Digital news media revenue increased 18.9% 2015, in data released in the first ‘News Media Index’, a new quarterly report released by the newly-named NewsMediaWorks in a partnership with SMI.

New media industry body The Newspaper Works has announced a rebrand, renaming to NewsMediaWorks.

Coinciding with the rebrand it has entered into a world-first partnership with Standard Media Index (SMI) to produce the ‘News Media Index’ quarterly advertising revenue reports.

Total industry revenue for 2015 was $2.41 billion, a 6.7% drop year-on-year from 2014. But digital performed more positively, with revenue of $404.5 million, an 18.9% increase from 2014.

Leaders from The Newspaper Works foundation members NewsCorp Australia, Fairfax Media, West Australian Newspapers and APN News and Media gathered to announce their rebrand to NewsMediaWorks, as well as a partnership with Standard Media Index (SMI) to launch ‘News Media Index‘ quarterly advertising statistics reports.

The Index will reveal all print and digital revenue, as well as whole-of-industry revenue.

NewsMediaWorks chairman Michael Miller says “The ‘News Media Index’ is the most accurate reporting of the healthy viability of the news media industry. It responds to requests of advertisers and investors to reveal that the Australian news media sector has been significantly undervalued by independent analysts. It confirms the uniqueness and value of news media brands as successful business partners.”

Revenue data is taken from NewsCorp Austalia, Fairfax, West Australian Newspapers and APN News and Media, who represent 90% of the news media sector.

“NewsMediaWorks has set the standard for ad spend measurement. It is the first media industry organisation in the world to partner with SMI to deliver accurate reporting of revenue across print and digital media. This is highly valued by advertisiers who want to invest with confidence in a media sector. Eventually, all traditional media will have to follow its lead and also report revenues obtained from commercialising their content online,” says SMI Australia and New Zealand managing director Jane Schulze.

NewsMediaWorks is a not for profit industry body established to advocate the cultural influence and commercial value of news media in Australia.

SMI is a global industry standard for advertising spend data.

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