Niall McGarry steps down as Irish chief of Maximum Media

The move comes after controversies emerged over alleged sponsored content inflated due to non organic listenership figures

Founder of Maximum Media, Niall McGarry has stepped down from his executive role within the Irish branch of the company.

The decision is due to a controversy surrounding the alleged inflating of false listenership figures related to sponsored content some two years ago.

Maximum Media, the company who owns Joe.ie, SportsJoe and Her.ie, will get new leadership when company chairman, Justin Cullen, will take over as the new executive.

McGarry will remain as a shareholder of the business and now focus heavily on the UK operations of Maximum Media, amid the controversies.

In a statement, Maximum Media said:

"Effective immediately, Justin Cullen will take up the newly created role of Executive Chairman, taking greater oversight of business strategy, structure and operations.

"As part of this management change Niall McGarry will be stepping down from all executive responsibilities in the Irish business.

"Niall remains a shareholder and will be heavily involved our UK operation.

"Day-to-day executive management of Maximum Media will be the responsibility of Chief Commercial Officer, Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chief Marketing Officer, Paul Dunkin, and Chief Financial Officer, Ronan Doolin.

"These three executives will report directly into the Executive Chairman.

"We are confident that with this new leadership structure will deliver the solidity and market confidence required to ensure the business can operate effectively and continue to innovate and grow.

"These structures will continue to be appraised to ensure that they are the best they can be, and should they develop further I will update you accordingly."