Press Gazette Rescued At Eleventh Hour
The Press Gazette has been rescued by speciality publisher, Wilmington Group, and will return to print this week.
In a statement issued this morning, Wilmington said it has acquired assets from the administrator of the trade press and is resurrecting the business.
Charles Brady, CEO of Wilmington Group, said: “It has taken us a while, but we have thought for some years now that this business would fit superbly well with Wilmington. We intend to deliver to the journalist and press community publications, events and other information products that will not only enhance their professional lives but that they can identify with and be proud of.”
Tony Loynes, the new editor-in-chief, added: “Sadly, Press Gazette has missed an issue, but we will be making that up to the loyal subscribers of the publication. We intend to develop the print, the web presence and events side of Press Gazette.
“Obviously, Press Gazette‘s British Press Awards is the high-profile event that is still firmly on schedule for 26 March 2007. We have been deep in discussion with the newspaper owners to ensure we can deliver the best quality event, celebrating excellence within this dynamic and challenging industry.
“We also intend to put equal effort into the Regional Press Awards and the other events that Press Gazette has developed to connect with one of the most important professions in the world.
“We have been enormously encouraged by all those who have expressed their pleasure at the revival of Press Gazette and those who worked hard to try to save the magazine in its dying days. The British journalistic community deserves a magazine of vitality, integrity and self-sufficiency and we will make damn sure they get it.”
Press Gazette seemingly lost its battle for survival at the end of November after more than 40 years in publication, due to its failure to find a new investor in the title (see Press Gazette’s Battle For Survival Ends).
The title went into administration early last month, but trouble began for it when the title was acquired from Quantum Publishing in June 2005 by Morgan and Freud, who were heavily criticised by some industry figures for being “inappropriate administrators” of the title.
Press Gazette: www.pressgazette.co.uk