Media firm integrates under a fresh brand

Chief executive Jane Hastings at the Launch of NZME. at Napier's War Memorial Centre in Napier yesterday. Photo / Paul Taylor

NZME. chief executive Jane Hastings says the renaming of Hawke's Bay Today's parent company will help evolve the way news is delivered.

Ms Hastings was at the official Napier launch of NZME. brand name which was held at the Napier War Memorial Function Centre yesterday.

APN, the company that owns Hawke's Bay Today, is now named NZME.

The businesses formerly known as APN NZ, TRN and GrabOne are unifying their print, radio, digital and e-commerce brands under one new, overarching brand.

The relaunch is the next major step in NZME. fully realising the power of its content, audience and eCommerce capabilities and is designed to maximise the New Zealand group's combined asset potential.

NZME., or "N-Zed me", stands for New Zealand Media and Entertainment.

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

As NZME. the company would be able to effectively connect advertisers with audiences throughout the country.

"As a company we are already multi-platform and we will continue to evolve how our content is delivered to customers.

"We are the biggest creators of locally produced news, sport and entertainment in the country," Ms Hastings said.

"As NZME. we are uniquely positioned to deliver relevant and vertically integrated content.

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

Hawke's Bay Today general manager Russell Broughton said the announcement of the new name signalled an incredibly exciting time for the paper and the entire NZME. business.

"It simplifies who we are and makes our business very easy to understand. Jane's presentation outlines a vision for our business that brings all of the elements closer together.

"We already work closely in Hawke's Bay with our NZME. radio partners who have key brands Newstalk ZB and Hits in their stable and also GrabOne. Following today's announcement this collaboration will grow and I am sure at a faster pace."