New image for local newspapers

Another innovation in the rapidly changing media landscape in Ireland occurred today with the launch of Local Ireland, the new promotional brand of the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI).

Speaking at the launch in Dublin this morning, Sean Mahon, President of the RNPAI, said: “Our goal is to re-brand, and indeed, reposition the RNPAI as a modern, innovative, forward thinking and powerful network of local newspaper and multiplatform 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 multiplatform publishing businesses. Every week we’re read by nearly 1.1 million local people right across the country and we drive thousands of customers to advertisers, both 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 morning, 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.  

The Anglo-Celt is a fully participating member of Local Ireland, which 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.