The Irish Times Group has acquired the 50 per cent interest in Gloss Publications held by co-founders Jane and Sarah McDonnell.
The Irish Times already held a 50 per cent share in the luxury publishing and events group since its launch in 2006.
The acquisition is part of the Irish-owned media group’s strategy to expand and enhance its range of premium digital services and products.
Managing Director of The Irish Times Group, Deirdre Veldon said: “We believe The Gloss represents an enhancement to the portfolio of quality journalism and services we offer and we are delighted to welcome it fully into the Group.
"Sarah and Jane have created top-class publications in The Gloss and The Gloss Interiors which are avidly consumed in digital and print by their loyal and discerning audiences. We have enjoyed working as co-shareholders with Jane and Sarah over many years, and we believe now is a good time to build on that relationship to bring their high-end brand of original content and premium events to a wider audience.”
Co-founder and Publisher of The Gloss, Jane McDonnell said: “The strategic and innovative partnership we formed with The Irish Times in 2006 has been key to the success of Gloss Publications. Over the past 18 years, we have invented and reinvented our titles - The Gloss, The Gloss Interiors and thegloss.ie - and created many successful unique event formats, including The Gloss Gala, in multiple sectors.
"Thanks to the support of our partners and advertisers, both Irish and international and for whom The Gloss represents the best of Irish magazine publishing, we and our talented colleagues have been able to deliver on key projects that are key to the success of their brands in this market.
“We are looking forward, with The Irish Times, to building on the strong foundations we have established to ensure The Gloss continues to flourish into the future,” she said.
Co-founder and Editor of The Gloss, Sarah McDonnell said: “We set out to create a new media brand, one that combined all the strengths of print with the benefits of digital. Our readership is outstanding in its breadth, and loyalty, to the brand. This highly engaged audience drives us to aspire to excellence in everything we do.”
The Gloss magazine, which features a mix of fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food, wine, travel and culture, is published on the first Thursday of every month in large glossy print format with The Irish Times.
The magazine is also published in smaller super-glossy format available to purchase on newsstands from the first Friday of the month. The Gloss Interiors is circulated with The Irish Times in spring and autumn. The Gloss website thegloss.ie features lifestyle and interiors content. Gloss Publications also produces and publishes premium magazines for clients and partners, including universities and luxury brands.
The Irish Times Group is the only independently-funded national news organisation that is wholly Irish-owned. The Group owns a portfolio of leading brands including The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, breakingnews.ie and myhome.ie and recently acquired the death notices site RIP.ie. It is the leader in digital news subscriptions in Ireland and reaches a large Irish audience around the world.
