2003 was another successful year for the Circulation Department. The launch of Post Today in February 2003 and the continuing marketing and sales campaigns throughout the year were the main focus of the department. The resources and budget used for the launch campaign showed extremely positive results with Post Today firmly established in the business newspaper market by the end of the year.

Despite the SARS crisis and the war in the Middle East, 2003 sales of the Bangkok Post were the highest in the company’s history, breaking all previous sales records.

The Department went through further restructuring in 2003 to better serve the operational demands of selling and distributing two daily newspapers, a weekly magazine, and three leading monthly magazines. Newsstand and bulk sales of the two daily newspapers were reorganised into one division, and a new division was set up to focus on subscription sales and customer service. A separate Marketing Communications division was set up to plan and execute all marketing, brand advertising, promotional campaigns and events organisation for all our publications. The Distribution Department continues to distribute all newspapers and magazines of the group.

With our operational reorganisation, marketing and distribution efficiency, the department looks forward to 2004 with confidence. In 2004 we see a strong opportunity for Post Today to further increase sales on both newsstands and subscription. For the Bangkok Post, our 2004 challenge is to reach an even higher level of sales than the recent record set in 2003.

2003 saw the Bangkok Post strengthen its leading position as Thailand’s bestselling English-language newspaper. With Post Today firmly established, the company has now widened its readership base into the fast-growing and potentially larger Thai-language business segment.