Marketing Strategy Reviewed At The Times

News International is reviewing its marketing strategy for the Times after Rupert Murdoch admitted that earnings at the newspaper were below expectations.

Murdoch told shareholders earlier in the month that the group’s UK newspaper business, which includes the Times, The Sun, and the News of the World, was suffering as a result of the advertising downturn (see

News International today refused to comment on speculation in the trade press that advertising spend at the paper has been frozen, but it is thought that beyond the current outdoor and promotional activity there are no plans for further advertising this year.

The spokeswoman admitted that internal reviews are taking place at the paper, but emphasised that: “The advertising budget for 2002 is currently being planned.”

News International is being forced to tighten its belt amid the worsening economic climate. The company reported losses of £69m as a result of the events of 11 September and cost-cutting measures being imposed across the group with job cuts expected at both the Times and The Sun.

News International recently merged the online presence of the Times and the Sunday Times as part of a move towards generating additional revenues from a new subscription-based service. A series of redundancies were announced as a result (see Times And Sunday Times Online To Merge).

News International: 020 7782 6000 www.newscorp.co.uk

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