Axel Springer Verlag eyes market for new national daily

Axel Springer Verlag, Europe's largest newspaper group, is considering launching a daily in Poland as it looks to increase its business despite weak market conditions, its country manager said yesterday. "Our research shows there is room for another daily in Poland, but it is still a subject for analysis. We are also thinking of launching new magazines," said Wieslaw Podkanski, chief executive of Axel Springer Poland. The German group owns 33 Polish titles, mostly computer, car and women's magazines, but has yet to launch a rival to the top-selling Gazeta Wyborcza, published by domestic media group Agora. In 2002, Axel Springer Poland increased revenues by around 25% to zl. 250 million to return to profit after heavy investments in 2001. (Reuters) J.K.