Regarding Gannett's apparent failure to forecast the mortgage industry meltdown's impact on operations, a reader says: "The Arizona Republic is actually larger than USA Today, in terms of revenue."Wow! I knew USAT beat the Republic in circulation -- 2.3 million vs. 408,000 (daily). But does the Phoenix paper's annual revenue really top USA Today's? Post details in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, use this link from a non-work computer; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
So what's the point? Locals have a Saturday and especially a Sunday issue with a great deal of advertising. It's apples to oranges. Let's compare the circulation revenue and see what that picture looks like. I'll bet that is lop-sided in USA TODAY's favor since most locals give their product away.
ReplyDeleteUSAToday has an inflated view of their value. Revenue is revenue. Circulation revenue vs. advertising revenue is irrelevant. USAToday.com is a bit player but they act as if they invented the internet. They have big ego's that are not justified given the anemic financial performance of their products. It is time that they live by the same rules that the rest of us do.
ReplyDeleteGiving it away? Isn't that USAT's business model? That copy of USAT that shows up under my hotel door wasn't requested.
ReplyDeleteTo 10:33 PM, those copies of USAT are purchased by the hotel. It's not USAT giving those papers away.
ReplyDeleteThe papers at hotels usually aren't purchased by the hotel. The fee is included on the customer bill -- they can ask for a refund if they happen to notice it.
ReplyDeleteAbout that circulation revenue, lose Marriott and nearly 20% disappears.
ReplyDeleteNo hotel ever increased their room rate to pay for the newspaper. The statement on the folio, registration card or key packet is to satisfy Audit Bureau requirements to count the circulation. In the case of USA TODAY, their deals take place at the corporate level as with Starwood (Sheraton, Westin...), the hotels get a pile of advertising and the individual properties are told what paper to take and pay for although at a discount. 60% of USA TODAY's circulation is found in front of hotel rooms all over the country.
ReplyDelete