Provider reduces coupon packages for Memphis

Since Sunday, Jan. 8, the New America Corp, which provides the Smartsource coupon package carried in The Commercial Appeal, has reduced the number of coupon packages sent to Memphis.

“We contacted News America and asked why the quantity had been cut and if it could be increased,’’ said Karl Wurzbach, vice president of marketing and sales. “News America responded by saying that the decrease in quantity was due to ‘budgetary goals’ and that it would not be able to change the number of inserts we receive until July.’’

The reduction in inserts means that as many as 20,000 Sunday single - copy papers do not include the coupons, Wurzbach said.

The Smartsource package often includes coupons for products ranging from Cheerios, to Directv, to the Olive Garden restaurant.

“This arbitrary reduction by News America simply does not allow for distribution of the Smartsource coupon package in all copies of The Commercial Appeal sold at stores, racks or by street hawkers,’’ Wurzbach said. “As a result, we’ve had to follow News America’s instructions to deliver to home subscribers first and in single copy as they remain available. And that’s what we’ve done.

“All home subscribers will get the SmartSource coupons. Then we will place whatever remaining supply we have into the copies sold at stores, in racks, and by street hawkers. We’re trying to work with News America on this. We recognize that not having SmartSource inserts in some papers will lead to some disgruntled customers. That is not the business we are in.’’

Wurzbach said The Commercial Appeal is doing everything in its power to resolve this problem and that its parent company, E.W. Scripps, is also involved in negotiations with News America.

“We are sorry for the problems this has caused our customers, and ask for their patience as we move forward,’’ he said.