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Johnston Press merges publishing divisions

Johnston Press has announced a reorganisation of its publishing divisions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The newspaper publisher will merge the two sections of its business, with Jean Long appointed as divisional managing director for the whole of Ireland.

She is currently divisional MD for Northern Ireland but will now assume control of 42 titles in total – 25 north of the border and a further 17 in the Republic of Ireland.

They include the News Letter, the Derry Journal, the Kilkenny People, the Limerick Leader and the Longford Leader.

Ms Long said: “I am very pleased to take on this new role within Johnston Press and to work to consolidate our position as a major media player on both sides of the border, with a reach to hundreds of thousands of people.

“We have within our portfolio many prestigious titles, which enjoy a unique relationship with the communities they serve, as well as a growing digital presence.

“These are challenging times for the industry as a whole, but I feel that there are also exciting opportunities and I look forward to continuing to deliver a top quality service to our readers and advertisers.”

Ms Long has over 30 years experience in the media industry in Northern Ireland and in 2003, as chief executive of Local Press Ltd, she led an MBO/venture capital buyout of the News Letter and 12 other titles from Trinity Mirror.

These titles were then purchased by Johnston Press in 2005, when she took up her current role.

Under the reorganisation, Barrai McConville, currently divisional finance director for Northern Ireland, will also take on an all-Ireland role.

Comments

Sly Dig (28/06/2010 10:34:39)
But of course, they don’t employ anyone when it comes to strike action.