'OC Register' Publisher: We're Making Money and 'Zero' Chance of Closing

By: E&P Staff For all the raspberries given out to the newspaper industry, it is worth noting that many big metros are still making money.

Terry Horne, publisher of The Orange County Register, is the latest newspaper executive to come out swinging. He told his paper that in 2008 and so far in 2009, the daily is profitable and that operating margins are in the double-digits.

He's even bolder when it comes time to predicting the future: "There is zero chance the Register will close its doors"

But when it comes to dishing advertising revenue numbers, Horne, is less forthcoming but echoes other newspaper executives who say the decline is moderating: "Our advertising sales numbers are getting stronger relative to where we were. ... In July, August and September, it looks like for that advertising to be above the previous year for the first time in three years."

Read more of the Q&A at the OC Register.