THE Dundee daily newspaper, The Courier, is going compact.
The move – to be supported by an extensive advertising campaign – begins next Saturday, hard on the heels of sister title, the Press and Journal, in Aberdeen, which goes compact six days a week from Tuesday (it having been compact on Saturdays for several years and on a Monday since July).
The DC Thomson title was established in 1816 and ran adverts rather than news on its front page until 1992.
The new look will be 64 pages, full colour.
Readers are also being enticed to the new look with a giveaway series of cookery recipes.
Says the Audit Bureau of Circulation, The Courier enjoyed an average sale of 61,981 for the six-months between December 2010 to June last year. It retails for 48p.
Says DC Thomson: “Throughout 2011, DC Thomson has been developing newspaper operations to create an efficient business model that will build on the strength of the newspaper brands and products under the leadership of new managing director, Ellis Watson, and editor-in-chief, Donald Martin.”
DC Thomson is building a new printing facility, expected to begin operating towards the end of the year.
Adds Richard Neville, editor of The Courier since July last year, as saying: “This year is the dawn of a new era for The Courier. We are changing format, investing in new sections, increasing content across the title and investing significantly in resources.
“As well as changing to a compact shape, we will be printing in full colour. We are also adding a new Saturday lifestyle section, a property supplement and What’s On pull-out. Our sports, business, agri-business and news sections will be expanded, concentrating on local content but continuing to feature relevant Scottish and UK coverage.
“At a time when most newspaper companies are retreating in the face of competition from the internet and the impact of the recession, it is fantastic to be working for a publisher that clearly sees a strong future for print – as well as digital – and has faith in the longevity of newspapers. The potential for even more innovation and development will come later this year when our new print facility is up and running in Dundee. Readers of The Courier are in for a real treat.”
