Associated Magazines’ beauty portfolio makeover

"Nicolene has been the Beauty Editor of Cosmopolitan for 14 years," says Jane Raphaely, CEO of Associated Magazines. "She is not only the doyenne of the beauty journalists but is also the most respected voice in the beauty and cosmetic industry. This is the first time that such a position has been created inside a magazine group, and it stems not just from Nicolene's seniority and standing, but also reflects how seriously we regard the beauty industry in our business."

As Group Beauty Director, Strydom will work with all the Beauty Editors in the group, though they will retain their autonomy and maintain the different identities of the various publications. "Each of the female titles has a completely different reader," says Vanessa Raphaely, Group Editorial Director and Editor of Cosmopolitan. "Two of the titles are about ages in a woman's life – Cosmopolitan for the woman in her twenties and FEMINA for the woman in her thirties. Two are about stages – Brides and Home and Baby & Me – and two about mindsets – Marie Claire and O.

Each title has a completely individual approach to their readers and as Group Beauty Director; Strydom will help the beauty editors cover a wider range of new beauty products without overlapping and repetitiveness. "We will be able to deliver a better service to our readers this way," she says. "There is so much activity in the beauty and cosmetics business that it is a huge benefit to have six leading female glossies, plus House & Leisure, to do really comprehensive and in-depth reporting."