Alma Media : Regional Media starts a new project to increase digital competence

Alma Media Corporation  Press Release                        14 November 2014 at 10.30 a.m. EET

ALMA REGIONAL MEDIA STARTS A NEW PROJECT TO INCREASE DIGITAL COMPETENCE

Alma Regional Media that publishes all of Alma Media's regional, local and city newspapers will start a new project for increasing digitality in business. Personnel have a central role in this development project for the entire organisation as they are challenged to take part in the planning of digital business. The needs of an active media consumer create the basis for renewing business models, operating culture and expertise.

"This project is our response to the digital flux of media and the change in consumer behaviour. Printed newspapers are still made well but our approach to readers' media day is strongly digital," says Kari Juutilainen, Senior Vice President of Alma Regional Media.

The project was started yesterday and will last for approximately 18 months. It has received funding from the Liideri programme of Tekes - the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. A fast track of digitalisation is facilitated by Alma Regional Media's view of paid content.  The objective is that the subscriber will receive all content from several channels for a single monthly fee.

"Our business model is changing significantly. Key words include a multi-channel approach and adapting the offering to the consumer's media day. At the same time, we will of course offer multi-channel solutions to advertisers as they are where the consumers are," says Juutilainen.

"I am especially glad that our personnel at Alma Media already have insight, attitude and enthusiasm to renew our operations. The change will be made swiftly and at one go," continues Juutilainen.

Alma Regional Media is a business unit publishing all of Alma Media's regional, local and city newspapers.  Its best-known brands are Aamulehti, Satakunnan Kansa, Lapin Kansa, Kainuun Sanomat and Pohjolan Sanomat. The business unit also includes the printing press and distribution house, Alma Manu.

For more information, please contact:

Kari Juutilainen, Senior Vice President, Alma Regional Media, +358 50 435 4159.

Alma Media in brief

Alma Media is a media company focusing on digital services and publishing. In addition to news services, the company's products provide useful information related to lifestyle, career and business development. The services of Alma Media have expanded from Finland to the Nordic countries, the Baltics and Central Europe. The company employs 1,965 professionals (excluding distributors), of whom approximately one third work outside Finland. Alma Media's revenue in 2013 totalled approximately MEUR 300. Alma Media's share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Read more at www.almamedia.com:
http://www.almamedia.com.