Ad*Reach to partner with AdCanada for ROP sales (pdf below)
Toronto, October 12, 2023
Ad*Reach and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association enter into a strategic partnership with AdCanada Media Inc.
Ad*Reach is pleased to announce that it has finalized a business partnership with AdCanada Media Inc. that will see AdCanada provide sales and marketing services on behalf of Ad*Reach, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and its 130 member newspapers across the province. Under the terms of the agreement, AdCanada Media will begin its representation of Ad*Reach/OCNA newspapers effective October 16, 2023.
This partnership will further galvanize the sales and marketing efforts of community newspapers in Canada, and bring the total number of titles under the AdCanada representation umbrella to 350 across the country. However, most importantly the partnership will give advertisers and agencies an ability to streamline their planning activities by providing a single point of contact for information and campaign execution.
“The Ad*Reach-AdCanada partnership is a powerful combination,” said Gordon Cameron, President and Interim Executive Director of OCNA. “AdCanada’s commitment to simplifying the planning and buying of community newspaper advertising has proven to create opportunities for advertisers looking to connect with Canadians. We believe that adding 130 OCNA/Ad*Reach member newspapers into the AdCanada model will not only serve to enhance the overall appeal of community newspapers to
advertisers and their agencies, but be of great benefit to our members.”
According to AdCanada Media, CEO, Jeff Beardsworth, the partnership comes at a time when the newspapers industry is looking for new ways to attract advertisers. “The challenges facing the newspaper industry in Canada are well-documented. However, there are things that we can do to help increase our appeal to advertisers by making ourselves more cohesive and easier to work with.
Newspapers can’t be both a challenge to sell and a challenge to buy. Our partnership with the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and Ad*Reach is a natural fit for us and one that we’re confident advertisers will embrace.”
For more information please contact:
Gordon Cameron Jeff Beardsworth
President and Interim Executive Director CEO, Advertising Director
Ontario Community Newspapers Association AdCanada Media Incorporated
(905) 630-3403 (780) 989-4901
g.cameron@ocna.org jeff@adcanadamedia.ca
Click here to view the above Press Release in PDF format
What will the Ad*Reach/AdCanada Partnership Mean for OCNA Members?
What does this partnership mean for OCNA Members? This partnership will provide members with a dedicated, Toronto-based national sales team that will be working with existing clients to increase levels of advertising and pounding the pavement for new advertising opportunities.
What differences will I notice? Few, if any. Ads will continue to be sent through the Ad*Reach Adline. Payments will continue to come from Ad*Reach. You will continue to upload tearsheets to eTears on the OCNA website. Ad*Reach will continue to be your point of contact for all issues. In fact, outside of exceptional circumstances, you may never need to speak directly with someone from AdCanada.
Will this cost me more? The cost to engage AdCanada’s services will be paid by OCNA/Ad*Reach, so you will not be directly charged any additional commissions or administrative fees as a part of this agreement.
Why not just hire our own dedicated sales staff? That was the initial plan. However, when looking at the costs and benefits, the board came to the conclusion that it would be better for OCNA and its members to partner with AdCanada rather than to hire its own sales staff.
Who do I contact if I have a problem with an ad or campaign? You will continue to contact Ad*Reach.
Who do I contact about a payment that I’m owed? You will continue to contact Ad*Reach.
What happens if I have a booked ad that doesn’t run? You will continue to contact Ad*Reach.
Who do I contact about an ad or campaign that I’ve seen in another paper/on TV, radio, web, etc.? You will continue to contact Ad*Reach and Ad*Reach will contact AdCanada for more information.
What information will AdCanada have about my paper? Ad*Reach will be sharing the information it has about its members with AdCanada. If anything changes, you will continue to update Ad*Reach who will then update AdCanada.
Will Ad*Reach continue to handle any sales clients on its own? Yes. Ad*Reach will continue to deal with public notices for the government of Ontario, classified, online and 2x2 advertising. It can also continue to deal with flyer customers. OCNA’s other lines of business are unaffected.
Will the Ad*Reach name and brand disappear? No. As part of the agreement, all material sent to clients will include the phrase: “AdCanada provides sales and marketing services under contract to OCNA/Ad*Reach.” Where possible, the Ad*Reach logo will continue to be used on all forms of communication with clients and members.
How long does this agreement run? The initial contract runs until the end of 2024, but automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless cancelled. Any cancellation must provide at least 90 days notice.
Who is AdCanada? AdCanada (www.adcanadamedia.ca/) is the sales and marketing arm for the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association, Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association and Manitoba Community Newspapers Association.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions? You can contact OCNA’s president and interim executive director Gordon Cameron at g.cameron@ocna.org or 905-630-3403.