06/05/2008

It looks as if Scotland on Sunday and the Sunday Herald are to lock horns in a battle to woo new readers in the north and and north-east of Scotland.

Scotland on Sunday, which reduced its cover price in these areas, from £1.40p to  70p, is to repeat the offer next week.

Editor, Les Snowdon, in a by-lined piece, told readers: “We are offering Scotland on Sunday at half-price to say thank you to our loyal readers in the  north of Scotland and to spread the message to new readers that Scotland on Sunday is Scotland’s Sunday newspaper.

“If you are a regular reader, I hope you enjoy your favourite Sunday read as much as usual. If you are reading Scotland on Sunday for the first time, I hope you will pick up the paper again next week, when it will once again be
on sale for  70p.”

SoS is also pushing sales south of the border - pointing out it is now printed in London as well as Scotland, and is available at London’s mainline railway stations and airports.

Both SoS and the Sunday Herald are becoming increasingly aware that north and north-east Scotland are target areas in which to pick up new sales. In these areas, Aberdeen’s regional daily, the Press and Journal, sells more than 80,000 copies each weekday which leaves a vacuum on Sundays.

The Sunday Herald has upped its editorial content from these areas across all sections of the paper - especially  the business pages, with deputy business editor, Steven Vass, becoming a familiar face in Aberdeen.

* Send your Scottish media news and gossip, in the strictest confidence, to  info@allmediascotland.com