Will the Commerce Commission hold the line?

Will the Commerce Commission hold the line? — November bulletin from MediaPasifika

17 November 2016

Editorial changes in the not-so-humble community newspapers and the hold-up of the NZMI/Fairfax merger are perhaps good news snippets to set against the tide of digitalised brand-content media marketing and headlong aggregation. Damien Venuto in StopPress quotes Commerce Commission’s Mark Berry saying the merger would result in one media outlet controlling nearly 90 percent of the nation’s print media market, a level of ownership bettered only by China in the international context. And we can’t have that.

Also the merged entity would control New Zealand’s two largest news websites – nzherald.co.nz and stuff.co.nz – which together have a footprint more than four times larger than the next biggest domestic news website.

But, there again, Venuto quotes Spinoff editor Duncan Greive saying there were no guarantees either news organisation was sustainable and three years down the track the Commerce Commission might have to have some ‘awkward conversations.’

And indeed the latest circulation figures confirm the downward trend with substantial bites taken since 2008: Sunday News down 73.9 percent, NBR 50.5 percent, SST 45.4 percent and only the Herald on Sunday holding its own with a 1.3 percent decline, though the ODT at 15.6 percent has done well in the digital climate.

But back with MPAS, in mid quarterly sweep. As usual we’re finding interesting things to share with clients (who obviously get the detail in the MediaPasifika db).

After refreshing Fairfax and Stuff, NZME(.), and its New Zealand News hub which covers the majority of the nation’s influential editorial writers we find the other dailies and their supplements have been pretty stable — allowing for newsroom shuffles at the Gisborne Herald and Northern Advocate. Just note Oskar Alley is no longer Dompost deputy editor, and emails, we are advised, should go to Bernadette Courtney or Eric Janssen.

To communities and a significant three in Auckland share a new regional editor — City Harbour News, Central Leader and East and Bays Courier. Let’s take this opportunity to congratulate Colin Warren who has served The Westport News which he now owns for 50 years, and wish good luck to Geoff Mercer with his new weekly community Eastern Bay Life to add to the Whakatane Beacon/Opotiki News stable.

It’s interesting that the Wellington region, which takes in Kapiti and the Hutts has 17 papers including the somewhat mysterious internet-only Kapiti Coast News (KC News). It’s crammed full of stories but discloses just one person responsible — marketing manager Tim Wilson who hasn’t so far answered emails or cellphone messages. Those lucky enough to have access to our Tellus tab are encouraged to use it to send inf if they can raise a response or know more than this.

There’s been an incursion into Wellington from the South Island with the purchase by Blenheim-based Les and Katrina Whiteside of Cook Straight News, the Independent Herald and Wainuiomata News. The status now is that Fairfax have five including the Wellingtonian. NZME(.)has Kapiti News, Riverside Press has three and there are three genuine independents including the Valley Voice in Aro Valley, published by the Aro Valley Community Council.

On to magazines where we count 19 changes of editors and to the mainly financial agencies where Dow Jones has closed its NZ link.

PR folk plotting native advertising flashes on live TV might focus beady eyes on The Project which MediaWorks chief news officer Hal Crawford is bringing over from Australia to replace Story next year. Crawford says the show will build on the momentum created by the Story team, many of whom will continue to deliver ‘incredible stories’ with The Project.

Chief content officer Andrew Szusterman waxes even more euphoric, quoted by StopPress: ‘We have the best news service in the country and the best comedy talent across the board, so the opportunity to create a hybrid programme that really resonates with viewers was too good to miss.” Hmm.Could be hubris. Story failed to replace Campbell Live in the important 7pm slot, so The Project still has large boots to fill IMO.

Ends

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