Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JULY 2, 1982
PAGE 5
Here is a list of the papers in which ads are being placed: SUNDAY TELE
GRAPH, DAILY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY EXPRESS, SUNDAY MIRROR, IRISH INDEPENDENT,
DAILY STAR, The TIMES, OBSERVER, DAILY MIRROR, DAILY RECORD, BELFAST TELE
GRAPH, SUNDAY TIMES magazine, DAILY EXPRESS, TV TIMES, SUNDAY INDEPENDENT,
MAIL ON SUNDAY, SUNDAY EXPRESS magazine and the OBSERVER magazine.
This represents a total circulation of around 24 million and means we are
giving most of the British and Irish populations access to The PLAIN TRUTH
on at least one occasion. A smaller program using these same ads will be
run in Scandinavia.
The newsstand program in Britain has been expanded to 50,000 magazines with
the opening up of distribution in the Birmingham area. We have concen
trated our outlets in the very centre of Birmingham only, rather than
spreading into the suburbs, since this is where we get maximum exposure and
minimum logistical problems. We are also looking at outlets at Birmingham
Airport and the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. Other outlets
in major cities will be utilised when cost and opportunity allow. The
London program is also being developed as we upgrade and expand the number
of outlets. Response is around two and one-half percent.
Subscriber circulation in the U.K. and Scandinavia is up 15% and four per
cent respectively over last year, but has dropped back a little over May
awaiting the results from the advertising program. Circulation of the
English PLAIN TRUTH on the Continent remains buoyant (approximately 28,000
--up 35% over last year) due to the spinoff results from the German and
Dutch offices, and the internationalism of Europe generally. Circulation
in Black Africa is also strong and showing an increase of 59% over a year
ago.
The amount of literature dispatched from the British office to all areas is
up 60% over last year.
Finally, we have tested subscription offer "blow-in" cards and they have
done well. Naturally we will have to see if the offer has caused any dupli
cation, but response from this first trial is a very encouraging three and
one-half percent--a cost per new subscriber of less than c0.45!
As this report is produced, the income for June is up 12% over last year,
with year-to-date income up three percent.
Pentecost offerings were up
nine percent. The stringent financial situation in the U.K. and Ireland is
having a clear effect on Church income.
French-language Areas Mr. Armstrong plans to be in Paris on the 17th of
July to speak to the French-speaking brethren.
Members from France,
Belgium and Switzerland will attend this exciting and memorable occasion.
Mr. Dibar Apartian will be on hand to greet Mr. Armstrong.
Since the printing of La PURE VERITE is paid from Paris in French francs,
the recent devaluation of the French franc will considerably affeet the
French Department. The dollars we will purchase to pay our bills will cost
us approximately 10% more. A similar loss will also be felt when we make
our regular transfers of French francs from Paris to Geneva for the imple
mentation of God's Work in Switzerland.
The Church of Science was recently prosecuted in Paris for fiscal fraud.
However, the court recognized that this church was seeking to better the