A draft letter to advertisers from the publishing arm of The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News anticipates the demise of the News and assures that readers of both will continue to get a daily newspaper.
The unsigned and uncirculated letter from the Denver Newspaper Agency assures advertisers that closing the News “will only minimally change our print and online audience.”
A spokesman for the DNA said the letter was merely a planning tool for communicating to advertisers should the News close.
“Taken out of the context of the present newspaper situation, it’s just prudent business planning to prepare for different scenarios, something most businesses do every day,” spokesman Jim Nolan said.
The letter says News subscribers will receive The Post, the first hint at what is to become of outstanding subscriptions. The News’ daily circulation is 210,000, but the letter says 13,000 of them already get The Post.
News owner E.W. Scripps Co. put the paper up for sale in December and accepted bids through Jan. 16.
The company has not disclosed whether any credible buyers surfaced, nor has it provided any update to whether it will shutter the 149-year-old tabloid.
The DNA was created in 2001 as part of a federally approved joint operating agreement.
The agency runs the circulation, business and advertising operations of the papers, but the newsrooms are kept independent and separate.
David Migoya: 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com
