Archant Challenge to Grow Circulation Pays Off

Archant has highlighted circulation rises at its daily and weekly newspapers after the latest ABC circulation figures for regional newspapers were published this week.

In the second half of 2010, Archant Norfolk’s two daily newspapers, the Eastern Daily Press (up by 0.4 per cent) and Evening News (up by 0.5 per cent) both recorded circulation increases, as did over half of the company’s weekly paid-for papers, including the Lowestoft Journal (up 2.8 per cent) and the Weston and Somerset Mercury (up 1.3 per cent).

“Growing our audience and that audience’s engagement with our media is essential for the future of the company,” said Archant chief executive Adrian Jeakings. “Increasing the number of people that pay for our content, whether that is in a newspaper, magazine or online, is essential.

The Norfolk audience growth team which won the Archant Group Team of the Year 2010 awards.

“Last year I issued a challenge to our senior managers to halt the decline in newspaper circulation and indeed get them growing again. This is against steady falls in circulation for much of the industry in the last few years.  

“I am delighted to say that two of our daily papers grew their circulation in the second half of 2010. Also, more than half of our weekly titles were showing year-on-year growth. These results are extraordinary – a remarkable performance. Our Life magazines have also posted an increase in circulation for the tenth year in succession.”

ABC figures for magazines for the same period showed average circulations rises for Archant Life's northern titles Cheshire Life, Lancashire Life and Yorkshire Life.  

The company said it invested in canvassing for home delivery agents, worked much more closely with the news trade to help them increase sales, and upped casual sales by making copies available at major public events in circulation areas.

For further information please contact Keith Morris, corporate communications manager, Archant, on 01603 772814 or keith.morris@archant.co.uk.