New image for local newspapers
Another innovation in the rapidly changing media landscape in Ireland has occurred with the launch of Local Ireland, the new promotional brand of the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI).
At the launch in Dublin, Sean Mahon, president of the RNPAI, said: “Our goal is to re-brand, and reposition the RNPAI as a modern, innovative, forward thinking and powerful network of local newspaper and multi-platform publishers that delivers results for advertisers.”
Mr Mahon, in acknowledging that ‘Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland’ is “quite a mouthful”, said a new, memorable name as well as a logo and identity would allow for promotion of the network’s competitive advantages.
“Firstly, that we deliver the most effective and trusted means of communicating with local people and local communities and, secondly, that we have national reach and scale.
“Our strong local newspaper brands are evolving to become multi-platform publishing businesses. Every week we’re read by nearly 1.1 million people right across the country and we drive thousands of customers to advertisers, local and national. You’ll see our new identity appearing regularly as we continue to champion the innovative ways in which our member publishers are delivering creative solutions for advertisers,” concluded Mr Mahon.
The brand launch took place in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin yesterday, Wednesday June 18, and was attended by media representatives from the print industry, advertising agencies, Institute of Advertising Practitioners, Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland, Press Council of Ireland, newspaper distributors, newsagent and retailer representatives and members of the RNPAI.
Local Ireland represents 35 weekly local newspapers of record throughout the republic and is the oldest representative association of newspapers in the country. Originally founded in 1919 as the Provincial Newspapers Association of Ireland and Irish Masters Printers Association (PNAI/IMPA), the association evolved into the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland in 2007.
The RNPAI will remain as the corporate entity backing Local Ireland, with all branding and promotional activity being vested in the new logo and image.