In Australian media news this week, PR agency Webar Shandwick reveals new insights into the digital lives of journalists, Bauer Media announces the launch of a new fortnightly spin-off for TV Week and Belle editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker moves to Vogue Living.

Study uncovers insights on digital lives of journalists

PR agency Weber Shandwick has released insights into the changing habits of journalists in a report titled ‘The Digital Life of Journalists in Asia Pacific’.

Key insights include:

• Digital publishing: 71% of journalists publish through digital channels
• Digital news consumption: 68% of journalists say they most commonly access their news online.
• Internet as a research tool: 36% go to online sources first to prepare stories.
• Branded content welcomed: 77% of news organisations publish branded content provided by a company at least some of the time.
• Print losing importance: Only 24% of journalists work exclusively on print. One third of respondents “never” read print newspapers.
• Sourcing and verifying: Insiders/contacts are the most popular verification tool (72%), followed by press releases (65%) and PR agencies (56%).
• Personal syndication: 79% said they always or sometimes use personal blogs or social media to share their stories.
• Trusted sources: Corporate spokespersons were the most trusted (63%), followed by corporate websites/blogs (52%) and in-house PR/marketing (50%). Corporate social media accounts were the most distrusted sources (53%).

Weber Shandwick surveyed 339 journalists across 10 Asia Pacific markets (Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand). The survey was conducted online from November 2013 to March 2014.

Bauer to launch new fortnightly mag, TV Week Soap Extra 

Bauer Media has announced it will launch a new fortnightly magazine dedicated to television and its stars to complement its popular weekly TV Week.

The TV Week team says it will produce the new magazine, TV Week Soap Extra, in response to extensive consumer research that found “a gap in the market for a contemporary, quality, professional and comprehensive magazine” covering television soaps and dramas.

With a history of more than 55 years, the TV Week brand includes print and digital magazines, mobile and social engagement, websites and events such as the TV Week Logie Awards.

The new TV Week Soap Extra would feature 68 pages packed with the hottest plot teasers and first-look information of some of the popular local and international shows on Australian television screens.

The new magazine will also be incorporated into the TV Week website and its new mobile application.

Bauer Media weekly magazines publisher Jayne Ferguson said: “The TV Week brand continues to go from strength-to-strength and connects with more Australians across multiple platforms than ever before. For advertisers, the opportunity to connect with Australians’ passion for television and celebrity entertainment has never been greater.”

The first issue of TV Week Soap Extra will go on sale for $3.95 on Thursday, July 31.

Belle editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker moves to Vogue Living

Belle magazine editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker will leave his post to join News Corp Australia as editor-in-chief of Vogue Living and design columnist for the company’s Sunday newspapers.

NewsLifeMedia chief executive officer Nicole Sheffield announced that Whitaker would join News in December.

“Neale is one of the best in his field. He is highly respected in the industry with an incredibly strong home and design background and extensive media experience. This is a wonderful coup for News and builds on our solid stable of high-profile editors.”

Whitaker’s more than 20 years in interior design and food publishing have included editing Marieclaire Lifestyle, Vogue Entertaining + Travel and Delicious. He is also a judge on television series The Block.

Whitaker said: “I’m excited to be returning to Vogue, one of the world’s most powerful media brands. Interest in all aspects of interior design, decoration and homemaking has never been stronger and it’s a perfect time to explore the unlimited power for Vogue Living across all media platforms, while speaking to the widest-possible audience through the newspapers.”

Bauer Media specialist division publisher Brendon Hill said the company would announce a replacement at Belle in the near future.

“For the past eight years, Whitaker’s unwavering commitment towards his team and the Belle brand has seen the magazine increase to eight issues per year and record unprecedented circulation; growing by a resounding 55% over the past five years,” he said.