Frequently Asked Questions

please visit our major shareholders page.

Our core business is publishing and printing local newspapers, the provision of news websites and ancillary activities including contract printing.

The main elements of turnover are:

Print advertising 59%

Newspaper sales 24%

Contract print 7%

Digital revenues 5%

Sundry 5%

Our main competitors are:

- Internet
- Other local newspapers
- Local Radio
- Outdoor Advertising
- Advertising only publications

Our main customers are local advertisers and readers both in print and online.

The current directors own around 2% although many staff are also members and our share schemes give all our employees the opportunity to participate in the Company’s ownership.

The strength comes from the newspaper brands, internet sites and established circulation figures.

All of our newspapers are profitable but there is some variation between titles reflecting circulation frequency and whether the title is paid for or free.

We have many outlets for our print publications and these vary from market to market.

While newspaper circulations have been in slow decline for many years the rate of decline can be influenced by the type of publication and the degree of investment in product quality. Our mix of business is skewed towards weekly newspapers, most of which are the leaders within their local communities. Overall 65.2% of our advertising revenues are in weekly newspapers, which have over recent years enjoyed better circulation trends than their daily equivalents due to their more localised footprint. They have also enjoyed better advertising trends due to the mix of advertising.

Product quality has been assisted by the investment in new editorial and Content Management Systems which have enabled significant changes in workflow.

During the past six years, much classified advertising has been lost due to increased competition from digital alternatives and through the economic downturn. This has encouraged the Group to focus on developing display revenues from both new and existing customers. A new programme of customer acquisition has been introduced across the business resulting in new local advertisers and new categories of display revenue. Whilst we expect some return of classified advertising as the economy improves, further structural change is inevitable. However, as much of the structural/cyclical impact has already occurred, the future impact of structural change is likely to be more muted and balanced by the cyclical bounce.

Our digital strategy is to leverage the assets of our newspaper business into the online world. These assets include unique local news and information content, relationships with readers and advertisers and strong local brands. By leveraging these assets we are able to create an advantage over on-line competitors.

Digital revenues returned to growth during the year driven primarily by the improved recruitment proposition launched in August 2009. Through working with a partner, the Daily Mail & General Trust’s (DMGT) Jobsite, we were able to rapidly introduce a better recruitment offering into our local markets. This has enabled us to improve our local market share in terms of the number of jobs available on the site and response to advertisements through visitor numbers; in 6 out of 9 of our major local markets we are in first or second position in terms of site visitors. These improved websites will enable us to hold our strong position in local recruitment with a unique combination of print and digital products. These sites utilise Autonomy software in conjunction with our editorial and Content Management Systems to create the ability of coding our editorial content in preparation for both improved contextual advertising and automated use of our editorial content. These are important building blocks which can be exploited further to develop our digital business.

A Head Office composed of 16 people with the business split into 5 operating divisions and 50 operating centres.

Turnover was nearly £30 million down on 2009 although operating profit before non-recurring items was £70 million, up slightly on 2009.

Although the UK economy officially came out of recession in 2010, the advertising market still remained challenging. The employment market, which had started to show some signs of improvement over the first quarter, unfortunately deteriorated over the second half of the year as public spending cut-backs were clearly evidenced in the reduction in public sector jobs being advertised. We also saw in the property market, after an encouraging start to the year with growing revenues, a reduction in the volume of transactions and mortgage approvals and this undoubtedly caused a slow down in property advertising in the fourth quarter. The general display market also saw an impact from the public sector spending review with the Central Office of Information spend in our papers reducing by 90% in the second half when compared to the first half.

In the year, our print advertising was down by 7.1% on a like-for-like basis and although this was a further decline it was at a much slower rate than that experienced in 2009. Within print advertising, property performed best growing during the year by 4.0%. However, as noted above, this performance slowed in the latter part of the year. Display advertising, our largest category, reduced by only 2.4% and saw improved trends in the latter part of the year despite the impact of the reduction in public sector spending referred to above. Employment revenues saw the largest impact of the public sector declines and reduced by 26.9%. In total, public sector related advertising was less than 9% of our total advertising in the second half of the year.

The pace and consistency of the economic recovery remains uncertain and this is reflected in a weaker start to 2011 than we had anticipated. Nevertheless, much of the Group’s work in 2010 was concentrated on improving systems and technology and making processes more efficient. Given the Group’s historic strengths and presence in the many communities it serves, our opportunity now is to be innovative in growing revenues both from traditional and new sources and capitalising on the economic recovery when it gathers pace.

The business started in 1767 as a Johnston family business. A brief history of the Company can be found here

We currently employ over 5,900 people.

Please see the event calendar for specific dates.

Our AGM takes place on the last Friday in April. Please click here to access the event calendar.

A hard copy can be obtained in writing from:

The Secretary
Johnston Press plc
108 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AS

Or alternatively you can view and download a copy here.

We trade on the London Stock Exchange. Please click here to see our latest share price.

Our ticker symbol is JPR.

Computershare Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH

Any questions, other than those addressed here, you need to contact:

The Secretary
Johnston Press plc
108 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AS

In accordance with the terms of the Group's financing agreement, available cash is used to reduce debt and no dividend is curently paid on the Company's Ordinary Shares.

Not currently applicable.

Not currently applicable.

Not currently applicable.

You can contact the Company's Registrar at the following address:

Computershare Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH

You need to write to the Registrar and ask for a duplicate. The Registrar will require you to complete a Form of Indemnity for which there will be a charge.

You will have to complete and sign a Share Transfer Form and send it to the Registrar. In some circumstances stamp duty will be payable.

You will need to contact your stockbroker, financial adviser or bank.

Currently the Company has no plans to propose a dividend.

Yes you can by completing a Share Transfer Form indicating your selection of charity. The Company’s registrars will be able to provide you with the appropriate form.

Computershare
Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavillons
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH

At 4 April 2011, there were 639,746,083 Ordinary Shares of 10p each in issue. The Company also has Preference Shares and A Preference Shares paying a fixed rate dividend.

We are listed as Media.

You need to talk to your personal financial adviser or other qualified professional.

Yes a bonus issue in 1994, a Rights Issue in 1992, 1996, 2002 and 2008.

Yes they can.

You can get more information on from Newspaper Society. Visit their website on www.newspapersoc.org.uk

Organic growth through general economic recovery and increasing digital revenues.

The Group’s operations within the UK provide the bulk of revenues. The total level of turnover in the Republic of Ireland is less than 10% of the Group's total turnover.

The internet is very important in the future strategy of the business. The Group maintains over 270 websites generating revenues in excess of £18 million.

Currency fluctuations do not have a major impact on the Company.

The annual turnover in 2010 was approximately £398 million.

Yes, in looking at generating additional revenues and utilising technological advances in the production process.

You need to contact the Company's Registrar:

Computershare
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH

All shareholders are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting.

The Company operates a SAYE Share Option Scheme, a Share Incentive Plan and Performance Share Plan for senior executives. More details are contained in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Unfortunately not.

Deutsche Bank AG London
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London
EC2N 2DB

The last capital re-organisation was a 1 for 1 Rights Issue completed in June 2008.