New era for local media

Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas.

The local family newsmedia company, Star News Group, owned by the Thomas family since inception in 1909, last week took full ownership of the Mail after a 17 year partnership with Hartley Higgins and his family.

Paul Thomas and the Star News Group team have been managing the Mail for most of the last 17 years, so not much will change.

However, reflecting the move to full ownership, the masheads will be updated to reflect the Mail’s full affiliation now with Star News Group.

From this week your local Mail will be rebranded the Star Mail.

“We are proud of our 111-year history of providing quality news publications with hyper local news to our local communities,” Mr Thomas said.

“We play a vital role locally to bind communities, inform communities and provide a voice to communities. This role is now more important than ever with the pressures being placed by Government and the multinational digital organisations“

In addition to the more traditional mass media print advertising, the Star Mail team can provide marketing solutions across a range or media, including digital and social.

“We have some really sophisticated digital marketing products through our digital media marketing business, Star Media Platform. Our team are the local marketing experts and together we want to make local businesses grow and local communities thrive.

“We have had an incredible media relationship with the Higgins family over the last 17 years with the Mail.

“Hartley invited our local media group into the Mail in 2002 and our two businesses had skills that blended well together and enabled the Mail to be a successful business and community voice for all that time.“

“I’d like to thank Hartley and his family for that opportunity afforded to us.

“We are excited about the continuing role the Star Mail will play locally and invite input from the community.“