Newspaper Ad Network Revenue Up 107 percent in 2006
CONTACT: Maggie Shnayerson
Director of Public Relations
917-605-6935
mshnayerson (at) villagevoice.com
New York, NY (April 19, 2007) – Ruxton Media Group saw record-breaking growth for both this year’s first-quarter period and for fiscal year 2006, according to figures released today by the company. Year-over-year revenue for the national newspaper advertising network more than doubled, bucking recent trends in print media.
Ruxton produced double-digit growth in the first quarter ending March 31, 2007, and revenue for the alt-weekly industry’s leading ad network increased 107% to nearly $21 million in 2006.
The company’s robust growth is sharply at odds with critics’ predictions in 2005 that market-wide sales would suffer in the wake of a merger between then parent company New Times and Village Voice Media. Instead, Ruxton’s figures outpaced peer organizations, the majority of which saw losses last year.
Ruxton Media Group titles include the Dallas Observer (up 20% over 2005); Miami New Times (up 92%); Austin Chronicle (up 116.8%); SF Weekly (up 49%); Houston Press (up 23%) and both the Chicago and San Diego Readers (up 33% and 39% respectively).
“The current media environment, which has advertisers and clients questioning status quo ad plans, continues to enhance Ruxton’s sales opportunities,” said Susan Belair, senior vice president for the network. “Ruxton is now, and continues to be, perfectly positioned to compete with national broadcast, print and web titles.”
Belair credited Ruxton’s sustained rank as the industry’s dominant player to its wide-ranging national coverage and to the organization’s dynamic and experienced sales staff. With its network of 38 papers coast-to-coast, she said, Ruxton offers clients a significant marketing edge in print and digital ad campaigns. National results in key metro markets are achieved through turnkey marketing platforms, as well as media, OOH and street team promotion.
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Ruxton Media Group offers national results and the ability to coordinate print and digital ad campaigns with on-the-ground street teams. Ruxton’s 38 publications include the Village Voice, LA Weekly, and Broward New-Times. A subsidiary of Village Voice Media, Ruxton boasts over 3.1 million weekly copies to almost 8 million readers, along with more than 8.5 million unique visitors and 45 million page views.
