The Irish Times Group has acquired the remaining shares of luxury and lifestyle publisher Gloss Publications, the company behind The Gloss magazine, in which it has held a 50 percent stake since 2006.
The acquisition of the shares of Gloss Publications co-founders Jane and Sarah McDonnell is part of a strategic move by the Irish Times Group to expand its media and digital services offering, following its acquisition of leading obituary website RIP.ie earlier this year.
Founded in 2006, Gloss, which is published every first Thursday of the month in large glossy format together with the Irish Times, offers a mix of articles and features on lifestyle, interior design, food and travel.
The company publishes a special edition of Gloss Interiors twice a year – in spring and autumn – distributed by The Irish Times. Gloss Publications also publishes magazines for private clients, including universities, and hosts premium events, including the annual Gloss Gala.
Deirdre Veldon, chief executive of The Irish Times, said the acquisition would expand the group’s portfolio of “quality journalism and services”.
“Sarah and Jane have created world-class publications with The Gloss and The Gloss Interiors that are avidly consumed by their loyal and discerning audiences in digital and print,” she said. “We have greatly enjoyed working with Jane and Sarah as co-owners for many years and believe now is a great time to expand that relationship to bring their high-end brand to a wider audience with original content and premium events.”
Gloss Publications’ abridged accounts show the company had amassed a profit of more than €342,000 at the end of 2022, up from €226,514 in 2021. In a note accompanying the accounts, directors said there had been a “continued improvement in the business” and revenue was “closer” to pre-pandemic levels.
Commenting on the deal, Jane McDonnell said that the strategic partnership that The Irish Times has enjoyed with Gloss Publications for almost two decades is key to the company’s success. “Over the last 18 years, we have continually reinvented our titles The Gloss, The Gloss Interiors and thegloss.ie and created many successful, unique event formats – including The Gloss Gala – across multiple sectors.”
Gloss editor Sarah McDonnell said: “We wanted to create a new media brand that combined all the strengths of print with the benefits of digital. Our readership is outstanding in its breadth and loyalty to the brand. This highly engaged audience drives us to strive for excellence in everything we do.”
