Publius was left scratching his head last week at an Irish Times story by D'Olier Street/Newstalk wunderkind Emmet Oliver that a mystery suitor was in talks to buy the Gazette newspaper group, founded by serial journo-preneur Liam Hayes, which owns the weeklies Lucan Gazette, Blanchardstown Gazette and Clondalkin Gazette. The Lucan and Blanchardstown papers were launched in 2004, the Clondalkin Gazette only last October.

The Irish Times piece "oated several potential buyers, including Thomas Crosbie Holdings as well as UK publishers Johnston Press, Dunfermline Press and Alpha Newspapers. One potential investor the article failed to mention is the one our industry sources suggest may well be the very "interested party" with which the Gazette has had discussions: The Irish Times herself.

MYSPACE IRELAND

News Corp's social networking phenomenon MySpace. com has appointed former Sony Music Entertainment and AOL Europe executive David Fishcher as its managing director for the UK and Europe. Fischer is acclaimed as one of the "rst mainstream music industry executives to embrace digital technology as more opportunity than threat.

MySpace, having enjoyed exponential growth among young internet users in the US and claiming 57m registered users, has turned its sights on Europe. Last week Fischer and chief executive Chris DeWolfe said the company would be launching a customised UK MySpace website and would expand into 11 other markets.

A spokesman for the company refused to elaborate further on which markets MySpace will select, but it seems certain that Ireland will be next.

MySpace has only two existing international portals outside of the US and UK: News Corp's native soil, Australia, and Ireland. And the company recently sponsored the MyFestival tour of artists popular on MySpace (including a Dublin leg in three venues), helping to thicken its Irish presence.

There is also ample evidence that the social networking phenomenon is thoroughly embedded among Irish teens. A survey released last week by Burst Media revealed that 60% of Irish teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have visited an online social networking site like MySpace or the Benchmark Capital-backed Bebo.

Bebo claims to have garnered some 600,000 Irish users in less than two years. The company is expected to appoint Shaa Wasmund, former chief executive of Mykindaplace. com as its director of UK operations early this week, following a leak of the news on the I-Boy blog.

CHEMISTRY AT CANNES

Dublin-based Chemistry has won Ireland its second gold in Cannes this year, becoming the first Irish advertising agency in more than 30 years to win a coveted Gold Lion award, considered by some to be the most prestigious award in the industry.

Emmet Wright and Adrian FitzSimon were behind the winning 'Power of press' campaign, for National Newspapers of Ireland last year.

No word yet on whether English critics will be as savage about Chemistry's triumph as they have been about Ken Loach's film The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

FRESHWAYS FIESTA

Kerry Foods appointed Hunter/Red Cell to handle the advertising for its Freshways line of ready-to-go sandwiches last week. The agency already handles the Dawn Juices and Kerry Spring ranges from Kerry Foods.

The Freshways account budget was not disclosed.

First established in 1990 as the first indigenous ready-to-go sandwich maker, Kerry Foods bought Freshways in 2002. After major investment from its new owner, Freshways now operates from a 55,000 sq ft facility in north Dublin and is a leading manufacturer and distributor of ready-made sandwiches.

Hunter/Red Cell, owned by WPP group (and not, in fact, a Tom Clancyinspired video game), bested Language and Chemistry in a threeway creative pitch. Hunter/Red Cell's other Irish clients include Arnotts, Calor Gas, Georgia Paci"c, Musgrave, National Dairy Council, Roadstone, Unilever and Xtra-vision.

WOMAN'S WAY MAKEOVER

Taking its own advice to many of its readers, Ireland's most venerable women's weekly gave itself a makeover last week with a new, glossy cover. The usual selection of fashion, health, beauty and sex tips stories have been buttressed with the addition of new columnists, including Diarmuid Gavin, and "real life" features.

The relaunch will be supported by a 250,000 investment, including a half-year ad campaign on TV3 and public relations support.

TIPS, BRIBES & ABUSE All welcome at rdelevan@tribune. ie