Staying in Print: Operating Adjustments to Contain Costs, Raise Revenue

By: Regardless of geography, ownership or circulation, newspapers faced rising costs and diminishing revenues even before the recession ? which is only making publishers' problems worse. Printed editions and workforces can only be cut so much, but publishers can make decisions and investments that bring further savings or support additional business. Some may benefit from both; either is desirable.

The trick is squeezing out efficiencies and opportunities by upgrading existing equipment at home, when possible, and exploiting expertise elsewhere, when preferable. E&P will highlight these moves in its first Newspaper Industry Virtual Expo on Jan. 22. In our January issue, we explore the strategies that will be featured in a keynote and three panels: outsourcing, process improvement, smart software, add-ons and enhancements (see links to all these stories in the Features section of our In Print page. In all likelihood, newspapers not frozen in panic will adopt a mix of measures ? where budgets and business plans permit.