About Us: Free Ad Papers

The concept of the free-ad paper was developed in Canada more than 25 years ago by Mike Abbott when he founded Buy & Sell in Vancouver. The concept rapidly spread throughout the world and the Free Ad Papers International Association (FAPIA) was formed. This association now has more than 130 members throughout the world you can look at other free-ad paper sites by visiting Fapia.

Private for sale ads are always free in free ad papers. Most papers have limits on the number of free ads per customer. The free ad paper makes money from the cover price and commercial ads.

Quokka

Quokka was founded by Erik and his wife Elizabeth. The paper was bought by West Australian Newspapers limited late in December 2002. West Australian Newspapers are committed to continuing the free ad concept

Erik was at a loose end in Auckland New Zealand after more than 20 years with Dow Chemical. He had some cash, the result of a golden handshake, and an absolute aversion to working for someone else.

This is now history, including the cash. Erik and Elizabeth were friends with the owners of New Zealand free-ad papers. The concept attracted both of them, but there were no opportunities in New Zealand. A survey of Australia showed Perth Western Australia to have good potential. Erik retires from Quokka on December 18 2003. Michael then takes over the reins at Quokka.

The first copy of Quokka was launched on 14 March 1996.

Key Data:

Publication date:

Every Thursday (Except for 2 weeks over Christmas Holiday)

Weekly Sold Circulation:

56,000

Weekly Readership:

195,000 ACNielsen October 2002

Number of Outlets:

1500

Cover price:

$AUS 2.50

Free ads per customer:

3

Deadline for free ads:

Tuesday 8 PM

Commercial Line Ad (1 week)

$AUS 3.96/line

Commercial Line Ad (4 week)

$AUS 3.19/line

Commercial Line Ad (12 week)

$AUS 2.53/line

Commercial Line Ad deadline

Tuesday 7 PM

Display Ads (1-4 weeks)

$AUS 15.73/column cm

Display Ads (5-16 weeks)

$AUS 14.30/column cm

Display Ads (17 weeks or more)

$AUS 11.55/column cm

Column width

42 mm

Page width (6 columns)

261 mm

Page length

405 mm

Contact Details

Free ad number

+61-8-9333-3000

Free ad Fax

+61-8-9470-9088

Administration

+61-8-9355-7733

Line ads

+61-8-9355-7792

Display ads

+61-8-9355-7792

Circulation

+61-8-9355-7788

Commercial ad Fax

+61-8-9470-9095

About Our Staff

The Staff at Quokka are dedicated team-players with only one aim in mind: serving you. Our call center, pictured below, is constantly evolving in response to our customers needs. If you want to place an advert in the printed paper version of Quokka then call and an operator will assist you. The numbers are listed above. Those Quokkas you might wish to contact are listed in the following text.

Quokka Staff Details

Free Advertising in the Paper :

This is the contact to lodge your free advertising in the paper. These adverts will be automatically uploaded to the website one week after publication.

Email To Place Free Advertising in the Paper

Nick Sertis : General Manager

Nick joined Quokka in December 2004 after being a key member of the Countryman for seven years. He brings with him the acquired knowledge to advance the publication even further.

Email

Commercial Advertising Manager :

This is the contact for all commercial advertising. Whether it be in person, over the phone or via email we have advertising consultants who can help you develop great cost effective advertising that works. This department also offers international advertising to both private and commercial advertisers. If you wish to use the self service page to place international ads the "International Adverts" link is located on the Quokka home page.

Email PaidAds and International Ads

General Email can also be sent to:

Email for Paid Advert Information
Email for Circulation Information

Adverts submitted online do NOT go into the printed paper. However, any adverts submitted to the printed version of Quokka may appear online.