Johnston Press posts 9% ad revenue fall

Johnston Press has reported total advertising revenues down 9% in the year to 17 May. However, the regional publisher said the rate of decline has improved during the first half of 2012.

Total ad revenues dropped 9.1% in the 18 weeks to 7 May, down 9.6% in Q1 and 8% in Q2 (so far).

Print display advertising fell 10.3% in the first 18 weeks, although Johnston Press expects this to improve. Classified print ad revenues were down 11.5% in the period, with the first quarter down 12.4% and the second quarter to date down 8.9%.

Circulation revenues fell 2% with net debt at £363 million (as at the end of April).

However, digital revenues were up 13.9% in the period (9.6% in Q1 and 26.9% in Q2 so far).

Johnston Press has also announced a deal with used car search site Motors.co.uk, which also has partnerships with regional newspaper rivals Trinity Mirror, Northcliffe Media and Archant.

Last month, the publisher revealed plans to turn five of its daily newspapers into weeklies as part of a shakeup by chief executive Ashley Highfield.

Read the full MediaGuardian article here.