ICNN member My Welshpool is celebrating a decade of delivering news to the Welshpool area by welcoming back advertisers after the Lockdown.
Launched in 2010 by Graham Breeze, former editor-in-chief and publishing director at regional publisher NWN Media and David Williams, a former journalist at Powys County Times, My Welshpool has grown to become a dedicated seven-day-a-week news service.
The website now attracts more on-line visitors than any other service covering North Powys.
David Williams wrote on the website:
“Ten years ago we were sure that we had the right formula to place our area at the cutting edge of the industry. The media evolution from print to online was gaining traction but there were only one or two hyperlocal news sites of note in the whole of the UK.
“The big national media companies were still dominating the market so it was a huge step for an independent entity to gate crash their party.
“But we had done our homework. Our market research showed that the Welshpool area was consuming more news and information online but residents were becoming concerned about the news black hole that was emerging over the whole of Mid Wales with widespread cuts being made to the industry. We were in danger of being the forgotten land.
“But all of that changed overnight on Friday, August 13 (yes, Friday the 13th!) 2010 when we burst onto the scene.
“The rest, as they say, is history.”
My Welshpool, along with its sister website My Newtown, joined ICNN in 2018. Graham Breeze has been an active and indispensable member of the Advisory Board.
Graham said: “We take great pride in the positive response we get from readers and advertisers alike.
“We also take great pride in being able to publish the news first in many cases – despite the presence of Newsquest and Midland News Association titles on our patch.
“We are also very proud to have led the way in Wales, pioneering the hyperlocal news industry.”
The site has launched ten reasons to advertise with My Welshpool to welcome back advertisers that were forced to close during the pandemic.
My Welshpool recognises advertisers as partners rather than clients and banner users receive regular editorial support on their sites.
MyWelshpool and MyNewtown currently attract over 80,000 unique visitors per month and an amazing 200,000+ page views every 30 days. The sites make widespread use of Facebook and Twitter to promote news and advertising partners.
David added: “Here’s to 10 more years, at least!”
