APN to rebrand as NZME.

Chief executive Jane Hastings with the new brand name NZME. during the launch at Shed 10 today. Photo / Dean Purcell.

APN, the company which owns the New Zealand Herald, is to relaunch as part of a new brand, NZME..

APN, The Radio Network and GrabOne, are unifying their print, radio, digital and e-commerce brands under New Zealand Media and Entertainment.

The announcement was made by chief executive Jane Hastings to staff this afternoon.

"Our combined assets have exceptional reach in the New Zealand market with 2.9 million people connecting with our brands every week," she said.

The individual brands will see no change.

"GrabOne is still GrabOne, NewstalkZB is still NewstalkZB and the New Zealand Herald is still the New Zealand Herald."

But names like TRN and APN will disappear to be replaced by NZME..

Hastings said that the "me" in NZME. reflected the focus of putting people at the centre of the company's brands.

The integration of the New Zealand businesses is already underway with new corporate structures focusing on realising the power of the combined content, audience and eCommerce capabilities.

The rebranding comes as an initial public offering (IPO) and sharemarket float is being considered as one of several options by NZME.'s Australian parent, APN News & Media.

Hastings said the rebranding would bring all the New Zealand platforms together as the "preferred news, sport and entertainment destination for New Zealanders."

"We can provide the innovation and solutions our advertisers need to connect with our audiences so they can better market their brands, products and services."

Subscribers to the NZ Herald and regional newspapers will continue to have their newspapers delivered each day.

The company's new corporate website is at www.nzme.co.nz.