New-look Herald on Sunday – but no Catmur!

AUCKLAND, Monday: The NZME has unveiled a “new-look makeover” of the Herald on Sunday which will include a new insert title – Reset magazine.

Reset (like Canvas) will probably be require a Herald Premium sub to get full access.

But it looks like the skids are under Business section columnist Paul Catmur – a former adman who’s always been a wry, thoughtful contributor to the paper.

His column hasn’t run for three weeks – and his name is glaringly missing from the published list of “returning columnists” (scroll down for the link to yesterday’s corporate-driven PR story on Page A5).

His work will be missed.

Catmur was the only columnist at the HoS who had real experience of owning and running an actual business – Barnes Catmur & Friends, a sizeable and successful independent advertising agency which he and Daniel Barnes sold to global agency group Dentsu in 2016.

Dentsu continued to run the brand (as BC&F Dentsu) before absorbing it back into the corporate fold in 2021.

The Herald on Sunday machinations will have little effect on Catmur’s own Truth And Soul podcast (truthandsoul.co.nz) which he continues to operate.

• Here’s the link to the Herald story

“Reset will probably be require a Herald Premium sub to get full access.”

And here’s the PR version published in yesterday’s Herald on Sunday …

New Zealand’s best-read Sunday newspaper is getting a makeover.

As well as a revamped main book, the Herald on Sunday will next week launch a new lifestyle magazine, Reset, and today announces its editor – Jacqui Loates-Haver.

The news comes ahead of this Saturday’s prestigious Voyager Media Awards, where the paper is nominated in the best front page category, among a dominant showing by NZME.

Our readership is already more than that of our two competitors combined – but we are always looking at ways to bring our loyal readers more and adapt with the times,” said Alanah Eriksen, who started as Herald on Sunday editor in February.

We will continue to do what we do best; break the big stories, cover live news events – both locally and globally – profile newsmakers and keep you informed on the latest trends. But we’ve had a makeover.

“There is of course all the pretty stuff – new colours, fonts and layouts designed by our talented team. But we’re also very excited about the content.

“Existing columnists return, including Heather du Plessis-Allan, Paula Bennett, Liam Dann and Hayden Munro.