Google signs with the Westmeath Examiner to bring Google News Showcase to Ireland
The Westmeath Examiner has joined a select number of leading Irish publishers that have signed licensing agreements to take part in Google News Showcase.
Google News Showcase began rolling out with national, regional and local publishers in recent weeks.
The Westmeath Examiner is among the titles being added to the 40 national and regional publications providing content for readers on the Google News platform.
The titles also include five others within Celtic Media Group along with The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, Clare Echo, Donegal Daily, Derry Now, Irish Mirror and The Journal.
Google will license high-quality news content from these publishers for News Showcase, its new product experience and licensing programme.
Anthony Nakache, director of Online Partnerships, EMEA at Google, said the rollout of Google News Showcase in Ireland represents the next step for the company and publishers to create a sustainable model for news.
“We are committed to continuously supporting journalism, and investing in this support, and I’m pleased to see Google News Showcase launch in Ireland with such a high volume of high-calibre publications,” he said.
The Westmeath Examiner team are delighted to have been selected by Google as part of this programme where there is increased exposure to our content on Google News and we, in turn, benefit from direct investment in our journalism.
Frank Mulrennan, CEO of Celtic Media Group, said: “As one of the leading local news publishers in Ireland, Celtic Media Group welcomes the opportunity to be a launch partner for Google News Showcase.
“We see it as a real opportunity to further build our audience through the enhanced profile of the panels which then drive readers back to our publisher sites for the fuller story.”
Nearly 1,000 news publications globally have signed deals for News Showcase since last year, in countries including India, Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Australia, Japan, Colombia, the UK Austria and Argentina, with discussions underway in a number of other countries.