Bauer promotes Julian Linley to new creative role

Bauer Media has appointed Julian Linley to the new role of creative director for lifestyle and entertainment.

Linley, who currently edits Heat magazine, will be responsible for the creative growth of Bauer’s Lifestyle and Entertainment brands on to broadcast platforms.

In recent years, Bauer has produced a number of brand-related TV programmes, including The Empire Awards, a Match Academy series for Five and an FHM series for Sky1.

Bauer is now looking to step up this activity and has production agreements in place with Endemol and Prospect Pictures, as well as projects in development with both companies for major broadcasters.

Linley has been appointed to build and grow this by driving the creative side of the business and to build on the deals Bauer already has in place, according to the media group.

David Davies, managing director of Bauer Media’s Women’s Lifestyle and Entertainment brands, said: “We have reached the point where there is clearly an opportunity for us to extend our brands on to television through co-production deals with some of the very best production companies. To see these through to broadcast it is clear that we now need to dedicate top quality creative resource. Julian was the obvious choice.”

Linley added: “I am hugely excited to be taking on this new role and look forward to both nurturing creativity and delivering effective brand extensions and industry partnerships.”

Linley joined Heat in 2000 as deputy editor to help relaunch the celebrity gossip mag.  He was promoted to editor in June 2008 and has since led the team through the launch of heatworld magazine.

Jeremy Mark, deputy editor of Heat, will take over as editor of the magazine until a replacement for Linley is found.