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Iconic Newspapers#Websites

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2020}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Iconic Newspapers

| type = Private limited company

| industry = Media

| foundation = 29 November 2013

| location = 30 Hatch Lane, Dublin / 47 Great Marlborough Street, London

| key_people = Malcolm Denmark{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/how-malcolm-denmark-has-invaded-irelands-locals-zkr7g9vt8 | title=How Malcolm Denmark has invaded Ireland's locals | last1=Burns | first1=John }}

| products = Publishing of Newspapers and online media.

| revenue =

| num_employees =

| homepage = {{URL|mediaforcegroup.co.uk}}

}}

Iconic Newspapers is a British-owned newspaper company that publishes over 20 regional newspapers in Ireland. Iconic Newspapers are owned by Mediaforce who are majority owned by British businessman Malcolm Denmark. Iconic Newspapers hold their newspaper assets in a subsidiary called Formpress Publishing.{{cite web |last=Slattery |first=Laura |date=24 February 2016 |title=Formpress Publishing reports €1.2m pretax profit |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/formpress-publishing-reports-1-2m-pretax-profit-1.2545872 |access-date=17 November 2018 |website=The Irish Times}}

Mediaforce acts as an intermediary for the vast majority of Irish newspapers and advertising agencies. If agencies want to place ads for their national clients in newspapers, they mostly go through Mediaforce.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Linda |date=2024-12-08 |title=Who’s behind the local media land grab in Ireland? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/whos-behind-the-local-media-land-grab-in-ireland-d8ckq7dxh |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}

In 2014, Iconic Newspapers acquired Johnston Press Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Raleigh |first=David |date=2 April 2014 |title=Johnston Press sells 14 Irish titles to Iconic Newspapers |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/johnston-press-sells-14-irish-titles-to-iconic-newspapers-30146666.html |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Irish Independent}} Johnston Press Ireland was formed in 2005 following the purchase of Scottish Radio Holdings's newspapers known as Score Press by Johnston Press in 2005 for £155 million.{{Cite web|url=http://ww7.investorrelations.co.uk/jpr/ShowFinancialNews.jsp?type=finnews&ref=51|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808183026/http://ww7.investorrelations.co.uk/jpr/ShowFinancialNews.jsp?type=finnews&ref=51|url-status=dead|title=Press Release on Purchase of Score Press|archivedate=8 August 2007}} In the same year, Johnston Press Ireland also purchased the Leinster Leader Group (just after Leinster Leader Group had purchased Tallaght Publishing Ltd), who published six titles, for €138.6 million.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2005 |title=Press Release on Purchase of Leinster Leader Group |url=http://ww7.investorrelations.co.uk/jpr/ShowFinancialNews.jsp?type=finnews&ref=54 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808225115/http://ww7.investorrelations.co.uk/jpr/ShowFinancialNews.jsp?type=finnews&ref=54 |archivedate=8 August 2007}}

The company is based in Naas, County Kildare.

History

In May 2017, it was reported that Iconic Newspapers may bid to acquire some Landmark Media Investments regional titles. Iconic Newspapers did not proceed with this acquisition.

In September 2017, it was reported that Iconic Newspapers managing director, Joe Flaherty, had been selected to run for Fianna Fáil in Longford-Westmeath.{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Philip |date=24 September 2017 |title=FF newspaper boss won't use titles to win vote |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ff-newspaper-boss-wont-use-titles-to-win-vote-36162362.html |access-date=17 November 2018 |website=Irish Independent}}

In November 2017, it was reported that Iconic Newspapers were making staff redundant at the Donegal Democrat.{{cite web |date=16 November 2017 |title=NUJ calls on Iconic Newspapers to halt redundancies at Donegal Democrat |url=http://www.highlandradio.com/2017/11/16/nuj-calls-on-iconic-newspapers-to-halt-redundancies-at-donegal-democrat/ |access-date=17 November 2018 |website=Highland Radio}}

In January 2018, the 2017 accounts were published. Revenues at Formpress Publishing Ltd declined by 2pc from €13m to €12.6m. Numbers employed by the company last year reduced from 165 to 161 with staff costs declining from €6.84m to €6.59m.{{cite web |last=Deegan |first=Gordon |date=10 January 2018 |title=Profits at publisher Formpress drop 12pc |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/media/profits-at-publisher-formpress-drop-12pc-36474390.html |access-date=17 November 2018 |website=Irish Independent}}

In November 2018, it was announced that Iconic Newspapers had acquired 7 titles from River Media.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Gary |date=17 November 2018 |title=Seven weekly newspapers within the River Media stable have been sold to Iconic Newspapers |url=http://www.irishnews.com/business/2018/11/17/news/seven-weekly-newspapers-within-the-river-media-stable-have-been-sold-to-iconic-newspapers-1487341/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=The Irish News}}

In November 2018, Fine Gael Senator Paudie Coffey sued Iconic Newspapers over an article written in the Kilkenny People.{{Cite web |last=Healy |first=Tim |date=21 November 2018 |title=FG senator: article called me a 'robber' and cost me my Dáil seat |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/fg-senator-article-called-me-a-robber-and-cost-me-my-dail-seat-37550628.html |website=Irish Independent}}

In January 2019, the accounts up to March 2018 were published. Revenues at Formpress Publishing Ltd. declined by 3pc, from €12.6m to €12.2m. Numbers employed by the company last year increased from 161 to 163. Profits declined 6%.{{Cite news |last=Deegan |first=Gordon |date=9 January 2019 |title=Profits at 'Limerick Leader' publisher fall 6% |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/profits-at-limerick-leader-publisher-fall-6-1.3751589 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In March 2019, Iconic Newspapers settled a defamation action from an ex-minister over an article in the Tipperary Star.{{Cite web |last=O’Loughlin |first=Ann |date=19 March 2019 |title=Ex-Minister settles action against local newspaper publisher |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30911932.html |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite news |last=O'Faolain |first=Aodhan |date=19 March 2019 |title=Defamation action involving ex-FF minister Michael Smith settled |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/defamation-action-involving-ex-ff-minister-michael-smith-settled-1.3831508 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In April 2019, Iconic Newspapers acquired two newspaper titles from Alpha Newspaper Group. The acquisition was subject to Competition Authority approval.{{Cite web |last=Canning |first=Margaret |date=19 April 2019 |title=Former top Unionist to sell newspaper business south of the Border |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/media/former-top-unionist-to-sell-newspaper-business-south-of-the-border-38029901.html |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Irish Independent}} In October 2019, the Competition Authority approved the transaction subject to conditions. The Irish Government needed to approve the acquisition next.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Peter |date=9 October 2019 |title=Limerick Leader owner cleared to acquire two more titles |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/limerick-leader-owner-cleared-to-acquire-two-more-titles-1.4045358 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In August 2019, Fine Gael Senator Paudie Coffey settled his High Court action with Iconic Newspapers.{{Cite news |date=31 July 2019 |title=Paudie Coffey settles High Court defamation action with newspaper |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/paudie-coffey-settles-high-court-defamation-action-with-newspaper-1.3972930 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In October 2019, it was reported that Ionic Newspapers were in advance talks to acquire The Munster Express.{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Mark |date=22 October 2019 |title=Iconic Newspapers in talks to acquire Munster Express |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/iconic-newspapers-in-talks-to-acquire-munster-express-1.4058249 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In March 2020, the accounts up to 31 March 2019 were published. The results were affected by the acquisitions. Numbers employed by the company reduced from 153 to 149.{{Cite news |last=Deegan |first=Gordon |date=3 March 2020 |title=Pre-tax profits surge by 29% to €1.13m at Limerick Leader owner |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/pre-tax-profits-surge-by-29-to-1-13m-at-limerick-leader-owner-1.4191948 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

In March 2020, Iconic Newspapers let staff go due to lack of newspaper advertising due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Mullooly |first=Ciaran |date=25 March 2020 |title=Dozens of job losses at local newspapers as advertising revenue collapse |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0325/1126320-local-newspaper-job-losses/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}{{Cite news |last=Slattery |first=Laura |date=25 March 2020 |title=Local newspapers urged to halt layoffs and avail of subsidies |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/local-newspapers-urged-to-halt-layoffs-and-avail-of-subsidies-1.4211804 |access-date=18 December 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}{{Cite web |date=26 March 2020 |title=Iconic Newspapers Group Asked To Reconsider Temporary Layoffs In Midlands |url=https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/iconic-newspapers-group-asked-to-reconsider-temporary-layoffs-in-midlands/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Midlands 103}}{{Cite news |last=Early |first=Ronan |date=26 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: staff at Irish local newspaper group to be stood down for six weeks |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/coronavirus-staff-at-irish-local-newspaper-group-to-be-stood-down-for-six-weeks-sq5gvw5dx |website=The Times}} The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that Iconic Newspapers "has laid off dozens of journalists, made a number of staff compulsorily redundant and temporarily shut two newspapers".{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=John |date=2020-06-06 |title=Local newspapers show bad form for keeping on staff |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/local-newspapers-show-bad-form-for-keeping-on-staff-nhmtjzrch |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=The Times |language=en}}

In December 2020, it was announced that Iconic Newspapers' owners Mediaforce was subscribing £6 million in loan notes towards the sale of JPI Media Publishing Limited to National World plc.

JPIMedia is the third largest publisher of regional newspapers and websites in the United Kingdom, with over 100 newspapers including 13 daily newspapers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/NWOR/acquisition-of-jpi-group-and-directorate-change/14811473|title=Acquisition of JPI Group and Directorate Change - 13:00:08 31 Dec 2020 - NWOR News article | London Stock Exchange|website=Londonstockexchange.com}}

In January 2021, further staff cuts occurred at Iconic Newspapers publications such as the Tipperary Star.{{Cite web |last=Brophy |first=Michael |date=27 January 2021 |title=Staffing cuts at Iconic owned newspapers in Tipperary criticised in the Seanad |url=http://tippfm.com/news/business/staffing-cuts-iconic-owned-newspapers-tipperary-criticised-seanad/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Tipp FM}}

In October 2021, it was announced that David Fordham had taken up a directorship role with National World, plc, at the request of Mediaforce, which is the owner of Iconic Newspapers. It was revealed in the same report that Mediaforce owns 26pc of National World.{{Cite web |last=Sharman |first=David |date=4 October 2021 |title=David Fordham joins board of JPIMedia owner National World |url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2021/news/industry-veteran-takes-up-directorship-with-jpimedia-owner/ |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=HoldtheFrontPage |language=en-GB}}

In September 2022, it was announced Iconic Media Group will purchase The Mayo News.{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Pat |date=27 September 2022 |title=The Mayo News newspaper acquired by Iconic Media Group |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2022/0927/1325775-mayo-news-newspaper/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}

In December 2024, it was reported that Iconic Media Group are leading the race to acquire the Connacht Tribune.

Current Irish newspaper titles

As of 2024, the company's titles included:

Former newspaper titles

  • Limerick Chronicle (now a supplement in the Limerick Leader, not a standalone title)
  • Offaly Express

Websites

  • Carlow Live{{Cite web|url=https://www.whois.net/default.aspx|title=Whois Lookup & IP | Whois.net|website=Whois.net|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=18 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418080340/https://whois.net/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}
  • Cork Live
  • Offaly Express (former newspaper title)
  • Derry Now{{cite web|url=https://www.ccpc.ie/business/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/M-18-092-Formpress-Publishing-Iconic-Assets-of-River-Media-Public-Determination-.pdf|title=DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/18/092 – FORMPRESS PUBLISHING (ICONIC) / ASSETS OF RIVER MEDIA|website=Ccpc.ie|access-date=2 November 2021}}
  • Donegal Live (involves the news teams of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal Post, Donegal People's Press and Inish Times){{Cite web|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/|title=The latest Donegal News, Business and Sport |website=Donegallive.ie}}
  • [https://www.eirebheo.ie/ ÉireBheo]{{Cite web |title=Éire Bheo - Baile |url=https://www.eirebheo.ie/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=www.eirebheo.ie |language=gl}}
  • Kildare Now
  • Tipperary Live{{Cite web|url=https://www.tipperarylive.ie/section/838/about-us|title=About TipperaryLive.ie|website=Tipperarylive.ie}} (The Nationalist and the Tipperary Star)
  • Waterford Live

Iconic Newspapers run 23 websites in total,{{Cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/378767/we-are-hiring-iconic-newspapers-hiring-advertising-assistant-in-midlands.html|title=We are hiring! Iconic Newspapers hiring advertising assistant in Midlands|website=Limerickleader.ie|date=29 April 2019 }} which are mainly websites linked to their newspaper titles.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Newspapers in the Republic of Ireland}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Naas

Category:Newspapers published in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Irish companies established in 2013