There was a mixed reaction among advertisers yesterday to the first edition of the Dublin Daily, the new mid-market tabloid aimed at young readers in the capital.
The company behind the paper, Dublin Daily News Ltd, said several newsagents sold all their copies, but reaction among advertisers was less enthusiastic.
The paper printed 70,000 copies, but the managing director, Mr Colm Grealy, said it would be several days before they knew how many copies were actually sold.
Mr Paul Moran, of the media agency Mediaworks, said there was not enough in the first issue to persuade readers of existing titles to switch their allegiance.
He said the cover price of € 1 (it will increase to €1.20) was steep when the first edition contained 64 pages. "I think it is a mistake to charge that kind of a price; there is not enough of an incentive for readers to change from their existing purchase."
However, he complimented the paper on its production values and use of colour.
"It will be an uphill struggle and I would have expected to see more ads in a first edition," he said.
Mr Noel Martyn, of the Helme Partnership agency, was more enthusiastic.
"I would give it a mixed review. Page one was a little weak, but the layout was strong and easy to follow."
However, he said the sports coverage was weak, with not enough space devoted to Cheltenham.
Mr Grealy said there would be more sport in future and it would not be fair to judge the paper in that area on the first edition.