Maximum Media, the Irish digital media group whose sites include Joe.ie, has laid off nine staff following recent difficulties over reports it falsely inflated listenership numbers on a sponsored podcast.

In a statement, the company, which also owns the SportsJoe, Her, and HerFamily platforms, said “some challenges arose” towards the end of 2019. It said these were “addressed” in its medium-term business plan, as well as directly with customers.

“As part of the business normalisation, Maximum Media has announced a staffing reduction of nine people,” it said.

The company had increased staff numbers in 2017 as part of a drive to secure market share and increase turnover, but difficulties arose last month when the Core media group, the largest ad-buying agency in Ireland, withdrew all campaigns.

It did so over concerns that, in 2017, a so-called “click farm” was used to falsely inflate listenership numbers on a sponsored podcast.

The company’s then chief executive Niall McGarry, a media entrepreneur and the majority shareholder, stepped aside from any operational involvement the Irish business following the controversy.

Mr McGarry said he would concentrate on the UK business. He remains a director.

In its statement, Maximum Media pointed to uncertainty over the UK election, Brexit, and the “resulting downturn in media industry spend” as reasons for a poorer than expected performance last year.

It also said it has secured funding for its medium-term business plan which “supports its efforts to redirect the focus of the business to its core strengths of developing creative and engaging online editorial and video content”.