adAtlantic Community Newspaper Advertising in Atlantic Canada

A new Leger Marketing study on flyer readership found that 76 per cent of respondents look at flyers at least once a week, and 80 per cent consult flyers when making special purchases. The study, commissioned by Quebecor, also found that 63 per cent are more likely to look at flyers distributed in newspapers.

Scotiabank advertised in newspapers and their sites, as part of their media buy, to promote its RSP message. The combination boosted spontaneous awareness of Scotiabank to 76%. Its media agency highlighted that “marrying the two media, newspaper and online, further propelled our reach and effectively created synergy for the campaign.”

CCNA releases new data on comunity newspaper advertising revenue
Friday, August 13, 2010

Total advertising revenue for Canadian community newspapers in 2009 was $1.19 billion according to the latest year-end report commissioned by the CCNA. Data was collected in early July 2010 from a number of sources, including corporate chains, independently owned newspapers, and regional newspaper associations affiliated with the CCNA. The study found that chains account for 80.7 percent of print advertising revenue and 95.2 percent of online revenues.

Canadian Primedia, Canada's largest independent print and online rep house, has acquired Kubas Consultants, a marketing research and consulting firm established in 1977.

CNA/CCNA webinars return on September 14 with Revenue-Generating Ideas for Newspapers with Suzanne Raitt. This fast-paced webinar will feature great ideas that can be implemented at your newspaper right away. Registration is free for CNA and CCNA members and $50 for non-members.

The Canadian Press has struck a tentative agreement to convert from an industry cooperative into a for-profit company. Potential investors for the news service include Torstar Corp., CTVglobemedia Inc. and Gesca.The federal government and the agency's union must still approve a turnaround plan, which includes a pension plan restructuring, as part of the deal. A final agreement is expected to be reached by October 2010.

Meet the JRC ideaLab: New tools, 25% paid free time and cash. No rules. Just experiment and tells us what happens.

TWO graduate students from San Francisco's Stanford University who developed an iPad application that aggregates news from multiple sources and presents it in a visual way -- essentially a better RSS feed reader -- have sold 100,000 apps in just a couple of months.

Do you think your team produces the best online news coverage? Submit your entries now for the second annual Canadian Online Publishing Awards, recognizing excellence in online editorial content and innovation. The competition is open to English and French-language online publications for both daily and community newspapers based in Canada. There are eleven different contest categories including best website design, best video or multimedia feature and best use of social media. Winners will be acknowledged at an awards event this Fall hosted by Masthead. The COPA program recognizes websites published in conjunction with print magazines and newspapers, as well as online-only publications and blogs. The sumission deadline is July 7.

Developed to promote public awareness of adult literacy The Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship provides one journalist with a financial contribution of $2,000 to research and develop a story on adult literacy in Canada. The competition is open to all professional accredited journalists working and residing in Canada. Entries may be of local or national interest and should be styled as reporting analysis, commentary, feature or series. The fellowship honouring Gzowski’s contribution to the field of literacy is awarded annually by ABC Life Literacy Canada. Previous winners include Darah Hansen from the Vancouver Sun and Sean Fine of the Globe and Mail. The deadline for proposals is Friday August 27.

Toronto ad agency Leo Burnett took home a bronze Lion trophy at this year’s Cannes Lions International Adverting Festival. The Proctor and Gamble press campaign for Cheer Dark laundry detergent had previously won a Certificate of Excellence in the Fashion, Accessories and Home category at the 2009 EXTRA Awards. The seven-day Cannes Lions festival is an annual industry event incorporating workshops, seminars and award ceremonies for those working in advertising and related fields.

A series of powerful newspaper advertising success stories have been created by the Canadian Newspaper Association in partnership with the Canadian Community Newspaper Association. The most recent case is from Eastern Canada. Nova Scotia Power used newspapers to effectively reach the local market by creating charming ads designed to encourage readers to go online to find out more.

CNA’s 2010 Freedom of Information Audit contains interesting tidbits from regions across the country. For example: your FOI requests will be processed faster in Manitoba and Saskatchewan; you are more likely to pay for an FOI request in Ontario; fees for information vary from province to province, from $75 in Ontario to up to $98,603 for the same information from the British Columbia government. Regional information and the full report are available on the CNA website.

CNA/CCNA Draft Response to Bill C-32 on Copyright Reform
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Over the next few weeks, CNA and CCNA will be consulting with member newspapers on Bill C-32, the federal government’s proposed act to reform copyright legislation. Some of the issues affecting newspapers include fair dealing, digital locks, photography copyright, and automated content access protocol changes. The Associations’ goal is to develop consensus positions on any problematic issues, and submit these to the Standing Committee along with a request to appear at the appropriate hearing. An initial draft of the response is available online at http://www.newsonnews.ca/

2010 ACNA Better Newspapers Competition Winners Announced
Monday, May 31, 2010

Congratulations to the winners and standing finalists of the 2010 ACNA Better Newspapers Competition!

Encompassing 34 community newspaper categories, the Better Newspapers Competition recognizes the best in editorial, photography, advertising, promotional and overall excellence in Atlantic Canadian community newspaper publishing.

Awards were handed out on Saturday, May 29 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax NS.

Three separate industry pieces have been created by the CNA/CCNA based on the results of 26 recent Canadian newspaper studies. These fascinating findings on the impact of size, impact of colour and (the just released) impact of position on reading and noting newspaper ads are shared. PDFs have been created to present the findings.

This year’s conference offers something for everyone - from dynamic and energetic advertising sales seminars to educational editorial sessions with professors from the University of King’s College.

Next Friday and Saturday, leading to the BNC Awards Gala will be jam-packed and fun. Welcome newcomers with open arms and rekindle memories with those seasoned veterans. Learn something new.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, talk to one of the ACNA staff or any member of the Board of Directors.

Editors, writers, photographers, designers and publishers were honoured for their hard work and dedication to their communities at the Better Newspapers Competition Awards Gala on Thursday, May 13, hosted by Ralph Benmurgui. Awards were given out to the top achievers in various categories. To view the online version of the 2010 Winners Book, visit www.betternewspapers.ca.

We've extended the early bird rate for members. In order to receive the $200 conference rate, you must register by Friday, April 23rd.  Register online or contact Donna Randall at the ACNA office. Toll free: 1-877-842-4480

This year's Friday evening social event will take place at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

By any criteria or definition the Halifax Citadel is a very 'special place'. The Halifax Citadel has been commemorated as a nationally significant symbol of Halifax's role as a principal naval station in the British Empire and of the city's importance to Canada's development and evolution from colony to nation.

In the spirit of learning, sharing and growing as an industry, the Great Ideas Exchange offers the opportunity to learn about potentially infectious ideas that just might be applicable for launch in your own market.

Build revenue, Re-invigorate your paper. Engage advertisers and readers!

Stay informed, discover a new trend or find out what excellent programs your colleagues are putting to good use. Our Great Ideas Exchange offers excellent ideas for your organization. Discover initiatives that could work for you!

SHARE YOUR IDEA - WIN $$$

Designed and facilitated by the enthusiastic Kevin Hiscock of Transcontinental Media, our Great Ideas Exchange will showcase the top advertising and promotional ideas from community newspapers across Atlantic Canada. This year will also include ideas for special supplements, advertising, reader contests, circulation ideas, and promotional activities aimed at enhancing the image of your newspaper.

The 2008 winner was the Bridgewater Bulletin. In 2009, the Stephenville Georgian took home the coveted GIE trophy. Who will be crowned the 2010 champ? Share your idea and win!

Congratulations to the standing finalists of the 2010 ACNA Better Newspapers Competition!

Encompassing 34 community newspaper categories, the Better Newspapers Competition recognizes the best in editorial, photography, advertising, promotional and overall excellence in Atlantic Canadian community newspaper publishing.

40 newspapers submitted 1,083 entries this year from works published in 2009.  

Winners will be announced at our awards gala on Saturday, May 29, in Halifax, in conjunction with the 38th annual ACNA conference.  

We would like to thank the judges, and congratulate the standing finalists and all members who participated in the competition.

Transcontinental has strong first quarter & profitability improves for third quarter in a row
Thursday, March 18, 2010

Transcontinental's profitability was up substantially in first quarter 2010 compared to first quarter 2009, for the third quarter in a row. Adjusted operating income before amortization rose 5% and 15% in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, and 41% in the first quarter of 2010. This growth is directly related to the measures implemented in 2009 to rationalize costs and improve efficiency, the reorganization and divestiture of certain operations and, to a certain extent, the stabilization in customer advertising spending. Revenues were down 11% in the quarter, due to the negative impact of the exchange rate, the divestiture or closure of plants and publications, and paper prices. Excluding these latter items and thanks to the contribution of the two contracts with Rogers Communications, which took effect in 2009, and the contract to print the San Francisco Chronicle which started in July 2009, revenues were down only 2.7%.

"Our first quarter results show a marked increase in our profitability compared to the first quarter of 2009, and this is the third consecutive quarter in which it has improved," said Francois Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I attribute our strong performance to four main factors: continued customer confidence in our products and services, the reorganization and sale of some of our operations, the rationalization plan that we quickly implemented last year, and the concerted efforts by our employees to develop greater efficiency. Furthermore, we kept investing to strengthen promising traditional areas as well as our new digital communication platforms and to develop new marketing services to meet the emerging needs of our customers. Which all helps to build the new Transcontinental day by day!

The Audit Bureau of Circulations' board of directors has ruled to modify its definition of a digital magazine in the U.S. and Canada to accommodate new devices such as the Apple iPad.

At a meeting held March 10-12 in Washington, DC, the board agreed on new standards that state a replica digital edition must include a print edition's full editorial content and advertising, but no longer needs to be presented in a layout identical to the print version. Replica digital editions will continue to be included in a magazine's circulation guarantee, or rate base.

Newspapers remain an important resource for Canadians - NADbank 2009 Study
Thursday, March 18, 2010

Once again daily newspapers have demonstrated their value to Canadians. They continue to be a relevant source for news and information across Canada. Over three-quarters (77% - 14.7 million) of adults living in markets where a daily newspaper is available read either a printed or online edition each week.

The printed newspaper continues to be the primary source for readers; 73% read at least one each week; 22% read an online edition on the average week. Most adults migrate between print and online editions; 4% read only on the Internet. On the average weekday 47% read a printed daily newspaper, 44% read a Saturday edition and 23% a Sunday edition.

Local news is the most popular content read in daily newspapers – 73% of readers usually read these pages. News is the most commonly read content and this is followed by a variety of other information and entertainment which varies by reader; Arts and Entertainment generally being the most popular after the news.

Today’s release of the 2009 NADbank Study provides members with access to readership results for 81 Canadian daily newspapers and 2 Detroit newspapers in 53 markets across Canada. Also available, is readership information for 60 community newspapers in 33 markets.

Including resident markets and extended areas, NADbank Study captures the readership habits of 72% of Canadian adults.

This year’s results show readership to be stable. In the 22 markets measured in 2008 and 2009, weekly print readership remained stable at 73%; online readership increased from 20% to 22% resulting in an overall increase in newspaper readership (78% in 2009 compared to 77% in 2008). In the 22 markets there are 13 million weekly readers; in the top ten markets 11.1 million and 9.4 million in the million plus markets.

Readership Overview

Readership tends to be higher in smaller versus larger communities. The highest weekly readership markets are Charlottetown (91%), Cape Breton (91%), Thunder Bay (91%) followed by Peterborough (88%) and Brandon (88%).

The highest readership, for both print and online is Winnipeg, followed by St. Catharines-Niagara, Halifax, Windsor and Québec City.

Online Readership

Readership of online editions of daily newspapers continues to grow, 22% of Canadians read a daily newspaper online each week. As with print editions, readership varies by market. Adults living in Ottawa-Gatineau are the most likely to read daily newspapers on the Internet; 31% each week. This is followed by Halifax (28%), Charlottetown (28%), Windsor (27%), St. John’s NFLD (27%), North Bay (27%), New Glasgow (27%), Toronto (26%), London (25%), Thunder Bay (24%) and Cape Breton (24%).

Free Dailies

Free dailies continue to attract a stable audience and are now available in 7 markets. Readership for Metro and 24 hours is available for the first time in Edmonton with this release.

For tables and details on readership in major Canadian markets, visit the NADbank website - www.nadbank.com

The 2009 Study will be released to NADbank members in two stages. Readership and demographic data are being released today, while product data will be released in May.

NADbank is the principal research arm for the Canadian Daily Newspaper industry and a tripartite organization whose membership is comprised of daily newspapers, advertising agencies and media companies and advertisers. NADbank conducts annual readership, product, retail and lifestyle category studies in urban markets across Canada.

Congratulations to the Atlantic Canadian winners in the 2010 CCNA Better Newspapers Competition!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Congratulations to the Atlantic Canadian winners in the 2010 Better Newspapers Competition! http://betternewspapers.ca/

The two associations, Canadian Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspapers Association, are investigating presenting one logo for joint marketing purposes. Based on this, we are inviting our newspaper members to get involved and design a new logo and name.

The new logo should reflect the modern world where news is delivered in multiple ways (i.e. newspaper, computer, mobile, e-reader, etc.).

The name Newsmedia Canada (in French, Médias d’information du Canada) is a possibility but other options are welcomed.
The logo and name will be used in the media industry with newspaper members, advertisers (current and potential), media agencies and creative agencies.

Submitted art work will be presented to both Association Boards for consideration and it may become our official marketing “face” moving forward. It would appear on our website, marketing materials and case studies. The winner will also receive $500 VISA gift card for their efforts.

• Logo MUST be original, incorporate a bilingual name and a symbol (If French translation is required for your name idea, contact us and we can provide translation for you prior to the deadline.)
• Logo & name should reflect the tone and manner
• Logo must be submitted in a high resolution version (eps or pdf format 300 dpi or higher)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: APRIL 7, 2010
WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send a PDF of your logo/name design to Suzanne Raitt – sraitt@cna-acj.ca

The rapid consumer adoption of new media channels has profoundly altered the marketing landscape. Digital channels and traditional formats have combined to produce a dizzying amount of ad messaging and an increasingly apathetic consumer. Now more than ever, marketers are grappling with ways to get their message through to the right consumers.

On March 4, 2010, connect with marketing and communication professionals in the Atlantic provinces as they gather to hear insights from the country’s leading marketing experts on cutting-edge approaches to social media, mobile, online, branding and much more. Space is limited so sign up today to reserve your spot!

>> Read more

JUDY SIMS: THE NEW ECONOMICS OF MEDIA AND THESTAR.COM
Friday, February 26, 2010

The economics of media have shifted. Scarcity and abundance have flipped. This has caused hyperdeflation in media value and the end of the blockbuster era. Hyperdeflation can be countered by creating snowballs. The old media blockbuster economy was built on exclusion. The new snowball economy will be built by being open to aggregators, micro-platforms and re-constructors and capitalizing on economies of distribution, coordination and production.

In media 2.0 there are 3 sources of value creation. Revelation – what’s good. Aggregation – bring elegant organization to the huge amount of data I’m exposed to and Plasticity – let me get my hands on your content to see how I can add my own value to it. This new economy requires radically different product strategies: letting the outside in, curation rather than ownership, becoming a part of an ecosystem, moving from mass to vertical content and viewing the site as a service instead of a product.

These are the best of times, these are the worst of times. The global economic crisis, coming on top of a dramatic transformation wrought by the rise of the Internet, is creating the swiftest change in media industry structure ever experienced.

Newspapers and magazines are being shut down at an extraordinary pace all over the world, journalists are losing their jobs, and broadcast media are under threat as sliding advertising revenue hit an unmoving cost base. Yet as the world shifts towards what will be truly an all-encompassing media economy, there are extraordinary opportunities ahead for media organisations.

Steve Buttry, who just left Gazette Communications in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to join Allbritton Communications' digital local news venture in Washington, D.C., is Editor & Publisher's Editor of the Year for 2010.

In a choice that reflects a newspaper industry in transition, E&P picked an Editor of the Year who has not held the title editor for more than a year and is moving to a multimedia news operation that will not include a printed newspaper.

Newspapers can execute their online strategies from a position of strength as the trusted brand in the community, says Greg Pruitt, president and CEO of The McClatchy Company. As one of the speakers at Borrell Associates' Online Advertising conference held earlier this month in New York City, he weighed in on the paid content debate, saying “It is best to engage the search engines. To disengage is to risk marginalization.” That doesn’t mean you leave the doors wide open, he said, arguing that publishers have to be vigilant at protecting content from engines that scrape the sites and regulating access through RSS feeds. Pointing out that the Internet is like the advertiser-supported broadcast business model, Pruitt likes the free approach. “Local sales are the newspaper’s greatest strength,” he said.

SOCIETY FOR NEWS DESIGN ANNOUNCES BEST DESIGNED NEWSPAPERS FOR 2009
Friday, February 19, 2010

Two newspapers from Germany and one from the US have been awarded the title of World's Best-Designed for 2009, in a competition run by The Society for News Design. The awards went to der Freitag of Berlin, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung and The New York Times.

Transcontinental's annual meeting: on the theme of transformation and longevity.

Transcontinental management stressed the theme of transformation, innovation and sustainable development in its review of its fiscal 2009 results at its annual meeting of shareholders.

Rémi Marcoux, Executive Chairman of the Board and founder of Transcontinental, set the tone: "The world is changing every day and this is even more true since the recent recession," said Mr. Marcoux. "Transcontinental was born out of change. We will continue to evolve in pace with our customers, whether businesses or consumers, to meet their new needs and new expectations. I view the future with great confidence."

The ACNA conference is taking place May 28-29 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, NS.

Working with the University of King’s College School of Journalism, we have an extremely strong lineup of editorial seminars this year. Editorial topics led by a number of King’s Professors will include: Number crunching, math's not all that bad. Being your own best editor. Computer assisted reporting. Interviewing and Making the most of the Internet.

We will also have David Coles, Q.C., a well-respected media lawyer and recipient of the 2009 “Best Lawyers In Canada” award present a libel workshop / lecture on the new libel defence as decided by the Supreme Court of Canada.

On the advertising side, this year's focus will be on selling ROP in a difficult economic environment.

We’ve invited Peter Wagner of Iowa Information Inc. and John Young of JYC Associates to be guest speakers. John comes highly recommended from the OCNA and has spoken at our conference before. Peter comes highly recommended from a number of Press Associations in the US.

To quote a recent email: “A real bright spot on the program was Peter Wagner, the veteran publisher from Northwest Iowa and a virtual idea machine for building revenue no matter the size of your market and the strength of your competition. I’m sure many of you have used Peter from time-to-time, but if you haven’t had him lately, let me tell you he’s as good as ever and just went over BIG TIME at our meeting. We have a lot of small dailies and weeklies in Indiana, and Peter not only still has it – he brings it – particularly for this sized paper. Our members – large and small – were very enthusiastic about his 90-minute presentation and want me to have Peter back later this year for a full day training session. If you need a spark plug like that at your next meeting, you might want to consider Peter.”

Advertising topics will include: Newspapers are not dead but some salespeople might be. 50 More New Ideas for Fun and Profit. Sales On Steroids, and Ads On Steroids.

Stay tuned to the ACNA website, a complete list of scheduled events will be made available shortly.

CANADA PERIODICAL FUND APPLICATION DEADLINE NEXT WEEK
Friday, February 12, 2010

Postal subsidies from the Publications Assistance Program will end on March 31, 2010 as it is replaced by the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). CNA and CCNA are reminding all member publishers to submit their applications for the CPF no later that February 19, 2010. Formula funding from the CPF will not be granted in 2010-2011 if applications are not sent by this deadline.

For more information, visit: http://newsonnews.ca/news/industry/039/reminder-canada-periodical-fund-application-dea

Stockholm-based media group Bonnier has produced an engaging concept video exploring the future of tablet-based magazines. Called Mag+, the research & development project demonstrates some of the design possibilities and interactive features available to print media.

Charlie Rose had The Wall Street Journal/All Things D’s Walt Mossberg, The New York Times’ David Carr and Michael Arrington from Tech Crunch on his show talk about the Apple iPad.

Slides for Steve Buttry's workshops in Ottawa today, January 18. C3 (Complete Community Connection) at Carleton Unversity: http://bit.ly/8tgNqK. Twitter for Journalists at Ottawa Citizen: http://bit.ly/64i4tI.

Over the past year, there have been a number of changes to the list of circulation auditors contracted by the Canadian Media Circulation Audit (CMCA) program, as well as procedures surrounding payment of auditor fees.

• Annual Reports must be audited by a CMCA-contracted auditor, or in the case of

community newspapers, an independent chartered accountant (CA designation) of their choosing.

Since January 1, 2009, CMCA has contracted Bingyan (Yan) Gong of TNY Consulting Inc. as the CMCA auditor. At present, there are no other authorized contractors.

Submit all reports to be audited by the CMCA auditor, along with the appropriate auditor fee, to the CMCA office at 890 Yonge St., Suite 200, Toronto, ON, M4W 3P4.

If you have any questions, please contact the following or visit the CMCA website at www.circulationaudit.ca

COMBASE: COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER READERSHIP REMAINS STRONG
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

TORONTO, January 11, 2010 - The Canadian Community Newspaper Database
Corporation (ComBase) today announced the results of its 2008-2009 study,
with readership data for 218 markets across Canada.

Overall, community newspaper readership remains strong, with 74% of
Canadians reading their community newspaper. Readership is particularly
strong among desirable target groups:

- 76% of women
- 78% of baby boomers
- 77% of adults with children
- 74% of university-educated adults
- 76% of homeowners
- 78% of affluent Canadians (i.e., household income >$75K)

Source: ComBase 2008-2009. Base: Adults 18+, Canada. Read any of the last
four issues.

Two hundred thirty-five newspapers participated in ComBase 2008-2009,
which includes media consumption data for community newspapers, daily
newspapers, ethnocultural and other newspapers, radio, television and
Internet.

Results for individual markets have been distributed to participating
newspapers. ComBase is in the process of releasing the complete database
to media planners who use information systems software. National and
regional highlights, as well as a list of markets and media, are available
on the ComBase website at www.combase.ca. Data requests may also be
submitted via email to research@combase.ca.

ComBase is the Canadian Community Newspaper Database Corporation, a
tripartite industry organization that conducts the principal readership
research on behalf of the community newspaper industry in Canada.
Operating since 2002, ComBase‚s mandate is to provide title- and
market-specific data for community newspapers at the market and sub-market
level. Visit the ComBase website at www.combase.ca.

The 2010 ACNA Conference is scheduled for May 28-29 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, NS. Complete details will be available early in the new year on the ACNA website.

"What Would Google Do?" author Jeff Jarvis interviewed by Gordon Borrell on the future of traditional media companies and hyperlocal news on the Internet.

Entries are now being accepted for the 2010 Atlantic Community Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition. With 31 Premiere categories to choose from including best local editorial, best news story, best page design and best advertising program, every ACNA member newspaper gets a chance to enter their best work.

A new report from the respected Borrell Associates group indicates Americans still prefer print media as the best medium when they use coupons.

This collaboration between The Wonderfactory and Time, Inc. is an excellent example of how tablets will enable the creation of innovative, addictive experiences by publishers, media companies, and advertisers.

Spurred by the challenging economy, newspapers are trying all sorts of cutting edge initiatives. After reviewing recent conference summaries (INMA, WAN, PANPA, the Individualized News and the Suburban Newspapers of America), the most pioneering international efforts are presented.

CCNA/CNA Marketing Director Suzanne Raitt has produced a two-page promotional sheet about community newspapers that you may wish to include in your own newspaper’s marketing material. It contains facts about community newspapers as well as data about community newspaper websites.

In a fragmented media world, printed newspapers are just one way readers get their daily news fix. While circulation of the printed product is dropping, this doesn’t spell the end for newspapers. It just means they have to find an accurate method of measuring their digital circulation.

Twenty powerful facts showcase newspaper website vitality in 140 characters or less. This downloadable PDF is worth sharing – either by email or tweet. In case you missed it, look for twenty more on Newspapers – click below.

Register early for the 2010 Ink & Beyond conference and you could win tickets for two aboard WestJet. Ink & Beyond is the only conference for the Canadian newspaper industry, an event where you can hear all about new concepts from international speakers, celebrate industry award winners and catch up on the latest technology at the trade show. Book your spot and your hotel room online at www.inkandbeyond.ca

CCNA's Community Content service has revamped its website. The new and improved site (www.communitycontent.ca) has more features for newspaper staff whether they're looking for content to add to a special section or doing research for a story.

Content can be received in either HTML or text depending on the settings of the individual.

If you have any questions about the Community Content website or service, please visit www.communitycontent.ca or contact Katrina Santiago at content@ccna.ca.

Seventh annual Joseph Howe Symposium at the University of Kings College on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
Monday, October 12, 2009

Some of North America’s preeminent thinkers on journalism will be in Halifax on Saturday, October 17, 2009, to debate the future of the news.

Layoffs and closures have swept the newspaper business and local TV is struggling. Advertisers are flocking online. The result is a river of red ink. And new technologies such as smart phones are radically reshaping the way we get the news.

All of this is on the agenda for the seventh annual Joseph Howe Symposium, hosted by the School of Journalism at the University of King’s College.

Michael Rogers is a commentator on the future of news based in New York City. He was futurist-in-residence at The New York Times. He’ll provide his unique take on where the industry is headed.

Donna Logan, president of the Canadian Media Research Consortium, will present major findings of the consortium’s sweeping study into the state of the media in Canada.

John Honderich, chair of Torstar Corp. and one of Canada’s best-known journalists, will ponder how quality reporting can be salvaged with shrinking budgets and round-the-clock deadlines.

Bruce MacCormack, vice president of business development at The Chronicle Herald, will discuss what the daily is doing to keep the news business viable.

Also speaking at the symposium is Kevin Cox, managing editor of the online news site allNovaScotia.com and Kyle Shaw, editor ofThe Coast.

Everyone is invited to the event, which is free of charge and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in Alumni Hall in the New Academic Building at The University of King’s College (6350 Coburg Road, Halifax). An all-you-can-eat lunch will be available in the King’s dining hall for $7.00. Coffee and tea will be provided at no charge.

Michael Rogers address is sponsored by Communications Nova Scotia. The 2009 Joseph Howe Symposium is also sponsored by Nova Scotia Power, the Canadian Newspaper Association, The Chronicle Herald, The Coast, and The Lord Nelson.

The passing of an era in the newspaper industry in Newfoundland and Labrador slide by silently Friday.

Ron Ennis, Managing Editor with Transcontinental Media’s 14 weekly newspapers in the province for over 20 years, hung up his shingle after 42 years as a journalist.

Many outside of Grand Falls-Windsor and Bishop’s Falls likely know little, if anything, about Ron on a personal level. But on a professional level throughout this province, the Maritimes and the whole of Canada he was well known in the industry.

Ron, as he was known to most, began his newspaper career with the Robinson-Blackmore group – founded by the Blackmore family over 60 years ago in Grand Falls. He arrived on the scene in 1968 and was instrumental in continuing the unprecedented growth of The Advertiser newspaper in that central Newfoundland paper town, and numerous other papers in the province such as The Southern Gazette on the Burin Peninsula.

He launched the design or re-design of a number of the papers, not only in this province but also community newspapers in Nova Scotia.

His resume includes a number of prestigious awards from the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association (ACNA) and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA), from whom he received a national award for 25 years of dedicated service to the industry.

>> Read more

Newspaper Stocks Surge on Optimism Over Ad Spending
Friday, September 18, 2009

The stocks of US newspaper companies surged Wednesday on optimism that advertising spending may be, if not recovering, then at least not declining faster than before.

A report from market research firm TNS Media Intelligence said the rate of decline in overall advertising spending held steady from the first quarter to the second.

Also, early data for the current quarter "hint at possible improvements for some media" because they will be comparing against steep declines a year ago, according to Jon Swallen, senior vice president of research at TNS.

Research released by Dynamic Logic reveals that ads integrated into the content of the page are the most effective in driving online ad awareness and purchase intent. Based on 2,390 online display campaigns that took place over the past three years, the study found that half banners and rectangles were more effective than ads that frame the page such as leaderboards and skyscrapers.

When it comes to newspapers, many brands and advertisers are closing their advertising budgets. But that action may be separating them from a growing consumer base. A recent report from the Newspaper Association of America and Nielsen Online shows that one-third of all Internet traffic is going to newspaper websites, a number no marketer should ignore.

All 10 Canwest big-city dailies and canada.com went live Wednesday with mobile-optimized versions of their Web sites.

Designed specifically with the mobile consumer in mind -- easy to use, with all the information people expect from the local paper -- the new sites function with various devices, including iPhone, iPod touch, and BlackBerry Bold and Storm smartphones.

Flyerland.ca announces launch of U.S sister site Zip2Save.com
Friday, August 21, 2009

On August 18, owner of Flyerland.ca, Metroland Media Group Ltd, announced the future launch of Zip2Save.com through a partnership with U.S based LocalPoint Media Group. Zip2Save.com will be a comprehensive aggregation site, and like Flyerland.ca it will feature online flyers, coupons, travel deals and more for its U.S customers. The site will go live October 1.

Nancy Lane, president of LocalPoint Media, notes that American advertisers will benefit from what they have learned from Metroland’s successful operation of Flyerland.ca, stating, “they have invested substantially and worked with major advertisers to produce a site that delivers results for advertisers and provides an excellent experience for users.”

More than 1,000 newspapers and local niche products representing more than a 6.4 million circulation are on board to participate once the site is launched.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2009/18/c5675.html

Financial Times will keep charging readers for content
Friday, August 21, 2009

The New York Times’ Eric Pfanner writes on the subject of free versus paid content on the web in his article ‘The paper that doesn’t want to be free’. Though a number of newspapers who had been giving away content on the Web are just now considering charging readers for access, The Financial Times has been charging its readers all along. According to Financial Times CEO John Ridding, “It has become pretty clear that advertising alone is not going to sustain online business models. Quality journalism has to be paid for.”

Since 2002, readers have been paying for access to the Times’ website – today, the newspaper is planning to accept micropayments for individual articles rather than a full subscription. In trying to increase accessibility to a wider audience, which would in turn appeal to advertisers, these micropayments would be ideal for retaining infrequent readers who may come across the website from a search engine.

Pfanner notes the Financial Times has shown it can maintain a pay wall on its website due to the specialized financial news it offers readers. Despite a recent increase in online subscription rates as well as a higher price for print editions, over 600 corporate customers, with approximately 50,000 users, have willingly paid for the paper’s services.

For the full article, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/business

CP and Pagemasters team up to deliver services in North America
Friday, August 21, 2009

The Canadian Press will be teaming with a subsidiary of the Australian Associated Press, Pagemasters, to deliver a variety of centralized production services to newspapers in North America. The outsourcing of these services should help those newspapers that have had to cut jobs to better handle the current loss of print advertising.

In Australia and New Zealand, Pagemasters’ service has allowed both major market dailies and local weeklies to focus on providing quality news content without reducing the quality of their print product. According to Eric Morrison, president of The Canadian Press, newspapers in Canada and the U.S must focus on rethinking the way they run their businesses, and states, “We consider this as really part of the solution to help newspapers in North America dig out of the mire, as it were, going forward.”

Read more here: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/681556

CBS to run video ad in Entertainment Weekly print edition
Friday, August 21, 2009

Many print publishers have been attempting to boost advertising revenue by using new formats, offering ads at a premium on front pages in the case of newspapers, or distributing promotional material such as DVDs in magazines. Now a fall issue of Time Warner Inc.’s Entertainment Weekly will contain the first-ever video ad to appear in a print magazine.

Much like novelty greeting cards that play music upon opening, a two-inch video player and speaker will be embedded in heavy-paper packaging and will play ads for CBS and Pepsi automatically as the page is turned. When asked, CBS would not disclose how much it paid for the ad, but it appears that in future video experiments, advertisers would be charged a premium for ads that have greater potential to grab readers’ attention.

Read more

The Board of Directors of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne Lannan as Executive Director, effective immediately. Lannan has been serving as Interim Executive Director since November 2008.

With a staff of 12, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association is a non-profit industry association with offices in Burlington and Toronto and represents more than 310 community newspapers.

OCNA members are already very familiar with Lannan as she has been working closely with them for the past 20 years as OCNA's Manager of Member Services. Prior to joining OCNA, she worked in the editorial and advertising departments at community newspapers in Toronto and Sarnia, and studied journalism at Humber College. She earned her Certified Association Executive designation in 2007.

"The newspaper business is Anne's passion and we are thrilled that she is not only committed to the OCNA, but to the success of each of our member newspapers," said Abbas Homayed, OCNA President and Publisher of the Sudbury Northern Life. "Anne has done a great job as Interim Executive Director. As our industry continues to grow and evolve with changing reader preferences and diversified advertising opportunities, we are confident that the association will forge ahead under Anne's leadership."

In her new role as Executive Director, Lannan will focus on government advocacy and awareness matters, the continued growth of AdReach and national advertising opportunities, the development of new initiatives for our members, to name a few. She has pre-established relationships with many stakeholders and extensive knowledge of our industry.

"I look forward to continuing to serve the association and to work with the Board and staff to set new priorities for our dynamic industry," said Lannan.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB) today announced that Canadian Online Advertising Revenues exceeded budgeted expectations of $1.5 billion, and grew by 29% to just over $1.6 billion in 2008.

Publisher revenue from Online advertising in Canada has more than quadrupled over the past five years: building from $364 million in 2004 to the $1.6 billion mark reported above, surpassing 2008 Radio revenues of $1.55 billion in the process.

Online Advertising now occupies third spot in terms of both time spent by consumers with media, as well as marketing spend by Advertisers -- representing a full 11% of the combined $14 billion spent on all major media in Canada (TV, Newspapers, Internet, Radio, Magazines and Out Of Home).

The World Association of Newspapers in Paris, France, and IFRA in Darmstadt, Germany, two leading international organizations for print and digital news publishing will merge to create the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) on July 1. The two organizations had been informally discussing a merger for more than five years as they had noticed a growing overlap in membership for the products and services both offered.

In a statement made yesterday, the two associations said that together they would represent over 18,000 publications, 15,000 web sites, and more than 3,000 companies across the globe. WAN-IFRA intends “to be the indispensable partner of newspapers and the entire news publishing industry worldwide, particularly our members, in the defense and promotion of press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity, and the development of prosperous businesses and technology.”

The current president of WAN, Gavin O’Reilly will serve as president of the new organization through 2010. Horst Pirker, president of IFRA will serve as first vice president, and become president in 2011.

WAN-IFRA’s mission statement can be found at www.wan-ifra.org.

The average U.S. adult has nearly doubled daily use of the Internet -- an 81% increase, according to a recent report by The Media Audit. As a result, the Internet now represents 32.5% of the typical "media day" for all U.S. adults when compared to daily exposure to newspaper, radio, TV and outdoor advertising.

Read more

Print advertising window closing for tobacco companies
Thursday, June 25, 2009

Tobacco companies in Canada are on the verge of losing their limited ability to advertise in print after last week’s decision in Ottawa to approve an amendment to the Tobacco Act.

The amendment, Bill C-32, was tabled in the House of Commons last month, passed by the House June 17 and awaits approval from the Senate.

Among its provisions is a directive to end all print advertising by tobacco companies, which were granted the right to place ads in publications with an adult readership of at least 85% in 2007 when a Supreme Court ruling clarified regulations laid out in the Tobacco Act of 1997.

The relevant language in Bill C-32 appears in Clause 11 of its section on advertising: “Clause 11 repeals section 22(2)(b), which permits the advertising of a tobacco product by means of information advertising or brand-preference advertising in publications that have adult readerships of not less than 85%.”

Speaking at the Senate’s second reading of the bill on Monday, Senator Wilbert J. Keon explained the rationale for shutting the door on print ads for tobacco products.

“The Tobacco Act currently prohibits most advertising but allows it in publications that have an adult readership of at least 85%. Over the last couple of years, there has been a marked increase in advertising for tobacco in these publications, including newspapers, magazines and free entertainment weeklies. A number of these publications are easily accessible to young people; they can be picked up from curb-side boxes in city cores and suburbs alike.

For newspaper industry executives responsible for revenue, audience, content management, digital technology, infrastructure & publishing.

Scott Shortliffe, periodical publishing policy and programs director for the Department of Canadian Heritage, hopes to have application forms for the new Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) distributed by September or October.

The CPF will replace the current Canada Magazine Fund and Publications Assistance Program. As Canada Post will be ceasing its annual contribution of $15 million to the PAP on March 31, 2010, Shortliffe and the DCH have been looking at ways to make the application process much easier for publishers.

2009 ACNA Better Newspapers Competition Winners Announced
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2009 Atlantic Community Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition, announced on June 6 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

General Excellence:
Class 1: Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Class 2: Gander Beacon
Class 3: Bridgewater Bulletin

Outstanding Awards:
Outstanding Journalist Award: Tina Comeau, Yarmouth Vanguard
Outstanding Photographer Award: Tina Comeau, Yarmouth Vanguard
Outstanding Salesperson Award: Susan Coish, Sackville Tribune-Post

Premiere Awards:
Best Advertising Program: Kathy Inness, Queens County Advance
Best Cartoon: Jason Freeman, Kings County Register
Best Christmas Issue: St. Anthony Northern Pen
Best Circulation Promotion: Bridgewater Bulletin
Best Community Service: Bridgewater Bulletin
Best Feature Photo: Liana Bishop, Bridgewater Bulletin
Best Feature Series: Wendy Elliott, Kings County Register
Best Feature Story: Tina Comeau, Yarmouth Vanguard
Best General Interest Column: Michael Johansen, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labradorian
Best Graphically Designed Ad: Barbara Wentzel, Bridgewater Bulletin
Best In House Promotion: Clarenville Packet
Best Investigative Story: Paul MacNeill, Montague Eastern Graphic
Best Local Editorial: Vernon Oickle, Bridgewater Bulletin
Best National Editorial: Vernon Oickle, Bridgewater Bulletin
Best News Photo: Tina Comeau, Yarmouth Vanguard
Best News Story: Lisa Brown, Bridgewater Bulletin
Best Original Advertising Idea: Montague Eastern Graphic
Best Overall Ad: Amy Atkinson, Sussex Kings County Record
Best Page Design: Shawn Clarke, Woodstock Bugle-Observer
Best Photo Essay: Stephanie Penney, St. Anthony Northern Pen
Best Red Lobster: Chester Clipper
Best Resources Story: William Clarke, Sprindale Nor'Wester
Best Small Ad: Karla King, Grand Falls Windsor Advertiser
Best Special Section: Brad Works & Christopher Gooding, Springhill Record
Best Specialty Column: Kathleen Tucker, St. Anthony Northern Pen
Best Sports Photo: Tina Comeau, Yarmouth County Vanguard
Best Website: Bridgewater Bulletin

Congratulations to the standing finalists in the 2009 ACNA Better Newspapers Competition!

Winners will be announced and have the opportunity to accept their award at the Better Newspapers Competition (BNC) Banquet being held June 6th at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax .

Here are the standing finalists, listed in random order:

General Excellence:

Class 1:

Labrador City Aurora
Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Sackville Tribune Post

Class 2:

Gander Beacon
Campbellton Tribune
Woodstock Bugle Observer

Class 3:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Clarenville Packet
St. Anthony Northern Pen

Premiere Awards:

1. Best Feature Photo:

Liana Bishop (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Grace Trowbridge (Miramichi Leader)
Greg Bennett (Shelburne County Coast Guard)

2. Best News Photo:

Bill Bowman (Carbonear Compass),
Candace Pilgrim (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

3. Best Photo Essay:

Tony Seaward (Clarenville Packet)
Allan Bock (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Stephanie Penney (St. Anthony Northern Pen)

4. Best Sports Photo:

Jamie Roach (Sussex Kings County Record)
Jeremy Townes (St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

5. Best Local Editorial:

Jean Kenny (Alberton West Prince Graphic)
Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Gisele McKnight (Sussex Kings Country Record)

6. Best National Editorial:

Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Unsigned (Gander Beacon)
Steve Goodwin (Pictou Advocate)

7. Best Feature Story:

Paula Levy (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Barbara Dean-Simmons (Clarenville Packet)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

8. Best Feature Series:

Wendy Elliott (Kings County Register)
Aaron Beswick (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Vanguard Newsroom (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

9. Best Investigative Story:

Jenny McCarthy (Happy Valley Goose Bay Labradorian)
Wendy Elliot (Kings County Advertiser)
Paul MacNeill (Montague Eastern Graphic)

10. Best News Story:

Lisa Brown (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Darcey McLaughlin (Miramichi Leader)
Christy Marsters (Windsor Hants Journal)

11. Best Resources Story:

Anne Barker (Clarenville Packet)
Laura Button (Clarenville Packet)
William Clarke (Springdale Nor'Wester)

12. Best Sports Story or Feature:

Stacey Colwell (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Emily Martin (Miramichi Leader)
Michael Gorman (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

13. Best Advertising Program:

Maurice Rees (Bass River Shoreline Journal)
Penny McDonald (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Kathy Inness (Queens County Advance)

14. Best Original Advertising Idea:

Ed Andrews (Marystown Southern Gazette)
Sharon Riley (Montague Eastern Graphic)
Joe MacDonald (Shelburne County Coast Guard)

15. Best Overall Ad:

Amie Atkinson (Sussex Kings County Record)
Graphics Department (Woodstock Bugle Observer)
Shawn Clark (Woodstock Bugle Observer)

16. Best Small Ad:

Angie Pearson (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Karla King (Grand Falls Windsor Advertiser)
Barb Mazerolle (Montague Eastern Graphic)

17. Best Graphically Designed Ad:

Barbara Wentzel (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Vicki Hines (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Graphics Department (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

18. Best Page Design:

Scott Doherty (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Birgie Hazel (Kings County Register)
Shawn Clark (Woodstock Bugle-Observer)

19. Best Website:

Antigonish Casket
Bridgewater Bulletin
Port Aux Basques Gulf News

20. Best Circulation Promotion:

Bass River Shoreline Journal
Bridgewater Bulletin
Queens County Advance

21. Best Community Service:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Kings County Register
Miramichi Leader

22. Best In House Promotion:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Clarenville Packet
Montague Eastern Graphic

23. Best Special Section:

Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Springhill Record
Yarmouth Vanguard

24. Best Christmas Issue:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Port Hawkesbury Reporter
St. Anthony Northern Pen

25. Best Cartoon:

Jason Freeman (Kings County Register)
Ted Michener (St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier)
Jim Oliver (Sackville Tribune Post)

26. Best Red Lobster:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Chester Clipper
St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier

27. Best General Interest Column:

Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Michael Johansen (Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labradorian)
Ed Smith (St. Anthony Northern Pen)

28. Best Specialty Column:

Ed Coleman (Kings County Register)
Kathleen Tucker (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Chuck Brown (St. Stephen Courier Weekend)

29. Outstanding Photographer Award:

Keith Corcoran (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Darcey Mclaughlin (Miramichi Leader)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

30. Outstanding Salesperson Award:

Paula Clark (Gander Beacon)
Treshana Holloway (Clarenville Packet)
Susan Coish (Sackville Tribune-Post)

31. Outstanding Journalist Award:

Daniel Martins (Miramichi Leader)
Michael Gorman (Yarmouth County Vanguard)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

Former owner of Amherst Daily News, Earl Gouchie, dead at 74
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Earl Joseph Gouchie, whose 54-year newspaper career spanned the era of hot metal to the worldwide technology of the Internet, died Saturday of an apparent heart attack in Nova Scotia's Cumberland County.

The successful businessman and former president of the Atlantic Canada Newspaper Association was co-founder of Cumberland Publishing Ltd., former owner of the Amherst Daily News.

A native of Amherst, he began his newspaper career as a compositor at The Amherst Daily in 1950. He later joined with three fellow employees to establish a weekly newspaper, The Citizen, in 1973.

Cumberland Publishing later acquired the Amherst Daily News in 1975, subsequently adding the Sackville Tribute-Post to its holdings. It also published Atlantic Firefighter and The Strait News.

Gouchie was the major shareholder of Cumberland Publishing when he sold the company to Quebec-based Transcontinental Media in 2004.

John Conrad, who served as managing editor of the Daily News from 1982 until the newspaper was sold, remembers Gouchie as a "hands-on" publisher who was interested in community events.

"He cared about the community and wanted to help out in any way for the town to grow," said Conrad.

Conrad recalls Gouchie enjoying his morning coffee while chatting with citizens who would walk in off the street to express their views.

Doug Harkness, who began his journalism career at The Amherst Daily as a reporter in 1954, remembers Gouchie working in the composing room, compiling ads for the Daily News.

"When I came back home, the Daily News had a new press and was moving quickly into the computer age," said Harkness.

"Earl left the role of news reporting to the reporters. He seldom interfered with the news content, but didn't like to see news stories that reflected badly on the community".

His son Jeffrey and daughters Jennifer and Janice followed him into the newspaper business, working for a time at Cumberland Publishing.

"He quietly helped many of his employees when they were encountering difficulties," he said.

Gouchie is survived by Pat Willigar, his wife of 49 years and his three children.

Funeral services are scheduled for May 28 at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Amherst, at 2:00 p.m.

Late addition to the ACNA conference, speaker: Suzanne Raitt, VP Marketing and Innovation, CNA. Hear the top reasons why newspapers still make sense as a powerful advertising medium. The latest research and case studies from Canada and around the world are used to present the message that newspapers are not dead – they continue to be strong and relevant. Suzanne is traveling the country delivering this new presentation. Don’t miss this great pep talk full of valuable insights to pass on to your advertisers.

On May 3, media organizations around the globe will hold events to honour the sacrifices made by those who sought to bring their stories to the public. Five defenders of press freedom and freedom of expression have been nominated for the 11th Annual Press Freedom Award of the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom.
The Press Freedom Award will be presented at a luncheon hosted by CBC's Don Newman at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to mark World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday May 5. The nominees are: Daniel Leblanc of the Globe and Mail, William Marsden of the Montreal Gazette, lawyers Brian MacLeod and Paul Schabas, and Graeme Smith of the Globe and Mail.

Sunni Boot, president and CEO of media buying company ZenithOptimedia firmly believes that despite the recession and its effect on the newspaper industry, her clients will be buying newspaper ads for many more years. Boot says “if newspaper ad sales are down it’s because ad sales are down across the board.”
Advertisers have been more prudent with their spending across all media – not just newspapers – and are focusing on promoting the products and services they think will provide the greatest return on investment. For many media buyers, newspapers remain among the most effective media for meeting that objective as they provide an instant reach in a credible environment.

Suzanne Raitt of the Canadian Newspapers Association has completed a case study demonstrating the effectiveness of newspapers in targeting teenagers and their families. Mount Saint Vincent University used newspapers as part of a media campaign to effectively target both high school students and their parents. After the campaign, the university saw an increase in campus tours, the number of visitors to the university’s web site, and the number of applications for the year.

Attention Graphic Designers - adAtlantic is holding a design contest!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

We want to see your best industry promotion piece promoting newspapers in Atlantic Canada.

You are invited to submit a series of ads for a chance to win cash and have your ad published in print and online across Atlantic Canada.

Need ideas? Visit Missouri Press Association http://www.mopress.com/know_it_all.php
Need data? Visit http://www.adatlantic.com
Need logo's? Contact mikeATadatlanticDOTcom
Have a question? Contact mikeATadatlanticDOTcom

Ads can be colour or black and white and should be scaled so they can be used online and in print in a variety of sizes.

Submissions must come from newspaper employees.

This is your chance to be creative!

The deadline for entries is May 15.
The winner will be announced at the ACNA conference on June 6.

Submit your entry to mikeATadatlanticDOTcom

Good luck!

At this year's annual BCYCNA/Bell Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards Gala, $24,000 in scholarships were awarded to 24 students in journalism, design, graphics and sales. Also recognized were the winners of the Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards, who competed in several areas including reporting, photography, production, advertising, website design, community contribution and newspaper excellence. Scott Nelson of the Advisor News Group was elected BCYCNA president for 2009-2010.

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit www.bccommunitynews.com

Internet Advertising Revenues Surpass $23 Billion in ’08, Reaching Record High
Thursday, April 09, 2009

Internet advertising revenues in the U.S. remain strong, topping $23 billion, according to the 2008 Internet Advertising Revenue Report, released today by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). Despite a difficult U.S. economy, interactive advertising’s continued growth, albeit at a slower pace, confirms marketers' increased recognition of the medium’s value in reaching consumers online where they are spending more and more of their time.

General Excellence:

Class 1:

Labrador City Aurora
Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Sackville Tribune Post

Class 2:

Gander Beacon
Campbellton Tribune
Woodstock Bugle Observer

Class 3:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Clarenville Packet
St. Anthony Northern Pen

Premiere Awards:

1. Best Feature Photo:

Liana Bishop (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Grace Trowbridge (Miramichi Leader)
Greg Bennett (Shelburne County Coast Guard)

2. Best News Photo:

Bill Bowman (Carbonear Compass),
Candace Pilgrim (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

3. Best Photo Essay:

Tony Seaward (Clarenville Packet)
Allan Bock (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Stephanie Penney (St. Anthony Northern Pen)

4. Best Sports Photo:

Jamie Roach (Sussex Kings County Record)
Jeremy Townes (St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

5. Best Local Editorial:

Jean Kenny (Alberton West Prince Graphic)
Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Gisele McKnight (Sussex Kings Country Record)

6. Best National Editorial:

Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Unsigned (Gander Beacon)
Steve Goodwin (Pictou Advocate)

7. Best Feature Story:

Paula Levy (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Barbara Dean-Simmons (Clarenville Packet)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

8. Best Feature Series:

Wendy Elliott (Kings County Register)
Aaron Beswick (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Vanguard Newsroom (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

9. Best Investigative Story:

Jenny McCarthy (Happy Valley Goose Bay Labradorian)
Wendy Elliot (Kings County Advertiser)
Paul MacNeill (Montague Eastern Graphic)

10. Best News Story:

Lisa Brown (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Darcey McLaughlin (Miramichi Leader)
Christy Marsters (Windsor Hants Journal)

11. Best Resources Story:

Anne Barker (Clarenville Packet)
Laura Button (Clarenville Packet)
William Clarke (Springdale Nor'Wester)

12. Best Sports Story or Feature:

Stacey Colwell (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Emily Martin (Miramichi Leader)
Michael Gorman (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

13. Best Advertising Program:

Maurice Rees (Bass River Shoreline Journal)
Penny McDonald (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Kathy Inness (Queens County Advance)

14. Best Original Advertising Idea:

Ed Andrews (Marystown Southern Gazette)
Sharon Riley (Montague Eastern Graphic)
Joe MacDonald (Shelburne County Coast Guard)

15. Best Overall Ad:

Amie Atkinson (Sussex Kings County Record)
Graphics Department (Woodstock Bugle Observer)
Shawn Clark (Woodstock Bugle Observer)

16. Best Small Ad:

Angie Pearson (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Karla King (Grand Falls Windsor Advertiser)
Barb Mazerolle (Montague Eastern Graphic)

17. Best Graphically Designed Ad:

Barbara Wentzel (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Vicki Hines (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Graphics Department (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

18. Best Page Design:

Scott Doherty (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Birgie Hazel (Kings County Register)
Shawn Clark (Woodstock Bugle-Observer)

19. Best Website:

Antigonish Casket
Bridgewater Bulletin
Port Aux Basques Gulf News

20. Best Circulation Promotion:

Bass River Shoreline Journal
Bridgewater Bulletin
Queens County Advance

21. Best Community Service:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Kings County Register
Miramichi Leader

22. Best In House Promotion:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Clarenville Packet
Montague Eastern Graphic

23. Best Special Section:

Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Springhill Record
Yarmouth Vanguard

24. Best Christmas Issue:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Port Hawkesbury Reporter
St. Anthony Northern Pen

25. Best Cartoon:

Jason Freeman (Kings County Register)
Ted Michener (St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier)
Jim Oliver (Sackville Tribune Post)

26. Best Red Lobster:

Bridgewater Bulletin
Chester Clipper
St. Stephen Saint Croix Courier

27. Best General Interest Column:

Vernon Oickle (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Michael Johansen (Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labradorian)
Ed Smith (St. Anthony Northern Pen)

28. Best Specialty Column:

Ed Coleman (Kings County Register)
Kathleen Tucker (St. Anthony Northern Pen)
Chuck Brown (St. Stephen Courier Weekend)

29. Outstanding Photographer Award:

Keith Corcoran (Bridgewater Bulletin)
Darcey Mclaughlin (Miramichi Leader)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

30. Outstanding Salesperson Award:

Paula Clark (Gander Beacon)
Treshana Holloway (Clarenville Packet)
Susan Coish (Sackville Tribune-Post)

31. Outstanding Journalist Award:

Daniel Martins (Miramichi Leader)
Michael Gorman (Yarmouth County Vanguard)
Tina Comeau (Yarmouth County Vanguard)

Canada Post is inviting you to nominate a deserving individual or educator from your community for the 2009 Canada Post Community Literacy Award.

This award is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of adult learners, along with those who have helped them learn to read and write. Nomination submissions must be received by May 22, 2009.

Winners for the 2009 Better Newspapers Competition were announced on the Ink and Beyond website on Monday, March 16.

All BNC winners will be contacted in the coming days to confirm their attendance at the CCNA's 2009 National Convention in Montreal, where they can accept their award in front of their peers during the BNC Awards Banquet on May 21.

Finalists are invited to take advantage of the early bird rate for hotel accommodations at any time prior to the start of the conference.

Congratulations to everyone, we look forward to seeing you in Montreal.

View the full list of winners at www.inkandbeyond.ca/637/2009-better-newspapers-competition-winners/en/

Ink & Beyond runs from May 20 to 22, 2009 at the Centre Sheraton in Montreal in partnership with the Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA). The event includes a trade show, plenary sessions and breakouts geared toward small and large newspapers.

If you have any questions contact Magdalena Mroz at 1-877-305-2262 x270 or mmroz@ccna.ca.

Community Newspapers Report 4th Quarter Results; Continue to Outperform Industry
Friday, March 20, 2009

Community newspapers were impacted by the challenging economy but in a much smaller way than the industry in general, according to fourth quarter 2008 financial data collected by the trade associations Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA) and National Newspaper Association (NNA). The SNA/NNA fourth quarter financial reporting group reports total advertising revenue at $428.7 million, a 6.6% decline from the same quarter in 2007. As a point of comparison, Glennco Consulting Group estimates an overall industry decline in fourth quarter advertising expenditures of 21% and many large companies have reported declines in excess of 20%.

Hundreds of daily and weekly community newspapers, representing more than 13.35 million in circulation with annual revenues of nearly $2 billion, participated in the SNA/NNA financial reporting group for the fourth quarter. Reports conducted earlier this year by SNA showed a 2.7% decline for the first quarter of 2008 against the same quarter of 2007; a decline of 2.4% for the second quarter and a decline of 1.7% for the third quarter. Again, significantly better results than the overall industry declines reported by the Newspaper Association of America of 12.85%, 15.11% and 18.11% respectively. Based on four quarters of figures from the SNA reporting groups, for full year 2008, the overall decline is estimated at 3.6% for community papers versus double digit decreases for the industry in general.

As these results from the SNA financial reports would indicate, community newspapers are not experiencing the massive ad revenue declines that are being felt by some others in the industry. In addition, they are not reducing staff in significant ways. In fact, only half of the reporting companies had staff reductions in 2008, almost entirely through attrition. Indeed, with a focus on growth strategies, 26% of the reporting group launched new products in 2008.

"The declines in 2008 are clearly economy-driven," said SNA President Nancy Lane. "Community papers are affected by the current economic downturn but they are not in a crisis; they are not experiencing massive layoffs and they are investing in the future."

Once again, the variance explanations are economy-driven. Community newspapers are experiencing small declines in advertising revenue mainly due to classified categories that have been hard hit by the slumping economy. In many cases, they have made up much of those losses on the retail and preprint side. Large retailers, for example, have added many community papers to their advertising buys in the last few years to increase their penetration in key markets.

Suburban Newspapers of America is a trade association representing over 2,000 daily and weekly newspapers in the United States and Canada. SNA has experienced eight years of record growth — another indication of the strength of this segment of the industry. LocalPoint Media, a new national network managed by SNA's for-profit subsidiary, is off to a great start in 2009 with advertising schedules from Exxon, US Airways, New York Life and others, representing all new national business for the community newspaper industry. For more information, visit www.suburban-news.org, www.snalocalpapers.com and www.localpointmedia.com.

Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association is the voice of America's community newspapers and the oldest national newspaper association in the country. NNA represents an industry that serves, informs, educates and entertains more than 60 million readers every week from Main Streets across the nation. For more information, visit www.nna.org.

Note about the reports: financial data was tracked for all products published except dailies over 100,000 (although most SNA and NNA members do not publish papers in this size range). Due to the wide variety of reporting procedures, only total advertising was tracked. Category variances were explained in open-ended fields. The accounting firm of Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth handled the collection of data and the verification process.

IAB Canada Unveils First Canadian Mobile Advertising Revenue Survey Results
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Mobile advertising revenue figures in Canada for 2008 are expected to reach $5.2 million, once final figures are compiled, according to the first survey on the sector.
The figures were generated from the survey compiled by Ernst & Young and sponsored by the Toronto-based Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada. The survey covers three years, in order to establish baseline values for the Canadian mobile advertising market from the industry’s practical inception.

Mobile advertising revenue grew from $1.1 million in 2006 to $2.7 million in 2007, and is expected to almost double again in 2008 to the $5.2 million figure.

The figures do not include French-Canada. Once critical mass is achieved in the French-Canadian mobile market, IAB Canada plans to provide separate mobile advertising revenue breakouts for French-Canada as well.

The comprehensive survey – which garnered a 60% response rate - included all major mobile carriers and mobile marketing companies including mobile aggregators, online publishers offering mobile advertising solutions (including mobile search advertising), mobile application developers and mobile advertising networks.

“We had to identify every known mobile provider and carrier,” says Steve Rosenblum, director of research for IAB Canada. “And the questions were ultra-detailed, clear and concise. It took months to develop and pull together as detailed report as possible and to be sure that there would be no duplication of figures.”

Among the many findings were that standard SMS advertising programs currently generate 75% of the total Canadian mobile advertising revenue, with the remainder divided across premium SMS, mobile content, mobile (display) advertising, mobile search and mobile applications. All forms of mobile advertising are growing rapidly year-over-year, with the exception of mobile search, which is virtually non-existent. At 8%, mobile content represents the next largest share of 2007 revenues, followed by mobile (display) advertising and mobile application development, both at 5%.

While mobile advertising revenue is growing exponentially compared to other major media - 143% between 2006 and 2007, compared to the 5% growth rate of all major media and online’s 38% growth over the same time period -this is to be expected, given mobile’s relatively small and nascent advertising revenue base.

Of all mobile advertising revenues, 25% is currently being derived from the telecommunications sector, followed by revenue from the packaged goods sector at 19%. Retail and media/entertainment categories were tied for third place at 12% each.

The top 10 mobile advertising earners took in almost 81% of the total mobile revenues earned in Canada in 2007. (This represents a slightly higher degree of concentration than in the online market, where the top 10 earners currently earn approximately 77% of all online advertising revenues.)

Peter Vaz, vice-president director, digital communications, M2 Universal Digital, and vice-president of IAB Canada's Emerging Platforms Council, says, "The results show not only the rapid growth of the market to date, but beyond that, the fact that mobile marketing is poised to move from one-off experimental campaigns to becoming an important part of the overall Interactive marketing mix.

“Moreover, as multimedia and network capabilities evolve within the channel, the nature of the advertising offer will evolve as well, moving well beyond current SMS programs, into more sophisticated and personal mobile content, video and application campaigns across an even wider range of advertiser categories."

Yet there are obstacles to overcome. Mobile marketers cite their main challenges in the next 12 months are: the small size of the Internet-enabled mobile audience; constraints posed by the current carrier/provider business model; low levels of advertiser/agency understanding and comfort with mobile as a viable advertising medium; and, the ability/need for mobile marketers to demonstrate mobile’s return on investment. There is, naturally, concern about the current economic downturn and the impact it could have on mobile advertising growth in 2009.

"Fortunately, like all other Interactive media, one of the key strengths of the mobile channel is its inherent measurability," says Adrian Schauer, managing partner, Vortex Mobile, and chair of IAB Canada’s Mobile Committee. "Add to that the very immediate, targeted and opt-in nature of the advertising, and you have a golden triangle of opportunity for accountability and future growth that is of paramount importance to all clients, regardless of economic climate."

Robust operating systems, new developer tools, the proliferation of smart-phones, expanding services and more attractive consumer mobile phone and pricing plans, are all seen as central to growing Mobile’s active user base, in order to draw greater advertising revenues to the medium.

“Drivers will be such items as the iPhone and the Blackberry Storm,” forecasts Rosenblum.

The Atlantic Community Newspapers Association (ACNA) has just entered into an agreement with Toronto-based Canadian Primedia Sales & Marketing to represent its 65+ community newspapers to national advertisers and their agencies in Canada.

As part of the agreement, Canadian Primedia will handle all ad sales to national advertisers for the ACNA's community papers, which include both in-paper ads as well as inserts.

"In the smaller markets, there isn't an abundance of media choices," Primedia president Ron Clark tells MiC. "With the strong economic performance of the Atlantic Canada provinces, I believe national advertisers will want to reach beyond the difficult major markets and consider the smaller communities in order to drive growth."

The ACNA newspapers' audited circulation is over 445,000 per week and reaches 1 million consumers in 65+ markets across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador.

www.primediasales.com 

NAA: Unique Visitors at Newspaper Sites up 12.1% in 2008
Friday, January 30, 2009

The average monthly number of unique visitors to newspaper Web sites increased 12.1% to 67.3 million in 2008 compared with 2007, according to new data released by the Newspaper Association of America.

The NAA uses online data collected by Nielsen Online (a sibling company of E&P).

In Q4, the average number of monthly visitors advanced 8.6% to 68.2 million year-over-year.

Curiously, the last months of 2008 included results from the presidential election and yet May had more average uniques at 69.4 million than September (67.7 million), October (68.9 million) and November (69.0 million).

The average time spent per user was 45 minutes and 29 seconds in Q4. For the year, it was about 44 minutes. In 2007, the average time spent per user was almost 43 minutes.

People on average spent more time on newspaper Web sites in September - at 49 minutes and 20 seconds - than any other month in 2008.

"Newspapers' digital audience has grown 60% in the last three years," John Sturm, president and CEO of the NAA, said in a statement.

The number of pages views rose in 2008 - 3.2 billion -- compared with 2007-- 2.8 billion.

Metronews.ca and journalmetro.com have just relaunched with a new look boasting easier-to-read and easier-to-navigate features - and a roundup of new ad opps.

As part of the redesign, more Web 2.0 features have been added to the site, including a blog section with national and local bloggers like Steve Gow, who will provide his latest Hollywood Rant, Jerad Gallinger, who'll be showing his Political Stripes, and Victoria Handysides, who'll tell readers why she sometimes thinks that Love Bytes. Blogs, columns and articles are open for comment, and readers can now interact with Metro writers as well as each other. All blogs, sections and columnists have their own RSS feeds.

New advertising opportunities on the redesigned site include sponsored games that can be linked from buttons on the homepage, offering readers a more immersive way to interact with brands. As well, there are integrated advertising programs which have promotional and editorial components pulled to the forefront on the new homepage, with real estate available alongside the day's top stories. There are also featured sponsor buttons and sponsored polls on the homepage, underneath Metro's daily news poll.

The new site gives visitors the choice of how they want to see their news, be it the day's top stories as chosen by Metro editors, by most popular article or by latest breaking headlines. Visitors to metronews.ca can also choose The Metro Snapshot, a daily roundup of what's going on in Canada and around the world, or the MetroTube of the Day, a daily spotlight on the web's most popular videos.

"The new look is intended to appeal to a young, urban, dialed-in audience," Jodi Brown, marketing and interactive director at Metro Canada, tells MiC. "Metronews.ca has consistently given advertisers higher than average click-through rates, and with the redesign we have created an environment that is even more appealing for brands to reach urban Canadians in the country's top markets."

The Metro site gets 200,000 unique visitors nationally, according to the most recent comScore numbers. With the redesign and the increased focus on its interactive strategy, Brown reports the company is aiming to reach over 400,000 uniques by 2010.

In coming months, Metro's newspaper boxes across the country will feature a throw to the digital edition. The print edition of Metro, which targets 18- to 49-year-olds, reaches 1.1 million readers daily across Canada, and over 23.1 million globally. In Canada, the daily is published in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

Companies urged to be bold and reap rewards down the road;

Canada will host its first ever Advertising Week beginning Monday, with events in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Launched by industry body the Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA), the week will be highlighted by ceremonies for the annual CASSIES awards and Marketing Hall of Legends, and features a roster of interviews, seminars and speeches from luminaries including Sir Richard Branson, author and neural scientist Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor, David Suzuki, Chuck Porter of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and MDC Partners chairman Miles Nadal. Gillian Graham, chief executive of the ICA, was interviewed by Hollie Shaw about the state of the industry.

Q: How do you define good advertising?

A: Good advertising helps to build a client's business. In order to build a client's business, advertising has to get noticed, engage customers in relevant ways and move the customer to action. Great advertising builds a preference for the company or the brand. Measuring advertising success is very important for our industry and that's why the ICA developed the CASSIES awards, which specifically recognize the effectiveness of Canadian advertising.

Q: What effects of the broadening economic downturn have you seen on the Canadian ad industry, and what is the current mood of those in the industry?

A: There is no question that the downturn is causing anxiety in the industry and among consumers, globally as well as in Canada. Having said that, according to Nielsen, Canadian advertising spending for the first eleven months of 2008 was unchanged versus the previous year. Current projections suggest that 2009 spending will be flat or marginally reduced year to year. While some industries are showing more signs of being challenged than others, smart clients have recognized that one of the worst things they can do is to dramatically cut spending, as it will only accelerate any revenue challenges that they may have. Indeed, it is broadly accepted that maintaining marketing and advertising spending is important to sustaining and growing share, both during the downturn and for the recovery. It has been proven that those who cut spending in these times will exacerbate their revenue challenges and ultimately, lose share. There can be significant opportunities for companies during a recession if they are bold.

Q: How do you think the industry can help to bridge the revenue gap between emerging and traditional media platforms?

A: Overall spending for the industry has traditionally grown year to year, as consumers spend additional time with media and more and more clients recognize the importance of advertising to grow their business in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Canadian consumers are spending more time with media, and new media such as online advertising and searches are showing extremely strong growth rates. Having said that, the top three categories for media spending continue to be television, newspaper and radio. It is important to recognize that the introduction of new technologies and evolving media habits are helping to prompt media innovation throughout the entire industry, and there is increasing integration of broadcast and online.

Q: Why is Advertising Week happening for the first time in Canada now?

A: Advertising Week has come about because of the collaborative efforts of the entire industry. The economic downturn makes it more important than ever that we demonstrate the vitality and economic value of this dynamic industry. Advertising Week is actually long overdue. The industry enriches Canada in innumerable ways -- it contributes over $24 billion to the Canadian economy, $1.5 billion for programming and over $500 million in pro-bono work each year. Beyond that, the advertising and communications industry is at the leading edge of innovation and creativity, which are key to the future economic success of Canada. In the future, it will be the high-value professional services and creative industries that will be creating many of the jobs in Canada and North America as a whole. Fifty years ago, it was only a few businesses that made any significant investment in marketing communications, but now, virtually every company recognizes that it must invest in consumer and business communications in order to grow and thrive.

Q: What advertising trends do you see ahead in 2009?

A: With the advent of new digital technologies, consumers are increasingly spending more time with media, giving them access to information about products and services when and where they want it. In 2009, we will see the continued impact of new digital technologies, greater innovation by traditional media players, and because of the economic challenges, those clients who continue to invest strongly will do better competitively. As global influences increase, we will continue to see Canadian agencies push out to gain business outside our borders. Some of the best advertising and marketing talent in the world is in Canada or comes from Canada, and we need to celebrate this significant contribution. This is a critical industry -- we need to ensure that it is strong and valued, as it is key to the future growth and vitality of the Canadian economy.

A new Ipsos-Reid poll finds a significant portion of Canadians rely on newspapers for trustworthy information during good times and bad.

Forty percent of those surveyed said they relied more on newspapers during the recent political crisis in Ottawa, while almost a third (30 per cent) said they turned more often to newspapers for analysis of the recent economic downturn.

Only 15 per cent of respondents said they don’t read newspapers (print or online) at all.

The findings are based on over 1,000 online interviews conducted in early December for the Canadian Newspaper Association.

The poll is considered accurate ± 3.1 per cent of the time, 19 times out of 20.

“Clearly, newspapers remain the trusted medium of communication during periods of change, such as we are experiencing today,” said John Hinds, president and CEO of the Canadian Newspaper Association.

The survey also asked Canadians how they respond to advertising during economic crises. Over a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) said they find themselves looking at newspapers and inserts for “discounts, bargains and sales” more often during hard economic times.

The newspaper industry is changing, and fast.

To make sense of it all, read NEWS on NEWS, a new, joint publication of the Canadian Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

In this weekly digest of industry happenings, appearing Wednesday mornings, Canadian publishers of daily and community newspapers will find everything they need to stay informed and competitive, including the latest from the two associations, breaking media news, and links to key sites.

Among the newsletter's special features: a People section noting appointments, announcements and awards; a weekly column from Suzanne Raitt, the CNA's new vice-president of marketing and innovation; and a useful calendar of newspaper-related events.

At a time of immense change in the newspaper industry, the CNA and CCNA are working together to streamline as well as improve member services.

We believe NEWS on NEWS, which combines the CNA e-newsletter and the CCNA's Publisher Bulletin into one complete product, is proof that we're headed in the right direction.

For more information, contact Drew Halfnight, dhalfnight@ccna.ca, editor of NEWS on NEWS.

In an unusual blend of advertising and editorial, a Quebec campaign cleverly melted a print ad onto an article to promote infrared heating devices.

Gaz Métro, a natural gas supplier in Quebec and Vermont, coloured the lower third of a page red in the business journal Chefs d'entreprises to give the impression the content is heating up. On another page, a faux article appears charred beyond recognition, "like a wave of heat escaping from a heater," according to Montreal-based media agency Touché!phd. And in an online ad component of the campaign that debuted in December, the text housed on Branchez-Vous! Techno blushes when a mouse passes over it.

"The idea behind this campaign is to use editorial content to try to catch this hard-to-get audience," says Karine Courtemanche, VP media at Touché!phd. "It's the type of campaign where content and advertising have to work hand-in-hand."

Because the product was relevant to the publication's readership, Courtemanche says it made sense to combine an ad with editorial. "This publication is sent to all the people who make decisions when it comes to their heating systems," explains Courtemanche, who adds that it would be hard to pull off in broader publications. "Hopefully we'll do more, but it's very tough."

The Globe and Mail is providing readers with a one-stop book coverage shop through the launch of its interactive “Books” website, launching this Saturday.

GlobeAndMail.com/books will house video interviews, podcasts, a daily book review, author essays, national and Canadian bestseller lists and book and publishing news, as well as blogs by Globe Book’s online editors Peter Scowen and Martin Levin.

The paper will no longer publish the Saturday stand-alone “Book” section, but will fold it into a redesigned Focus section, now entitled Focus & Books.

“Focus is a very literate section,” said Scowen. “It’s a long form journalism section, and we want to combine those readers with book readers in one package.

“We did it 10 or 12 years ago, so we went back to what we did before, but in the process of doing that, we wanted to build a proper ‘Books’ website to go with it.”

“Books” will also feature a weekly online “Ask an Author” series, where writers such as this year’s Giller Prize winner Joseph Boyden respond to reader questions. A selection of comments will be featured in “Focus & Books.”

Books featured in other areas of the paper, such as the “Style” and “Review” sections, will also be included in the online portal to drive people to the site, said Scowen.

“The whole point is to be pro-book, pro-author, and pro-publisher, to give as much exposure as possible,” he said.

The site is set to launch a book club, e-newsletters and more searchable archives some time this spring.

“The Globe’s Books coverage will provide readers insightful, thought-provoking reviews and engaging commentary in the format of their choice,” said the Globe’s editor-in-chief Ed Greenspon in a release. “Whether an avid reader is looking to deepen their reading experience or a casual reader wants to find books suited to their own interests, Books coverage can provide the experience they are looking for.”

The editors at the Chicago Tribune aren’t saying they got it wrong.

Instead, they’re saying the newspaper is responding to annoyed readers by tweaking a dramatic redesign rolled out just three months ago.

The Tribune included a wraparound in its front news section Thursday to announce changes brought on by responses to the new format, which increased white space in the paper and made photographs more prominent.

Readers objected to an increase in advertisements, a perceived decrease in the number of stories, and the elimination of a separate business section. They felt the new design was “too loud” and confusing, and that stories shouldn’t jump to other sections.

“We hate it too,” the newspaper responded. “And we’ve stopped doing it.”

Editor Gerould W. Kern wrote that the newspaper would bring back the business section, improve indexes and roll out four new local sections called “Chicagoland Extras.” The Tribune is toning down its bolder fonts but remains adamant about placing an emphasis on photographs.

The redesign reassessment comes nearly a month after the Tribune Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

“I think it’s a good idea to respond [to readers],” said longtime media critic Michael Miner of the Chicago Reader. “[But] there’s something disingenuous about it. They’re trying to describe a retreat as progress.”

Tribune spokesman Michael Dizon declined to comment. But in an e-mail posted on the media blog edited by Jim Romenesko at The Poynter Institute, Kern said the wraparound was “part of an ongoing conversation with readers,” not an apology for the new design, which was rolled out Sept. 29.

“We lost relatively few subscribers as a result of the changes,” he wrote.

Media executive Theo Blanco and French editorial director Bertrand Pecquerie will speak at Ink and Beyond 2009, the annual newspaper conference hosted by the Canadian Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

The conference will take place May 20-22 at Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal.

The first day of Ink and Beyond will feature a trade show, golf tourney, retailers’ panel discussion, evening social and keynote speech by digital publishing guru Mitch Joel.

On Thursday morning, the second day, conference attendees will be treated to a plenary double header titled "What’s Happening Out There: How Newspapers are Adapting Outside North America."

Theo Blanco, senior sales and marketing director for Sweden’s UNT Media Group, will give the first presentation titled "If It's Thursday It Must Be Sweden." An award-winning marketer, Blanco will discuss cross-media advertising, pricing strategies, and organizational changes that have helped Scandinavian newspapers remain especially competitive.

In another talk, Bertrand Pecquerie, director of the World Editors Forum and frequent contributor to Editors Weblog, will compare European and North American innovations in journalism in a talk titled "Euro Idol." Pecquerie will also highlight new findings from Trends in Newsrooms 2009, due in April.

"We are extremely pleased to have some truly great European newspaper people presenting at this year's conference," said John Hinds, CEO of the two associations. "So many trends in the industry have tended to hit Europe first and work their way west. We stand to learn a great deal by observing carefully how things are unfolding overseas, and how industry leaders like Theo and Bertrand are responding."

Ink and Beyond is the premier newspaper industry event in Canada, spotlighting the innovations newspapers are making to reach their audiences through mobile, online and print.

The conference brings together the most important decision-makers in the industry, including newspaper owners, corporate executives, publishers, editors, and marketing, advertising and online publishing executives.

The co-managed CNA and CCNA represent nearly 1,000 daily and weekly newspapers across Canada. The groups include newspapers with circulations ranging from 175 to more than 500,000 per day.

Canwest launches redesigned news sites for all ten of its major city newspapers
December 04, 2008

Canada's largest publisher of paid English-language dailies is simultaneously launching redesigned news sites for all ten of its major city newspapers.

The new look offers readers a more intuitive experience, according to Graham Moysey, GM and senior VP, Canwest Digital Media - and for advertisers, richer and more targeted opportunities locally and nationally.

The relaunch is being marketed by a humorous national ad campaign that invites readers to become know-it-alls. Creative, by Toronto-based Smith Roberts Creative Communications, is customized to each market and features regular people sporting beauty pageant-style "Ms. Know-it-all" and "Mr. Know-it-all" sashes driving the idea that, by visiting their local newspaper website, anyone can be a know-it-all.

Interactive demos in the top banner position of each site invite visitors to tour the new features, which include simplified and faster navigation, increased focus on locally relevant news and info, a wider, easy-to-read format and increased opportunities for dialogue, as well as richer media with exclusive photos, video and behind-the-scenes coverage of local community stories. Hyper-local classifieds and integrated social networking tools like Facebook, MySpace and personal blogs are also part of the augmented sites.

Each site also links to all of Canwest's other daily newspaper sites including Victoria Times Colonist, The Province, Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald, Regina Leader-Post, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Windsor Star, Ottawa Citizen, and The Gazette (Montreal).

www.canwest.com

FrontPages.ca: web-based showcase of Canadian community newspapers
December 04, 2008

FrontPages.ca is a web-based showcase of Canada's community newspapers. The site is an initiative of Community Media Canada and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association, and its member newspapers. FrontPages.ca allows viewers the opportunity to see the diversity of newspapers from across Canada.

From small communities to large cities, community newspapers cover the news that matters most to Canadians.

The community newspaper industry in Canada is estimated to be 1400 titles, which produce and distribute over 17 million copies a week. Community newspaper have the highest readership rate, at 71% *, of any news medium in Canada.

Through partnerships with our regional associations, Front Pages delivers the latest stories from participating newspapers across the country.

* ComBase 2005.

Transcontinental Buys Redwood Custom Cummunications
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Media and printing company Transcontinental Inc. has acquired Toronto-based Redwood Custom Communications, a provider of marketing and communication services for print and digital media.

The financial terms of the acquisition of the 130-employee firm were not revealed Tuesday.

Transcontinental said Redwood will complement its newly created Marketing Communications Sector, which provides database analysis, e-mail marketing, printing and other services.

“Transcontinental’s primary goal is to help our customers identify, reach and retain their target audience,” said CEO Francois Olivier. “Custom communications is at the frontier between traditional publishing and direct marketing, and offers the potential to unlock great value for our clients.”

Redwood, whose clients include Aeroplan, the Canadian Automobile Association, Home Depot, Mazda, Procter & Gamble, Sears and Sobeys, is the first takeover for Transcontinental’s marketing communications sector.

Redwood CEO Eric Schneider will remain at the head of the acquired operation, which has offices in Toronto and New York.

Transcontinental is the largest printer in Canada and sixth-largest in North America, with more than 15,000 employees. The Montreal-based company, which also publishes magazines and newspapers and has a digital platform and a door-to-door advertising distribution network, had revenue of $2.3 billion last year.

CNA/CCNA announce keynote speaker for Ink and Beyond 2009
Friday, November 14, 2008

Online visionary Mitch Joel will be the first keynote speaker at Ink and Beyond 2009, the annual newspaper conference hosted by the Canadian Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

The conference takes place May 20-22 at Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal.

Canada’s leading authority on digital marketing, Joel has presented to some of the world’s best-branded companies including Google, Starbucks, Unilever, Visa and Microsoft.

At Ink and Beyond, Joel will address the expansion of traditional newspapers into the digital realm in a talk titled, “Six Pixels of Separation: How Newspapers Connect in a Digital World.”

Joel’s credentials are numerous and sundry. He writes a column that appears in the Montreal Gazette and the Vancouver Sun, maintains a blog and podcast, is president of an award-winning digital marketing agency, Twist Image, co-launched music label Distort Entertainment, serves on the Canadian Marketing Association’s board of directors, and is currently writing a book due from Grand Central Publishing in fall 2009.

“We couldn’t have found a more appropriate speaker to kick off this year’s conference,” said John Hinds, CEO of both the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the Canadian Newspaper Association. “Canadian newspapers are hungry to hear the most incisive, cutting-edge perspectives on digital publishing. Joel fits the bill perfectly.”

Ink and Beyond is the premier newspaper industry event in Canada, spotlighting the innovations newspapers are making to reach their audiences through mobile, online and print.

The conference brings together the most important decision-makers in the industry, including newspaper owners, corporate executives, publishers, editors, and marketing, advertising and online publishing executives.

The co-managed CNA and CCNA represent nearly 1,000 daily and weekly newspapers across Canada. The groups include newspapers with circulations ranging from 1,500 to more than 500,000 per day.

For more information, contact Susan Down at sdown@cna-acj.caor (416)-923-3567, ext. 231.

To register for the 2009 Ink & Beyond conference, visit www.inkandbeyond.ca.

Canadians get chance to break world record on Family Literacy Day
Monday, November 10, 2008

ABC Canada Literacy Foundation and Oxford Learning today announced a new partnership to present the Family Literacy Day World Record Attempt, a national, bilingual initiative encouraging adults and children to engage in 30 minutes of reading together on January 23 or 24, 2009.

The initiative, part of Family Literacy Day (FLD) 2009 celebrations, encourages Canadians to read along and help break the Guinness World Record for "Most Children Reading with an Adult, Multiple Venues." The current record of 78,791 was set across the U.S. in 2006.

"Every year, thousands of Canadians participate in Family Literacy Day activities across the country. The World Record initiative is another great way to rally Canadian communities and help raise awareness for the benefits of adults and children reading and learning together," said Margaret Eaton, President, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. "A few minutes of family reading a day helps a parent and a child in a very big way. It prepares children for challenges ahead, encourages a lifetime of reading enjoyment, and sharpens an adult's literacy skills. ABC Canada is delighted to have the support of Oxford Learning, and FLD founding sponsor Honda Canada, in these exciting initiatives."

The event marks Oxford Learning's first sponsorship in its 25-year history. In addition to providing support toward the development, execution and promotion of the world record attempt, all 85 Oxford Learning centres across Canada will host on-site public events.

"Reading, language development and literacy are the basic building blocks for thinking, learning and almost every skill that we use in our day-to-day lives," says Dr. Nick Whitehead, CEO, Oxford Learning. "Oxford Learning is proud to work with ABC Canada and participate in Family Literacy Day events that promote literacy and stimulate the brain."

Anyone can participate in the FLD World Record Attempt, from one adult and child reading together at home to large groups with a number of children being read to by several adult readers in a public setting. In addition to Oxford Learning centres, public events are being planned for YMCAs, libraries, schools and literacy organizations across the country to occur in the 24-hour period between 2:00 p.m. on January 23 and 2:00 p.m. on January 24.

A special section on the ABC Canada website www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca (and the French equivalent at www.fld-jaf.ca), has been created to provide all the information and resources teachers, librarians and families need to participate in the FLD World Record Attempt.

"Guinness World Records commends ABC Canada for organizing this upcoming attempt. Guinness World Records is committed to literacy and fully supports activities that involve family reading. We were delighted to donate copies of the "Guinness World Records 2009" to ABC Canada to encourage even more Canadian families to read and enjoy," says Carey Low, Canadian Record Keeper, Guinness World Records.

--

About Family Literacy Day:

Family Literacy Day, held annually on January 27, was developed by ABC Canada Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999 to encourage families to read and learn together on a daily basis. Last year, for Family Literacy Day's tenth year celebrations, it is estimated that over 275,000 Canadians participated in literacy activities at home and in schools, libraries and literacy organizations across the country. For more information, visit www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

About ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation:

ABC Canada Literacy Foundation is Canada's private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase the skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. To learn more, visit www.abc-canada.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Karen Benner, Communications Manager
ABC Canada Literacy Foundation
416-218-0010 x 122
kbenner@abc-canada.org

SNA releases free report following Scandinavian Mission
Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Suburban Newspapers of America has released a detailed report following the organization's September discovery mission to Scandinavia.

Among the mission's participants were CCNA chief executive officer John Hinds, Metroland Media Group vice-president and regional publisher Betty Carr and Intercontinental group publisher Fred Fiander.

The free report, titled "Developing the Local Media House - Lessons Learned from Norway & Sweden," is available on the SNA website, and offers nine key recommendations for editors and publishers of community media.

The 35-page report includes helpful charts, action plans, attendee feedback and detailed information about how Norwegian and Swedish newspapers have used layout-driven editorial, mobile technology, attractive design and a forward-looking web strategy to remain competitive.

SNA will also offer a series of four conference calls on topics from the report such as layout-driven editing and developing a multimedia culture from November through February. For more information on the series, visit the SNA website.

The new publication, called Media Auditing: A Guidebook on Best Practices for the Canadian Market, aims to help advertisers, agencies and auditors understand key media auditing issues. It offers guidelines and best practices that will bring about improvement in media processes and products.

The book was written by media management consultant David Chung in consultation with the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA), Canadian Media Directors' Council (CMDC), Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) and Association of Quebec Advertising Agencies (AAPQ).

The associations believe that the benefits of the audit process serve to enrich media practices, which will increase the value offering by agencies and result in better ROI for marketers.

The guidebook is also available online to members of the ACA, CDMC, ICA and AAPQ on their respective websites.

www.acaweb.ca
www.cmdc.ca
www.icacanada.ca
www.aapq.ca

More good news for community newspapers appeared in an October report published by Scotia Capital.

While the authors saved their sunniest projections for the online and specialty TV sectors, they affirmed that demand for local content would continue to support growth at community weeklies throughout most of Canada.

The 216-page industry report, which projected growth of one per cent for local newspapers in 2008, gave several reasons for its positive assessment of the sector.

"We see a persistent demand for the local content that community newspapers deliver, driving advertiser interest," the authors wrote. "Local connection to a specific market provides
stability in advertising revenues given limited alternative media."

The authors also mentioned community newspapers have a much lower exposure to the "online migration risk" that has troubled daily newspapers.

Meanwhile, online ad sales would remain a "small but growing segment of the revenue picture" for local papers, the report said.

Though the long-term outlook was positive, the authors projected that papers in some regions – namely Ontario and Quebec - will see a decline in ad sales and growth in 2009 as the economy slows and local businesses pare back their advertising budgets.

The group’s top media stock picks were Corus Entertainment Inc. and Astral Media Inc., which specialize in radio, TV and outdoor advertising.

To get a copy of the report, titled "Signal Trouble Is Temporary. Please Do Not Adjust Your Set," contact Paul Steep of Scotia Capital at (416)-945-4310.

Microsoft Advertising launched its Canadian division last night at an exclusive party promoting its online ad network.

Jodi Kasten, director of sales for Microsoft’s advertiser and publisher solutions group, formally announced the Canadian launch of Microsoft’s ad network DrivePM, which connects advertisers to online publishers.

The service uses ComScore rankings to offer advertisers “the top 40 sites in Canada and the top 250 sites in the United States,” Kasten told attendees from the agency and marketing community in a brief address.

Microsoft acquired the DrivePM property when it bought digital marketing company aQuantive in May 2007.

Kasten also mentioned that Microsoft Advertising was the exclusive vendor of display advertising on Facebook. The social networking site, in which Microsoft has a small equity stake, recently became the world’s most popular online social network. According to online measurement company ComScore, Facebook is the third most visited website in Canada and recorded more unique visitors worldwide in May than its longtime rival MySpace.

Last night’s event marked Microsoft’s first steps into the Canadian ad market. DrivePM and Facebook ad sales are the only services currently on offer. Other products and services, such as the Atlas suite of publisher tools, will be unveiled as the Canadian team grows. The company currently has fewer than 15 staff.

“As we build and grow the team, we will have more dedication and focus on the technology and the infrastructure,” said Kasten.

Ad sales for other Microsoft properties, such as Sympatico/MSN, Hotmail and MSN Messenger, are handled by Bell Canada, Microsoft’s five-year partner in running the Sympatico/MSN portal. That contract, however, is in its final year and the relationship is currently being renegotiated.

The launch party took place at upscale Toronto restaurant Kultura, and featured celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson.

Google Inc. agreed late last week to delay the start of an advertising partnership with rival Yahoo Inc., giving U.S. antitrust regulators more time to review the deal.

Under a plan announced in June, Google would provide advertising next to some of Yahoo’s search results. The companies voluntarily held off for three months to give regulators time to assess whether the alliance will hurt competition.

Microsoft Corp., the number three player in web search, and a large group of advertisers, have protested the deal because together Google and Yahoo control more than 80% of the rapidly growing U.S. market for search advertising.

Two weeks ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said he would not wait much beyond the intended Oct. 11 start date.

But in a statement Friday, the company said that since it was still in talks with the U.S. Department of Justice, it has agreed to “a brief delay” in implementing the agreement while the discussions continue.

The deal with Google represented a much-needed escape hatch for Yahoo, under pressure from shareholders to prove it could recover from lacklustre financial performances after spurning a rich takeover offer from Microsoft.

Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner hosted the third annual Right to Know Week luncheon in downtown Toronto on Thursday, October 2, an event honouring the public's right to know about the doings of its government.

Speaking at the event were Ann Cavoukian and Brian Beamish of the province's Information and Privacy Commission; Mark Vale, Chief Information and Privacy Officer for Ontario's Ministry of Government Services; David McKie of CBC News’s investigative unit; and John Hinds, chief executive officer of the Canadian Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

The Newspaper Audience Databank (NADbank Inc.) is releasing details of the 2007/08 NADbank Readership Study for selected markets today, which includes fall 2007 and spring 2008 readership data from the country's most competitive markets: Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The report indicates that consumers in all six cities view daily newspapers as a vital source of news, information and entertainment.

Ottawa-Gatineau led the pack with an 82% over-18 readership of printed or online edition of a daily newspaper. Calgary followed with 79%, Vancouver at 78%, Montreal and Edmonton respectively at 77%, and Toronto at 76%. Online readership continues to grow with the highest weekly reach in Ottawa-Gatineau (24%), Toronto (22%) and Calgary (18%). The new readership results cover 28 Canadian daily newspapers. The Toronto Star led in weekly readership in the Big Smoke, La Presse in Montreal, The Ottawa Citizen in Ottawa-Gatineau, The Calgary Herald in Calgary, the Edmonton Journal and The Province in Vancouver. The full Study, NADbank 2007, provides readership for 85 Canadian daily newspapers and 2 Detroit dailies in 54 urban markets across Canada, and also includes readership data for 57 community newspapers in 33 markets and product/retail/lifestyle information in 19 markets.

New Study Puts a Price on Major Newspaper Web Sites
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Web sites of the largest newspapers in the United States are valued to be worth $300 million to $450 million, according to a new report from Borrell Associates.

Borrell, along with BIA Financial, teased out the value of newspaper Web sites compared with other locally owned sites affiliated with radio and TV stations, for example.

"What emerged was another strong indication of the fundamental changes taking place in the media industry: local Web sites generate important value for their owners, especially for owners that have positioned their sites for growth in key high-demand advertising categories such as e-mail, streaming video and paid search," analysts for Borrell wrote.

The study looks at the median Web site valuation for newspapers, television, radio, and pure-plays. Analysts noted that the median value for newspaper Web sites is based on revenues ranging from $500,000 to roughly $30 million.

The estimated median value of newspaper Web sites is $3.5 million at 12.5 times cash flow. For TV Web sites, the median is $3 million at 15.8 times cash flow. Radio is $1.2 million at 19.3 times cash flow. And the value of pure-plays is at $2.4 million at 21.8 times cash flow.

Borrell warns newspapers that they may have some of the highest revenues but their valuations are "constrained" because growth rates have slowed. The reason: newspapers Web sites are relying on online ad categories like banners and listings that losing speed.

Transcontinental newspapers go digital with NewspaperDirect
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Transcontinental Media, one of Canada's leading publishers of community newspapers, announced today that it is working with NewspaperDirect to migrate its newspapers to digital editions as part of its ongoing online strategy and the company's commitment to implement technology that makes life easier for its customers.

Twelve Transcontinental publications have been released as full-featured digital editions, including The Journal-Pioneer, The Western Star, The Guardian, La Nouvelle Union and The Telegram, with plans to roll out the remaining titles over the next few months.

"We researched a number of the available digital edition solutions in the market and NewspaperDirect's technology demonstrated that it was most leading edge and fitting for our needs," said Marc-Noel Ouellette, Senior Vice President, Newspaper Group, Transcontinental Media. "As part of Transcontinental's online strategy, partnering with this niche-based company was very inline with our growth objectives."

With over 170 papers across Canada, including a dozen dailies, Transcontinental reaches, on average, three million readers a week, making it a leading source of information and news in both English and French-speaking communities. This innovative new product addition will give readers an interactive and user-friendly way to enjoy their papers while still maintaining that newspaper look and feel.

"Transcontinental has always been a model company in terms of its respect for the environment," said Alexander Kroogman, CEO, NewspaperDirect. "We are proud to work with them in the migration of their newspapers to digital, which will not only serve the long-term interests of its readers; it will open opportunities for new revenue streams for the company and its advertising partners."

The new editions can be accessed from any web browser and will give subscribers instant access to a digital replica of the full printed editions of the newspapers, (on PCs, Macs, smartphones, iPhones, and Blackberry and iPod Touch devices), often before they hit the newsstands. For advertisers, it means that their print ads will also be online and will give them the ability to have more options to enhance and make their advertisements more interactive for readers.

Advanced digital features enabled by SmartEdition technology include: easy-to-use navigation tools, powerful keyword searching, media monitoring with email notification, article sharing, a one-click 'add to my blog' feature, instant translation in up to 12 languages, integrated audio, back-issue access, photo galleries, social media integration and NewspaperDirect's proprietary reader commenting and community features.

First-ever Western Canada Advertisers Conference announced
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The date is set for the inaugural Western Canada Advertisers Conference which will take place on Oct. 30 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, B.C.

The conference, hosted by the Flyer Distribution Standards Association, will bring together retailers, marketers, advertisers and newspaper publishers for a one-day slate of presentations on industry topics, including:

• FDSA's Accreditation Program: The 7 Steps to Success
• Measuring Up: Determining Your Flyer's ROI
• Targeting Your Audience: Is it Time for a Focused Approach?
• Driving ROI in a Multi-Channel, Social Networking World
• The Future of Flyers (Print and Online)

In her keynote address, general manager of ComBase Kelly Levson will report on the readership research firm’s findings from the largest media study ever conducted in North America.

For more details or to register, visit www.fdsa-canada.org.

Transcontinental announced yesterday a solid financial performance for its third quarter ended July 31, 2008, and for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Despite the negative impact of the foreign exchange rate, nearly all financial performance indicators are up compared to the same period in 2007. The acquisition of PLM Group, as well as a series of smaller but strategic acquisitions in 2007 and 2008, combined with the strong performance of newspapers, Publi-Sac (Ad-Bag), flyer and book printing, and Mexican operations, as well as strict cost controls and disciplined financial management, more than offset the negative exchange rate impact and the backlash of the U.S. credit crunch on the Corporation’s direct mail operations.

In the third quarter, Transcontinental invested approximately $2 million in digital and interactive initiatives in the Media sector. Other developments include the acquisition of the most important marketplace in Canada for buying and selling businesses, Acquizition.biz, a site that also makes it easier to find strategic or financial partners; the launch of recipefeast.com, the English-language counterpart of the highly popular site recettes.qc.ca, which receives close to a million visitors a month; and the introduction of mobile technology (mobile phone, BlackBerry and Apple’s iPhone) to the popular thehockeynews.com site, which receives close to 300,000 visitors a month and has a readership of over two million for its print publication. It also secured printing contracts with the Globe and Mail and Shoppers Drug Mart.

http://www.transcontinental.com/en/5-news-centre/08-09-11.html

What should a print, online prototype look like?

From the Society for News Design's annual conference ...

Members of SND, Associated Press Managing Editors and Associated Press Photo Managers were asked -- what should our print and online publications look like? Based on those survey results, a team of editors and designers produced a rapid round of prototypes based on those preferences.

Check out the results of the session: The Digital Divide

USA Today Rolls Out Rich Media Ad Units for iPhones
Thursday, September 11, 2008

USA Today is rolling out rich media advertising ad units for Apple’s iPhone. PointRoll, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gannett, created the ad units for campaigns.

The national newspaper will feature ads from Ford and the new Joel and Ethan Coen film "Burn After Reading."

"The new Ford Flex marketing campaign is all about engaging consumers in the most relevant and technologically advanced way possible," Usha Raghavachari, Ford communications manager, said in a statement. "Mobile is the most interactive way of engaging potential and existing customers, and we are excited to provide wireless devices with the same rich media advertising capabilities that we currently use online."

The PointRoll ads are expandable upon user initiation and have features like click-to-play video and coupon downloads. Users do no have to download applications or plug-ins to see the ads.

The electronic newspaper, a large portable screen that is constantly updated with the latest news, has been a prop in science fiction for ages. It also figures in the dreams of newspaper publishers struggling with rising production and delivery costs, lower circulation and decreased ad revenue from their paper product.

While the dream device remains on the drawing board, Plastic Logic will introduce publicly on Monday its version of an electronic newspaper reader: a lightweight plastic screen that mimics the look — but not the feel — of a printed newspaper.

The device, which is unnamed, uses the same technology as the Sony eReader and Amazon.com’s Kindle, a highly legible black-and-white display developed by the E Ink Corporation. While both of those devices are intended primarily as book readers, Plastic Logic’s device, which will be shown at an emerging technology trade show in San Diego, has a screen more than twice as large. The size of a piece of copier paper, it can be continually updated via a wireless link, and can store and display hundreds of pages of newspapers, books and documents.

Richard Archuleta, the chief executive of Plastic Logic, said the display was big enough to provide a newspaperlike layout. “Even though we have positioned this for business documents, newspapers is what everyone asks for,” Mr. Archuleta said.

The reader will go on sale in the first half of next year. Plastic Logic will not announce which news organization will display its articles on it until the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, when it will also reveal the price.

Kenneth A. Bronfin, president of Hearst Interactive Media, said, “We are hopeful that we will be able to distribute our newspaper content on a new generation of larger devices sometime next year.” While he would not say what device the company’s papers would use, he said, “we have a very strong interest in e-newspapers. We’re very anxious to get involved.”

The Hearst Corporation, the parent of Hearst Interactive Media, owns 16 daily newspapers, including The Houston Chronicle, The San Antonio Express and The San Francisco Chronicle, and was an early investor in E Ink. The company already distributes electronic versions of some papers on the Amazon Kindle.

Newspaper companies have watched the technology closely for years. The ideal format, a flexible display that could be rolled or folded like a newspaper, is still years off, says E Ink. But it foresees color displays with moving images and interactive clickable advertising coming in only a few more years, according to Sriram K. Peruvemba, vice president for marketing for E Ink.

E Ink expects that within the next few years it will be able to create technology that allows users to write on the screen and view videos. At a recent demonstration at E Ink’s headquarters here, the company showed prototypes of flexible displays that can create rudimentary colors and animated images. “By 2010, we will have a production version of a display that offers newspaperlike color,” Mr. Peruvemba said.

If e-newspapers take off, the savings could be hefty. At the The San Francisco Chronicle, for example, print and delivery amount to 65 percent of the paper’s fixed expenses, Mr. Bronfin said.

With electronic readers, publishers would also learn more about its readers. With paper copy subscriptions, newspapers know what address has received a copy and not much else. About those customers picking up a copy on the newsstand, they know nothing.

As an electronic device, newspapers can determine who is reading their paper, and even which articles are being read. Advertisers would be able to understand their audience and direct advertising to its likeliest customers.

While this raises privacy concerns, “these are future possibilities which we will explore,” said Hans Brons, chief executive of iRex Technologies in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

IRex markets the iLiad, an 8.5 by 6.1-inch electronic reader that can be used to receive electronic versions of the newspaper Les Echos in France and NRC Handelsblad in the Netherlands.

The iRex, Kindle and eReader prove the technology works. The big question for newspaper companies is how much people will pay for a device and the newspaper subscription for it.

Papers face a tough competitor: their own Web sites, where the information is free. And they have trained a generation of new readers to expect free news. In Holland, the iLiad comes with a one-year subscription for 599 euros ($855). The cost of each additional year of the paper is 189 euros ($270). NRC offers just one electronic edition of the paper a day, while Les Echos updates its iRex version 10 times a day.

A number of newspapers, including The New York Times, offer electronic versions through the Kindle device; The Times on the Kindle costs $14 a month, similar to the cost of other papers. “The New York Times Web site started as a replica of print, but it has now evolved,” said Michael Zimbalist, vice president for research and development operations at The New York Times Company. “We expect to experiment on all of these platforms. When devices start approximating the look and feel of a newspaper, we’ll be there as well,” Mr. Zimbalist said.

Most electronic reading devices use E Ink’s technology to create an image. Unlike liquid-crystal display of computer monitors and televisions, electronic paper technology does not need a backlight, remains displayed even when the power source runs down, and looks brighter, not dimmer, in strong light. It also draws little power from the device’s battery.

Plastic Logic’s first display, while offering a screen size that is 2.5 times larger than the Kindle, weighs just two ounces more and is about one-third the Kindle’s thickness.

It uses a flexible, lightweight plastic, rather than glass, a technology first developed at Cambridge University in England. Plastic Logic, based in Mountain View, Calif., was spun off from that project.

Google announced Monday it is working with a growing number of newspapers to "bring history online" by digitizing archives of articles ranging from lunar landings to local obituaries.

"Around the globe, we estimate that there are billions of news pages containing every story ever written," Google product manager Punit Soni wrote in a blog posting at the Internet giant's website.

"And it's our goal to help readers find all of them, from the smallest local weekly paper up to the largest national daily."

Google is expanding a project started in 2006, when it began converting to digital format stories from newspapers such as the Washington Post and the New York Times.
The California firm boasts that partners include the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, which has been publishing for more than 244 years and is considered the oldest newspaper in North America.

People can find old articles by searching Google's online News Archives. As the index grows, articles will be woven into results of general searches using Google.com, according to Soni.

"Not only will you be able to search these newspapers, you'll also be able to browse through them exactly as they were printed -- photographs, headlines, articles, advertisements and all," Soni wrote.

Transcontinental awarded 18-year contract to print the Globe and Mail
Thursday, September 04, 2008

Transcontinental Inc. is pleased toannounce it has been awarded a $1.7 B contract to print The Globe and Mail in most of its major markets in Canada until 2028. This contract represents an extension of existing contracts with The Globe and Mail in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario, and adds two new markets: Alberta and British Columbia. This represents approximately $95 M per year in revenue, of which about $25 M per year is new revenue. The printing will be done in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The contract comes into effect when the current printing contracts expire in 2010.

In 2009 and 2010, Transcontinental will invest approximately $200 M in a new and innovative Canada-wide platform for newspaper and flyer printing, the
first Canadian network to integrate the printing of these two products. This network will provide the capacity to deliver colour on every page for The
Globe and Mail, and it will also address the needs of Transcontinental's retail customers on the flyer side.

"Transcontinental has developed a newspaper outsourcing model that continues to evolve; unique in the industry, it allows publishers to focus on their core business, producing content, while we focus on delivering the best possible printed product to their customers," said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcontinental. "The Globe and Mail, a leader in the newspaper industry, understands the value of integrating Transcontinental into its value chain in order to advance the development of its brand and its product and quickly adapt to the transformations taking place in the daily newspaper industry."

Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO, The Globe and Mail, said "High-quality colour production capacity has always been a key point of distinction for The Globe and Mail. Transcontinental's commitment to providing the most progressive high-speed colour printing capability will keep us at the leading edge. With millions of people every week reading the paper version of The Globe and Mail, sophisticated printing capability is vital to our business."

In print for 163 years, The Globe and Mail, considered the Canadian newspaper of record, reaches just over 2,800,000 readers each week. It is
consistently recognized by the International Newspaper Color Quality Club (INCQC), the world's most prestigious quality newspaper production
association, as one of the top 50 newspapers in the world for its printed quality. Included among the daily newspapers Transcontinental prints are
The New York Times for the upper New York state and Ontario markets and La Presse. Also, in 2006 Transcontinental won a billion-dollar contract to
print The San Francisco Chronicle.

The Canadian Association of Journalists has appointed former Toronto Star ombudsman Don Sellar the chair of its ethics advisory committee. "Don has spent much of his career in journalism grappling with the practical ethical issues journalists struggle with every day, explaining those issues to the public and making the craft stronger," said CAJ President Mary Agnes Welch. "I'm delighted he's agreed to lead our blue-chip ethics committee."

Sellar, 62, began as a reporter at The Calgary Herald, later working as a
Southam News correspondent in Ottawa, Washington, D.C. and Calgary. At the
Star, he was an editorial writer, editorial page editor and, for 11 years, the paper's ombud. He now teaches media law and ethics in the Canadian Journalism for Internationally Trained Writers program at Sheridan College, Oakville, Ont.

The CAJ's ethics committee is made up of seasoned journalists from every
medium. Its mandate is to advise the CAJ on ethical issues with a view to
improving the quality of Canadian journalism.

Sellar takes over from Stephen Ward, who helped found the ethics advisory
committee in 2006. Ward left his post earlier this summer as the director and associate professor of journalism ethics at the University of British
Columbia's graduate school of journalism. He's taken a similar post at the
University of Wisconsin's journalism school.

The CAJ is Canada's largest professional organization for journalists
from all media, with about 1,500 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary
roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.

Though many daily newspapers are feeling the effects of declining classified sales, it seems as if community newspapers are still the best place for classifieds. At a recent seminar for the Suburban Newspapers Association (SNA), various recruitment advertising agency executives spoke to community newspapers in Chicago on the issues facing their industry. The message across the board seemed to reflect that niche markets offer the highest rate of success. Ann Troxell, Client Director for Bayard Advertising, says, “Career boards are not selling like five years ago. The age of the national job board is over. HR folks don’t want to talk to 1.3 million job seekers. They want to reach the 5,000 that are qualified.” Bruce Skillings, President of Bernard Hodes, had a similar sentiment, “Eight per cent of Bernard Hodes clients spend 80 per cent of their recruitment ad dollars in the local market, in good times or bad. And, 80 per cent of people who change jobs each year do so within 25 miles of their home.”

Glacier Media Inc. announced second quarter financial results on August 11, noting a 22.4 percent increase in revenue over the previous year, and a 35.8 percent rise in earnings before interest, tax and amortization expenses.

"Unlike some of the factors affecting publishers of large metropolitan daily newspapers, Glacier's local daily and weekly community newspapers continue to be the primary source of local information for readers, and continue to enjoy high readership levels because of the demand for this information," the press release from the company noted.

"The local newspapers are also a primary marketing channel for local and regional advertisers."

For the period ending June 30, revenue at Glacier reached $68.9 million, up $12.6 million. Consolidated cash flow was up $5.3 million over the same quarter last year, to $16.4 million.

Across the first six months this year, Glacier noted consolidated cash flow from operations rose $7.2 million to $27.6 million over last year, with total revenue of $127.7 million.

Glacier also changed its name this quarter from Glacier Ventures International Corp.

FP Newspapers’ revenue rises with classified growth
Thursday, August 14, 2008

FP Newspapers Income Fund’s operating division, the owner of the Winnipeg Free Press and Brandon Sun newspapers, reported Wednesday a small improvement in second-quarter revenue to $32.4 million on growth of classified ads.

The fund’s net earnings jumped to $2.5 million, 36.5 cents per unit, from a year-ago $800,000, 11.6 cents per unit, when it recorded a future income tax expense of $1.9 million.

The fund is entitled to 49 per cent of the distributable cash generated by FP Canadian Newspapers LP, which also owns community newspaper operator Community News Ltd. The partnership’s 0.6 per cent increase in revenue "was primarily the result of advertising revenue growth in the classified category," the fund said in a release.

The partnership’s net earnings were $3.7 million, up from $3.9 million in the same quarter last year.

"Overall revenue growth for the quarter was lower than we were expecting largely the result of lower spending levels by some of our national advertisers," the fund said.

"Given the uncertain economic outlook, our initial full year advertising revenue growth forecast of between two and three per cent is less likely to be achieved."

Advertising revenue in the second quarter was $22.6 million up 1.3 per cent over the same quarter last year. Display advertising including colour was unchanged at $13.3 million.

Classified advertising revenues increased by 4.6 per cent primarily due to increases in the obituary and real estate categories partly offset by a decline in the employment category.

Higher than anticipated newsprint price increases also weighed on results, and should they stay at current levels the fund said it anticipates third-quarter prices about 13 per cent higher and fourth-quarter prices about 23 per cent higher than the same quarters last year.

Units of the fund were up seven cents at $10.32 in afternoon trading at the Toronto Stock Exchange.

New Report: Small Is Still Beautiful in the Newspaper Biz
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

While big city metros are taking the lion's share of the industry's ills, community newspapers are having a different experience. Advertising revenue for community newspapers fell only 2.4% to $482 million in Q2 compared to the same period last year according to figures released from Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA) today.

SNA said the results measure hundreds of daily and weekly newspapers representing 14.5 million in circulation with annual revenues of more than $2 billion.

The SNA represents abut 2,400 daily and weekly newspapers in the U.S. and Canada.

In Q1, SNA's preliminary results revealed that advertising revenue dropped 2.7% year-over year. Compare that to Q1 result released by the Newspaper Association of America, which tracks the nation's dailies. During that period, total advertising revenue -- including print and online -- plunged 12.8% to $9.2 billion.

For 2007, total ad revenue at community newspapers inched up 0.5% while the NAA reported that for the industry, ad revenue declined 7.9% to $45.3 billion (including online revenue).

In a statement Nancy Lane, president of the SNA, explained that community newspapers' local focus attracts advertisers: "Community newspapers are doing well because they provide much needed hyper-local news and advertising. Advertisers especially at the community level are reaching an engaged audience that no other medium can effectively serve."

Another reason for better the community newspaper results: These papers are not as reliant on classified and national advertising. Typically retail advertising is the most stable category across the industry. Retail advertising fell 5% in 2007, while national was down 6.7% and classified decreased 16.5% in 2007, according the NAA.

The SNA posits that the decline in ad revenue felt at community newspapers is due more to cyclical changes rather than the secular problems -- i.e. a shift to online -- facing metros (a problem that community newspapers may eventually face).

"In almost all cases, losses are in classified advertising and real estate in particular," Lane said. "Many newspapers in the reporting group showed growth in the local and preprint categories while online revenues were up dramatically for many."

SNA report: Community press outperforming industry trends
Friday, August 01, 2008

Despite frequently negative stories on the health of daily newspapers in the United States, the community press in North America appears to be countering current trends within the industry.

The Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA) released a beta report on June 11, 2008, that examined financial data for a selection of their member newspapers representing circulation of 12.5 million. For the year ending 2007 the report showed an increase of 0.5 percent in advertising revenue over the previous year, compared to an overall industry decline of 7.9 percent as reported by the Newspaper Association of America.

"The need for local, community news has never been greater," said SNA president Nancy Lane. "Readers can't get this news anywhere else and advertisers love reaching this engaged audience and also appreciate the precise targeting these publications offer."

"For the most part, community newspapers are not experiencing the major declines that we are seeing with large metro dailies. They are certainly affected by the tough economy but that is expected to be cyclical."

News for the first quarter of 2008 was not as positive, with ad revenue slipping 2.7 percent, although the SNA noted this was primarily caused by economic factors that affected real estate and automotive, which are key advertisers in community newspapers. When compared to large daily newspapers, however, where advertising revenue declined by 10 to 19 percent, the community press represented in the report appear to be doing very well.

The SNA are inviting all community newspapers, regardless of whether they are a member of their association, to participate in the next phase of the report. Read more about the report at the SNA website.

A study released by Media Mark Research & Intelligence (MRI) on behalf of the Newspaper National Network (NNN) shows newspaper readership rose by 2.5 per cent from the previous year. The increase, which went up to 80.6 million readers from 78.7 million, is a result of factors such as the Internet drawing readers and the newspaper's focus on "core" readers. CEO and president of NNN Jason Klein says, "In a challenging environment for newspaper publishers, the MRI results are welcome news. Readership growth is good news for advertisers since it means more ad exposures." Read More

The Associated Press launched its Mobile News Network in May and now more than 700 papers have agreed to contribute their content to the service. This represents a 580 per cent jump since the program's initial launch. With a total of 728 newspapers, the network offers breaking news, entertainment, business and sports news delivered to "smart-phone" devices. The newspapers, which include The Miami Herald and the San Francisco Chronicle, contribute articles which are then organized and sent based on zip codes. AP's global director for new media markets, Jeffrey Litvack says, "It is an exciting time for the Mobile News Network as we realize our goal of becoming the news portal for mobile devices. With over 700 news content providers, the Mobile News Network is now the first national footprint for local news on the mobile phone. Leveraging this network, marketers can build integrated campaigns at the neighbourhood level both in mobile and print, and mobile users can access their local trusted sources of information wherever and whenever they want."

Transcontinental Media has appointed Reneault Poliquin as the new Senior Vice-President of Marketing and 360° Solutions, a division which supports "strategic properties such as organic sales growth, digital development and consolidation." President of Transcontinental Media Natalie Lariviere says, "Mr. Poliquin's solid experience in sales and marketing and his understanding of the business needs of our sector will ensure that the market knows how Transcontinental Media's offering has evolved. His efforts and those of his team will significantly contribute to the pursuit of our business objectives and our development." Read More

Readex, a division of the research company NewsBank Inc., has announced the launch of the World Newspaper Archive in cooperation with the Center for Research Libraries (CRL).

In the announcement, Readex said the initiative would be "the world's largest, fully searchable digital archive of international newspapers," and a powerful tool for students, teachers and scholars.

Initially, the archive will offer Latin American newspapers published between 1805 and 1922, but will later expand to provide historical newspapers from Africa, South Asia, and additional areas not yet announced.

"International newspapers have long been highly valued by students and researchers in the humanities and social sciences," says Glenda Pearson, Human Rights Librarian and Head of Newspaper Collections at the University of Washington.

"This exciting joint project between CRL and Readex will advance scholarly inquiry, while ensuring worldwide access to these invaluable publications for generations to come."

CRL is an international partnership of educational institutes, including the majority of Canada's universities, which archive newspapers, journals, and other documents for research.

Read more about the announcement from the company's official website.

Online Ad Revenue Grows 38% Over 2006 levels, Quadruples Over Just 5 Years
Thursday, July 03, 2008

TORONTO, July 3 /CNW/ - The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB) today announced that 2007 Canadian Online Advertising Revenues climbed to just over $1.2 billion for the year - a 38% increase over 2006 actuals. Publisher revenue from Online advertising in Canada has more than quadrupled over the past five years - building from $237 million in 2003, to the $1.2 billion mark in 2007 - and is quickly closing in on more established mediums. Of the $1.2 billion, approximately $260 million or 21 percent of ad
revenue was received by French Canadian Online properties, representing year-over-year growth consistent with the rest of the Canadian market. For the complete news release visit Canada News Wire.

The boards of directors of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and the Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA) have announced the appointment of John Hinds to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the associations' jointly managed office in Toronto.

Following the announcement of a co-management agreement at the annual conference in Toronto in early May, a joint management committee was formed comprising board members from both the CNA and CCNA. The joint committee conducted interviews and made the hiring decision, as part of a two-year plan to amalgamate the administrative offices of the associations.

"The board of directors of CCNA greeted the unanimous decision of the co-management committee with enthusiasm and confidence that John is the ideal individual to take on this new task," said CCNA president Brian McCristall.

"During his five-plus years with CCNA, John has proven to be an outstanding leader, innovative thinker and tireless worker on our behalf. We certainly believe that John is the right person at the right time for both associations to take full advantage of new opportunities to promote our industry."

"I'm very excited and I think we have a tremendous opportunity to work on behalf of all newspapers in Canada," said Hinds.

Brian McCristall can be reached for comment or questions at 604-525-6397 or by email at brian@tricitynews.com.

Advertising in traditional media leaves better impression
Monday, June 23, 2008

A study called "When Advertising Works" has revealed that consumers respond more positively to advertising found in traditional media compared to digital media. Of those polled, 56 percent said that traditional media ads left them with a positive impression, compared to 31 percent who favoured digital media.

In total, 16 types of media were included in the research, from television, newspapers, and radio to email messages, online banner ads, and video games.

Conducted by Yankelovich and Sequent Partners, with assistance from the Center for Media Design, the results also suggested that consumers who view digital media ads are more likely to be busy, or trying to solve a problem, which can be an obstacle for advertisers.

"Our clients have been telling us they’re shifting more and more of their budgets to the digital media," said J. Walker Smith, who is the president at Yankelovich Monitor, "but they feel they don’t have a handle on advertising in a digital context."

Read more about the study at the New York Times.

Study finds newspapers, Internet tie for media consumption
Monday, June 16, 2008

Online Canadians spend approximately 2.3 hours per day consuming news and information, according to a study by the Canadian Media Research Consortium. Of those polled, Internet and newspapers each accounted for 22 percent of the total time spent, while television accounted for 24 percent of media consumption.

Based on an online poll of 1000 adults between April 29 and May 5, and using a day-after-recall test, the study examined broad habits relating to media use and news consumption.

Examining media use for the previous day, 92 percent of respondents said that they had spent at least some time using the Internet, while 91 percent watched some television. "Reading or looking into a physical copy of a newspaper" was the third-highest response at 62 percent of those polled.

When broken down according to age groups, those over the age of 45 were even more likely to have read a newspaper the previous day. Sixty-seven percent of people between 45 and 59 years of age said they had read a newspaper, while 75 percent of those over the age of 60 read or looked at a newspaper.

Of the total amount of time spent consuming news and information the previous day, TV accounted for the most amount of time at 24 percent among all those polled, while newspapers and Internet tied at 22 percent, followed by magazines, radio, and wireless respectively.

Examining results based on particular top stories, and how people followed those stories, 17 percent said that they had first read about a story in a newspaper. Television was the top choice at 50 percent of those polled.

When asked to explain the reason they turned to newspapers for their news on top stories, 27 percent said they were a daily reader or subscriber, 24 percent wanted more details, background, or context, and 10 percent said it was convenient and easy to "get a hold of" a newspaper.

The CMRC is a partnership of the York/Ryerson Joint Graduate Programme in Culture and Communications, the UBC Graduate School of Journalism, and the Centre for Media Studies at Laval University.

A study from Australia revealed newspapers serve as both informative and relaxing. The study done by Celsius Research, which surveyed 1010 people aged 14-69, found that newspapers “do more than entertain, they provide a sense of occasion and personal time that readers describe as ‘my space’”. Ninety per cent found that while reading a newspaper their attention was fully committed to the paper as opposed to watching television, which allowed people to multitask. This statistic showed that people are more “open to absorbing advertising messages” while reading a newspaper.
http://business.theage.com.au/report-sees-online-boost-for-the-papers-20080602-2kws.html

The Flyer Distribution Standards Association has announced its 2008-2009 Board of Directors. The new board, which were elected by association member’s at its Annual General Meeting this week, will consist of 15 Advertisers/Media Management, Logistics and Distributors, which represent the three classes of FDSA members.

The board members are as follows:

• Abbas Homayed, OCNA President and Sudbury Northern Life Publisher
• Kathie Braid, VP Marketing and Corporate Sales for Metroland Media Group Inc
• Shannon McPeak, VP, Corporate Sales of Sun Media Corp
• Tom Andrew, Director, Print Media Distribution, Sears Canada Inc.
• Greg Baxter, Director, Newspaper Sales, CanWest Media Works
• Sue Borthwick, VP, National Sales, Black Press Group Ltd.
• John Burns, Manager, Db Marketing & Dealer Advertising, Canadian Tire Corp.
• Karen Hudson, Manager, Flyer Distribution and Media, Shoppers Drug Mart
• Scott Lawrence, President, Lawrence Media Sales
• Eric Lawson, Publisher, New Brunswick Distributors
• Spencer Levan, VP, Business Development, Van-Net
• Ted Mader, Senior Manager, HBC Print and Prepress, The Hudson’s Bay Company
• Clement Messere, President, Pro Distribution Services
• Ted Naish, VP, Geomedia Inc.
• Ronald Roy, Director, Ntl. Accounts, Transcontinental Media – Groupe Publi-Sac

Digital platforms of newspaper companies are growing at double-digit rates world-wide
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The digital platforms of newspaper companies are growing at double-digit rates world-wide, both in usage and revenue production, according to the World Digital Media Trends report unveiled at the World Newspaper Congress by the World Association of Newspapers.

The second annual report, which examines digital media advertising and usage trends and their impact on newspaper companies, showed:

Digital and mobile advertising revenues are projected to grow to more than 150 billion dollars by 2011, a 12-fold growth from 2002.

Wireless subscriptions continue to grow, from 1.1 billion in 2002 to a projected 3.4 billion in 2011, an expansion of more than three-fold.

Broadband is expected to grow from 51.38 million households world-wide in 2002 to nearly 540 million households in 2011, a growth of more than ten-fold.

The mobile customer base has grown from 945 million in 2001 to 2.6 billion in 2006.

The report includes studies from 71 research partners about digital usage and revenue patterns, and provides a map of “digital hot spots” where mobile and internet delivery are developing particularly rapidly. It also includes case studies of newspaper companies whose digital strategies are increasing revenue and audiences.

Full details of World Digital Media Trends, including excerpts, can be found at www.wan-press.org/worlddigitalmedia

Newspaper circulations world-wide rose 2.57 percent in 2007 while rapid growth of both free titles and on-line platforms is expanding the reach of newspapers everywhere, the World Association of Newspapers announced today (Monday).

WAN said global newspaper sales were up +2.57 percent over the year, and had increased +9.39 percent over the past five years.

When free dailies are added to the paid newspaper circulation, global circulation increased +3.65 percent last year, and +14.3 percent over the past five years. Free dailies now account for nearly 7 percent of all global newspaper circulation and for 23 percent of circulation in Europe alone.

Advertising revenues in paid dailies were up +0.86 percent last year from a year earlier, and up +12.84 percent over five years, WAN said. Print remains the world’s largest advertising medium, with a 40 percent share.

“Newspaper circulation has been rising or stable in three-quarters of the world’s countries over the past five years and in nearly 80 percent of countries in the past year,” said Timothy Balding, Chief Executive Officer of the World Association of Newspapers.

“And even in places where paid-for circulation is declining, notably the United States and some countries in western Europe, newspapers continue to extend their reach through a wide variety of free and niche publications and through their rapidly developing multi-media platforms,” he said.

The new data, from WAN’s annual survey of world press trends, was released to more than 1,800 publishers, editors and other senior newspaper executives from 113 countries attending the 61st World Newspaper Congress and 15th World Editors Forum in Göteborg, Sweden - a record attendance for the global meetings of the world’s press.

Coleen Campbell, chairman of the board of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and Alan Allnutt, chairman of the board of the Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA) are pleased to announce that the two associations have entered in to a co-management agreement. The goal of the arrangement is to provide more relevant services to all newspaper members at a reduced cost, while increasing the profile and effectiveness of the newspaper industry and its associations in Canada. As well, the new arrangement will better reflect the reality of the Canadian newspaper industry and create one strong industry voice for newspapers in Canada. The initial steps will involve co-locating the two offices and a co-management for both associations. Over the next two years, programs, staff and services will be integrated to provide a wider range of services to all members. â€œWe believe an integrated association will better reflect the reality of the Canadian newspaper industry and create one strong industry voice for newspapers in Canada,â€ said Allnutt. Combined, the two associations represent over 830 daily, weekly, and community newspapers in every province and territory in Canada. â€œI am very encouraged to see our associations working together. This agreement preserves the uniqueness of the programs and services we provide to members, while creating a common voice to promote newspapers in Canada,â€ said Campbell. There will be no change in the governance structure of either association. For more information, please contact: Peter Josselyn, Communications Coordinator Canadian Community Newspapers Association, 1-877-305-2262 Ext. 24; pjosselyn@ccna.ca; www.communitynews.ca David Gollob, Senior Vice President, Policy and Communications, Canadian Newspaper Association, 1-800-563-7993, Cell: (613) 301-6162, dgollob@cna-acj.ca; www.cna-acj.ca

NAA analysis of new Google research finds newspaper advertising drives online traffic
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Research shows newspapers + Internet = more consumer purchasing power; Ads that appear in both mediums reinforce consumer confidence in products and services

WASHINGTON— New consumer research conducted by Clark, Martire & Bartolomeo and commissioned by Google indicates that consumers frequently combine use of newspapers and the Internet to evaluate and make purchases, the Newspaper Association of America said today. According to the study, among people who research products and services after seeing them advertised in newspapers, two-thirds (67 percent) use the Internet to find more information. Of that group, nearly 70 percent of consumers actually make a purchase following their additional research.

The research released today was the result of a wide-ranging study exploring the effectiveness of bringing new advertisers to the newspaper print environment through the Google Print Ads™ platform. Earlier NAA studies have shown that newspapers continue to serve as a major resource for U.S. consumers seeking advertising and shopping information.

“NAA research has repeatedly shown that newspaper advertising is incredibly effective in motivating consumers to make a purchase. This new study lends powerful support to that notion, while demonstrating that print ads also drive people to conduct additional product research online,” said John F. Sturm, NAA president and CEO. “The study also shows the trust consumers place in newspaper ads and the benefits of advertising in both mediums to reinforce consumer confidence in those products and services.”

“The results of the study confirm a core marketing principle – consumers’ exposure to advertising messages across mediums influences their subsequent research and purchasing behavior,” said Spencer Spinnell, head of Google’s Print Ads program. “Newspaper advertisements drive readers to the Web, where they search, find and obtain products. New advertising mediums have not evolved in a vacuum. Rather, they exist in a highly connected ecosystem and impact consumers’ daily experiences. Marketers deploying truly holistic and integrated advertising campaigns are actively aware of the high-value customer interactions that take place online, and are leveraging the branding and direct response nature of newsprint to effectively take advantage of that dynamic.”

Additional data from the research includes:

The Google Print Ads program began in November 2006 with a test that included 50 newspapers and a small group of advertisers. Since then, the program has grown to include more than 750 newspapers representing 48 of the top 50 DMAs and covering 70 percent of U.S. paid circulation. Participating newspaper publishers include E.W. Scripps, Freedom Communications, Hearst Newspapers, GateHouse Media, Gannett, MediaNews Group, The New York Times, The Seattle Times Company, Tribune Publishing, and Washington Post among others.

NAA is a nonprofit organization representing the $59 billion newspaper industry and more than 2,000 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada.

David Black to be honoured with Margaret Hennigar Award
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and its board of directors are pleased to announce that David Black, president and owner of Black Press, has been selected as the recipient of the Margaret Hennigar Award for Exemplary Leadership for 2008. The award will be presented in Toronto during the CCNA Awards Gala on May 9, as part of the association’s 89th national conference.

The CCNA is also pleased to award David Black with an Honorary Life Membership for his valuable contribution and support of community journalism in Canada.

"David Black started his career in community journalism and remained true to his roots, despite growing the company from one newspaper in the Interior of B.C. to over 175 publications in B.C., Alberta, Washington state, Ohio and Hawaii," said CCNA President Coleen Campbell. "He gets just as excited about his newspaper’s editorial excellence awards as much as the financial performance of his business."

Black's first newspaper was the Williams Lake Tribune, which he purchased from his father in 1975.

Black has served as president of the British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspapers Association, director of the CCNA, and governor of the Canadian Newspaper Association.

Black is being honoured for his achievements within the newspaper industry as well as his work with a number of organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Commonwealth Games, and the BC Progress Board.

The Margaret Hennigar Award is named after the late Margaret Hennigar, a longtime CCNA member who was active in the association as well as in her community. Marg helped found the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association and served as a board member for both the CCNA and the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE).

The award was created by members of the association in 2007 to honour exemplary individuals in Canada’s community newspaper industry who have shown outstanding leadership in business and within their community. Margaret’s daughter, CCNA Past President Lynn Hennigar, was the recipient of the inaugural award and her company, Lighthouse Publishing, now sponsors the award in honour of her mother.

Canadian newspaper online ad revenue increased 29 percent over 2006
Monday, April 7, 2008

Don't believe everything you read about the imminent death of newspapers: robust growth in online advertising sales offset a mild decline in print ad revenue for Canadian papers last year, an industry trade group reported Monday.

The Canadian Newspaper Association said total 2007 revenues for the country's newspapers, including online operations, slipped 0.8 per cent to $3.6 billion.

Print advertising revenues fell by 2.4 per cent while online revenues increased 29 per cent over 2006.

"This is in sharp contrast to the U.S., where a contracting economy helped drive print ad revenues to the biggest year-over-year fall in more than half a century," the association noted.

Canadian newspaper circulation sales were down 1.2 per cent in 2007 to $808.9 million, after rising 3.8 per cent the previous year.

In the United States, print advertising revenues fell 9.4 per cent last year to $42 billion, according to the Newspaper Association of America - the steepest drop since the NAA began keeping its tally in 1950. U.S. online advertising growth was 18.8 per cent in 2007, down from 31.4 per cent in 2006.

"The real story is how well we are holding our own in an age of global media disruption," stated Anne Kothawala, president of the Canadian Newspaper Association.

"The narrative about newspapers in the U.S. has been consistently negative in recent years, and that negativity has unduly influenced perceptions of the health of the newspaper industry in Canada," Kothawala added.

"Advertisers and their agencies, many of whom are global businesses, should ensure that their Canadian buying decisions are not tainted by the U.S. data. In an age when consumers are increasingly tuning out advertising content, studies show they continue to find newspapers engaging."

Canada's newspaper publishing industry experienced modest growth and stable profits in 2006.

Operating revenues in the industry amounted to $5.34 billion in 2006, up 2.6% from $5.21 billion in 2005. The pace of revenue growth in 2006 was slower than in each of the previous three years. However, the industry in Canada avoided the contraction that occurred in the United States, where newspaper publishing revenues declined 1.7%.

Industry revenue growth in 2006 was a close reflection of regional economic performance, as publishers in the West, and Alberta in particular, had the highest growth rates.

Operating revenues for publishers in Western Canada grew by 3.9%, nearly double the rate of 2.1% in Ontario and 2.0% in Quebec.

Operating revenue results for publishers in the Atlantic provinces were lower due to a restructuring of printing operations that, for statistical purposes, were formerly included in publishing industry estimates.

The operating profit margin for the industry held steady at 13.2%. Profit margins were also healthier in Western Canada, rising from 18.2% in 2005 to 21.1% in 2006.

In contrast, profit margins in Ontario declined from 10.0% in 2005 to 7.4% in 2006, under the weight of a 5.1% increase in operating expenses. Publishers in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces posted profit margins of 13.5% and 12.3% respectively.

Industry operating expenses rose 2.6% in 2006. Salaries, wages and benefits, which account for 39% of industry expenses, rose 3.6% while printing costs, the second largest expense item, held steady.

Estimates for advertising and circulation revenues, which follow, are based on the surveyed portion of the industry. The surveyed portion accounts for all daily newspaper operations and all but $132 million of operating revenues for community newspaper firms.

Advertising revenues, the source of three-quarters of industry revenue, rose 2.7% to $3.98 billion in 2006. Daily newspapers generated $2.85 billion in advertising revenues, compared with $1.13 billion for community newspapers.

Circulation revenues are the second largest revenue source for newspaper publishers, representing 17% of industry revenues. In recent years, competition from free news sources on the Internet and from the proliferation of free daily newspapers have contributed to a downward trend for print circulation figures among the paid daily newspapers.

Despite this, industry circulation revenues rose 1.5% to $862 million in 2006. The majority of the increase stemmed from changing accounting practices, as additional publishing firms switched to reporting gross circulation revenues instead of circulation revenues net of distribution expenses.

Price increases also contributed to the rise, as newspaper prices rose 2.5%, measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Google, Publicis, Woodbridge and Washington Post execs to speak at Ink & Beyond
Monday, March 17, 2008

Over 400 CEOs, publishers, editors and corporate executives from the Canadian newspaper, advertising and marketing industries will converge in Toronto this May for the annual Canadian Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspaper Association conference.

In line with its theme, Ink & Beyond, this year's joint conference, to be held May 7-9 at Toronto's Westin Harbour Castle, will highlight innovations newspapers are using to reach audiences through mobile and online technologies as well as print. Seminars and trade show exhibits will focus on Internet solutions and new technologies.

Canadian newspapers—both weekly and daily—remain a far-reaching medium with strong national and regional brands preferred by both advertisers and readers. According to just-released NADbank figures, 78 per cent of all Canadian adults read a daily newspaper last week either in print or online, while 74 per cent read the last edition of their community newspaper (ComBase 2005).

"The $4.3-billion newspaper industry is a powerful force that reaches 16 million Canadian adults weekly across the country," said Anne Kothawala, CEO of the Canadian Newspaper Association. "Ink & Beyond will be a milestone event for our industry, bringing together experts and innovators to share insights into the wave of new opportunities for newspapers unleashed by advances in technology."

"At Ink & Beyond, every newspaper large and small will hear the best national and international experts talk about the state and future of our dynamic industry," said John Hinds, Chief Executive Officer of CCNA. "The multi-streamed program is designed to allow delegates to participate in sessions on a broad range of topics about emerging trends and better business practices."

Conference speakers include:

Other events scheduled as part of the conference include the annual Canadian Press Dinner on May 8, featuring speaker Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion; and the National Newspaper Awards and CCNA Better Newspapers Competition Awards, both to be held Friday, May 9.

Visit the website for more details www.inkandbeyond.ca.

Weekly and daily newspaper industry stakeholders from across Atlantic Canada to attend the 2008 Atlantic Community Newspapers Association (ACNA) conference in Halifax

(Halifax, NS) February 21, 2008 – Encompassing an industry convention and awards gala, the ACNA conference, Change, Challenges… Opportunities is taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 30 - 31, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Select. This annual conference of the Association affords a tremendous opportunity to nurture important relationships among members, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Attended by publishers, sales executives, editorial staff, administrators, service providers and other weekly newspaper industry stakeholders from across Atlantic Canada, the 2008 event will see the audience grow to include representatives of the region’s Daily newspapers! The ACNA conference offers exceptional opportunities to learn from experts, share best practices and preview the latest supplier technology and tools to enhance business operations and client service delivery.

“We have an exceptional program planned for this year’s conference” remarked Shawn Wells, Executive Director of ACNA. “We are excited to have representatives from the region’s Daily newspapers join us.”

Keynote speakers David Foot and Mike Blinder are highlights of the conference. David Foot is a Professor of Economics at the University of Toronto and co-authored the landmark book Boom Bust & Echo. Mike Blinder of the Blinder Group is known internationally for his expertise in media, sales and marketing.

For complete conference details: http://conference.acna.com

Questions regarding the conference may be directed to the conference secretariat;

Lynn Buckley
Agenda Managers
Telephone: (902) 422-1886
Fax: (902) 422-2535
Email: acna@agendamanagers.com

Other questions may be directed to the ACNA office:

Erin Ollenberger
Operations Manager
Atlantic Community Newspapers Association
Telephone: (902) 835-2210
Fax: (902) 832-4484
Email: erin@acna.com

Interviewing for ComBase's 2007/2008 study is well under way with scheduled starts across the country on a provincial/territorial basis. Looking at the entire schedule, ComBase will complete interviewing by the end of June and release the data in Fall 2008.

Atlantic markets were the first to begin in December, while many British Columbia markets started throughout the month of January. Markets in the northern territories also began last week, and Manitoba is scheduled to begin in mid-February. Alberta and Saskatchewan will soon be underway once market definitions are finalized, and Ontario will follow shortly thereafter.

New questions have been added to the survey, including reasons for reading community newspapers, flyer usage by categories, online readership, time spent online, Internet usage by categories and various life events. ComBase is also actively recruiting respondents to build a web panel for future research opportunities.

As ComBase moves into the last two provinces to begin interviewing, last-minute market additions are still possible in Saskatchewan and Ontario. Please contact Kelly at kellylevson@combase.ca for more information on how to participate.

ComBase member newspapers are also reminded that extraordinary promotional activity designed to increase readership is prohibited during the survey period. This includes anything that is not part of regular business practice. Please reference your member contract or contact Kelly at kellylevson@combase.ca for more details.

A report released by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) on January 24, 2008, suggests that 2007 was a banner year for newspaper websites, with 39 percent of active Internet users visiting a newspaper website in the fourth quarter. The report also notes that average traffic to newspaper websites increased by six percent in 2007, or an increase of 3.6 million unique visitors.

For the fourth quarter of 2007, there were 62.8 million visitors to newspaper websites, up nine percent from 57.6 million in 2006.

"Newspapers continue to successfully transform themselves into multimedia companies, offering unparalleled content that reaches an audience growing in both size and sophistication," said NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm. "Newspapers' expanding print and digital portfolio offers value to advertisers by providing a targeted, comprehensive menu of choices for today’s discriminating consumer. As our industry’s transition accelerates, it is clear consumers recognize newspapers as their trusted source of information in an increasingly digital environment."

Data for the study was gathered from Nielsen Online Custom Analysis and represents home and work users with a non-shared computer. Users who might access a newspaper website at home and at work were only counted once.

Read more on the findings at the NAA website.

The influence of advertising inserts on adult purchasing decisions has risen in the last ten years, according to a study released by Vertis Communications on January 14, 2008. The study, Customer Focus: Decade of Data, surveyed 3,000 consumers in the U.S. and found that 27 percent of adults acknowledged that inserts affected their purchasing decisions. That is an increase of 19 percent compared to study results from 1998 which formerly recognized television advertising as the main influencer.

Eight percent of adults surveyed recognized television ads as their main influence, down from 22 percent in 1998.

The Vertis study also recognized the rising involvement women have in making purchasing decisions. Ninety-one percent of women between the ages of 18-24 reported that they were part of the decision-making process in purchasing items like cell phones, desktop computers and digital cameras, an increase of 22 percent from the 1998 study.

The findings are significant to the community newspaper industry, which is closely tied to the flyer distribution sector. With a weekly circulation of over 17 million copies across Canada, community newspapers are a major distribution vehicle for advertising inserts. According to the ComBase 2005 readership study, 74 percent of adults read the last issue of their community newspaper, while among women age 25-49, the readership figure increases to 76 percent. The ComBase study further found that readership levels are high for both paid- and controlled-circulation products and found lower readership levels for another flyer distribution vehicle, daily newspapers, at only 58 percent of all adults, and only 37 percent among women 25-49.

Read more on the study results at the Center for Media Research website

New media ownership rules announced on January 15 by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will restrict future cross-media acquisitions in order to ensure Canada's "diversity of voices" is protected.

In the new rules, no person or entity may own more than two of the three types of local media–radio, television and newspapers–in any given market. In addition, the CRTC will not allow anyone to own more than 45 per cent of the total television audience, or allow mergers or acquisitions that will allow one person or company to control the delivery of programming for a market.

The decision is a result of hearings that were held in September 2007, and the announcement from the CRTC notes that these changes are a result of increased consolidation among broadcasters.

"With these new policies, we have developed a clear approach to guide us in assessing future transactions in the broadcasting industry," said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., CRTC chairman. "It is an approach that will preserve the plurality of editorial voices and the diversity of programming available to Canadians, both locally and nationally, while allowing for a strong and competitive industry."

Read the full announcement on the CRTC website

ComBase fieldwork has started on the most recent study. This means that telephone interviewing has begun.

The study is being conducted by Leger Marketing who have a dedicated team of fifty interviewers based in Winnipeg. They have started interviewing in all 20 Atlantic markets and some BC markets are expected to start by the end of the week. Manitoba markets will start at the end of January, with Alberta in the field by early February.

The study will comprise over 41,000 interviews in over 230 markets across Canada. All provinces and territories are represented except Quebec and the Yukon.

Each market will be interviewed over a minimum of a 12 week period, and as more of the study is being done, the number of interviewers at the call centre could increase to almost 100.

"The process is working well," said Kelly Levson, general manager of ComBase, who was in Winnipeg last week, coordinating with interviewers and monitoring their work as the first calls began.

Data from the study is expected to be released in fall 2008.

On January 27, Family Literacy Day will celebrate its tenth year of helping families learn together. The national initiative, which was founded by ABC Canada, encourages families to develop literacy and numeracy skills, including reading, writing and math.

"Family Literacy Day is one of many days when families can take the time to explore, share ideas and encourage each other’s hobbies and interests," said Margaret Eaton, president of ABC Canada.

ABC Canada says that 42 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 65 face literacy challenges, although the topic is not raised often enough among families who can make a difference in their own homes. To help celebrate Family Literacy Day, ABC Canada offered these 10 tips for activities your family can organize at home:

10. Create a family book club. Read and discuss the books together.
9. Make a particular night board game night. Maybe invite another family for a challenge.
8. Have your kids create the map for your next road trip then they can navigate by reading signs and billboards. Create a trip journal.
7. Read news articles and magazines and then discuss current affairs together.
6. Volunteer as a family to read at a children’s hospital or at a senior’s centre.
5. Surf the Internet together to find great sites that support your hobbies.
4. Read a classic adventure together. If your children like Survivor, they will love Treasure Island.
3. Research and write your family’s history. Use the Internet, family letters and documents as resources, and interview your relatives.
2. Sing favourite songs. Find out more about the songwriter or singer on the Internet. Make up your own songs.
1. Write your own adventure. Write a short story as a family with alternative endings written by each family member.

Magazines and newspapers from across the country will help promote the message through advertisements in their publications, which can be downloaded from the CCNA website at www.communitynews.ca/literacy. For more information on Family Literacy Day, please visit www.abc-canada.org/fld.

Verified Circulation becomes Canadian Media Circulation Audit
Friday, December 21, 2007

The new name was approved by the board of directors of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association in early 2007. The name Canadian Media Circulation Audit is a reflection of the growth and enhancements of the program and better positions it as a credible circulation auditing service with media, government, advertisers and agencies.

Over the years, Verified Circulation has built a reputation for itself with the community newspaper industry, advertisers and ad agencies as a reliable circulation auditing service.
More recently, this reputation has extended to consumer and business publications, and it continues to improve as the governing committee reviews policies and enforces stricter guidelines.

The program was launched in 1971 and today provides publishers, advertising agencies and advertisers with audited circulation figures for more than 600 publications, including community newspapers and business, consumer and farm publications.

The name change to CMCA in no way alters or affects the on-going process of the program. The program will continue to provide on-site audits, 12-month audit implementation, and online viewing of reports. However, members can expect more exciting initiatives to be developed in the coming year such as new program manual and a user friendly web site. We look forward to continue to work with you to provide efficient, friendly and dependable service.

CMCA members should display the CMCA logo on their mastheads and rate cards. The CMCA logo can be downloaded from the members section of the web site at www.circulationaudit.ca. If you have any additional questions, contact CMCA Coordinator Winnie Legaspi by phone toll-free at 1-877-305-2262 ext. 23 or by email at audit@ccna.ca