AZ Medien makes a profit again
After three bad years, AZ Medien AG, publisher of the Aargauer Zeitung, is back in the black. In the 2010 financial year, the Group achieved a consolidated result of CHF 3.2 million. In 2009, a loss of 14.8 million francs had still resulted.
A slight economic recovery from autumn 2010 and in particular the cost-cutting measures from synergy programs, some of which were already initiated in the 2009 financial year, had a positive impact on the 2010 financial year, as the company announced on Tuesday.
The operating income of CHF 234.4 million is at the previous year's level after structural adjustments. However, it is not directly comparable with the previous year due to the self-marketing of advertisements (from the beginning of 2010) and the no longer fully consolidated participation in Radio Argovia, according to the statement. On a comparable basis, operating income from newspaper publishing improved by CHF 6.1 million (+1.5 %), from magazines and books by CHF 0.6 million (+1.7 %) and from radio and TV by CHF 0.5 million (+3.6 %). In contrast, printing and distribution recorded a decline of CHF 3.9 million (-8.4 %).
The headcount amounted to 761 full-time equivalents at the end of the year. This is 77 fewer than in the previous year. The reduction in full-time positions is partly due to the fact that Radio Argovia is no longer fully consolidated. As a company spokeswoman told the SDA news agency, 35 jobs were cut - partly through redundancies, but also through early retirement, reduced workloads and dismissals.
AZ Medien's annual report will be published at the beginning of May. The Annual General Meeting will take place on May 27, 2011.
AZ Medien: Third profit slump in a row in 2009
In addition to AZ Aargauer Zeitung, AZ Medien includes BZ Basellandschaftliche Zeitung, AZ Solothurner Zeitung, Der Sonntag and holdings in Internet portals, Radio Argovia, Radio 32, Tele M1 as well as weekly newspapers and trade journals. The Group is also active in customer printing.
