Daily Mirror to merge with OK! magazine

Newspaper’s editor-in-chief says plan to combine journalists will not result in more job losses

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The Mirror newspaper is to merge with glossy magazine OK! in a fresh attempt by the publisher to cut costs.
Plans to combine journalists across the two Reach publications were announced internally late on Friday, marking the latest twist at the troubled newspaper group.
In a memo to staff, Caroline Waterston, the Mirror editor-in-chief, said: “I’m doing this to consolidate the significant experience and expertise we have, ultimately enabling us to get the most out of the fantastic journalism across both teams and drive better results for our brands.
“In particular, this move aims to support growth of the Mirror and sustainability of our magazines and supplements, including OK! magazine.”
Ms Waterston sought to ease concerns by insisting the decision was not expected to result in any further job cuts.
She encouraged staff to see the merger as a “really exciting opportunity for us to work together in new and better ways”.
However, the decision will raise eyebrows given the gulf in output between a Left-leaning newspaper and a glossy magazine focused on celebrity gossip and showbiz news.
It will also mark a further blow to staff after years of heavy cost-cutting at Reach. Under Jim Mullen, Reach’s chief executive, the newspaper group has axed almost 800 roles in a desperate bid to cut costs.
Staff anger has been fuelled by Reach’s adoption of AI tool Guten, as well as stringent demands from bosses for journalists to churn out an increasing number of articles each day.
Reach, which relies heavily on social media to share its stories, has been hit by changes to Facebook’s algorithm de-prioritising news.
Ms Waterston took over as Mirror editor earlier this year after the shock resignation of Alison Philips. One staff member said Ms Waterston was “as popular as Donald Trump at the Women’s Institute AGM”.
The merger comes as The Mirror is ramping up its targets for story publication.
In an email to staff seen by The Telegraph, one senior Daily Mirror executive said the newspaper was aiming for a “baseline” of 12,500 page views on an article within 48 hours of publishing.
It is attempting to gain prominence on Google Discover, a search engine tool that promotes content to a user based on their search activity.
Reach, which owns the Daily Express and local titles such as the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, posted revenues of £569m last year – a decline of more than a fifth from £723m in 2018.
It is valued at around £280m on the London Stock Exchange, down from its £3bn peak in 2005. Reach has said it is “slightly ahead” of its target of cutting between 5pc and 6pc of costs this year.
Reach has been contacted for comment.
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