Rolling Stone is Hiring Australian Staff, ‘Ambitious’ Expansion Is Coming

Will Rolling Stone magazine push out another Australian edition? It looks that way after the famed U.S. rock and lifestyle masthead put the call out for staff in Australia and three other global centres.

It’s all part of a renewed push by Rolling Stone International, which has earmarked investments across the U.K. and Asia Pacific throughout this year, part of what the brand describes as its “ambitious global expansion plans.”

Those plans include a pitch for editorial staff and “content creators” in Sydney, London, Jakarta and Singapore, and a promise for regular live events in “core international locations,” though details of its new investments and rollout plans are still sketchy. Whether the Australian staff will feed into an international magazine published offshore, step-up the Aussie content in Rolling Stone’s global consumer-facing website (which boasts about 20 million readers, with more than half of those in the U.S.), or guide a spanking new title are details kept under lock and key.

One thing is for certain…RS is going global. According to a statement issued overnight, the title is intent on increasing local music and entertainment editorial, and tapping various, unidentified markets outside the U.S., with a view to delivering “high quality content that is globally relevant.”

Vance Joy covers Rolling Stone AustraliaAustralia and its surging, border-crossing music scene ticks all these boxes. The “next generation” has already arrived, with the likes of Gang of Youths, Betty Who, Tash Sultana, Cub Sport, Mallrat and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard crashing charts and filling big rooms a long way from home. And in editorial terns, Australian writers are in demand; we speak the same tongue and we’re in a unique position to deliver copy early or keep a website rolling during the U.S. overnight hours.

Meng Ru Kuok, CEO of Rolling Stone International, comments: “Although Rolling Stone’s roots are firmly planted in American pop culture, the brand has been a global driving force — both by reporting on and influencing the world’s music trends. This position of global authority is one we are seeking to strengthen and expand with greater focus and coverage on local music culture and creativity in more markets around the world.”

He continues, “APAC is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions globally, representing a tremendous amount of musical talent and diversity. We see huge potential for further expansion and investment into our brand as well as solidifying our position within other key music markets like the U.K.”

The title is “investing in editorial and launching dedicated digital experiences because we understand the critical importance of having local journalists with their fingers on the pulse of local music scenes. We’re excited to be building a team of relevant, experienced voices on local music, culture and entertainment to dig up unique stories for a wider global audience,” says Kuok.

Rolling Stone International has existing licensee partnerships in Europe (Germany, Italy, France), Asia (Japan) and the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico).

The news comes almost a year since Rolling Stone Australia rolled off the press for the last time when its publisher, Paper Riot, went into liquidation. RS Australia was founded in 1972 and, in 2008, ACP (now known as Bauer Media) acquired the title before selling it to Paper Riot. The flagship U.S. brand is in its 52nd year.

Writers, content creators, labels, promoters and artists are invited to contact the title at https://rollingstone.asia, https://rollingstone.co.uk or https://rollingstoneaus.com.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.