GCI profit margins -- and that jaw-dropping report

Some of you will recall that I published profit margins and advertising sales figures for each of Gannett's community newspapers in a November 2008 post that drew a lot of attention across the industry.

The data was a year old at the time, covering Periods 1-9 of 2007 -- basically, the first three quarters of that year. I published the figures as Gannett was on the verge of launching its single-biggest layoff, in December 2008.

The figures came from a confidential internal Gannett document called the Cost & Statistical Summary. A reader had supplied a copy to me, so long as I didn't share the full document with anyone. (Here's a glimpse of part of the report.)

Many of the papers listed in the report had eye-popping margins. The Green Bay Press-Gazette led the list, at nearly 43%; it had advertising sales of $25 million over those three quarters, the report said. (The report didn't disclose circulation or other revenues, however.)

I'm recalling that report now because a Gannett Blog reader just sent me an e-mail, wondering if that report is still be published -- or if it was replaced by another report. I said I would put that question to all of you.

What has become of the Cost & Statistical Summary? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

[Image: today's Press-Gazette, Newseum]