In a statement released today, MEN Media managing director Mark Rix noted that the paper is responding well to market pressures and actively fighting the declining fortunes in the regional press sector by meeting challenges head on.

As evidence of this the group highlighted that readership of the paper has increased 19% (Jicreg April 2006 vs October 2007), while the ABC1 audience has been bolstered significantly by the increased emphasis on the 98,455 copies free-to-pick-up copies. The number of paid-for copies declined by 6.4% to 81,326.

Rix: pleased

Rix said of the results: “I am pleased we are starting 2008 where we want to be.

“We acknowledge that these remain challenging times for our industry and have responded by breaking new ground in how we get the news to people in our area.

“When we took the bold decision to introduce a part free part paid Manchester Evening News, we were responding to the needs of readers and advertisers, and taking control of our future.  We aren’t frightened of facing the circulation decline of the regional press full on and looking for ways to attract new readers, while maintaining our important paid for readers.”     

The group added that through its overall media portfolio it now achieves a weekly reach of more than 85% of people in Greater Manchester, making it “the region’s number one media group.”

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