The Mercury at a glance
- Publication type
- Newspaper
- City / area
- Durban
- Province
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Towns / areas served
- Durban and KwaZulu-Natal
- Language
- English
- Publishing frequency
- Daily
- Print / digital
- Print + digital
- Publisher
- Independent Media
- Ad sales
- Independent Media
The Mercury advertising rates & prices 2027
AdvertiseHere does not publish The Mercury’s rate card: print advertising prices change with every rate card and depend on exactly what you book. Ask for the 2027 rate card and a costed quote and the media desk confirms the current price with Independent Media for your size, colour and dates.
| Cost factor | How it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Ad size | Display ads are priced by page fraction (full, half, quarter page) or by column-centimetre; a bigger ad costs more. |
| Colour print or black and white | Full-colour print usually carries a premium over black-and-white (mono) ads of the same size. |
| Position | Front page, solus, early right-hand pages and jackets are premium positions and are priced higher than run-of-paper. |
| Number of insertions | Each insertion is priced separately; ask whether a series rate applies when you book several editions. |
| Edition and deadline | Availability and price depend on the edition and publication date and the material deadline in The Mercury's 2027 rate card. |
| Inserts and leaflets | Inserts are quoted per thousand copies distributed, with printing charged separately if you need it. |
| Design and VAT | Artwork or design may be charged separately; confirm whether the quoted price includes VAT and agency commission. |
Get 2027 prices for The Mercury
The Mercury rate card, media kit & print data
No public rate card for The Mercury was found on Independent Media’s website when this profile was checked. The media desk requests the current rate card and specifications from the publisher with your quote.
No publisher-stated print order for The Mercury was verified for this release, so none is shown. Ask for audited circulation or readership data in your quote request where it exists.
Colour print or black and white in The Mercury?
Full-colour print
Best when products, photographs or brand colours must stand out — retail specials, property, motoring and launches. Usually priced higher than mono.
Black and white (mono)
Stretches the budget for text-led ads — notices, classifieds, tenders and recruitment — and for repeat insertions.
Choose your preference in the quote form; where The Mercury offers both, the media desk prices colour and black-and-white options side by side.
Ad sizes you can request in The Mercury
- Full page
- Half page
- Quarter page
- Eighth page
- Strip / banner
- Front-page solus / jacket
- Classified or smalls
- Insert / leaflet distribution
- Custom size
Print advertising formats in The Mercury
The formats below are standard in South African newspaper advertising. Which ones The Mercury sells — and at what 2027 price — is confirmed with your quote.
| Format | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Display (run-of-paper) | Bordered ads on editorial pages, sold by page fraction or column-centimetre in colour or black and white. | Retail specials, services, launches, property |
| Premium positions | Front-page solus or strip ads, early right-hand pages and jackets or wraps, where offered. | Maximum visibility for a short burst |
| Classifieds and notices | Text-led smalls, legal and public notices, tenders and recruitment, usually in a dedicated section. | Notices, jobs, sales, services |
| Inserts and leaflets | Your printed leaflet distributed inside The Mercury, quoted per thousand copies. | Catalogues, menus, store openings |
| Advertorial / sponsored content | Paid editorial-style feature, labelled as advertising, often with a print and online package. | Explaining a product or service in depth |
Artwork checklist for The Mercury
- Print-ready PDF at the exact booked size (PDF/X-1a is the common standard)
- Images at 300 dpi at final size; CMYK for colour print, greyscale for black and white
- Fonts embedded or outlined, and text kept clear of the trim edge
- Material delivered before The Mercury’s deadline for the edition — the publisher’s specification sheet always takes precedence
How to book an ad in The Mercury
- Request a quote with your size, colour or black and white, and preferred dates.
- Receive the costed 2027 rate, availability and material deadline confirmed with Independent Media.
- Approve the booking (insertion order) and supply artwork, or ask for design help.
- Approve the proof before the deadline; the ad runs in the booked edition.
The Mercury advertising contact details
- Advertising enquiries
- AdvertiseHere media desk — ads@advertisehere.co.za
- Advertising sales
- Independent Media (opens in a new tab)
- Official website
- iol.co.za (opens in a new tab)
- Coverage
- Durban and KwaZulu-Natal · Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
No sales telephone number for The Mercury was verified for this release, so none is listed. Independent Media's advertising pages could not be verified for this release; contact the publisher through its website or send a brief to the AdvertiseHere media desk. One brief to the media desk reaches the right sales contact.
Advertising in The Mercury: audience and fit
The Mercury’s editorial focus is regional news, public affairs, sport and consumer information. For advertisers, its clearest planning value is local print reach in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal: campaigns can be matched to the communities named above instead of buying undifferentiated reach.
Typical fits include retail openings and specials, property, schools and education, recruitment, public and legal notices, events, motoring and local services. Name your goal in the description and the media desk will suggest sizes, positions and colour options.
Before you book an ad in The Mercury
- The 2027 rate card, available sizes, colour specifications and material deadline
- Exact edition, distribution footprint and whether placement includes print, digital or both
- Insertion dates, cancellation terms and any production or design charges
- Whether audited circulation or audience data is available for the edition and period
- Required proofing, regulatory wording and the publisher’s acceptance criteria
This profile was checked against Independent Media current newspaper portfolio (opens in a new tab) on 13 October 2026. Unverified circulation figures and prices are deliberately omitted and inventory is not guaranteed.
Publisher of The Mercury? Correct this listing, add your rate card or get the listing badge.
The Mercury advertising FAQs
How much does it cost to advertise in The Mercury?
The cost of advertising in The Mercury depends on the ad size, colour or black-and-white print, position, number of insertions and the edition you book. AdvertiseHere does not publish rate cards because prices change; request a quote and the media desk sends a costed price confirmed with Independent Media.
What are The Mercury advertising rates for 2027?
The Mercury's 2027 advertising rates are set by Independent Media. Press “Request a quote”, choose the size of the ad and colour or black and white, and the AdvertiseHere media desk returns the current 2027 rate for your dates — no obligation to book.
Can I book colour print or black and white ads in The Mercury?
Ask for both in your quote request. Full-colour print usually costs more than black and white; availability depends on the page and edition, so the media desk confirms which options The Mercury offers for your booking.
What are The Mercury contact details for advertising?
Send advertising enquiries for The Mercury to the AdvertiseHere media desk at ads@advertisehere.co.za or use “Request a quote” on this page. Advertising for The Mercury is sold by Independent Media. The Mercury is published by Independent Media; the official website is www.iol.co.za.
Which areas does The Mercury cover?
The Mercury serves Durban and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal). Confirm the exact edition and distribution footprint for your dates when you receive the quote.
What ad sizes can I request in The Mercury?
You can request full page, half page, quarter page, eighth page, strip / banner, classifieds, inserts or a custom size. Final sizes, colour options and material deadlines follow The Mercury's 2027 rate card.