Johnston Press’ digital revenues have grown at a faster rate in the first half of the year than in the first six months of 2014, the publisher announced in its interim results this week.<\/p>\n
Digital now represents 20.5 per cent of total advertising revenues for the publisher, with growth of 17.5 per cent in the first half of 2015 compared to 16.6 per cent for the same period in 2014.<\/p>\n
Mobile revenues almost doubled in the period while the proportion of mobile inventory sold at premium rates grew by 50 per cent, Johnston Press said.<\/p>\n
Year on year, digital audiences grew by over 20.4 per cent to an average monthly audience of 19.9 million.<\/p>\n
Digital display advertising revenues of £6.1 million were up 30 per cent including strong growth in 1XL – a joint project with local media publishers such as Newsquest and Local World.<\/p>\n
Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield said: “Trading conditions in the first half of 2015 have undoubtedly been challenging, with May and June being particularly difficult – a time when there was also a high degree of uncertainty in the wider market.<\/p>\n
“However, we believe, local publishing, with SMEs representing 80 per cent of our advertising revenue, is not as volatile as national publishing. We have seen some improvement in reducing the decline in advertising revenues in July compared to July 2014. <\/p>\n
“We will continue to drive for further improvement in revenues, albeit off a lower base, and will also continue to target further cost savings.”<\/p>\n
“Our strategy remains constant and is showing real traction. Digital now accounts for over 20 per cent of advertising revenues, up from 13 per cent two years ago. Digital display saw growth of 30 per cent in the period and we are developing new digital products such as AdPerfect and Powerlistings aimed at small businesses.<\/p>\n
“Our participation in the industry-wide 1XL national advertising exchange has contributed to our national digital advertising revenues growing by 120 per cent in the period to £2.0 million.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Johnston Press’ digital revenues have grown at a faster rate in the first half of the year than in the first six months of 2014, the publisher announced in its interim results this week.
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