Good Evening Valued Clients,
The World is certainly changing at the rate of knots. Yesterday, Leonards and News Corp in partnership were promoting some truly terrific discounted rates to support clients increase communications with their respective communities in the face of Covid-19 lockdown measures.
Yesterday at 10.15 am we learned – as did our primary News Corp contact – that from the week commencing April 13, News Corp Australia will be suspending the print editions of their community newspaper networks in New South Wales (News Local), Victoria (Leader), Queensland (Quest) and South Australia (The Messenger).
This is due to the current economic challenges facing them from Covid-19. At this time, no firm return date has been flagged for the printed editions of these mastheads.
News Corp Australia will continue to publish digitally with reporters and photographers providing local news coverage. However, this will not be in the PDF online version currently used, rather individual articles will appear under the online masthead.
What’s Next:
Next week the papers will be printing to current schedules.
For the following 3 weeks (w/c 13th April – w/c 27 April) for our Councils and education clients, News is working towards:
1. A targeted digital solution; and/or
2. Move some existing News Local bookings into the Daily Telegraph at discounted rates
Long Term:
Post this short term approach, in collaboration with Leonards, News will be developing tailored long term communication strategies to support your needs – Mayoral Messages, DAs, Council News, school promotions – and will present back to you within the coming weeks.
Finally in the next day or so, Leonards will endeavour to send out a comprehensive rundown of all current media options available to fill this hopefully short term void left by the suspension of printed News Corp community titles.
Please feel free to contact either myself or one of the Leonards Account Team with any questions.
Thank you,
Kate Faithorn
CEO
