The Queensland Times out today has the future of newsagents being questioned in an article on the front page of the paper. While the article quotes me from what I have written at this blog. I was not contacted prior to publication, which is frustrating as the article lacks context.
Had the journalist spoken to me before writing the article, I would have pointed them to several of the many posts, including recent posts, where I talk about the future optimistically.
Sure, the Tatts demands placed on newsagents are challenging. I have written about them here extensively. However, there is plenty of good news in the channel, plenty of newsagents growing their businesses.
Any article writing about challenges faced by newsagents needs to have balance, this is what I mean by context.
In terms of the Tatts refit demands, I’d like Tatts to provide evidence of the return newsagents will get from the refit and the increased operating costs of the digital screens. Then, I would like Tatts to engage in mediated dialogue with newsagents to seek a fairer cost basis for the demanded refits. The demanded capital cost needs to be funded from margin faster than is currently anticipated.
I appreciate the time Kelly Higgins-Devive gave to this issue in an interview with me today on ABC radio Brisbane. The producer of Mornings on ABC Radio Brisbane called me to seek an interview. They told me they wanted to speak with newsagents but those they spoke with did not want to go on air for fear of reprisals.
Click here to hear the program. I was on air at around 9:20am so listen at around that time.
Good coverage on ABC radio Brisbane – start of Mark’s session is 52.51 on the recording. Thanks to Mark to putting forward the newsagent case.
Mark, I listened to your interview on ABC radio Brisbane. You could have the same interview on ABC Radio Perth if you say “Lotterywest” instead of “Golden Casket”.
Lotterywest will not provide newsagents with details on ROI plus they are allowing another 100 outlets into the network.
Thanks Dean. WA newsagents should challenge LotteryWest in a formal forum to provide the information. Shifting tens of millions of dollars of brand specific marketing capex to small family businesses without a proven business case is, in my opinion, appalling.