In an era dominated by ad platforms like Google and Meta, local community news websites offer something many marketers overlook: trusted local audiences, community relevance, and premium ad environments. For businesses targeting communities in Alberta, digital display advertising across the Great West Media network presents a powerful, often underutilized opportunity.
The Power of Local News Audiences
Great West Media operates a network of community-driven print and digital publications, reaching over 1.5 million* readers across print and digital monthly. Their digital properties generate over 2.9 million** monthly impressions, with audiences deeply engaged in local content.
This matters because engagement and trust drive ad performance. Readers visit these sites not just to scroll—but to stay informed about their communities. That creates a high-quality environment where ads are more likely to be noticed and acted upon.
Unlike broad, low-context ad placements on social platforms, ads on local news sites benefit from contextual alignment—your brand appears alongside relevant, credible content that readers already value.
What Is Digital Display Advertising in This Context?
Digital display advertising on Great West Media websites include prominent digital ad units displayed across a network of local news sites: Lakeland Today, Town & Country Today, the St. Albert Gazette, The Albertan, Western Wheel, Cochrane Eagle, Airdrie City View, and Rocky Mountain Outlook.
Through offerings like On-Network Community Display, advertisers can place ads across multiple sites simultaneously, reaching a combined audience of 1.5 million* monthly readers.
Great Visibility and Measurable Results
One of the biggest advantages of digital display on news media sites is 24/7 visibility. Ads reach users whether they’re browsing on desktop, mobile, or tablet—at home or on the go.
Equally important is measurability. Campaigns come with:
- Monthly and/or campaign reporting
- Impression and click tracking
This allows businesses to continuously refine campaigns and maximize ROI—something traditional print alone cannot offer.
Why It’s Especially Effective for Local Businesses
For small and mid-sized businesses, the value proposition is clear:
- Reach local customers actively engaged in their communities
- Align your brand with trusted journalism
- Benefit from cost-effective campaigns with flexible budgets
At Great West Media we take the time to understand your business by doing a complimentary digital marketing assessment so we can craft and deliver a marketing strategy built specifically around your goals. Our team brings expertise across local on-network display advertising, newsletter banner advertising, Spotlight sponsored content marketing, Great West Media digital feature guides like the Hot Summer Guide & Cool Winter Guide, paid social, programmatic campaigns, SEO and SEM, Digital Out Of Home (DOOH), and custom contests. The result is a professionally developed marketing plan tailored to help your business grow.
To get started, contact us today!
*Source: Google Analytics March 2026 plus weekly print circulation
**Source: Google Analytics March 2026
