Northcliffe Newspaper Group is changing its name to reflect its multimedia future, and is to be known as Northcliffe Media Limited.

A low-key announcement was being made to staff this morning, in a memo from group managing director Michael Pelosi.

He said: "This reflects the changing nature of our business.

"Northcliffe’s digital activities – editorial and commercial – are expanding rapidly.

"The "this is" websites are now an important part of our portfolio and are attracting growing audiences.

"This new name reflects the multi platform nature of Northcliffe’s publishing activities."

Northcliffe is one of the largest regional newspaper publishers in the UK.

Operating from 36 publishing centres, its 18 daily titles have a combined sale of 800,000 copies every day, whilst its 29 paid-for weeklies sell almost half a million each week. Its 62 free titles distribute more than 2.4m copies every week.

Guardian Media Group last year announced the re-naming of its national and regional newspaper divisions, to reflect the growing multimedia expansion of their activities.

GMG Regional Newspapers, owner of the Manchester Evening News, Greater Manchester Newspapers, Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers, Channel M and Manchester Online, was renamed GMG Regional Media.

National newspaper division Guardian Newspapers Limited was renamed Guardian News & Media.

The change comes into effect from Monday January 29.