Ovato’s former retail distribution business in Australia and New Zealand has now been rebranded by new owners – Are Media – as Are Direct.

Competition authorities in Australia and New Zealand approved the sale of the business to Are Media – a 16.4% shareholder of Ovato – last month for a combined value of $15 million.

Are Direct will continue to distribute Are Media’s magazine and those of local and international publishers to 2,800 newsagents and travel outlets, 2,300 supermarkets and 1,900 convenience stores across Australia and to retail outlets in New Zealand.

Some 250 employees of Ovato Retail Distribution have now transitioned to Are Direct with David Hogan continuing to lead the newly acquired business in Australia and Tony Edwards continuing to lead it in New Zealand.

Are Media CEO Jane Huxley said, “Are Direct’s focus continues to be on ensuring magazines from all publishers are efficiently distributed to retailer partners, supporting their businesses and enabling easy access to magazines by all consumers. So it’s very much a case of business as usual.

“I’m delighted to welcome Are Direct’s team to the Are Media family, meaning the deliveries and service support our partners have come to expect are not only maintained but enhanced.”

The Are Direct name change will be effective from Monday November 1.

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