The Claverley group, owner of the UK’s biggest selling regional title the Express & Star, has appointed HotLizard as the jobs board solutions provider for its newspaper websites.
New recruitment offerings have been launched for Expressandstar.com as well as Shropshirestar.com, the website of the fifth biggest evening newspaper, plus the sites for sister titles the Jersey Evening Post and the Guernsey Press.
HotLizard provided the design and software which runs the online job sections across the Claverley titles.
The aim is to provide users and advertisers with a market-leading, feature-rich site, boasting new features.
The decision to appoint HotLizard was made following a four month consultation process. The Claverley group was impressed by the flexible nature of HotLizard’s Gecko job board platform, backed with the provider’s knowledge of the highly-competitive sector.
Phil Inman, managing director of Midland News Association, the Wolverhampton-based Claverley business which publishes the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, said: “In print and online we offer unrivalled reach for our advertisers so it was important that we provided a solution which met our business aims.
“The new jobs sites will ensure we provide our customers with the best possible recruitment site, bringing the latest functionality for users and superb value to our advertisers.”
The Channel Island newspapers are owned by Guiton Group, also owned by Claverley. The Jersey Evening Post’s online presence is Thisisjersey.com, while the Guernsey content is published through Thisisguernsey.com.
Guiton publishing managing director Paul Carter said: “The partnership with HotLizard gives us a jobs platform which will allow us to grow our digital ambitions and extend the reach and influence of our established and trusted brands.
“User experience is paramount and we felt that the HotLizard solution would meet the high expectations which customers bring the well-established media brands within the Guiton group.”
MNA head of digital Will Beavis, who oversees development of the MNA and Guiton sites, added: “The Claverley websites are among the fastest growing in the regional press so we need a solution which is able to convert that traffic growth into revenue.
“Their technology matches the innovations we are making elsewhere in the digital portfolio, giving us a platform for future success.”
HotLizard business development manager Ray McKeating said: “I’m delighted that, after all the hard work during the consultation period, the Claverley group decided that the HotLizard solution was their preferred option moving forward.
“It’s been a pleasure dealing with such a professional group of individuals and we look forward to developing the relationship in the coming years.”
Robbie Cowling, founder and managing director of Aspire Media Group, said: “To partner with an organisation like the Claverley group with its long heritage and reputation is a great step forward for HotLizard.
“We look forward to serving and working with them over the next few years to help grow their business.”
