had made its marketing boss redundant as part of a round of job cuts affecting up to 30 people. The company had announced that chief executive Jane Huxley would leave. In March, it announced her replacement would be Are Media's director of content, Sally Eagle.
Tedmanson was contacted for comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The editor's role at The Australian Women's Weekly has been a prestigious and influential position in Australian journalism; its potential disappearance signals a significant shift in the magazine's editorial structure and priorities.
- The move is part of a broader restructure at Are Media, including job cuts and a change in CEO, reflecting ongoing pressures in the print media industry.
- The magazine's slip to second-most read paid title suggests intensifying competition and a need to adapt to declining print readership.
Background
The Australian Women's Weekly, published by Are Media, is a long-standing women's magazine owned by Australia's biggest magazine publisher. Are Media also publishes titles including Better Homes and Gardens, Marie Claire, New Idea, and Elle. The role of editor at the Weekly has been held by several high-profile media figures. The publisher recently underwent a leadership change and job cuts.
Key Perspectives
Are Media (via a spokesman): Confirmed Tedmanson had vacated her role as editor but would not say whether the position would be cut. The publisher said it would recruit for the newly created role of editorial director of The Australian Women's Weekly and Women's Weekly Food.
People familiar with the developments: Said staff at the magazine were told earlier this month that Tedmanson was set to depart the business.
What to Watch
- Whether Are Media fills the new editorial director role and whether the editor position is formally eliminated.
- The impact on the magazine's readership and advertising revenue as it restructures.
- Further job cuts or restructuring at Are Media as the new CEO settles in.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedSophie Tedmanson has departed the editor role at The Australian Women’s Weekly.The Age - Latest News: “Are Media, through a spokesman, confirmed Tedmanson had vacated her role as editor”
- SupportedThe publisher will soon recruit for an editorial director role.The Age - Latest News: “the publisher said it would soon begin recruitment for the “newly created role” of editorial director”
- SupportedThe magazine is slipping to become Australia’s second-most-read paid magazine, after Better Homes and Gardens.The Age - Latest News: “the Weekly now slipping to Australia’s second most-read paid magazine after Better Homes and Gardens.”
- SupportedTedmanson left the editor’s role after three years at the magazine.The Age - Latest News: “editor Sophie Tedmanson was set to depart the business, according to people familiar with the developments, after three years at the magazine.”
- SupportedAre Media confirmed Tedmanson had vacated the editor role.The Age - Latest News: “Are Media, through a spokesman, confirmed Tedmanson had vacated her role as editor”
- SupportedAre Media did not say whether the editor position would be cut altogether.The Age - Latest News: “but would not be drawn on whether the position would be cut altogether.”
- SupportedThe new editorial director role covers The Australian Women’s Weekly and Women’s Weekly Food.The Age - Latest News: “the “newly created role” of editorial director of The Australian Women’s Weekly and Women’s Weekly Food.”
- SupportedStaff were told earlier this month that Tedmanson was set to depart the business, according to people familiar with the developments.The Age - Latest News: “staff at the women’s magazine were told earlier this month that editor Sophie Tedmanson was set to depart the business, according to people familiar with the developments”
- SupportedAre Media says The Australian Women’s Weekly has a monthly print readership of 1.3 million.The Age - Latest News: “Are Media claims AWW has a monthly print readership of 1.3 million”
- SupportedAre Media says the magazine has a multi-platform audience of 2.8 million.The Age - Latest News: “and a multi-platform audience of 2.8 million.”
- SupportedRoy Morgan Research puts the magazine’s monthly print readership at 1.4 million in the year to June 2026.The Age - Latest News: “Roy Morgan Research has the monthly print readership at 1.4 million in the year to June 2026”
- SupportedRoy Morgan Research puts the magazine’s multi-platform audience at 1.64 million.The Age - Latest News: “and a multi-platform audience of 1.64 million.”