MIN Reports Steady Growth & Continued Interest In Reed Titles

Midland Independent Newspapers, publishers of the Birmingham Post & Mail, have reported a 19% increase in operating profit (to £10.7m) for the first six months of 1995 on the back of contributions from its regional newspapers, and from the newly acquired magazines and exhibitions divisions.

Chief Executive, Chris Oakley pointed to the launch of controlled distribution business and customer loyalty magazines as “opening avenues for future growth” but he confirmed that newspapers were still the group’s number one activity.

MIN has not tabled a bid for Thomson Newspapers’ Scottish titles, but Mr Oakley confirmed to MediaTel his group’s interest in Reed Regional Newspapers which were put up for sale earlier this year. Midland News Association and Reed are MIN’s biggest competitors in the Midlands.

Birmingham Live, the cable TV station in which MIN and Mirror Group each have a stake is set for launch on November 12th, and MIN’s existing partnership in Milton Keynes is progressing “slightly ahead of expectations.” Further cable activity could not be ruled out, but there are no immediate plans.