Range News Sold
Sunshine Coast Daily
Dec 21 2006
THE Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company has added The Range News to its
stable of regional and community newspapers.
Owners Cameron and Tanya Outridge will remain at The Range News as
managing editor and manager.
Mark Jamieson, CEO of the Daily's parent company, APN Australian
Publishing, said he was delighted The Range News would be joining the
group.
Mr Jamieson said the Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company was one of the
biggest employers on the Coast and the latest move was further evidence
of its investment and faith in the region.
"We are very proud that the Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company is one
built on the Coast by people who live in and love the community. The
Range News team embodies that ethic," Mr %Jamieson said.
"We are very aware that the communities served by The Range News have
their own specific interests that have been well served by TRN for many
years. That will not change."
The Outridges bought The Range News at Maleny in 1997 and have taken it
from a black-and-white A4 newspaper of 5200 copies to a %colour tabloid
with 14,000 in circulation. Cameron worked as commercial features editor
and motoring writer at the Daily before taking over the reins at TRN.
"This represents a great opportunity for The Range News to better
service the needs of our readers, advertisers and employees," said
Cameron.
"We trust and respect the Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company management
team and there is no doubt that, as newspaper people, they understand
the role of a community newspaper. They appreciate the often delicate
balance that must be struck in a small community."
Cameron said there was no doubt SCNC would bring resources and expertise
to improve The Range News.
"It will become a better vehicle for our advertisers and a better read
for our readers," he said. "At the end of the day that is all we ever
wanted for The Range News. The stronger a local paper grows, the more it
can do to support its community and to connect readers to advertisers.
"This has been a very amicable arrangement and we are very excited about
a future with a dedicated newspaper company. The Sunshine Coast
Newspaper Company knows newspapers and they are acutely aware that a
strong community publication is a precious asset. They have been mindful
of retaining our infrastructure in order to maintain The Range News'
integrity and relevance."
Tanya said that over time SCNC would introduce back office systems to
streamline, for example, invoicing, booking and IT processes. "However,
readers can expect the same community news content they have always
enjoyed," she said. "We are looking forward to carrying on our company
mission of connecting and inspiring our readership.
"We feel excited about forging ahead with our plans for The Range News,
and being able to concentrate on the areas of running a business which
inspire us, rather than being bogged down by those aspects of running a
business which take our focus away," Tanya said. "
|
