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FREEDOM COMMUNICATIONS TURNS TO PBS MEDIAPLUS® CIRCULATION FOR FAST LAUNCH OF GROUND–BREAKING PUBLICATION
Marketing Capabilities in System Help Launch OC POST in Just Six Months
Minneapolis, MN – November 28, 2006 – Publishing Business Systems, North America’s leading source for integrated enterprise–wide newspaper business software systems, today announced that Freedom Communications Inc. has licensed PBS MediaPlus® Circulation, a comprehensive system that expertly manages the entire circulation business cycle from processing subscriber information to delivering newspapers. Freedom Communications commenced use of MediaPlus Circulation with the launch of its newest publication, the OC POST, a tightly formatted, compact daily newspaper targeted at busy readers.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Freedom Communications publishes 28 daily newspapers and 37 weekly publications; the publications have a combined circulation of slightly more than 1.2 million. MediaPlus Circulation is being installed at all 28 daily newspapers, including the company's flagship newspaper, the Orange County Register, which has a reputation for innovative design and use of graphics and color. Installation will be complete in mid–2008.
Like many newspapers, the Orange County Register is always on the lookout for ways to outpace the competition, serve changing demographics and meet customer needs. To that end, the newspaper took an unusual step recently when it launched a new publication called the OC POST (www.ocpost.com). Quick and easy to read, the new publication is targeted at busy readers who prefer a shorter, more colorful paper and who appreciate the OC POST’s valued price point.
What makes Freedom’s approach even more unusual is that instead of offering the paper for free, as many newspapers are doing, the OC POST is a paid publication, one the industry is watching carefully.
“Our existing system couldn’t do what we needed,” said Larry Riley, vice president, circulation, Orange County Register/Freedom Orange County Information. “So we turned to PBS.”
Because many of the features Freedom needed come standard with MediaPlus Circulation, Freedom was able to launch the OC POST in less than six months. “We received tremendous support from PBS in making this happen in such a short time,” said Riley. “We’re using the Targeted Marketing feature within MediaPlus Circulation to help us choose samples based on specific demographics and build our paid subscriber base. We’re also using the Postalsoft address cleansing capabilities in MediaPlus Circulation to help ensure the integrity of our data.”
What’s more, MediaPlus Circulation is making it easy for Freedom to achieve its business objectives at all 28 papers. These objectives include eliminating redundant and manual processes, reducing delivery errors, improving retention and increasing customer satisfaction.
“Our partnership with Freedom Communications continues to be fruitful for both parties,” said PBS President Ron Bernier. “The OC POST represents the first time a PBS customer has used MediaPlus Circulation and its targeted marketing functionality in the start-up of a new, paid publication. We appreciate the opportunity to work on cutting–edge projects and know Freedom appreciates partnering with an innovative vendor that knows how to meet tight deadlines.”
MediaPlus Circulation, available with Oracle® or Progress database compatibility, is being installed on Progress for Freedom.
