Archant Titles Lead the Way with ABC Circulation Increases

Archant has produced industry-leading ABC circulation figures for the second six months in a row with its four daily newspapers being the top performing titles across the whole of England and Wales.

Chief executive Adrian Jeakings said: “I am delighted with these results. Paid-for printed products continue to have a key role to play in delivering an audience for our advertisers. This really shows what can be done with the right combination of engaging, relevant stories and the use of innovative ways of getting our newspapers to readers to support the more traditional channels.”

The Eastern Daily Press posted figures of (+ 0.6%) to 59,490, while sister title the Norwich Evening News showed (+ 3.4%) to 19,161, Archant Suffolk’s East Anglian Daily Times (- 1.3%) 29,932 and the Evening Star (- 0.64%) at 15,351.

Archant Norfolk also produced across-the-board circulation increases including all of its five weekly titles in the Jan-June 2011 ABC circulation figures, released yesterday.

The five Archant Norfolk weekly paid titles saw increases from the Lowestoft Journal (+ 6.5%), Great Yarmouth Mercury (+ 4.9%), North Norfolk News (+ 0.3%), Beccles & Bungay Journal (+ 4%) and the Dereham & Fakenham Times (+ 0.8%).

The two Norfolk daily titles and the Lowestoft Journal also showed industry-leading circulation increases in the previous six months. Another bright spot was Archant South West’s Weston & Somerset Mercury increasing circulation by 0.5%.

Don Williamson, Head of Audience Growth at Archant Norfolk, said:“It is tribute to both our commercial and editorial teams that we are producing these sales performances. The level of retail activity and home delivery canvassing is well up on previous years.  This sales activity complements the efforts of our advertising and editorial colleagues - who time and time again produce first class publications for us to sell via our supply chain partners.”

For further information please contact Keith Morris: Keith.Morris@archant.co.uk

• Regional ABCs: Norfolk does different again (Jon Slattery)