Nicole Moolman, Operations Director gave details of the extensive footprint of the newspapers within its stable which collectively totals a weekly distribution of 43 640. The collective ABC audited sales figures for the Garden Route region is 36 677 with the George Herald printing 19 500 and selling 16 526 newspapers per week.
This is by far the biggest for the Southern Cape. The six newspapers in the Group Editors stable include the George Herald, the Knysna Plett Herald, Mosselbay Advertiser, Oudtshoorn Courant, South Cape Forum and Graaff Reinet Advertiser with an additional two free sheets - George Mini Ads and Mossel Bay Home Ads.
During a consumer survey done by TNS Research Surveys at a cost of nearly R300 000, it emerged that 40 percent of respondents living along the Garden Route read their local community papers. For George itself, it found that 33 percent of PDMs (purchase decision makers) read the George Herald, compared to 14 percent of respondents who read Die Son and 10 percent Die Burger.
The purchase decision makers (PDMs) were interviewed extensively about their consumer behaviour, including their reading habits. The PDM is the person in the household who is responsible for making the big purchase decisions. The results can be trended because the same area was researched in the same way in 2007 and in 2004.
Statistics
"Based on these statistics, which show that local community newspapers are remarkably robust in the face of a general drop-off in sales in daily newspapers, we are confident that we will sustain our growth. Interesting enough readers are insatiable when it comes to finding out more about local news. For this reason we are gratified about the continued strength and impact that our newspapers have and will endeavour to sustain this, and in doing so grow our communities," said Moolman who at the outset paid tribute to the contribution which loyal, dedicated staff members made to the success of Group Editors - in particular those with a long service track record who played an invaluable role.
Here to stay
The group has three web sites with a fourth being launched at the end of August. George Herald-online has plenty to offer its clients and most of it is at no charge.
Aside from news and daily updates on local, national and international front - the valuable What's On column allows users to advertise community events. The photo galleries are created for any company or individual to post their social event photos and the Business Directory currently lists over 2600 business in 350 categories.
From the 210 000 hits per month which the George Herald’s website currently receives, it can be deduced that people are making use of the site to get contact details of listed service providers. Moolman invited guests to make use of the service and referred them to the website, www.georgeherald.com or to contact Dot at 044 874 2424 to get there business listed. Group Editors has also launched into the social media domain and can be followed on facebook and twitter.
Chamber members and guests who were literally given an opportunity to see the "inner" wheels of the printing works in motion, said they were pleased to have had such a fascinating visit to their local newspaper.
In conclusion, Moolman quoted Arthur Miller, the famous American playwright who said, "A good newspaper, I suppose, is a nation speaking to itself."
"We at the George Herald pride ourselves in being a good newspaper and by listening to our community, we will continue to provide a product that we will be proud of," she said.
Delectable delicacies were served by The Townhouse chefs and staff.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS HERE.
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Pieter Lubbe from Harvey World Travel with Lesley, Nicole (operations director) and Peter (managing director) Moolman, the founders and owners of Group Editors.
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Some of the George Herald sales team members: Heidi Olivier (Mini Ads), Juanita Eksteen, Lorraine Botha (sales manager) and Rozanne Westenraad.
ARTICLE BY PAULINE LOURENS.
PHOTOS BY PAULINE LOURENS AND TANYA WATSON
