Over the years:<em>Cleo</em>magazine.

Over the years:Cleo magazine.

At the end of 2013,it was revealed Bauer intended to merge the editorial teams producingCleo and sister publicationDolly,a move that was seen widely as a precursor to either one or both of the magazines folding.

A Bauer spokesman said the magazine's website was closed in November due to theCleo brand being less recognisable overseas compared to mastheads likeCosmopolitan,which is now collecting the online traffic once destined forCleo.

Warning:Former editor Mia Freedman.

Warning:Former editor Mia Freedman.

Former high profile editor ofCleo,Mia Freedman,said at the time:"The internet. That's where mag readers have migrated en masse. And the failure of publishers in the'90s and'00s to adapt to that massive generational change in media consumption has been catastrophic for youth brands likeDolly andCleo.

"Decisions were taken years ago that meant those titles never became digital forces,which is a travesty because those brands should have quickly followed their readers online. Or got there first.

"Instead,they remained as printed products. Publishers didn't realise they were content producers;they kept acting like magazine makers,much to the detriment of those once powerhouse brands. Now it's too late.

"DollyandCleoandCosmoused to have a lock on a huge amount of really important,really valuable information.

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"Sex,relationships and sexual health were their unique selling points. Where else could you find the content covered by Dolly Doctor in the'70s,'80s or'90s? But now in the age of internet porn and Miley Cyrus,sealed sections look positively quaint."

The latest speculation comes days after the publishing industry learnt of thesudden departure ofAustralian Women's Weekly editor-in-chief Helen McCabe after 6½ years at the helm of the iconic title.

McCabe's departure follows an extended period of senior management upheaval within the German-based publisher's Australian operations,formerly known as the Packer family's Australian Consolidated Press,which was bought by Bauer for $525 million in 2012.

Since Bauer bought the business it has closed several key titles includingMadison,Grazia,Zoo Weekly,Bourke's Backyard,BBC Good Food and martial arts titleUFC.

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