WSJ ad sales fell 12% in April; Barron's ad sales up 45%

Dow Jones & Co. reported Tuesday morning that ad revenue fell 12.2 percent at The Wall Street Journal, but rose 45.5 percent at Barron’s.

The release stated, “Advertising revenue at The Wall Street Journal decreased 12.2% in April on a 12.7% decrease in advertising volume, due to declines in technology, financial and general advertising partially offset by an increase in classified advertising. Technology advertising volume decreased 34.8% as decreases in hardware, office products, communications and technology professional services advertising were partially offset by increases in personal computers and software advertising.

“Financial advertising volume decreased 15.6% due to decreases in wholesale, insurance and retail advertising. General advertising volume decreased 14.0% as decreases in auto, corporate and professional services advertising were partially offset by increases in travel, public utilities, real estate, aviation, luxury goods and other consumer advertising. Excluding auto advertising volume, general advertising volume increased slightly in April 2007 compared with the prior-year period.

“Classified advertising volume increased 1.7% due to an increase in other classified and commercial real estate advertising partially offset by a decrease in residential real estate advertising.

“At Barron’s, total advertising revenue increased 45.5% in April on a 41.5% increase in advertising pages aided by one additional issue in April 2007 versus the prior year period. On a per issue basis, total advertising pages increased 13.2% primarily driven by an increase in financial advertising.”

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