Lee: Same-Property Ad Revenues Up 2.9% In January

By: E&P Staff Davenport, Iowa-based Lee Enterprises reported Thursday that same-property advertising revenue increased 2.9% in January over January 2005.

The former Pulitzer Inc. papers, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reported increased ad revenues of 2.2%, Lee said. Lee completed its $1.46 billion purchase of the Pulitzer properties last June.

Lee said on a same-property basis, retail advertising revenue was up 2.3%.

Classified ad revenue increased 1.3%, led by help-wanted, up 13.6% and real estate, up 3.9%, which offset a 17.2% decrease in automotive. National ad revenue decreased 4.9%.

Online advertising revenue increased 35.5%, while niche publication ad revenue was up 15.3%.

Circulation revenue decreased 2.6%, Lee said.

Pulitzer advertising revenue, which is reported in statistical periods, was up 2.2% and total revenue increased 1.7% in the reporting period ended Jan. 29, 2006, compared to the same period last year under Pulitzer family control.

In St. Louis, advertising revenue increased 1.2%, with strong national sales, Lee said. Total revenue for the Post-Dispatch and related area properties increased 1.3%. In the other former Pulitzer newspapers, advertising revenue increased 4.3%, and total revenue increased 2.6%.

Lee said its 50% partnership in the Tucson joint operating agency (JOA) showed ad revenue up 6.8% for the January statistical period, while total revenue increased 5.0%. Tucson results are not included in Pulitzer results, Lee noted.