PressReader plans creation of 65 jobs in coming years

PressReader, a digital-newspaper distribution service, has told The Irish Times it plans to create 65 skilled jobs in Dublin in the coming years. The company said it is looking for 25 people "who care what we do with journalism". The jobs on offer include software-engineering and sales-and-marketing positions.

Launched in 2003, PressReader provides digital news-stands; it has more than 6,500 titles, split evenly between newspapers and magazines. Its business model is similar to that of Netflix or Spotify, in that consumers pay a monthly subscription; the current rate is €24.75 a month. It said it also provides its service to 10,000 hotels.

The company, which is based in Vancouver, recently appointed a general manager for its Irish operation, which will be responsible for all territories except North America; it is now looking for office space.

Reuters recently reported, it said, that only 8 to 13 per cent of consumers are willing to pay for online content and that those consumers are willing to pay only €8-€10 a year. PressReader said it therefore expected “more consolidation in the media world” but is convinced that the industry will pull through.