Armenian independent media face the challenge of insufficient resources and inefficient distribution practices which keep their newspapers from reaching a wide audience.
EF partnered with the Open Society Institute to alleviate this problem by providing much-needed skills necessary to increase subscriptions. EF Armenia worked with four distribution companies, Blitz Media, the Center of Educational Development of Gyumri, H. Simikian LLC and Oda Express, to establish representative offices throughout the country and develop the business practices, capabilities and management skills of both newspaper staff and regional distribution agents. Training courses for distribution agents taught best practices, software to track sales and demand was developed, and marketing consultations were offered to newspapers’ advertising and editorial staff.
All four outlets noted improvement in their operations following staff participation in these activities. Blitz now distributes 145 different newspapers in five regions; previously their distribution was centered in Yerevan. Subscriptions rose by 3,500 households. The Center of Educational Development of Gyumrihas doubled the sales of newspapers in the Shirak region.
EF also encouraged the media and distribution industry to respond to a controversial law adopted by the Armenian government, requiring annual licenses for all distribution agencies. At an annual cost nearly $15,000, the law had the potential to stop all private distribution of media in Armenia. Distribution companies lobbied for an amendment to the law, and the law was eventually suspended. Distribution companies hope to further lobby the government to see the law removed. For more information visit EF Armenia's web site.
