Cosmopolitan magazine returns to Australia after six years

As the magazine industry dwindles, one defunct brand is making an unlikely comeback, six years after it was axed.

Cosmopolitan magazine is making a return to the Australian media market, six years after it was axed.

The renowned entertainment and lifestyle glossy will head to the press for its first revived issue in August – led by Sydney publisher Katarina Kroslakova via her publishing house KK Press, in collaboration with New York-based publishing company Hearst Magazines International.

Cosmopolitan Australia will publish six issues per year, with Kroslakova in the process of building a local editorial team, including an editor.

Syd Con 2 Feb 16. Ruby Rose on the front of Cosmopolitan magazine

Kim Kardashian on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine in Australia.

It’s an unprecedented comeback following several years of magazine cancellations – including Cleo, Harper’s BAZAAR Australia, InStyle, Good Health, NW and OK! Australia – amid a changing landscape with a focus on digital media.

“There’s nothing like Cosmo in our magazine landscape,” Kroslakova, who was previously editor for the Australian Financial Review, told The Australian.

“Young women want to enhance their lives. They aim to live fully, unapologetically, and fulfil their potential.

“For young Australian women of today, no other publication has such a strong emotional connection or serves as an influential support network and a safe space for the sharing of knowledge.”

Katarina Kroslakova will lead Cosmopolitan in Australia. Picture: Cosmopolitan/Supplied

Cosmopolitan, which first launched in Australia more than four decades ago, was deemed commercially unviable by its previous publisher Bauer Media (now known as Are Media) in 2018, with its final issue published in December of that year.

Hearst Magazines senior vice president of editorial Kim St. Clair Bodden said the glossy mag’s return was “an exciting next chapter” for the brand.

“The relaunch of Cosmopolitan Australia marks an exciting next chapter for this iconic brand, while reinforcing our commitment to delivering culturally relevant content to audiences around the globe,” she said.

Freedman worked with Cosmo for several years.

“We are delighted to partner with KK Press as we reconnect and engage with millions of authentic and bold young women in this important market.”

Journalist Mia Freedman was editor of the Australian iteration from 1996 to 2005.

The American edition of the magazine, which still prints, was helmed by late magazine icon Helen Gurley Brown, who guided the publication to bolstered sales from the ‘60s and is credited for leading a sex-positive generation of females.

Cosmopolitan’s revival comes after Elle Australia returned to stands in March after a four-year hiatus.

Originally published as Cosmopolitan magazine returns to Australia after six years