A recent MediaWeek article entitled "Buyers Want Newspaper to Reinvent Model" discusses new methods newspapers have been using to meet the needs of buyers, and echoes some of the same sentiments we've heard from our advertisers here at MediaBids. For example, many of our advertisers typically request value-adds like online exposure with their buys. In response to this, publications are now posting print offers on our site with online space included as an integrated online/offline buy. Many newspapers have focused on presenting these integrated buys more frequently to their advertisers. Additionally, as the article outlines, some newspapers have started publishing e-newsletters on single topics and other newspapers are utilizing mobile opportunities to try and improve the overall success of their publication.

Here at MediaBids, we're presenting another option for newspapers and magazines in the print ad sales arena, in the form of our Per-Inquiry Advertising Program.We are currently working with  a small number of national advertisers who are paying for their print ads based on response. Newspapers, magazines and more can simply request an ad for these advertisers and we'll send them creative within 2-3 business days. Publications get paid based on the response their ads generate. Some advertisers participating include Vonage, Dish Network and DirecTV. Details of the program and forms to request ads can be found here: http://marketing.mediabids.com/ppi/index.html

The Magazine Publishers of America recently updated their free Magazine Handbook which provides compelling information and research regarding the effectiveness of magazine advertising.  The Top 10 reasons, as described by the MPA, are as follows:

1.) Magazines & Magazine Ads Garner Greater Attention
2.) Magazine Advertising is Valuable Content
3.) Magazines Supply Credibility
4.) Magazine Advertising Performs Consistently Throughout the Purchase Funnel
5.) Magazine Advertising Sells & Influences
6.) Magazine Advertising Drives Web Searches & Visits
7.) Magazine Advertising Improves ROI
8.) Magazine Advertising is Relevant and Targeted
9.) Magazines Deliver Reach
10.) Magazine Audiences Accumulate Rapidly - With Lasting Impact 

To view the research and studies involved in creating the Top 10 - and read more interesting information about the role of magazines within the advertising arena as a whole - download the free Magazine Handbook from the MPA.
 

A recent MediaWeek article outlined the Top 30 Newspaper Websites in April, 2008 - noting that only seven of the websites showed a decrease in traffic from last year. Here's a list of the top 30, as provided by Nielson Online to MediaPost:

NYTimes.com
USATODAY.com
Washingtonpost.com
Los Angeles Times
Wall Street Journal Online
Boston.com
SFGate.com/San Francisco Chronicle
New York Post
Chicago Tribune
Daily News Online Edition
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chicago Sun-Times
Newsday
DallasNews.com - The Dallas Morning News
The Houston Chronicle
International Herald Tribune
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Politico
MercuryNews.com
The Seattle Times
The Sun, Baltimore
Azcentral.com
The Washington Times
Village Voice Media
Philly.com
Star Tribune
NJ.com
St. Louis Post Dispatch
The San Diego Union-Tribune
OregonLive.com