I participated last night in a podcast about the newsagency industry for Mediaweek magazine. Moderated by Brenden Wood, Eugene Varricchio – Group General Manager – Retail & Distribution – ACP Magazines, James Manning – Editor – Mediaweek and I talked about magazines in the newsagency channel and the challenges we encounter and the opportunities ahead. The 30 minute discussion started with a look at the issues surrounding the changes with Alpha magazine.
It is good to see the newsagency channel featured and discussed in this way. As Eugene points out, we account for sales of mroe than 50% of ACP magazines product.
That was very good. I’d encourage other newsagents to listen to it.
Great interview.
Appreciated homework done by mediaweek guys and comments by all.
Technology is a must and Newsagents must continue to embrace it.
Eugene Varricchio’s comments on overseas v’s Australian titles, distributors and publishers were the most positive news for Newsagents I have heard for a long time.
Also showed some empathy regarding Newsagent challenges.
A much needed sharing of information from the horses mouth.
Fantastic work Mark, thankyou for getting in their.
I liked how there was a Newsagent representing us rather than a body.
When over supply of Beading and Caravan magazines rolls of the tongue so easily it shows that, the person in this case (Mark) knows what he’s talking about from top to bottom.
Excellent podcast Mark. Thanks for providiing the link that I would otherwise not have known about. I would advise others to listen to it as well. I particularly liked the discsussion about the need for Newsagents to take a closer look at their retail skills and operations and to improve where they can to survive in this constantly changing industry.
This is an excellent podcast mark. It is good to hear the newsagent position articulated clearly and with passion. I have greater respect for ACP having heard what Eugene had to say. We need more dialogue like this. Well done.
Thought the bloke from ACP came across well. Was he involved in previous decisions to take key sub agents off newsagents and go direct? ACP have a history of taking with one hand and giving with the other….masters of spin.
ted, kudos to him if he did, my agent sent me this morning : 2 Elle collections worth $19.25 but nothing I’d ask him for. He recieved four of this magazine but gave me half his supply, yet not the same with the titles I NEEEEEED!(50 or so magazines this morning)
I don’t see anything wrong with ACP stripping a sub-agent from an agent when they do not do the right thing.
That’s fine if they took this action against the poor performers but the reality is they have stripped highly profitable sub agents from servicing newsagents everywhere…including a large percentage who would be clasified as good operators.
I’m also mainly referring to the petrol/convenience stores and supermarkets. Newsagents have short memories when it comes to ACP. Now through a single podcast, everyone thinks they’re simply wonderful.
I’ve seen that actually. Mobil having a full account and having individual stores with say 20 pockets on a stand and the small newsagent 50 metres down the road with 400 pockets with no ACP magazines on show at all. – I don’t understand this, the specialist lacks what they specialize in.
I liked listening to a newsagent and ACP engaged in good discussion. Very professional and useful.
As many of us yesterday received an email regarding Netonline and supplementry returns. I was pleased and suprised with Netonline now has taken off all restrictions regarding supplementry returns.
Up until yesterday Netonline users could only return selected supplementry magazines.
This in my opinion is good for cash strapped Newsagents who use this service and if they experience oversupply situations.
I believe Network could be listening, understanding and trying to bridge the gap between Newsagents and themselves. Sometimes you have to compliment where progress has been made. Well done Network.
Derek
Cool. I assume that means that restrictions are off for everyone, rather than for only those who received the email?
Network services just went up a few notches in my book .It was the main thing i hated about NDC was there returns procedure but now they have come up with this it is definantly a plus
Y&G- I believe it is for everyone. Not sure why you did not get an email- I just updated my details on Netonline, it has an email update too if you were not aware.
Shaun- Yes my teeth grinded tightly every time I wanted to supplementry return and I was not allowed.
Today I threw my hand up in the air in frustration and I feel let down, I openned the local Coles brochure and I could not believe or actually understand what I saw.
Buy the current NW and the Womens day for I think was $6.84 separate these 2 issues and the cost would be $8.95.
Who do we blame? Mr Varricchio company or the Giants? or both, I feel let down, the commission Coles are making in total would be approximately less than 5%
We cannot match this and goes to the very foundation of anti competitiveness, ACP were making big strides in the respect stakes now it is back to Zero.
I call on Mr Varricchio to stop this from happenning, I dont know how but I know you can, we must all play fair or you will destroy the channel for everyone.
Derek Adams.