The Independent, the UK’s biggest quality digital news brand, today announces that it has appointed Canopy Media to partner on regional network and independent advertising sales and creative solutions. This relationship marks a further milestone in a period of strategic growth for the company, following another year of exponential revenue increase.

Canopy will act as The Independent’s sales team across key regions, including in Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh, making sure the brand is represented to advertisers in these local hubs. Canopy will also complement The Independent’s own, London-based sales team, across a broad portfolio of independent agencies, including The 7 Stars, Dewynters and Ptarmigan. It will offer creative solutions across both regional networks and independent agencies.

Commenting on the partnership, The Independent’s Chief Revenue Officer Andrew Morley said: “We’re delighted to be working with Canopy; the partnership will help us retain our position as the market-leading quality news brand by broadening our reach and revenue base across key regional advertising hubs. We’re looking forward to helping more advertisers and brands access and benefit from our unique readership and market share.”

Chris Grey, Chief Executive Officer at Canopy, added: “It’s a privilege to work with a brand with the standing and profile of The Independent. We’re looking forward to working with its team to build advertising solutions around the country.”

Independent Digital News and Media posted a record operating profit for the financial year ending 3 October 2021, up 103% in a year and 139% over two years. It is the fifth year in a row that The Independent has grown both operating profits and revenue. The title has been in profit every year since it closed its print edition in March 2016 and became fully digital.