It is the dawn of a new era for Allied Press — now officially Allied Media.

The parent company of the Otago Daily Times and more than 20 other publications across the South Island has announced it is rebranding.

Allied Media chief executive Grant McKenzie said the company’s publications had been part of the South for more than 160 years, but the business today had evolved “well beyond newspapers”.

“The rebrand from Allied Press to Allied Media reflects the broader scope of what we do, including strong online news websites and events, as well as print.

“This is not about changing who we are. It’s about better representing what we already do.”

A lot of people did not realise just how far the company’s reach stretched, Mr McKenzie said.

“With more than 20 newspapers, five magazines, digital platforms and major events, we’re part of the fabric of South Island communities from Blenheim to Bluff.

“Readers won’t see changes to their paper or news sites, but our advertising partners will start to see the Allied Media name on campaigns and proposals.”

The company believed in the importance of local journalism and continued to invest in its editorial teams across the South Island.

The ODT was recently named New Zealand’s most trusted newspaper for the fourth year in a row, and its four wins at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards — especially Best Editorial Campaign for the “Our Health is Priceless” Dunedin hospital campaign — showed what strong local journalism could achieve, he said.

Both the ODT and The Star in Christchurch also saw year-on-year increases in readership in the most recent Nielsen National Readership Report.

“Allied Media is focused on keeping journalism strong in the South.

“These results are proof that local news, done properly, has a future in print and online.” — Allied Media

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