Val Morgan Digital (VMD) has revealed the editorial team for POPSUGAR Australia.

Above L-R: Amanda Bardas, Valentina Todoroska. Below L-R: Lyndsey Rodrigues, Alexandra McCarthy

The team expansion comes after VMD announced its partnership with Group Nine Media to take over the Australian license of POPSUGAR and publish the local edition, POPSUGAR Australia.

POPSUGAR Australia joins a publishing network of multiple sides and multiple audiences, with the VMD  portfolio including The Latch, Fandom, and fellow Group Nine brand Thrillist.

VMD said the addition of POPSUGAR Australia would further complement the Val Morgan cinema and VMO outdoor networks as they continue to “ignite important conversations” across different audiences, mediums, platforms, and screens.

Led by VMD managing director Brian Florido, heading up the editorial team is Amanda Bardas, publisher, with Valentina Todoroska being appointed as managing editor of The Latch and POPSUGAR Australia while Bardas is on maternity leave.

Todoroska was previously the lifestyle editor of 10daily and the managing editor of Mamamia.

Alexandra McCarthy, who joined the Val Morgan Digital team in February 2020 as beauty and wellness editor for The Latch, has been appointed as POPSUGAR Australia Beauty Editor.

McCarthy has experience across multiple print publications including Woman’s Day, ELLE, WHO Magazine, and Girlfriend Magazine.

Lyndsey Rodrigues will cover all things entertainment in her role as POPSUGAR Australia entertainment producer. Rodrigues brings more than 17 years of media experience to the team, having worked with Buzzfeed and Cosmopolitan in New York City as well as The Hollywood Reporter and as entertainment correspondent for the US edition of POPSUGAR.

Rounding out the team is Adam Fischer as national sales director, who continues to lead VMD’s commercial opportunities.

Amanda Bardas said,

“The VMD portfolio and team has gone from strength to strength as we continue to build a publishing network by design.“Each publication complements the Val Morgan cinema and outdoor networks, and it’s because of this that we stand apart from other digital publishers.

“Each member of the team brings their own unique skill set to their role, which will be valuable in helping us take POPSUGAR Australia to the next level while continuing to grow the wider Val Morgan Digital business.”