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Local newspapers will rise again says retiring editor

A weekly editor retiring after a 50-year career has said that local newspaper circulations could rise again after the recession so long as strong editorial teams are maintained.

Doug Melloy, editor of the Rotherham Advertiser since 1985 and before that editor of the Derbyshire Times from 1982, steps down next month on his 65th birthday to be succeeded by Andrew Mosley, currently assistant editor at the Bolton News.

Doug led the Advertiser into 12 years of consecutive sales rises, reaching a peak of nearly 35,000 in 2007. Only in the last four years have sales steadily declined to a figure just 500 or so less than when he took over.

Speaking to HTFP blogger Steve Dyson for the latest edition of InPublishing magazine, Melloy put the secret of his success down to avoiding the R-word – redundancies.

Doug Melloy pictured with his Rotherham Advertiser team

Doug listed the internet, free newspapers and the recession as his reasons for what he called a “shocking” circulation downturn.

But despite these factors, Doug claims that local papers that are allowed to maintain enough editorial resource to cover local areas properly will recover.

“Unlike the major groups, I’ve virtually avoided the ‘R’ word, successfully arguing against redundancies. I think it’s important to maintain editorial quality to try to recover readership,” he said.

“Even now, our decline is bottoming out, the print run showing year-on-year increases for several weeks this year. I may be deluded, but I’m still looking at us fighting back.”

The Advertiser, owned by the independent Garnett Dickinson Group, won Yorkshire’s regional Newspaper of the Year title in 2011 against neighbouring daily giants, a feat Melloy also puts down to the paper’s lack of editorial cutbacks.

The full interview with Doug can be found on the InPublishing site here.

13 comments

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  • May 22, 2012 at 12:06 pm
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    Newspapers can rise again – but not by sticking their heads in the sand and pointing their fingers of blame at the nasty boys from the internet over the road.

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  • May 22, 2012 at 1:00 pm
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    Hats off to Doug for fighting the editorial corner and saving his staff from the blight of redundancy.
    It’s a pleasure – and a shock – to read about someone who isn’t being given the push. A genuine retirement!
    Proudly walking out of the door with Newspaper of the Year crown in his back pocket is icing on the cake.
    Also, three cheers for the Garnett Dickinson Group.

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  • May 22, 2012 at 2:37 pm
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    We need more editors who wear braces and employ staff to make him look attractive.
    Great stuff Doug!

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  • May 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm
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    The Rotherham Advertiser and Barnsley Chronicle (both independents in South Yorkshire) are holding up well sales-wise.
    The same can’t be said for the titles in the area owned by JP.

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  • May 23, 2012 at 10:46 am
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    “So long as strong editorial teams are maintained” – not much chance of that in the present climate.

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  • May 23, 2012 at 11:13 am
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    Congratulations on an almost unique achievement these days Doug.
    Well done on those wise words.
    A pleasure to have known you, even if it was only at conferences.

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  • May 23, 2012 at 11:42 am
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    “allowed to maintain enough editorial resource to cover local areas properly”. are you listening JP NewsQuest et al.
    I admire Doug’s optimism.
    Most hacks I know spend time filling in rigid templates, desperately hacking or padding as needed, and do what were once production jobs, not associated with FINDING news. if it hasn’t come to you yet- it will. The beancounters are here.

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  • May 23, 2012 at 11:59 am
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    Enjoy your retirement. Well done. Keep your head out of the clouds.
    PS: How did you turn Gravesy into Uncle Fester?

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  • May 23, 2012 at 3:11 pm
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    A great innings, Doug. Very well done – see you in Buckingham’s, if you get time away from the choral society! Enjoy your retirement.

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  • May 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm
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    All the best Doug. You deserve a long happy retirement after such a great innings. Get that caravan on the road! Mike

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