About Us

WHAT IS THE HOOPLA?

A message from co-founder Wendy Harmer:

“The Hoopla is an online news and magazine site for a community of wise, warm, witty and wonderful women.

“I believe that the views and concerns of mature Australian women are increasingly overlooked in a landscape of celebrity, youth and sensation. In what many have termed “a race to the bottom”, where can we see ourselves?

“In this outing I’m joining forces with Jane Waterhouse who is the head of her own powerhouse company, Sister Communications, which specialises in marketing to women.

“If you take this leap of faith with us, I can assure you that we will repay you with our time and energy in the creation of an independent, intelligent and unique voice for Australian women.

“Here’s hoping that The Hoopla becomes a daily habit. We’ll be doing our best to inform, entertain and delight every one of you, every day.

“We’re expecting a ride of thrills and spills, however as we are already fond of saying here at The Hoopla… Alley–Oop! 

“And, if you like what you see, please take a moment to send us to your friends.”

WHO WE ARE

Wendy Harmer – Editor In Chief

Wendy’s media and entertainment career spans almost four decades. She has worked as a journalist, radio broadcaster, television host and stand-up comedian.  She has written plays, stage shows and is now a highly successful author of children’s books and adult novels.

Jane Waterhouse - Publisher, Co-Founder

Founder of Sister Communications (sister.net.au) a strategic consultancy for brands wishing to engage women, Jane has developed sound strategic and creative solutions for many women’s lifestyle brands including Weight Watchers, Woman’s Day, New Idea, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Bonds, Berlei, Country Road, Mount Franklin, and Diet Coke. Her 25 years experience spans publishing, advertising, marketing, web development and design, for companies such as The Campaign Palace, DMB&B, ACP, Pacific Magazines & Weight Watchers and founding award-winning design company Moon Design (formerly New Moon).

Lucy Clark – Editor

Lucy is a journalist and editor with almost thirty years experience in newspapers and magazines in Sydney, London, and New York. She has been published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, Vogue Living, Australian Art Review, and Gourmet Traveller. Most recently the Books Editor of the Sunday Telegraph, she has also contributed to the non-fiction books, Australia Through Time, and What Women Want.

Hayley Gleeson – Managing Editor

Having worked with clients including New Idea, InStyle, Fairfax & Roberts, Qantas, Sydney Airport and Frasers Property, Hayley has extensive experience in publishing, advertising and marketing, and design. She has spent the past 5 years working closely with brands for women and is passionate about understanding the intricate ways in which females are moved and motivated – online and off. She loves cycling, cats, fibre media, flamingoes and eating and cooking good food.