Inland Updates Weeklies Survey

Co-sponsors of the new study, now called "The Weekly Newspaper Operations Survey," include Suburban Newspapers of America, the National Newspaper Association, and MDDC Press Association.

Inland has also reduced the price for the new and improved study. Participants pay only $79, a nearly 50 percent discount from last year. Extra copies of the final report can be ordered for $49.

The improved survey will take less than two hours to complete. All participants need to complete the survey are their IRS form, postal or audit statements, and records of linage and payroll.

Among the topics covered in the study: revenue, profitability, departmental costs, return on commercial operations and shoppers, base pay and total direct pay norms for 12 job titles, and survey results regarding insurance and retirement plans.

Participants can also use the survey for compensation planning. The salary and wage survey for weeklies measures the low, mean, median and high annual base pay and total direct pay for 12 job titles. A benefits survey w which was part of the previous survey, will continue to be part of the Weekly Newspaper Operations Survey.

A selection of operational questions that will provide guidelines for future business decisions of participants have also been added. They address such operational factors as use of independent contractors and online services.

Forms and instructions can be downloaded from the Web at www.inlandpress.org in the File Gallery (left-hand navigation bar). They can also be e-mailed.

Results are confidential. Each newspaper is assigned a key number, which allows comparison of expense and revenue categories without revealing the newspaper’s identity.

Any weekly newspaper from the United States or Canada can participate. Data is reported for single-flag and multiple-flag circulations. Newspapers with paid and free circulations may participate.

For more information, call the Inland Press Association, (847) 795-0380 or send e-mail to mchester@inlandpress.org.