Ashville Media, the largest contract publisher in the Republic, has expanded by purchasing two new titles, one of them owned by publisher Mr Mike Hogan, writes Emmet Oliver.

In an attempt to grow its revenue by 30 per cent this year, Ashville, led by owner Mr Diarmaid Lennon, has purchased High Ball magazine and the Irish Motor Sport Annual, for an undisclosed sum.

Mr Lennon told The Irish Times that High Ball, which focuses on GAA, could become a strong commercial proposition with a circulation of about 10,000.

He said while it had not been on the streets for several months he was determined to re-launch it by early May at a cover price of €3.50. He purchased the title from Mr Hogan's company Hoson Publications Ltd.

Mr Lennon said Ashville had also bought the "bible of the motor sport industry", Irish Motor Sport Annual, from sports journalist Mr Michael O'Carroll, who will remain as editor. Mr Lennon said it had a circulation of about 8,000 and there was no reason this could not rise to about 10,000.

The purchases, he said, were designed to give Ashville a strong presence in the consumer magazine business.

Ashville is already strong in contract publishing, holding some of the most lucrative contracts in the sector: for example, it produces the VHI's customer magazine which goes into 750,000 homes.

Mr Lennon said the company had recruited a group of professionals with long experience in the British and Irish magazine sectors in order to grow the business aggressively. Ashville is looking to buy other titles North and South, he said. "The advertising environment has also improved and this year we have been very busy as a company".