Brazilian Newspapers enjoy prosperity, sunshine.

Posted by Nestor Bailly on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 AM

Despite the credit crunch, the fall of advertising, and declining circulation of newspapers in the Northern Hemisphere, Brazil continues to see rapid and sustained growth in its newspaper and tabloid industries, MediaGuardian reports.

In 2007 Brazilian newspaper circulation increased 12% compared to a world average of 2.7%, and last year's increase of 5% came among the global market crash and dire times for Europe and North American papers.

Tabloids have seen perhaps the largest growth, with colorful pages and scantly-clad women, distributed for free or very cheaply. Growth at nationally established papers remains steady as well.

"There's a new, emerging group in Brazil with much more consumption power than in the past and a great deal of pent-up demand," says Marcelo Salomon, the chief Brazilian economist at Barclays Capital in Sao Paulo.

As one of the BRICs nations, Brazil has a bright future ahead of constant growth and increased global standing, but social issues and corruption remain problems that have limited potential growth.

However, the populist policies of President 'Lula' (such as the popular family stipend program) have enabled the nation's poor to have much more spending power, accompanied by massive growth in agribusiness.

All this underlies increasing circulation. Newspapers have enjoyed rising advertising revenue every year since 2001. One paper, Super Noticia from the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, has more than doubled its sales within two years, becoming Brazil's third biggest paper.

So if you or someone you know has been laid off by Condé Nast, or took a voluntary buyout from the New York Times, check out Rio. There might be a desk with a beach view available.

Source: MediaGuardian