NEW YORK: Gannet reported today that newspaper advertising revenue for October grew 0.6% compared to the same period last year.
Local and classified advertising revenue was flat on a 3.5% and 4.0% decline on ROP volume respectively. For the local category, the company's small and medium-sized advertisers in its domestic newspapers outpaced the revenue performance of its largest advertisers. In the U.S., local ad revenue gains were achieved in entertainment, health, financial, and home improvement categories. The department stores, furniture, grocery, and telecommunications categories lagged.
Within the classified category, help wanted revenue was up 1.5%. Real estate increased 6.6%. Automotive declined 13.9%. Stripping out its UK properties, help wanted advanced 13.6% and real estate rose 11.4%. Automotive dropped 15.5%.
National advertising revenue increased 3.5% on a 2.6% decline in volume. At USA Today ad revenue advanced 1% on a 3.2% decline in paid ad pages to 454 from 469.
Circulation revenue for October decreased 2.7%.
Pro forma operating revenue for October declined 2.7%, resulting in higher advertising demand at its domestic community newspapers offset by significantly lower political ad spending in the broadcast segment, and lower ad demand at its UK properties.
The pro forma advertising and circulation revenue statistics include the results for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat and 100% of the Detroit Newspaper Partnership.
