Manchester business publishing feeling shake-up
The Drum rounds up the latest developments in Manchester's increasingly competitive business publishing sector.
The London freesheet will expand into Manchester and Edinburgh in spring 2009. It follows Yorkshire-based news service The BusinessDesk.com's move to launch a north west edition in September.
The new arrivals in Manchester join a region that has seen a rapid explosion in business coverage this year.
American publisher Crain's set the ball rolling when it launched its weekly Manchester Business paper at the turn of the year. The title has proved popular with commentators impressed with the quality of its editorial coverage, but has found less favour with advertisers put off by an unrelenting ratecard policy.
A new Crain's ratecard – taking into account changing market conditions since its launch – is set to be unveiled for 2009 with rates cut by up to one third.
The BusinessDesk, based on Manchester's King Street, has already made its mark on the city's publishing scene after bringing in Manchester Evening News business editor, Chris Barry, to join its fledgling operation.
The MEN has now started the search for a new business editor as it also reshuffles its pack following the announcement that managing director, Mark Rix, will leave in January to become CEO of Dubai newspaper company, Catchpole Communications.