Michael Rodrigues departing Time Out to become NSW 24 Hour Economy Commissioner
Elise Bucholtz promoted to Managing Director, Time Out Australia, as Rodrigues takes on major State Government post
After nearly 15 years of commitment to Time Out, Australian Managing Director, Michael Rodrigues, will be leaving the business to take on a new role as the State of NSW’s first 24 Hour Economy Commissioner.
Mike was the original licensee of the Time Out brand in Australia, signing an option for the franchise back in 2006. He launched Time Out Sydney in 2007 with co-founder Justin Etheridge from a warehouse apartment in Sydney’s Inner West. Time Out Melbourne launched in 2012, and as MD, Mike grew the Time Out Australia business to a 1,000,000+ readership before Time Out Group re-acquired the title in 2017.
Mike stayed on to ensure the transition and success of the masthead in Australia. Despite challenging times he has maintained profitability of the Australian business and departs the company on a high. At the end of 2020, he was named Publish Leader of the Year, and Time Out Australia was named Publishing Company of the Year (Large), in leading trade awards the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
As 24 Hour Economy Commissioner, Mike will lead a team responsible for delivering the NSW State Government strategy, which aims to reinvigorate the state’s night time economy, positioning Sydney as the best city in the world to live, work and play. The strategy is integral to Sydney’s economic recovery post-Covid.
The role itself has come about in no small part due to Time Out Australia’s thought leadership and active campaigning over the last five years for a vibrant Sydney, and represents Time Out’s ability to be an active participant in shaping the cities that we love.
“I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life’s work of helping to create vibrant and diverse cities,” says Mike. “I’d like to thank the many Time Out stakeholders who have supported us and me personally over the years.
“I leave behind a passionate and united group of publishing professionals whose dedication has made Time Out the indispensable guide to going out in Australia, and an award-winning local business.”
While Time Out is sad to see Mike depart, we are excited to announce that Elise Bucholtz, Commercial Director, Time Out Australia, will be promoted to Managing Director, reporting into Tim Webb, Managing Director, Time Out Asia.
Elise has been a core part of Mike’s team, having joined in 2010 as a sales executive. In her years at Time Out she has worked across marketing, partnerships and events, and has been instrumental in building Time Out Australia’s Food Awards and Bar Awards. Starting in Sydney, she took on a leadership role for Time Out Melbourne in 2014, ultimately being promoted to Commercial Director in 2019, and has been central to Time Out Australia’s success.
Mike finishes at Time Out on March 26, 2021. Elise’s appointment takes effect on March 29, 2021.
You can contact Mike at michael.rodrigues@timeout.com and Elise at elise.bucholtz@timeout.com.