Western Communications Files Bankruptcy

Western Communications field for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection per an article by David Nogueras at OPB News.  The company hopes to recover from bankruptcy in six months.

Western Communciations owns the Bend Bulletin, along with four other papers in Oregon and two in California.

ABC's Circulation Biggest Gainers

The Naples Daily News (FL) had a 21.8% increase in circulation from 2009 to 2010, per the latest ABC Fas-Fax report, leading all publications with a 50,000 or more circulation base.  The Daily News newly reported weekday circulation is 77,565.

The Schenectady Gazette (NY) had a 21.6% increase in circulation from 2009 to 2010, with a new reported weekday circulation of 55,318.

The Macomb Daily (MI) increased 13.4% from 2009 to 2010, with a new reported weekday circulation of 54,240.

The Toledo Blade (OH) had the largest increase for a paper with 100,000 circulation, increasing to 117,704, or a 6.3% increase.

The Bend Bulletin (OR) led all newspapers with a 34.3% increase, with a newly reported weekday circulation of 43,895.

Bend Bulletin Increases Circulation 34%

The Bend Bulletin reported a 34.3% increase on weekday circulation from one year ago, along with a 32.5% increase on Sunday distribution, per the latest ABC FAS-FAX report. 

The increase is due to an aggressive marketing campaign coupled with strong promotions to the paid e-edition of the newspaper, per Keith Foutz, corporate circulation and operations director.  ABC is also allowing the Bend Bulletin to count those paid newspaper subscribers who also get the the paid e-edition, something that was not permitted before.