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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 19, 1985
PAGE 5
325,000 copies in supermarkets, Elson's Gift Shops and on the display
islands. This one illustration is actually an example of what has been
happening in many areas throughout the United States over the past few
years. The Gospel is being preached more powerfully than at any previous
time, thanks to the dedication of you church pastors and thousands of
church members, and to the great God who makes it all possible.
PT Newsstand Growth Continues Amid Commercial Magazine Declines
Latest reports regarding consumer magazine sales indicate that over 58% of
consumer magazines show a decline in newsstand circulation, and almost 40%
show a loss in total circulation. Over half of the magazine industry re
ports that sales have declined. Surprisingly, magazines such as FAMILY
CIRCLE, TV GUIDE, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and LIFE all showed substantial news
stand declines in the latter part of 1984.
This all comes at a time when The PLAIN TRUTH has been growing steadily in
total circulation, and has been increasing in newsstand distribution. Even
though response for new subscriptions as a result of the newsstand edition
was somewhat down for the last quarter of 1984, the first quarter of 1985
has indicated an upswing in newsstand responses.
--Ray Wright, Publishing Services
UPDATE FROM MAIL PROCESSING
Recent Mail Trends
For this week's report, we would like to present something a little differ
ent. Each month, we send an update to Mr. Armstrong and key department
heads, which gives them an overview of comments and trends from the mail and
phone calls. Although this report is longer than most of our updates for
the PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, · we thought the information would be of
interest to you. The following is the report for March.
The ten most commented on subjects were as follows: (Note: The
figures given refer only to mail comments, not total responses.)
Order
Subject
1. The PLAIN TRUTH
2. Television
3. Mr. Armstrong, General Comments
4. The GOOD NEWS
5. Literature
6. Correspondence Course
7. Church/Work
8. Tithing
9. Co-worker Letter (February 25)
10. Sermon Tapes
Total
346
165
133
123
116
64
33
32
28
20
Significant Trends and Comments of Interest
Mr. Armstrong
% of Total
28.7%
13.7%
11.0%
10.2%
9.6%
5.3%
2.7%
2.7%
2.3%
1.7%
We continue to receive many letters encouraging Mr. Armstrong and
assuring him of constant prayers for his health, eyesight and