Friday, March 29, 2024

Farmers Weekly sold to GlobalHQ

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New Zealand’s number one weekly farming newspaper the Farmers Weekly has been bought by one of its founders and is to remain in its home town, Feilding.
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The NZX board has approved the sale of Farmers Weekly to GlobalHQ, a new enterprise owned by Feilding agri-publishing identities Dean and Cushla Williamson. NZX has owned the Farmers Weekly since 2009.

The Williamsons and their former business partners, the Leggett family, established the Farmers Weekly in 2003, following the closure of the only weekly farming title at the time, NZFarmer. 

Today the Farmers Weekly newspaper, supported by a new website and twice-weekly email newsletters, is recognised as the leading source of primary sector news, market insights,  commentary and opinion.

Williamson says with the fragmentation of NZ’s media landscape, Farmers Weekly’s formula is even more relevant and important to farmers and provincial New Zealand than it was when he set it up 15 years ago. 

”The NZX team has grown the brand, adding more market information, and developing the online offering including electronic newsletters and video.”

He says he and Cushla are looking forward to working with the Farmers Weekly team to extend that enterprise culture even further. 

“This a really exciting time to be re-entering the publishing business. We are planning to invest in and grow Farmers Weekly to ensure it delivers what the sector needs across a range of channels.”.

GlobalHQ plans to continue a close working relationship with NZX receiving market reporting and insights from their AgriHQ team. 

Most importantly, the Williamsons say the announcement provides security for the Farmers Weekly staff of 15 based in Feilding.

“The staff are doing a brilliant job. We’re looking forward to working with them all and we’re proud to be keep Farmers Weekly in its Feilding home town.” 

About GlobalHQ

The Williamsons have deep roots in New Zealand agriculture. Their family have farmed in Manawatu for generations, and they live on and run a 120 sheep and forestry block 10km north of Feilding. Cushla, a trained school teacher and qualified journalist works as a family support co-ordinator for Child Cancer Foundation. Dean has most recently been the commercial manager of the AgriMedia division of Fairfax (now Stuff), where he led the relaunch of the NZFarmer title. The couple have been involved in a number of Manawatu community and regional organisations and economic growth initiatives.

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