By Claudia Peschiutta
An economic downturn, soft ad market and already crowded marketplace were not enough to keep David Danforth and partners from starting up the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Danforth, along with Publisher Ross Furukawa and Editor Carolyn Sackariason, put out the first issue of the free Monday-through-Saturday daily this month. Some 4,000 copies are being distributed.
“It’s a terrible time to start a paper, but we’ve started papers in terrible times before,” said Danforth, citing free dailies in California, Colorado and New Hampshire. “People are very sensitive to advertising rates and if you keep them low, you get a lot of local businesses that can afford to advertise.”
Variety Wins
Daily Variety continues to outpace The Hollywood Reporter, according to circulation figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
Daily Variety’s weekday circulation was 35,716 for the six-month period ended Sept. 30, while The Hollywood Reporter trailed with 23,759 (excluding Tuesdays). But the Reporter’s weekly edition, which comes out on Tuesdays, drew a circulation of 31,895.
Editorial Changes
The Daily News of Los Angeles has named Barbara Jones to be the paper’s city editor. She replaces Chris Parker, who left Nov. 16 to pursue a master’s degree.
Jones, who had been suburban editor, will oversee the metro and suburban editions. Managing Editor Ron Kaye said there is no hiring freeze at the Daily News. “Things are obviously restrained, but we’ve been filling all our jobs as they’ve come open,” he said.
Content Partnership
Investor’s Business Daily has agreed to provide CNN and CNNfn with exclusive access to its extensive financial database.
The L.A.-based financial paper, known for its enhanced stock tables, entered into a content partnership with Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s news and financial news networks. The deal will help increase visibility of Investor’s Business Daily.
Emmis Cuts in L.A.
Emmis Communications Corp.’s recently announced wages-for-stock deal affects 150 local employees at the company’s two L.A. radio stations, KPWR-FM (105.9) and KZLA-FM (93.9), and at Los Angeles magazine.
To reduce payroll expenses and increase cash flow, Emmis will cut employees’ wages by 10 percent and offset their loss with a corresponding 10-percent Emmis stock award.
Staff reporter Claudia Peschiutta can be reached at 323-549-5225 ext. 229 or at [email protected].
