Telegraph Denies Express Sales Rumours

The Telegraph has today denied trade press reports that it is joining forces with the Express to launch a joint advertising sales house. The rumour comes as Stephen Grabiner, managing director of the Telegraph leaves to join United News and Media as Executive Director, Newspapers. He will be succeeded by Jeremy Deedes, currently the company’s group editorial director.

The Telegraph has confirmed however, that it is to form a new media sales company responsible for the sales of all advertising in its titles. Len Sanderson, currently deputy managing director of The Telegraph, will become managing director of the new company. The new company is expected to be fully operational by the autumn. Len Sanderson refused to comment on the rumours. Hugo Drayton, Marketing Manager of the Telegraph said that reports that the deal would lead to joint marketing was “utter nonsense”.

The Telegraph currently has 5.9% of the market share, (based on March ABC Circulation figures); whilst the Express titles have 11.5% share. News International has the dominant share of the UK national newspaper market, 37% share, followed by the Mirror Group with 26.1%. Associated Newspapers has a 14.5% share.

If the Telegraph were to join forces with the Express, it would be the first time rival national newspaper groups have joined together for a sales operation; the deal would mean joint sales would cover just over 17% of the UK’s national newspaper market.

Source: ABC Monthly Circulations, March 1996