Regional publisher Johnston Press is promising “further efficiency savings” in the next three months in a trading update published today.
Overall revenues at the regional publisher fell by 3.1pc year-on-year in the period July to September compared to 4.3pc in the first half of the year according to today’s interim management statement.
The report also highlighted a 19.5pc increase in digital revenues with its combined print and digital audience put at 27m.
However it also promised that the group would be implementing “further efficiency and restructuring initiatives” in the final quarter
The report said: “The group remains focused on returning the business to overall growth and has a clear strategy to achieve this aim, which encompasses driving audience growth, investing in new digital products, accelerating digital revenues and continuing to pay down debt.
“During the third quarter, Johnston Press has made further progress towards this goal, building on the first half performance.
“Signs of economic growth are present in most of the group’s geographic markets and whilst some challenges remain, the goup is focused on taking the right actions to deliver its strategy and return the business to overall top line growth.
“The continuing strong growth of Johnston Press’ digital platform positions the business for further improvements in 2015. In addition, the business will implement further efficiency and restructuring initiatives in the final quarter.”
Other highlights in the report included a near-doubling of JP’s mobile audience to 6.5m monthly users with the total digital audience up 40pc in the year to September.
The overall digital growth figure of 19.5pc included a 51pc increase in digital property advertising, 79pc in motors and 11pc in recruitment.
The report pointed to the success of the new WoW24/7 entertainments listings portal which has so far had 2.5m visits in 2014 and the Scottish independence website which attracted 4.5m users – more than voted in the referendum.
Circulation revenues were down 4.7pc, which the group said was “in line with trend,” while advertising revenues were down 3.4pc in the third quarter of the year compared to 4.6pc in the first half.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
Headline: Press officer speak for redundancy? Someone should tell Steve Dancey in Andover.
Report this comment
Another attempt to impress the City. But the share price does not lie.
Again no figures on what percentage of ad income is from print and digital. Id guess 80 per cent print and 20 digital, and that might be generous to digital.
Certainly time to make the management structure leaner. They have culled everything else that moves and some things that can’t (like offices). What’s left?
Report this comment
Stats stats, stats!
Can we have some facts, please?
Report this comment
“promising” further efficiency saving?
Did you mean “threatening”.? There is nothing remotely promising about JP statement. Their reluctance to talk even percentages of ad income digital v print speaks deafening volumes. Been at digital for years now and still no meaningful breakthrough, although it is not just JP who face that hurdle.
Report this comment
Agree with hackwatcher. The only thing JP can faithfully promise is more job cuts.
Report this comment
Still flogging the dead digital horse!!!!!
Report this comment
Our local website for the Dewsbury titles is absolutely rubbish. Old news and there is still the strap line for the long gone Tour De France at the top of the page. Last week there was a “Breaking News” snippet that was a fortnight old. Just needs basic housekeeping.
Report this comment