Johnston Press merge Ireland publishing divisions

As part of the reorganisation, Jean Long, (pictured) currently divisional managing director for Northern Ireland and Donegal, has been appointed divisional managing director for Ireland.

She will now assume control of 42 titles – 25 in Northern Ireland and a further 17 in the Republic – including the News Letter, the Derry Journal, the Kilkenny People, the Limerick Leader and the Longford Leader.

Ms Long has over 30 years experience in the media industry in Northern Ireland and Donegal, starting with Morton Newspapers in 1976 and by 1990 became the company's advertising manager.

She joined Derry Journal Newspapers in 1992 and was appointed group advertising manager in 1995 of the then five titles, including Donegal.

In 1997 she was appointed general manager of the Newspapers and was heavily involved in the negotiations and sale of the business to Mirror Group in 1998.

Following the sale of the titles she was appointed commercial director and was subsequently appointed an executive director of Derry Journal Ltd and Donegal Democrat Ltd.

In 2003, as chief executive of Local Press Ltd, she led an MBO/venture capital buyout of the News Letter and 12 titles in the North West from Trinity Mirror plc.

These titles were purchased by Johnston Press in 2005, when Ms Long took up her current role.

Ms Long, who will continue to be based in Carn, said: "I am very pleased to take on this new role within Johnston Press and to work to consolidate our position as a major media player on both sides of the border, with a reach to hundreds of thousands of people.

"We have within our portfolio many prestigious titles, which enjoy a unique relationship with the communities they serve, as well as a growing digital presence.

"These are challenging times for the industry as a whole, but I feel that there are also exciting opportunities and I look forward to continuing to deliver a top quality service to our readers and advertisers."

As part of the reorganization, Barrai McConville, divisional finance director for the Northern Ireland division, will also assume an all-Ireland role.