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HuffPo latest to plot Australian launch

The Australian

February 09, 2015 9:56AM

By Lara Sinclair

THE Huffington Post has become the latest international digital media brand to announce its launch plans for Australia, four years after founder Arianna Huffington first said it would launch here.

The news and opinion publisher, now owned by AOL, will establish a joint venture with Fairfax Media and is expected to establish a staff of 10 to 12 in Sydney.

Fairfax Media today reported it would have a 49 per cent stake in the joint venture and will provide advertising sales support. It is expected to go live in the second quarter.

Fairfax, whose highest-profile investor Gina Rinehart sold her 14.99 per cent stake on Friday, has also established a streaming video joint venture, Stan, in a partnership with Nine Entertainment Co.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with leading global digital news and opinion website, The Huffington Post, to launch an Australian edition,” Fairfax chief executive Greg Hywood said in a statement.

“HuffPost Australia will be part of Fairfax’s expanding portfolio of digital assets — providing great journalism and content to audiences, and valuable connections to those audiences for advertisers.”

The Huffington Post is already a top-13 news website based on the strength of its global content.

More at:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/huffpo-latest-to-plot-australian-launch/story-e6frg996-1227212895122