The World Newspaper Association has released a consultant's report on best practices for newspapers that are faring well in the circulation arena. A fair amount that I agree and disagree with here:
Ongoing declines in circulation - in mature markets at least - have created an unnecessary sense of foreboding across much of our industry.
Not so sure on that one.
Whats most interesting about the Metro [free commuter] concept is this: Free, or funded distribution is likely to evolve into more segmented products aimed at other distinct groups, such as business executives, students, and other portions of the population.
OK, but how finely can you chop it in ink & paper?
For example, all 18 [of the successful, growing papers] operated in competitive markets. It would appear that newspapers that enjoy monopoly positions fail to realize their advantage. Competition gives circulation winners something to better themselves against. It provides focus. But more than anything it provides a ready source of new readers. The executives we interviewed were simply not prepared to let a competitor be better at any critical factor.
Amen. Hallelujah. Testify.
Belo should be funding us. Our existence could be the trigger that finally turns around their circulation decline.
Get it on. Let me know if I can help.
Glynn Wilson
Southerner Daily News
http://www.southerner.net/blog/
Posted by: Glynn Wilson | December 01, 2004 at 05:10 PM
Get it on. Let me know if I can help.
Glynn Wilson
Southerner Daily News
http://www.southerner.net/blog/
Posted by: Glynn Wilson | December 01, 2004 at 05:11 PM
Get it on. Let me know if I can help.
Glynn Wilson
Southerner Daily News
http://www.southerner.net/blog/
Posted by: Glynn Wilson | December 01, 2004 at 05:11 PM
Good luck in Dallas. I hope you have better luck with DMN then I did.
Posted by: Eric Wynn | December 15, 2004 at 09:41 AM