Ad Revenue Up at Lee on Gains in St. Louis

By: E&P Staff Advertising revenue at Lee Enterprises grew 1.0% in October compared to the same period last year.

Retail advertising slipped 0.3%.

Classified dropped 1.5%. Within the classified category, employment declined 5.9%, auto fell 1.5%, real estate decreased 3.6%, and other was up 2.8%. Classified in the company's non-daily publications grew 7.2%.

National advertising decreased 2.3%.

Ad revenue from niche publications rose 8.1%.

Online ad revenue jumped 53.9%.

Circulation revenue fell 0.2%.

At the former Pulitzer papers, which are included in the overall results, ad revenue increased 2.8%. In St. Louis, it grew 2.6%.

"We're pleased with this good start to our new fiscal year, especially in St. Louis," said Mary Junck, chairman and CEO, in a statement. "While we credit part of the growth in St. Louis to excitement surrounding the World Series, it's clear that our many revenue and other actions in St. Louis are beginning to get results."

In Lee's 50% partnerships in Tucson, Ariz., and in Madison, Wis., which are not included in the overall results, ad revenue decreased 2.3% and 2.8% respectively.