I’ve heard a strong rumor that News Ltd is to launch a promotion on one city in a few weeks which will only be available at a certain petrol outlet. If true, this would be the second time this has happened. The newsagency channel was created to distribute and sell newspapers and magazines more than 120 years ago. Petrol outlets have had newspapers only recently. News Ltd relies on newsagents to keep the costs of distribution down and invest in over the counter sales at a rate unmatched by any other newspaper outlet. If News Ltd refuses to include newsagents in what looks likely to be a high profile campaign then newsagents would be right to respond. Some folk in News Ltd have to decide how important newsagents are and if the answer is ‘not important’ then they ought to stop the death of a thousand cuts. If I’m wrong let me know: mark@towersystems.com.au.