Dublin had its latest taste of a new daily newspaper as the new Metrofreesheet was handed out on the capital's streets for the first time this morning.
The paper, which is designed to be read in about 20 minutes, is targeted at young urban commuters who may not normally purchase a newspaper and will be available every morning, Monday to Friday from 6.30 am onwards.
Maeve Donovan, Managing Director of The Irish Times
Metrohas a target circulation of 50,000 copies and employes 35 people.
This morning's publication comes after an injunction was awarded last week preventing Independent News and Media (IN&M) from publishing a rival freesheet incorporating the word "metro" in its title.
Metro International, Tidnings AB Metro and Fortunegreen Ltd were awarded the injunction after they sought to prevent IN&M from bringing out a rival free newspaper that they intended to call Herald Metroedition. The plaintiffs claimed it would be an infringement of a registered trademark.
Metro International publishes 57 freesheet newspapers in 18 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
Fortunegreen is a joint venture between Metro International, Associated Newspapers and The Irish Times Ltd. The newspaper will be distributed in key locations around the city and is printed by The Irish Times Ltd, the publisher of The Irish Times, at its plant in Citywest.
The publishers are hoping to cash in on a buoyant advertising market. National newspaper advertising grew by 13.6 per cent in 2004 and by 13 per cent on a like-for-like basis in the first six months of this year to €160 million.
Speaking at the launch, Lee Thompson, Managing Director of Metroin Ireland , said: "This represents a new era for newspapers in this market. Metro-style newspapers are the fastest growing newspapers in the world and the Dublin edition of Metro is the latest instalment in what has become a global publishing phenomenon."
Maeve Donovan, Managing Director of The Irish Timeswelcomed the venture saying, "Dublin is the latest significant European city to make a daily edition of Metro available to its young urban professionals. The Irish Times has always believed in the need to embrace market change. We are forming a partnership with two very successful international publishers in bringing Metro - a publishing success story - to Ireland ."
IN&M responded this morning with the publication of a product of its own, entitled Herald AM.
