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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, NOVEMBER 8, 1985
PAGE 7
Here are the changes approved by Mr. Armstrong:
1. Airport Display Islands -- with the exception of National and
Dulles, in Washington, D.C., all lighted airport displays
will be canceled as of November 30, 1985.
2. Elson's Gift Shops -- have been canceled.
3. The "Plain Truth" -- will be reduced in size from 48 to 32
pages in all editions worldwide, starting with the March 1986
issue, but will still consist of 10 issues per year.
4. Church Newsstand Distribution -- will be reduced by 250,000
copies with the February 1986 issue (to be delivered in early
January>
The carton quantity will increase from 200 to 250. Also, .!!Q
allocation increases will be available until further notice.
Most church areas that currently receive more than 1,400
copies per month will be cut back approximately 15% in their
regular monthly allocation.
(IMPORTANT NOTE:
There will be no reduction in the "Good
Neighbor" Supermarket Program. Distribution should continue
in these locations. These super.market outlets should
El
no
means receive fewer copies than allocated previously. Please
be sure to clarify this to all newsstand representatives.)
As the pruning of the trees produces healthy blossoms, so I am sure the
newsstand program will blossom with this judicious pruning.
These
reductions should be looked upon as an opportunity to review your
entire distribution program <except for the "Good Neighbor" displays)
and eliminate less productive outlets.
A deerease in distribution in some locations may indicate saturation.
This would be the time to close out those less-productive outlets.
This reduction program will require less activity in terms of obtain
ing new "Plain Truth" outlets, although additional new locations will
be required to replace outlets lost to attrition and normal cancella
tion. The challenge facing all of us will be to regulate the number of
new outlets obtained in order to maintain your new allocation.
These and other promotion and circulation area changes have been
introduced to maintain a temporary "no growth" position.
Current
subscriber circulation will basically be maintained for the 1986
period. Occasionally God requires us to step back and review all of
our programs and readjust our priorities. There is no substitute for
fervent prayer: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much" James 5:16. We should encourage the brethren to continue
to pray for Mr. Armstrong and also ask God to continue to provide the
increase that is needed to carry the Gospel message forward.
--Ray Wright, Publishing Services