Dolly (stylised in all-caps) was an Australian bimonthly teen magazine started in 1970 by Fairfax Ltd. in Australia and New Zealand, and purchased by ACP in 1988. The magazine became an online-only publication, and the print edition ceased, in December 2016.[2][3] In June 2020, the magazine was purchased from the Bauer Media Group by Mercury Capital.[4][1]

Dolly
A cover of Dolly, featuring Demi Lovato, August 2015.
EditorJosephine Rozenberg-Clarke
FrequencyBimonthly
Circulation28,030
PublisherMercury Capital
Founded 1970 (1970-month)
Final issueDecember 2016 (print)
Company
CountryAustralia
Based inSydney
Websitedolly.com.au

Dolly was the basis and inspiration for Sassy Magazine (1987–1996) in the United States. The magazine was aimed at teenage girls (13–17 age group) and covered celebrity news and gossip, fashion and beauty and various feature articles attractive to female teenagers and dealing with issues that are faced by this age group and gender. The magazine produced over 400 issues and as of 2007 had a readership of 505,000. Dolly now exists only as a website containing games, information on upcoming issues, quizzes and downloads.

History

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The magazine was launched by Anne Goldie[5] in 1970.[6][2]

The editor was Josephine Rozenberg-Clarke. The previous editor was Lucy Cousins. The magazine had its headquarters in Sydney.[7]

In November 2016 it was announced that the December 2016 issue would be the last print issue of Dolly.[2][8]

In June 2020, Dolly was acquired by Sydney investment firm Mercury Capital as part of its acquisition of the Bauer Media Group's former Australian and New Zealand titles.[4][1]

Dolly Teen Choice Awards

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Dolly Model competition

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The Dolly Model Competition was a branch from the Dolly magazine. It is a competition held for teen readers to enter to have the chance to win a modelling career. The competition started in 1979, with Helen Moyes appearing on the December 1979 issue as the first winner [9] and ended in 2002 when the then editor in chief of Dolly, Mia Freedman felt it gave a negative impression towards young teenage girls and the Dolly brand.[10] In 2012 it returned after a 10-year hiatus, with the winner announced as 13-year-old Kirsty Thatcher from Brisbane, Australia. The winner will be awarded a one-year contract with Chadwick Modeling agency, a trip to New York to meet with Chadwick's US affiliates, and a fashion and cover shoot on Dolly Magazine.

Miranda Kerr (who won in 1997) is now known world-wide and is a former Victoria's Secret model.

Past Winners

Year Winner Finalists
2014 Mary Stickley Tylah Morgan, Vienna Anderson, Emma Tenaglia, Jesper Ha, Sarah Danga
2013 Samantha Garza Angel Larkin, Emelia Roberts, Lucy Kleinhans, Neema Young, Dayna Opitz
2012 Kirsty Thatcher Elodie Russell, Lucinda Crichton, Paige Garvey, Lillian Van Der Veen, Ayasha Alderson
2002 ? Eunice Ward
2001 Jessica Elsegood Natasha George, Tara Horsburgh
2000 Jessica Hart Shadae Magdson, Emma, Kate
1999 Cassidy Light Lisa Johnston, Paloma, Kathryn, Teresa, Jessica
1998 Pia Loyola Joline Lootsma, Sally Winnett, Anna Rawson, Kathy Zachwieja, Gemma Sanderson
1997 Miranda Kerr Carlie Draeger, Bekky Buchanan, Abbie Cornish, Cassie Hunter, Kirsty Short
1996 Renee Schwab Amber Lee, Heather Pennell, Tasha King, Wymeng Wong, Gemma Hamilton
1995 Elle Wright Natalie Decorte, Natasha Norton, Karen James, Nikki Okunev, Lydia Simunovic
1994 Shannan Camilleri Tania Batur, Amy Erbacher, Bianca Denham, Rosanna Mabilia, Emma Harrison
1993 Emma Gorrod Amanda Tacey, Tracey Grose, Emma-Kate Harrison, Saara Hentschke, Joanna Stanaway-Becker
1992 Olivia Trick Daniela Bej, Tasha Olsen, Kate Lillicrapp, Valerie Anthonisz, Amanda Cruwys
1991 Rebecca Kelly Celeste Gibbins, Susan Bawden, Alexandra Pike, Cressida Wilson, Danah Mitchell
1990 Danella Boyle Letichia Richardson, Monique Grobben, Jacinda Barrett, Simone Tassicker, Catherine Jenkins

Dolly Doctor

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Dolly Doctor was a segment that ran in Dolly since its first issue to answer readers' health questions.[11]

John Wright was the first Dolly Doctor.[12] Melissa Kang has been the Dolly Doctor since 1993,[13] until the closing of the print edition.[14] A Dolly Doctor standalone app was released in 2015.[15]

A comparison of Dolly Doctor with other Australian magazines found that Dolly Doctor gave the most accurate health advice.[16]

Dolly Doctor closed in 2016.[17]

Controversy

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In 2005, Dolly came into media attention for taking advantage of young people wanting to get into the magazine industry. Dolly was accused of soliciting, publishing and ridiculing unpaid articles from hopeful young women looking for a job in magazine journalism.[18]

In Dolly's May 2007, a picture of a runway model's genitalia was published in a section called Dollywood Gossip. The accompanying caption included an arrow pointing to the model's genital region, and said "Look Closer, Eww! Not that close" and "Umm, we think you forgot something".[19][20] Editor Bronwyn McCahon stated that "we did cover the area originally, and the little spot we used somehow fell off the page just before printing and we didn't notice".[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Whyte, Jemina (19 June 2020). "Magazine buyer writes new story". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Georgina Mitchell (30 November 2016). "Dolly magazine axes its print edition after 48 years". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  3. ^ Vukovic, Dom (30 November 2016). "Bye bye DOLLY: Teen magazine's print edition axed". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b Kelly, Vivienne (17 June 2020). "Bauer has left the building. What next for magazines in Australia?". Mumbrella. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Editor who looked on the bright side of life". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Dolly". Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Dolly Factsheet". Publicitas. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  8. ^ Vukovic, Dom (30 November 2016). "Bye bye DOLLY: Teen magazine's print edition axed". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  9. ^ "DOLLY Magazine Covers". Double Denim Days. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  10. ^ Dolly model search is back, with 13-year-old winner Kirsty Thatcher
  11. ^ Wells, Rachel (9 November 2013). "Dolly and Cleo merger reflects magazines' failure to follow teen readers online". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  12. ^ Wright, James (30 April 2016). "Dr John Wright, Adventures of a Merry Medic: Improvised insemination, diet tips and Dolly Doctor". The Daily Telegraph.
  13. ^ "Dear Dolly Doctor". Vice. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  14. ^ Kang, Melissa. "We have marriage equality, now we need LGBTQi+-inclusive sexuality education in schools". The Conversation. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Dolly Doctor Goes Mobile – B&T". B&T. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  16. ^ Wilson, Amanda. "Looking for health advice? Don't consult health magazines, try Dolly". The Conversation. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  17. ^ "As Dolly Doctor, girls told me their secrets. Here's what I learnt". ABC News. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Media Watch: The dark side of Dolly (03/10/2005)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  19. ^ Dolly drops its knickers, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 April 2007
  20. ^ "Dolly: A magazine of mixed messages". The Press. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  21. ^ A big ooops! from us, Dolly Magazine, 12 April 2007Archived 22 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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