Democrat-Gazette to deliver several Stephens newspapers

— The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette plans to distribute eight of Stephens Media’s weekly newspapers beginning this week or next week, said Larry Graham, the Democrat-Gazette’s circulation director in Little Rock.

The Democrat-Gazette started delivering Stephens Media’s Jacksonville Patriot last week.

The weeklies that will now be delivered by Democrat-Gazette carriers are the North Little Rock Times, Sherwood Voice, Maumelle Monitor, Cabot Star-Herald, Lonoke Democrat, Carlisle Independent, Van Buren County Democrat and Hot Springs Village Voice.

Before the new delivery arrangements, the weekly newspapers were delivered through the U.S. Postal Service, Graham said.

The statewide newspaper also will start delivering the Pine Bluff Commercial six days a week next month, Graham said.

By combining distribution services, the media companies and carriers will make more money and customers will get better service, Graham said.

On some routes in Fort Smith, the Democrat-Gazette is delivered by Stephens Media’s Southwest Times Record, said Hector Cueva, circulation director for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers in Fayetteville, a joint venture formed in 2009 by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc., which is owned by WEHCO Media Inc., and Stephens Media.

Plans call for the Southwest Times Record to deliver the Democrat-Gazette to all of its subscribers in Fort Smith by August, Cueva said.

In most areas, there are two carriers going down the same streets, he said, and by combining the deliveries it will save money - especially in rural areas.

Nat Lea, vice president and general manager of the Democrat-Gazette’s Little Rock operations, said it is common for metropolitan area papers to combine delivery. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal sometimes have their papers delivered in local markets by local papers, he said.

“It’s a win for all involved and has potential to help the quality of delivery to subscribers,” in comparison with mail delivery, Lea said.

Business, Pages 21 on 07/24/2012

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