Oakville Beaver readers love their newspaper: survey by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, April 14, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com We knew it, but now the myths are busted and there's proof -- Oakville residents love reading the Oakville Beaver. They do not throw the paper in the blue bin, they do read it, respect it and consider it -- online and importantly, the print edition -- relevant. Interest in community newspapers remains strong in Oakville, a readership survey shows. Approximately 82 per cent of residents have read at least one of the past four issues of the Oakville Beaver, according to the Community Newspaper Readership Report conducted by research firm BrandSpark International. The report, which measures readership in more than 100 Ontario communities, was based on blind phone and online surveys of more than 13,000 Ontario residents. Although commissioned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. -- the parent company of the Oakville Beaver, Burlington Post, Milton Canadian Champion and other community newspapers across Ontario -- survey sponsorship was not divulged to participants so unbiased results could be garnered. Michelle Digulla, vice-president of marketing Ashley Furniture, Metro, 3 for 1 Glasses, M&M Meats, Halton Furniture, IDA, Cruise Holidays Oakville, Rabba, Lawn Patrol, Rona,a Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Lowes, Freshco, Smart Saver, Food Basics, Subway, Brandsaver, Healthy Planet, Bob's Cruises, Team Honda, Benjamin Moore, Stone-Link Corp., Scan Decor, Home Hardware, Smart Source, Ren's Pet Feed and Supplies, National Sports, Home Outfitters, Fortinos, Sears, Brick Mattress, Toys R Us, Longo's, Rexall Pharma Plus, Shoppers JYSK Bed & Bath, Red Plum, Toro, Walmart, Leon's Furniture, McKesson, Centennial Windows, The Brick, Home Depot, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Golf Town, Petsmart, Hudson's Bay Co., TruGreen, Freshco, Michael's, Sobeys, Monastery Bakery & Deli, Canadian Tire inside today's Spotlight Beaver Trails Health Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 38 41 Arts Sports Classified 44 46 50 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes at Metroland Media, said the study busts a number of myths about the newspaper industry, especially when it comes to community newspapers. "The myth of taking a newspaper, flipping to one section and then putting it in the recycling is just not true," she told Metroland West Media West staff Tuesday (April 5) during a presentation of the report. Halton readers are spending an average of 23 minutes reading the newspaper, she said. It's also most commonly read by two adults in each household, Digulla continued, and a typical issue is read twice and kept in the house for an average of nearly four days. In Oakville, of those who have read at least one of the last four issues of the Beaver and the flyers included, the majority of them are spending 15-29 minutes reading it (42 per cent), followed by 29 per cent who spent under 15 minutes, 19 per cent who spent 3044 minutes, four per cent who spent 45-59 minutes and six per cent who spent an hour or more. Compared to last year, 10 per cent of Oakville readers are also reading the paper more often, 85 per cent haven't changed their reading habits and three per cent read it less often. The report also reveals about 87 per cent of Halton residents felt their local paper connected them to their community while 86 per cent felt the newspaper was their resource for local Metroland Halton General Manager Kelly Montague information. Additionally, 84 per cent felt the local newspaper had a positive impact on its respective community. The paper was ranked above service clubs and churches based on readers' views of it being connected to the community. Surveyed readers felt the local newspapers in Halton were considered the most involved in the community at 30 per cent, followed by service clubs (16 per cent), schools (15 per see Readers on p.9 INJURED? I Can Help! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca PLATINUM Our Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law difference designers makethe 490 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE KDESIGNCABINETRY.COM 905.339.2223