Advertising revenue at Trinity Mirror’s regional division was down 36% year on year in for the 17 weeks to the 26 April.
In an interim management statement released today, the company revealed that group advertising revenue declined by 30% year on year.
Its regional division was down 37% in January and February and 35% in March and April, with display advertising falling 24% for the period, while recruitment was down 50%, property down 54% and automotive advertising down 35%.
The national newspaper division saw ad revenue fall 17% year on year for the period. It was down 16% in January and February and 18% in March and April.
In March and April display ad revenue fell by 11%, while the rate of decline in classified and “other ad revenues” increased marginally during the period.
The company said: “The trading conditions are impacting, to some extent, all our sources of revenue although we expect the rate of decline to ease as we go through the remainder of the year as we benefit from weaker comparatives.”
It added that early indications are that national ad revenues will improve on a relative basis to be down about 10% year on year in May, with ad revenues at regional operations expected to fall by 35% in May.
Group digital revenue fell by 14% year on year across its regional operation and 11% across its national business.
Trinity Mirror said: “The group remains on track to deliver the previously announced £25 million cost savings in 2009 and this coupled with continued stable cash flows and committed financing continues to provide the board comfort that management actions will help support profitability in an uncertain economic outlook for the economy.”
