Journal Communications Inc., owner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other newspapers, said Monday that advertising sales at its publishing business fell 12 percent in its latest period.
The drop in the period ending Aug. 24, compared with a similar 28-day period ending Aug. 26, 2007, is an improvement from the 13 percent to 14 percent year-over-year drop the company had seen during the previous three monthly periods.
But it still represents trouble for an industry weighed down by a worsening economy and the flight of readers and advertising dollars to the Internet.
Like other media companies with broadcast businesses, Journal Communications saw gains from the Olympics and political advertising.
Broadcast revenue grew 6 percent to offset the overall 7.1 percent revenue decline in publishing, which includes a 1.3 percent boost in circulation revenue.
The company's combined revenue fell 1.2 percent in the August period.
Analysts are closely watching the monthly reports from leading publishers after they reported revenue dipping even faster than anticipated in June and July.
Like Monday's numbers from Journal Communications, reports from major publishers last week largely show advertising revenue still dropping steeply but with signs of small improvement.
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