The Times, Ireland Edition has unveiled a new design today, along with a host of new columnists and journalists to boost the paper’s Irish content.
The new look follows feedback from readers across the country and is aimed at underlining the title’s core objective of providing them with quality Irish journalism, debate and analysis, according to the paper.
“We recently conducted in-depth research - and found that our readers love what we do and want more,” said Richard Oakley, editor of The Times, Ireland Edition. “They want a product that complements their lifestyles and culture, but also challenges conventional views and encourages them to consider viewpoints contrary to their own.”
The Times, Ireland Edition's print product was launchd in June 2017, after being launched digitally back in September 2015.
Irish Expansion
As well as a new layout throughout the newspaper, it will be strengthened by a range of senior appointments and additional Irish content in each issue including opinion, analysis, cartoons and obituaries.
The comment section will be doubled and readers can expect new weekly columns from unique Irish voices including former RTÉ political correspondent David Davin-Power; former TD Lucinda Creighton and Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman, according to the paper.
They will join existing columnists such as Sarah Carey, Ann Marie Hourihane and Jason O’Mahony.
Weekly columnist Lise Hand is joining the award-winning political team of the newspaper. She will work alongside existing team members who include Niamh Lyons, Ellen Coyne and Jennifer Bray.
The business news team, headed up by John Walsh with support from Peter O’Dwyer, has also been expanded with Paul O’Donoghue, formerly of Fora coming on board.
Ben Haugh, formerly of the Irish Daily Mail, is joining as news editor while Jon R Smith, formerly of The Irish Times, is joining as comment editor.
Katie O’Neill, also formerly of the Irish Daily Mail, will be joining news reporters Aaron Rogan and Michael Cogley.
Reader Response
“Our readers particularly enjoy insight and analysis from commentators with strong opinions so we’re strengthening our team to reflect this,” Oakley said. “We’re also delighted to add to our political, business and news teams and look forward to supplying our Irish readers with an even more diverse mix of journalism for the extraordinary times we’re living in.”
Focus group research, which took place in October 2017, reported that The Times, Ireland Edition has been well received with readers and is felt to be good value for money, particularly in terms of its business coverage, which has a more international flavour than other products in market. Readers also enjoyed the tabloid format and reported that the photography and design of the paper felt fresh, according to the paper.
Insight and analysis into the global news agenda will continue to be provided by The Times' team of more than 200 journalists in London and 36 correspondents across six continents, according to the paper.
Continued Focus and Marketing
Rugby will remain a focal point with columnists Donncha O’Callaghan and Eddie O’Sullivan providing analysis to complement the coverage in the title's sister paper, The Sunday Times, by counterparts Shane Horgan, Peter O’Reilly and Denis Walsh.
The title will continue to offer balanced Brexit analysis, providing a clear Irish perspective, complemented by the latest opinion from London.
A cohesive nationwide marketing strategy will be utilised over the coming weeks to drive awareness of the updated product and this will include Out-Of-Home advertisements, a radio campaign, sampling activity, retail partnerships, and social media and digital activity.
Sampling activity will take place in a number of locations around Dublin over the coming weeks and today, customers of Eason around the country can also pick up a complimentary copy from their local store.
Vouchers available in The Sunday Times this weekend, can be exchanged for a copy of The Times, Ireland Edition in Eason stores countrywide throughout next week.
To further celebrate the redesign, contemporary lifestyle magazine, LUXX will be available with The Times, Ireland Edition today. LUXX is published quarterly and celebrates the world's most beautiful design solutions.
© 2018 - Checkout Magazine by Kevin Duggan
