- Vinyl Media has announced five senior appointments across its publications, comprising two internal promotions and three new hires, all commencing in August 2026.
- Natasha Lee has been promoted to Editor of Mediaweek, bringing over 20 years of experience across print, radio, television and digital media, whilst Nama Winston steps up to Senior Writer at the same outlet.
- Rachel Choy joins as Editor of Refinery29 Australia, having previously worked across multiple Vinyl brands, with a background spanning television production and digital journalism.
- Hameda Nafiz takes on the role of Branded Content Editor across Vinyl Media's titles, drawing on more than eight years of experience in content creation since beginning her career at BuzzFeed Australia.
- Lauren McNamara joins as Staff Writer across several titles including Rolling Stone AU/NZ and Variety Australia, with Editor-in-Chief Neil Griffiths describing her as one of the most exciting young writers he has worked with.
Sydney, Australia, 20 August 2026 – Vinyl Media has strengthened its content and editorial team with two senior personnel promotions and three new position appointments, as it continues to invest in journalism and original content across its titles.
The changes at Vinyl’s stable of publications include Natasha Lee stepping up as Editor of Mediaweek and Nama Winston promoted to Senior Writer at the outlet; Rachel Choy joining Refinery29 as Editor; Hameda Nafiz moving into the role of Branded Content Editor across various publications; and Lauren McNamara joining as a Staff Writer for several titles, including Rolling Stone AU/NZ and Variety Australia. All five roles commenced this month.
Below is a topline summary of the appointees’ careers to date.
Natasha Lee – Editor, Mediaweek
A journalist with more than 20 years' experience across print, radio, television and digital media, Lee began her career at 16 as an editorial assistant at The Daily Telegraph before completing a radio cadetship at 2SM.
She holds a Master's degree in literature, bringing a strong foundation in storytelling and critical analysis to her work. Before joining Mediaweek in 2025 as a Journalist, Lee spent many years with ARN, including as a newsreader on GOLD 101.7's ‘Jonesy & Amanda.’
Rachel Choy – Editor, Refinery29
Rachel Choy has over 15 years of experience in the media industry, working as a Story Producer/Director and in other crew roles on TV shows such as Married At First Sight, The Block, The Amazing Race and Home and Away before pivoting to journalism. She has held multiple staff writing roles, including Lifestyle and Entertainment Producer at Yahoo Lifestyle Australia, Senior Entertainment Writer at Punkee, and Native Content Producer at Pedestrian.TV. For the past year and a half, she has been working across multiple Vinyl brands as a Writer and Content Producer, predominantly for Refinery29 Australia.
Hameda Nafiz – Branded Content Editor, Vinyl Media
Hameda Nafiz began her media career at BuzzFeed Australia more than eight years ago and has since built a broad portfolio of content spanning shopping, entertainment, lifestyle and more. Throughout her career, she has worked across a range of formats and platforms, creating content for both editorial audiences and brand partners. She also co-created and produced a BuzzFeed vodcast, which achieved chart-topping success within its first six months.
Nama Winston – Senior Writer, Mediaweek
A former lawyer and former Parenting Editor at News Corp, Nama Winston has spent years writing opinion pieces and news on topics spanning raising kids, pop culture, lifestyle and politics for a range of Australian and international sites. She has also contributed to four books and podcasts about grief, infertility and sole parenting.
Lauren McNamara – Staff Writer, Vinyl Media
Lauren McNamara is a Sydney-based journalist covering music, film, TV, media and pop culture. After graduating from University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) in 2022, she began her career at media and marketing trade publication Mumbrella, where she worked until 2025.
Editor-in-Chief of Vinyl Media Neil Griffiths said the appointments reflect the company's ongoing commitment to journalism and content across multiple sectors in Australia.
"I'm thrilled for our team to celebrate this group of appointments, which includes some contractors moving into full-time positions. They're all incredibly well earned, and it speaks to our commitment to investing in talent and building on our vision of a sustainable media organisation in 2026," Griffiths said.
"Natasha has been posting record-breaking numbers at Mediaweek this year, and Nama's support has been a treat to watch.
"Rachel's promotion to Editor of Refinery29 is well deserved. Since joining Vinyl Media last year, she has led the charge in establishing the brand's authority in Australia, and I can't wait to see what she does next.
"Hameda is a huge asset and her résumé speaks for itself. She's an experienced writer, and we're lucky to have her on the team.
"Lauren is one of the most exciting young writers I've worked with. Her passion for journalism is inspiring, and I look forward to seeing her thrive across our titles.”
About us:
ABOUT VINYL GROUP
Vinyl Group is a diversified adaptive media and music technology company that connects culture with commerce. Its portfolio spans two divisions, Publishing and Platforms, with tools and services that empower fans, brands and creators. The Publishing division, Vinyl Media, is a powerhouse of culture, premium content and live experiences, with owned and operated titles including PEDESTRIAN.TV, Concrete Playground, Mediaweek and The Music Network, and Australian licences for Rolling Stone, Variety, Time Out, BuzzFeed, Tasty, Refinery29, POPSUGAR and LADbible Group, including LADbible and SPORTbible. The Platforms division includes Vinyl.com, a leading e-commerce destination with more than 60,000 titles; Vampr, a social-professional network and talent marketplace with 1.6 million creators in over 190 countries; and Serenade, a chart-accredited Smart Formats platform helping more than 200 artists and their teams turn physical collectables and live moments into digital fan experiences.
Contact details:
Media enquiries:
Chriss Mannix
Soda Communications
Mob: +61 418 408 035
Karen Strahan
Soda Communications
Mob: +61 417 361 465
