'Local newspaper week' - The local council publicity machine

During 'Local newspaper week', I wrote about the impact of local council newspapers on the commercial press. This led to some really interesting comments, and as a result I surveyed the publications produced by London's Boroughs. A quarter of them are at least fortnightly, and over 70% of them take commercial advertising, including giving away free classified listings in one instance, and yet the LGA insists that they do not compete.

Another reason that I struggle to buy the necessity of local council newspapers in London is that there is hardly a lack of other promotional options available to them.

On Friday it took me just 3 minutes to photograph all of these pieces of local government publicity, all located within a 200 metre radius of my house.

Do I really need a glossy magazine that is eating into the local advertising market as well?

This is one of a series of blog posts for 'Local newspaper week':
1: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Welcome to your new local...
2: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Advertising
3: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Democracy
4: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Council newspapers
5: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Being local...
6: 'Local Newspaper Week' - Council newspapers in London
7: 'Local Newspaper Week' - The local council publicity machine

You might also be interested in:
Interview with a Scott Trust Bursary student - Helia Phoenix - April 2009
Are Ofcom's regional news funding proposals an opportunity for the local press? - January 2009
Local search: Using site search in regional press websites - January 2009
Local social: Social bookmarking links in the UK's top regional papers - December 2008

Read more articles about local and hyperlocal news

Posted by Martin Belam, May 27, 2009    
Read the latest posts about: London, Media, Muswell Hill, Newspapers, Politics, Regional press
The views expressed on currybetdotnet are my own, and do not reflect the views of Guardian News and Media Limited, or any current or former clients or employers. Read my blogging principles
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