Guardian Media Group renames national and regional arms

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 16-Oct-06, 14:20

LONDON - Guardian Media Group has renamed its national newspaper and regional newspaper divisions, following the expansion of the group's online business.

Guardian Newspapers Limited, which comprises The Guardian, The Observer and digital arm Guardian Unlimited, becomes Guardian News & Media, and its regional newspaper division, GMG Regional Newspapers, is renamed GMG Regional Media.

In each case, the emphasis on print has been dropped. GMG said the changes reflected the growth of its multimedia and online activities since 2001.

GNL has undergone major new-media expansions in the past five years, with the launch of numerous websites, and the decision to rename is part of that change.

Most recently, Guardian Unlimited launched an environmental news website, featuring comment and debate on issues of climate change and energy conservation.

GMG Regional Newspapers, which owns the Manchester Evening News, Manchester Online, Channel M and Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers, will now be called GMG Regional Media because of significant increases in its new media output.

The news comes just a month after the group appointed Tom Turcan, chairman of publishing services company Dovetail, as its head of digital media development.

Carolyn McCall, chief executive of GMG, said: "Over the last five years, our output has expanded from print to include websites, digital TV, online communities and podcasts.

"These name changes reflect this ongoing transformation of our businesses."

GMG comprises four divisions: Guardian News & Media; GMG Regional Media; GMC Radio; and Trader Media Group.

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