Independent weekly newspapers in Quebec will share a common editorial and advertising platform to save costs and improve their service to readers.

The 33 publications in Canada's Hebdos Québec association will use Protecmedia systems to establish a centralised platform to optimise editorial and advertising resources.

A specific aim is to cooperate on new digital projects including a new free 'My local paper' app for Apple and Android which will be a common access point for member newspapers.

A long‐term agreement with Protecmedia follows more than a year of joint analysis. It gives members tools to coordinate their work and share activities such as editorial planning with the aim of reducing costs and speeding publication of online and mobile content.

Journalists will be able to create, prepare and disseminate enriched content - such as galleries and video - without specialist technological knowledge, delivering new options and experiences to readers and advertisers.

Marketing tools will provide facilities including segmentation of audiences, geolocation, push notifications and greater interaction with readers.

"Through this partnership agreement, members will offer their readers an enriched reading experience on mobile devices, in addition to a range of new possibilities in interactive advertising on tablets for advertisers," Hebdos Québec marketing and chief executive Gilber Paquette says.

Implementation started this month for completion by next January.

President Paul Brisson says the project will present Hebdos Québec members as industry leaders in a digital era of transformation. "While reading our paper newspapers shows no decline, this platform solution will ensure the sustainability of our newspapers," he says.

Solutions from the USA and Europe were considered in a year-long study. "The Milenium solution offers the advantage of our content on all platforms without additional manipulation," says Brisson. "The management and content creation system frees valuable time for all stakeholders in the creation of a newspaper chain."

Formed in 1932, the nonprofit group promotes the local independent press, supporting its development and concerted actions. The 33 independent French-language weekly newspapers reach 1.5 million readers every week.