Media Concierge Group has said the integration of National World has gone smoothly, after reporting a stronger set of results in the first full period since the acquisition.
The media holding company posted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £12.9 million for the 12 months to 30 September 2025, while turnover rose to £137.6 million from £113.5 million a year earlier. It also recorded a gross profit margin of 23.7%, underlining what the group described as a resilient trading performance despite acquisition-related costs.
According to the company, Iconic Media Group, the business formerly known as National World, contributed underlying EBITDA of £3.9 million before exceptional items in the nine months to the end of September. Media Concierge said the figure showed the strength of the core business even as it absorbed the expense of bringing the new operation into the wider group.
National World was renamed Iconic Media Group Limited after the takeover and a new board was appointed in May 2025. The business now sits alongside Media Concierge’s other publishing interests in the UK and Ireland, with titles spanning Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North East, the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South of England.
Its portfolio includes established regional newspapers such as the Sheffield Star, the Express & Star, The Scotsman, the Belfast News Letter and the Yorkshire Post.
Malcolm Denmark, chief executive of Media Concierge Group, said the year had been a strong one and that the existing businesses in the group had continued to grow well. Speaking in the company’s results statement, he said the National World integration had “proved very successful” and added that the next priority was to complete the process properly while building on the reputation of the titles and their local journalism.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article was published on 3 July 2026, reporting on financial results for the year ending 30 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 27 June 2026, indicating a 6-day gap. The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of recycling from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. However, the slight delay in reporting may affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from CEO Malcolm Denmark, such as “the integration of National World has proved very successful.” A search reveals that similar quotes have appeared in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. The exact earliest usage of these quotes is unclear, raising concerns about their originality. Without independent verification, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be fully confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The article originates from the Northampton Chronicle, a regional news outlet. While it provides detailed financial information, the source’s reach and influence are limited compared to major news organisations. Additionally, the article appears to be summarising or rewriting content from other publications, which may affect its reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The financial figures reported, including a £12.9 million EBITDA and a turnover of £137.6 million, align with industry standards for companies of similar size. The integration of National World into Media Concierge Group is plausible, given the acquisition details. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raises concerns about the comprehensiveness of the reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents financial results for Media Concierge Group, including a £12.9 million EBITDA and a turnover of £137.6 million. However, concerns about the originality of quotes, the reliability of the source, and the independence of verification sources raise doubts about the content’s credibility. The slight delay in reporting also affects the freshness score. Given these issues, the content does not meet the necessary standards for publication.
