Little Black Book Appoints Brittney Rigby as Managing Editor to Spearhead AUNZ Growth

Little Black Book has appointed Brittney Rigby to the newly-created position of managing editor AUNZ to supercharge its growth across the region.

Brittney has held senior leadership roles across both newsrooms and creative agencies including editor at Mediaweek, deputy managing editor at Mumbrella, and head of communications at DDB Group Australia. She is also qualified as a lawyer. In 2022, she was named one of B&T’s 30 under 30.

In her new role, Brittney will lead Little Black Book’s editorial strategy across Australia and New Zealand, as the platform looks to build a market-leading presence. She will be responsible for breaking news, leading the editorial team, and working alongside APAC managing director Toby Hemming to drive growth across the region. She will also work closely with LBB’s editor-in-chief Laura Swinton.

Little Black Book’s co-founder and global CEO Matt Cooper said, “To attract an editorial leader of Britt’s calibre and reputation signals our investment in, and ambition for, Australia and New Zealand. 

“LBB’s reach and ambitions far outperform any other Australian or New Zealand trade title, connecting with nearly 500,000 of the world’s most influential creative leaders every month. It’s more than just a publication, it’s a true platform. 

“I can’t wait to see what Britt does with the role and the region - we feel very lucky to have her.”

APAC managing director Toby Hemming added, “LBB is the future of creative communication. It’s a truly global integrated platform designed to boost business with effective and intelligent global exposure. 

“In the two and a half years I have had responsibility for APAC operations, we have gone from strength to strength, cementing our place as the biggest and most influential creative news platform across the region.

“Britt’s appointment is the latest chapter in our success story. We’re adding her unrivalled knowledge and network to help us achieve even more.

“After many years of being industry peers and friendly competitors, I’m only glad we finally get to work together on the same side, in the same place. We’re raring to go.”

Brittney has written for industry titles such as Campaign Asia, Campaign UK, and AdNews, regularly writes for the likes of The Guardian and Sydney Morning Herald, and appears on radio and TV to talk about her work.

The AUNZ editorial team also includes reporters Tom Loudon and Casey Martin.

“I feel very lucky to have found a home at LBB - locally with Toby, Tom, and Casey, and globally with Matt, Laura, and the rest of the team,” Brittney said. 

“I truly believe in the power of the LBB platform to connect the AUNZ creative community with marketers and peers across 75 markets. The Australia and New Zealand region has an outsized creative ambition, and punches well above its weight on the world stage. So does Little Black Book. This was an opportunity too good to pass up, and I can’t wait to ramp up LBB’s editorial and regional impact.”

Brittney’s appointment builds upon LBB’s global hiring momentum. Last month, LBB promoted Addison Capper and Jake Otley to managing editor, Americas, and managing director, Americas, respectively. In EMEA, LBB made three further promotions to drive growth: Alex Reeves was elevated to managing editor, EMEA; Paul Cooper to managing director, EMEA; and Zhenya Tsenzharyk to UK editor.

“Across the Americas, EMEA, and now AUNZ, we have set up the managing director-managing editor combo,” Matt explained. 

“That structure is already proving its effectiveness in EMEA and the Americas, and I know it will work just as well in AUNZ. Toby and Britt make a formidable team.”

Brittney starts next week on Monday 16 September, and will be based in Sydney. You can reach her at brittney@lbbonline.com.