The Fall of Print & What’s Taking Its Place

“Newspapers’ financial woes worsened in the second quarter as advertising sales shrank by 29 percent, leaving publishers with $2.8 billion less revenue than they had at the same time last year” (Editor & Publisher, 2009.)

“Consumer magazine advertising pages were down 12.9 percent during the third quarter…and estimated ad revenue was down, too, slipping 8.8 percent” (Folio, 2008.)

“Newspaper ads fell 9.4%, their worst drop in print advertising sales since industry record- keeping began 57 years ago” (Bloomberg Press, 2008.)

Newspaper and magazine brands are facing a harsh reality: their ad space just isn’t selling.  With double-digit losses between 2008-2009 (Which, according to Bloomberg Press, is the worst drop in print advertising sales since industry record-keeping began 57 years ago) across nearly all of the top monthlies’ including Town & Country, National Geographic, Teen Vogue, Ebony and Wired, it’s apparent that there is a shift in the way brands think about advertising.  They’re tired of speaking at consumers within the bounds of a 4-inch print box and instead wish to engage in a two-way conversation with the public, hopefully building a long-lasting relationship in the process if done correctly.

To demonstrate this, GoMobile® made a bold statement in this month’s Media Inc. Magazine to accompany an article written about GoMobile’s success in non-traditional and outdoor marketing.  The ad reads plain and simple, “Help!  I’m Trapped in a Print Ad!” and encourages readers to “take the media world by brainstorm” with us in utilizing experiential and guerrilla marketing to reach consumers in ways they’ve only dreamed possible.  The best part of it all is that working smarter, not harder to get the public’s attention usually saves money over traditional advertising.

Mobile billboard trucks are the non-traditional wave of the future. Surfs up!

Contact us and see how easy it is to be a part of what your clients need and want.