Hold the front page as newspaper returns to profit after administration

John Holliday

A Cumbrian weekly newspaper is looking to make its own headlines after getting into profit less than six months after being bought out of administration.

The 160-year-old Cumberland & Westmorland Herald was rescued from administration in February by businessman Andy Barr, saving 22 jobs.

He added a second weekly Cumbrian newspaper to its portfolio by buying the Keswick Reminder in June.

John Holliday, a former Sky, Bloomberg and BBC executive who was appointed managing director of both titles, said: “It’s all about local names, local faces and local places. Readers want want to believe in their community, read quality parish pump content. I believe that we could go back to a time where every town has its own local newspaper.

“My business philosophy is simple really: hire the best quality talent you can. That helps you make the best products. In turn you’ll increase sales and increase profits. It’s a virtuous circle. We have done that and there’s more to come.”

The decision to put the Penrith-based Cumberland & Westmorland Herald into administration was blamed on an increasing deficit in the company’s defined benefits pension scheme and longstanding problems with the regional print media industry.

His first decision was to increase the paper’s cover price by 50% – from £1 to £1.50 – which saw sales drop only 2%.

“Our strategy is built around growth”, he said. “Anyone can cut costs but I believe the way you grow a business is through focus, differentiation and cost leadership.”

Holliday, a former professional footballer with Carlisle and Mansfield, said despite the pessimism around the newspaper industry there are exciting plans for both titles.

“We’re working on a new technology platform and online product,” he said. “My beliefs comes from 25 years in the media. I believe that media organisations need a deep relationship with the end user, customers, viewers, listeners and readers.

“I have a deep faith in the public that there are millions of people who want high quality content – and are happy to pay for it.”

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