In the lead-up to celebrating its 160-year milestone on Thursday July 12, 2018, The Advertiser is sharing the moments in time that have shaped South Australia, Australia and the world over the last 16 decades, with a pictorially led print and digital content campaign supported by advertising and sponsorship.
Featuring images of South Australia’s past from 1858-2018, The Advertiser is publishing 10 eight-page liftouts and digital photo galleries to tell the stories of notable events, decade by decade.
Matt Deighton, editor of The Advertiser, said: “When the first edition of The South Australian Advertiser rolled off the presses on July 12, 1858, the settlement of South Australia was only 22 years old. Back then it was as a broadsheet and primarily classifieds newspaper consisting of four pages and sold at four pence.
“Over 160 years we have borne witness to the triumphs and the tragedies that have come to define South Australia. Today, The Advertiser has evolved to become an iconic South Australian brand covering local, national and global news to keep our 502,000 weekly readers informed.
“We are no longer just a daily newspaper, but a 24/7 multimedia organisation, providing the news our readers want, when they want it, on whatever device they choose. It is an evolution that continues apace every day,” Deighton said.
“Yet one thing remains constant, and that is an absolute determination to better the lives of South Australians every day. It is for this reason I am so proud to be celebrating our rich 160-year heritage and commit to continue telling the stories that matter. The stories of South Australians.”
Melvin Mansell, editorial director of SA, NT and TAS at News Corp Australia, said: “Today The Advertiser is more relevant than ever, with more readers than at any time in our history, and a determination to be an empowering force for the communities we serve.
“The Advertiser and Sunday Mail are read by three in four South Australians each month – the highest rate for any print and digital news brand in Australia. And we are determined to keep improving to remain the State’s biggest and most important source of news.”
Acknowledging consistent and generous advertiser support for the masthead, Ish Davies, managing director of News Corp in South Australia, said: “Throughout our rich history it has been a privilege to work with the South Australian business community.
“Often times our role has been to advocate and support local business as we are doing today with our business campaign and our $1M marketing gift to small business.
“Yet just as often we have been the fortunate recipient of generous and loyal support from businesses large and small, whose investment in The Advertiser has allowed and continues to allow our brands to play the role of informing, inspiring and advocating for our community as we do. We are forever grateful for that support.”
Advertisers in South Australia were offered the opportunity to align their brand with the power of the unique 10-day print and digital campaign, expected to boost pride, readership and audience engagement.
Advertisers and sponsors for the 160th birthday campaign include Brand South Australia, Training and Skills Commission of SA and Foodland SA.
To maintaining momentum with the successful We’re for You brand campaign, The Advertiser will publish a selection of brand ads, that highlight the 16 decades of bringing the news to its community.
The eight-page decade-by-decade print liftouts and digital photo galleries commenced on Monday July 2 and will continue until Thursday July 12. On the official 160th birthday, Advertiser.com.au will feature a unique homepage execution that converts the modern 21st century site back to the 1850s – presenting modern news in an old-time format.