The managing director of Ireland on Sunday, Mr John Thompson, is joining Mr Denis O'Brien's radio group, Communicorp Ltd, as a non-executive director, it has emerged.
Last night sources close to the two companies denied the appointment would lead to any wider co-operation between them. Ireland on Sunday is ultimately owned by the powerful British newspaper group the Daily Mail General Trust plc, controlled by Viscount Rothermere.
The decision to appoint such a senior newspaper executive is an unusual one for Communicorp. The company's other directors are mainly long-time associates of Mr O'Brien.
Sources last night said Mr Thompson would bring a wealth of marketing and business media experience to Communicorp.
Along with Scottish Radio Holdings and UTV, Communicorp is the one of the largest radio companies in the Republic. However, it has always avoided any involvement in the newspaper business.
Mr Thompson, who previously held various positions within the Independent group, has been touring many of the Communicorp stations in recent days and getting briefed on the firm's future strategy.
Communicorp has shareholdings in 98 FM, NewsTalk 106, Spin 103.8 and East Coast Radio. The company recently completed a $14.2 million (€10.6 million) deal to buy 17 stations in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
