NewPage Sheet Increase

Effective with deliveries 7/1/12, NewPage is increasing the price for coated sheet products, Anthem/Fortune/Gusto the following: 60# & 70# text weight $3.00 cwt, all cover stock and greater than 70# text weights $2.00 cwt.

Resolute Now Owns 74.56% of Fibrek

Resolute now owns 74.56% of Fibrek:
Resolute is planning to carry out a second step transaction to acquire the Fibrek shares not deposited in the offer. 

Kruger To Reassess Viability of Corner Brook P&P

Kruger to reassess viability of Corner Brook operation after vote doesn’t go their way:
One of the four pension plan groups at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper voted against giving Kruger 10 years, instead of 5, to repay the shortfall in their pension plans. The pension relief measures were a crucial element in Kruger’s strategy for the mill to improve its competitiveness and secure its future.

EU Ecolabel Awarded to UPM Mill

EU Ecolabel awarded to UPM Plattling mill
All UPM paper products produced at UPM Plattling mill in Germany have now been granted the EU Ecolabel. "The EU Ecolabel is a proof of our products’ excellent overall environmental performance and thus low environmental impact,” says Päivi Rissanen, UPM's Environmental Director for Paper Business Group.

USPS Details Mobile Incentive Program

USPS details mobile promotion for direct mailers: The U.S. Postal Service's upcoming 2-D barcode incentive program for direct mailers has been simplified from last summer's inaugural promotion, with new marketer requirements based on mobile best practices.

USPS Moves Ahead With Consolidation Plan

Postal Service Moves Forward with Location Consolidation Plan: Despite a bill partially designed to stop this effort, the United States Post Service will move forward with its 9-month modified consolidation plan. The first step will consolidate 48 locations this summer, with larger-scale consolidation to follow at the start of 2013.

70% of Consumers Welcome Mobile Ads

Study: 70% of consumers welcome mobile ads: Convenience and mobile advertising are key drivers of mobile shopping, said Joe Laszlo, senior director of the Interactive Advertising Bureau's Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence.

April Industrial Production Rebounds

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-16/u-dot-s-dot-april-industrial-production-and-capacity-report-text
Industrial production increased 1.1 percent in April. Output is now reported to have fallen 0.6 percent in March and to have moved up 0.4 percent in February; previously, industrial production was estimated to have been unchanged in both months.

IP Sets Lofty Sustainability Goals

International Paper sets lofty sustainability goals:
International Paper Co. has set a group of voluntary goals that it hopes will help the company become more sustainable by 2020.

Finland's P&B Production Down in Q1 2012

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_16_2012finland_pulp_paper_production.html

The Finnish forest industry's production environment was difficult in the first quarter and demand for several product categories was sluggish in the main market areas.,

Fairchild Acquires Fashion Blogger

Fairchild acquires fashion blogger network: Condé Nast's Fairchild Fashion Media, which publishes WWD, has acquired Fashion Networks International, which publishes NowManifest, a blog portal.

Buffett Acquires 63 Media General Newspapers

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Makes Print Play, Acquires 63 Media General Newspapers: Media General has signed agreements with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway investment firm for the purchase of newspapers and new financing.

Research and Markets Adds Report: The Global Commercial Print Market

Research and Markets Adds Report: The Global Commercial Print Market...:
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Commercial Print Market 2011-2015" report to its offerings.

U.S. March Industrial Production/Capacity Rpt

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-17/u-dot-s-dot-march-industrial-production-and-capacity-report-text
Industrial production was unchanged in March for a second month but rose at an annual rate of 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Manufacturing output declined 0.2 percent in March but jumped 10.4 percent at an annual rate in the first quarter.

Catalyst Amendments To Plan of Arrangement

http://foresttalk.com/index.php/2012/05/16/catalyst-papers-amendments-to-plan-of-arrangement/
Catalyst Paper has amended its proposed Plan of Arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The Plan as so amended will be considered by Catalyst Paper’s secured and unsecured creditors at the meetings scheduled for May 23, 2012.

USPS Releases Details Of Mobile Marketing Incentive

USPS Releases Details of this Summer’s Mobile Marketing Incentive Program: The U.S. Postal Service is offering the 2012 Mobile Commerce and Personalization Promotion to encourage commercial mailers to use mobile marketing tools—such as QR codes—on their mail. 

99% Of Top Mags Feature Barcodes

http://printinthemix.com/fastfacts/show/563
A survey of the Top 100 U.S. magazines (by circulation) conducted by mobile engagement company has found the use of mobile action barcodes is almost universal. The percentage of magazines with at least one such code went from 78% in Q1 2011 to 99% in Q1 2012.

LA Times Shutting Down LA Magazine

Los Angeles Times Shutting Down LA Magazine: The Los Angeles Times is shutting down its monthly Sunday magazine, LA. The last issue will be June 3rd and the closure comes after attempts to recast the publication through frequency reductions, management shifts and editorial change-ups.

DMA’s Kimmel Steps Down

DMA’s Kimmel Steps Down from CEO Role, Woolley Named Acting Head:The Direct Marketing Assn. (DMA) announced that Larry Kimmel has resigned as CEO to join the agency Hawkeye.

Pub Designers Name Bloomberg BW Mag of the Year

Society of Publication Designers Names Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine of the Year: The Society of Publication Designers found its Gold Award winner at the 47th Annual Design Competition in Bloomberg Businessweek. Businessweek’s win marks the 15th anniversary of the Magazine of the Year honor.

JC Penney Plans Ads

http://adage.com/article/news/jc-penney-plans-ads-explain-pricing-strategy/234787/?utm_source=daily_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
The current marketing builds the brand but leaves consumers confused. JC Penney's marketing is entertaining consumers and building the brand, but it's not doing the "hard work" of communicating the retailer's revamped pricing strategy.

Digital Challenges, But Traditional Still Tops

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/174522/digital-challenges-but-traditional-still-tops-wit.html Bolstered by political advertising, TV attracted the most ad dollars in early 2012, But Social is starting to steal the spotlight from Online Display, as Digital has clearly matured in campaigns. According to a new Strata quarterly survey of leading agencies, the advertising economy is positive and appears to be back to a new normal. Focus on print increased 217% over fourth quarter 2011.

Resolute Owns 70.9% of Fibrek

http://resolutefp.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=28238&item=128445

Together with the shares Resolute acquired up to and including May 4, they hold approximately 70.9% of the currently outstanding Fibrek shares. Resolute reminds Fibrek's shareholders that, as previously announced, the offer will not be further extended and will expire definitively at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on May 17, 2012.

Source Interlink’s Hot Rod Brand Relaunches

Source Interlink’s Hot Rod Brand Relaunches: Building to its 65th anniversary next year, Source Interlink's Hot Rod brand readies a comprehensive relaunch across print, online, video and social media, including a 40-50 percent editorial page increase for the magazine.

Time's Money and This Old House Partner

Time Inc.’s Money and This Old House Partner for Editorial Supplement:
In an effort to cross-brand and better serve audiences that resulted in a unique sponsorship opportunity, Time Inc. titles Money and This Old House partnered on an editorial supplement. The supplementary content, dubbed “Safe at Home: 25 Ways to Protect Your Biggest Investment,” appears in both magazines and their online counterparts, as well as in Time Inc. sister publication Real Simple.

Ziff Davis Acquires Computer Shopper

Ziff Davis acquires Computer Shopper: Ziff Davis, which publishes PCMag.com, has acquired Computer Shopper, a website offering comparison shopping of technology products, from SX2 Media Labs.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's Sales Surge

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120406/NEWS02/704069880

It turns out all Encyclopaedia Britannica had to do to breathe new life into the sale of its print edition was to kill it. Since Britannica announced last month that it was discontinuing its print editions, sales have skyrocketed. The company will likely sell out by the end of the month. The company will hold onto a few sets so they can be displayed somehow or donated to museums.

Verso Q1 Results, Net Loss

http://investor.versopaper.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=672917
Verso Paper today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2012. Net loss before items of $39.0 million in 2012, compared to a net loss before items of $18.1 million in 2011.

Catalyst Pushes Creditor Meeting to 5/23

Catalyst Paper pushes creditor meeting back another 5 days:
Catalyst Paper has pushed the meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors back another 5 days to May 23.The creditors are to meet to discuss the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

RRD BB+ Default Rating

Fitch Affirms R.R. Donnelley’s BB+ Default Rating, Classifies Outlook as Stable: ” The ratings reflect the company’s intention to reduce its absolute levels of debt.

NA P&P Rail Freight Down 1.4%

http://www.aar.org/NewsAndEvents/Freight-Rail-Traffic/2012/05/~/media/aar/weekly_traffic_reports/2012/2012-05-10-railtraffic.ashx
North American pulp and paper railroad freight for the week ending May 5 was down 1.4% from a year ago to 9,124 carloads, the Assn of American Railroads reported.

.

Consumers Prefer Offline Marketing Offers

Consumers Welcome and Prefer Offline Restaurant Marketing Offers Most:  Consumers were asked to what extent they would welcome various forms of marketing communications from restaurants. Four out of five adults (80%) said they welcome a restaurant coupon in a coupon booklet. Almost three-quarters (73%) welcome a brochure or menu from a restaurant sent in the mail. The same percentage welcomed an ad in a local paper (73%), followed by an ad on TV (68%).

Catalyst Reports Q1 Net Loss

http://www.catalystpaper.com/media/news
Catalyst Paper recorded a net loss of $25.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 due primarily to the impact of restructuring and reorganization expenses of $27.6 million. Before specific items, the net loss was $9.6 million.

USPS $3.2 Billion Q2 Loss

Postal Service’s $3.2 Billion Q2 Loss Underscores Need for Legislative Changes
The Postal Service ended its second quarter (Jan. 1 – March 31, 2012) with a net loss of $3.2 billion, compared to a net loss of $2.2 billion for the same period last year.

Cenveo Posts Net Loss

Cenveo Posts Net Loss on Net Sales Decline:
Cenveo Inc. announced its results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The company generated net sales of $455.6 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $477.0 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Quad Q1 Sales Dip, Earnings Snap Back

Quad/Graphics’ Sales Dip, but Earnings Rebound: Quad/Graphics Inc. reported results for its first quarter ending March 31, 2012. Highlights for the first quarter:  Net sales totaled $990 million.

Resolute/Fibrek Cooperating For Smooth Transition

http://resolutefp.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=28238&item=128268
      
AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, today announced that Fibrek Inc.and Resolute are cooperating on an orderly transition to Resolute's effective control. The goal for both parties is to minimize any disruption to Fibrek's key relationships, including its employees, customers, suppliers and other partners.

Fibrek Posts Net Loss in Q1

Fibrek posts net loss of $23.2 million in first quarter:
Fibrek Inc. has posted a net loss of $23.2 million in its first quarter of 2012, compared with net earnings of $3.5 million in the corresponding period of 2011. Consolidated sales reached $122.1 million, a decrease of $10.0 million when compared with sales of $132.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Sappi Net Profit Up From Loss in 2011

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_10_2012sappi_limited_earnings.html
Sappi Limited reported a profit for its second fiscal quarter ending March 2012 of US$58 million compared to a loss of US$74 million in its second quarter 2011. The group achieved a net profit for the period of US$58 million (Q2 2011 US$74 million loss) and EPS of 11 US cents (Q2 2011 loss of 14 US cents) in the second quarter of the 2012 financial year.

IP Again Tops Paper/Forest Co's On Fortune 500

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2012/industries/11/
IP again led the forest and paper products industry on the 2012 Fortune 500 list of top American companies. IP was ranked at #111 this year,down from #105 position in 2011. They were followed by Weyerhaeuser at #374 and Domtar at #436.

IPDA,MPA Launch Campaign Promoting Mags

http://www.magazine.org/association/press/mpa_press_releases/rebus-2012.aspx
The International Periodical Distributors Association (IPDA) and MPA-The Association of Magazine Media have launched a collaborative initiative focused on promoting, informing and engaging the retail community about the value and vitality of the magazine category in the retail marketplace. 

“

Consolidated Graphics Reports Declines

Consolidated Graphics Reports Declines in Revenue and Income: Consolidated Graphics announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2012. Its revenue for the quarter totaled $250.6 million, a $7.6 million decrease (2.9 percent) compared to the prior-year quarter.

Catalyst Moves Creditor Meetings To May 18th

http://foresttalk.com/index.php/2012/05/09/catalyst-paper-pushes-creditor-meetings-back-another-3-days/
Catalyst Paper has announced a three-day extension for the meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The meetings, previously scheduled for May 15, 2012, will now be held on May 18, 2012.

Norway Central Bank's 5% Stake in Stora

Norway central bank takes 5 pct stake in Stora:
Norway's central bank raised its stake in Finnish paper maker Stora Enso to over 5 percent, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

AF&PA Testimony In Favor Of Illegal Logging

http://www.afandpa.org/pressreleases.aspx?id=2606

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman testified today on Capitol Hill on the implementation and enforcement of the 2008 Lacey Act amendments, citing industry concerns over the proposed RELIEF Act (H.R. 3210) and FOCUS Act (H.R. 4171).

USPS To Cut Hours

http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/09/news/economy/postal_service/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2

The U.S. Postal Service is backing off a previous plan to close thousands of post offices, and will instead cut hours at 13,000 rural facilities in an effort to save $500 million a year.

U.S. Direct Marketing Spend By Medium

U.S. Direct Marketing Spend By Medium: From the DMA (Email, Direct, Internet, Social, and Mobile)

More Details-Nova Scotia/Port Hawkesbury Mill

More details of the deal with Nova Scotia Power for the Port Hawkesbury paper mill:
Nova Scotia Power, has released more details of the tentative power agreement between Pacific West Commercial Corporation (PWCC) and Nova Scotia Power regarding the Port Hawkesbury mill.

RDA Q1 Revenue Drops 14.8%

RDA Q1 Revenue Drops 14.8 Percent to $241.8 Million:
Reader’s Digest Association endured a tough first quarter of 2011, with revenue for its North American sector tumbling 21 percent from $130.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $103.4 million.

UPM Launches Online Paper Catalogue

http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/All-news/Pages/UPM%27s-printed-Paper-Catalogue-complemented-with-modern-Online-and-Mobile-Catalog-001-Mon-07-May-2012-15-10.aspx
UPM’s service offering for its paper customers has been extended by launching a modern, easy-to-use Online Paper Catalogue.The new Online Paper Catalogue allows approaching UPM papers from different angles.   ntent

Fashion Mags See Newstand Sales Down

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/fashion-magazines-see-little-newsstand-love-march-140105

Back in January, when most of the major fashion and beauty titles reported ad page increases for their key March issues, the industry was looking forward to a sunny spring. Unfortunately, everything isn’t coming up roses: March newsstand sales aren’t matching up to the magazines’ strong ad numbers, with many big titles declining more than 20 percent versus a year earlier.

Paper-Based Packaging Recycling In The EU

Paper-based packaging recycling at 78%
Paper is the most recycled packaging material in the EU with a recycling rate of 78% based on 2010 figures.

Quad Expands Work For OfficeMax

Quad/Graphics expands work for OfficeMax:
Quad said the new contract includes significant direct mail volume that will add related freight logistics and in-store signage business.

Resolute Owns 63.3% of Fibrek

 http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_04_2012resolute_fibrek.html

 AbitibiBowater Inc.,doing business as Resolute Forest Products, now holds approximately 63.3% of the currently outstanding shares.

 

<><><>

<><><>

Another Euro CWF Increase-Arjowiggins

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_07_2012arjowiggins_graphic_price.html
Arjowiggins Graphic to Hike Price for CWF Papers by 6-8%, due to continuing increases in costs of raw materials, energy and transport, it will implement a price increase for its coated woodfree (CWF) papers in an effort to offset the rising input costs.

More Euro CWF Increases

Joining Burgo Group, 2 more European manufacturers announced an increase in CWF papers. Torraspapel in Spain announced a 5-8% increase effective with deliveries as of June 4th and Papierfabrick Scheufelen in Germany, 7-8% as of deliveries June 1st.

Nova Scotia Gov Delays NewPage Pension Plan

Nova Scotia Government to delay NewPage pension windup:
The Nova Scotia Government has listened to the pensioners of NewPage Port Hawkesbury and has indicated they will table legislation to delay the windup of NewPage’s underfunded pension plans.

IP Workforce Shifts But Stays Unchanged

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303990604577367881972648906

International Paper Co.’s workforce total hardly changed in the past two years, but it shifted more to overseas, according to a recent survey of 35 U.S.-based multinational companies.  

Time Named Mag of The Year

Time Nabs Magazine of the Year:  
The National Magazine Award winners were announced and honored Thursday night and while there were some familiar faces taking home the elephant statues, or "ellies," there were no runaway winners by specific magazine title.

Direct Mail Still Catches The Eye

http://printinthemix.com/fastfacts/show/558 Marketing research firm Ask Your Target Market (AYTM) recently undertook a survey examining the effectiveness of direct mail -- Are customers more likely to look at their mail than they are at emails? Make purchases based on offers received?

B-to-B CEO Survey-E-Media Growth

2012 FOLIO: B-to-B CEO Survey:
We’re a couple years out from the recessionary period of 2008-2010 and you can still see its impact as b-to-b publishers are very slowly seeing modest growth in revenues and profits.

Resolute Now Controls Majority of Fibrek

Resolute now has majority control of Fibrek:
AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, has taken up and accepted for payment 1,633,800 additional shares of Fibrek Inc. deposited to its offer as of the close of business today.

UPM Continuing To Discuss Sale Of Stracel Mill

UPM continues in advanced discussions with a packaging producer for the sale of its Stracel mill in France.The Stracel mill has capacity on its one machine of 280,000 tonnes/yr of lightweight coated and machine-finished coated paper.

Norske Skog Q1 Earning Down

http://www.norskeskog.com/default.aspx?ID=2019&feed=-N-105-PR-201205-1608238

Norske Skog Q1 2012 results gross operating earnings down 24% from 4Q 2011 to NOK 380 million.

Quad Renews OfficeMax Business

Quad/Graphics Renews OfficeMax Retail Insert and Catalog Work: Quad/Graphics Inc. has renewed its exclusive printing business with OfficeMax Inc. and added significant direct mail volume for the leading office supply retailer in a new multiyear agreement.

March US Commercial Printing Shipments Down

March 2012 US Commercial Printing Shipments $7.145 Billion, Down -4.2% Compared to March 2011 (Economics & Research Center):

China's Paper Industry Five-Year Plan

 

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/Paper_Contract_with_China_APP.pdf

The role of China's paper industry as a new source of economic growth under the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for paper industry is highlighted in APP.

China To Shut Down P&B Capacity

In 2012, China plans to close outdated pulp and paper equipment, with a combined capacity of 9.7 million tonnes/yr across the country.

RRD Reports Higher Earnings

RR Donnelley Reports Higher Earnings on Slight Sales Decline:
R.R. Donnelley & Sons reported first-quarter net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $37.4 million on net sales of $2.5 billion compared to net earnings of $33.9 million on net sales of $2.6 billion.

Sequana, Appleton Coated Owner, Q1 EBITDA

 http://wood.lesprom.com/news/51796/
Sequana publishes its unaudited results for the 1Q 2012. Consolidated sales for the 1Q 2012 came in at Euro 984 million, versus Euro 1016 million in the 1Q 2011, a decline of  3.2%. 

GP UFS Increase

 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (GP) has notified its customers that it will raise prices on its cut-size products by US$2.00 per cwt, effective with shipments on or after June 1. IP and Domtar previously announced increases.

Burgo Increases Coated Price

 Burgo Group announces 7% price increase for CWF effective from the 1st of June. The price increase will apply to worldwide deliveries of Coated Woodfree both in sheets and reels. Rising production costs particularlyelated to raw materials have made the price rise necessary.

72.7% US RCP To China

72.7% of US recovered paper exports in February were sold to China, even though overall exports for the month declined vs January's total, according to figures from the US Dept of Commerce, Bureau of Census. China purchased 1.2 million tonnes in February, with more than half being old corrugated containers at 640,397 tonnes. The other half was mostly a mix of old newspapers and mixed papers. India followed with 123,369 tonnes and exports to Canada were quite low at 59,286.

 

Time Q1 Ad Revenues Down

Time Inc. Subscription, Advertising Revenues Down in Q1 2012: Time Inc. reports a loss in both advertising and subscription revenue in the first quarter of 2012. Ad revenue decreased five percent (equivalent to $19 million), with subscription revenue down two percent (valued at $6 million).

The American Prospect Looks To Avoid Closure

The American Prospect Seeks $500,000 to Avoid Closure: The American Prospect is looking to raise half a million dollars this month, and gain $700,000 worth of pledged support for the new fiscal year starting in July, in order to avoid suspending publication, cutting back frequency or complete closure.

Resolute Forest Products Reports Q1 Results

Resolute Forest Products reports net income of $23 million in first quarter, 2012:
AbitibiBowater, doing business as Resolute Forest Products, is reporting a net income of $23 million in its first quarter of 2012, on sales of $1.1 billion.
These results can be compared to net income of $30 million on sales of $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2011.

BHK Pulp Producers Raise Prices

International Paper and Resolute Forest Products separately informed customers that they're increasing prices on their grades of bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) pulp by $30/tonne, effective May. Alberta-Pacific and Sappi Fine Paper North America  had previously announced their May 1 NBHK prices would rise by $30/tonne, to $785/tonne (Alpac's aspen NBHK) and $790/tonne (Sappi's aspen and mixed NBHK) in the USA. At least two major Brazilian producers, Fibria and Suzano, separately announced $40/tonne price increases on bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) in the USA, effective May 1.

Gap Names Old Navy President

http://www.retailonlineintegration.com/aggregatedcontent/gap-inc-names-global-brand-president-old-navy

Completing a global search that began in February, Gap Inc. today announced that Stefan Larsson, a veteran of nearly 15 years with the successful fashion retailer H&M, will become the first global brand president for Old Navy.  Larsson will join the company by October.

Taunton Press Names President

Taunton Press Promotes EVP/CFO Tim Rahr to President: Enthusiast consumer publisher Taunton Press taps Tim Rahr as its new president. Rahr, who has served as executive vice president and chief financial officer with Taunton since 2005, succeeds Sue Roman. These changes are effective immediately.

Amazon/Texas Settle Sales Tax Dispute

Amazon settles sales tax controversy with Texas: Amazon.com, at the center of an ongoing battle over the collection of sales tax by out-of-state online retailers, has struck a deal with Texas, agreeing to increase its in-state presence and collect sales tax on items sold to Texas residents.

USPS: Mail Still Best for Driving ROI

USPS adopts new products and services to stay solvent: USPS Postal Service Postmaster General and CEO Patrick Donahoe's set out his vision for the agency's future in light of the congressional gridlock, including new products such as incentivizing businesses to include 2D codes in direct mail flyers...and increasing its package business.
Donahoe emphasized the continued importance of mail as the best channel for strengthening brand relations and driving ROI. “People actually read what they get in the mail,” he said. 

Manufacturing Grows for 33 Months

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303916904577377810884607948.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 33rd consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 35th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

Newspapers Report Gains

Newspapers report digital-print circulation gains: New York—The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and newspapers overall reported increases in total print-plus-digital circulation, with gains influenced by a new Audit Bureau of Circulations reporting standard that combines free or reduced-cost digital subscriptions with paid print subscriptions.

Another Step in Post Hawkesbury Mill Process

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/81891--tentative-energy-deal-reached-for-idled-paper-mill-in-cape-breton

The Vancouver-based company planning to buy the idle NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Cape Breton has reached a tentative energy agreement with the province's electric utility company, a key step in its bid to get the mill operating again.

Pacific West Commercial Corp. announced late Friday it had submitted the seven-year agreement for approval to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Q1 Chinese Pulp & RCP Imports Up

China's total pulp imports went up 27.3% in March compared to the same month last year, according to data from China Custom. For the first quarter, pulp imports rose 15.4%. BSK imports increased 29% for the month and 17% for the quarter.

Chinese recovered paper imports were up 12.7% in March compared to the same month in 2011 and 10.1% in Q1 2012/Q1 2011.

Mercer Withdraws Fibrek Offer

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/mercer-abandons-battle-for-fibrek/article2417768/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2417768

Fibrek Inc. confirmed today that Mercer International Inc. has announced that it has unilaterally terminated its support agreement with Fibrek with respect to its offer to acquire all of the common shares of Fibrek.

U.S. Ad Spending Forecast Up 4.1%

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120430/ADVERTISING14/304309993/warc-says-u-s-ad-spending-to-increase-4-1-this-year Warc says U.S. ad spending to increase 4.1% this year

U.S. ad spending will increase 4.1% this year over last year, according to marketing intelligence company Warc.

Next year, U.S. ad spending will slow to 3.3% growth, “when there will be no quadrennial boost from the presidential elections and the Olympics,” Warc said in a statement.

First CMR Released by Magazine

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120430/MEDIABUSINESS16/304309988/the-economist-is-first-weekly-to-release-consolidated-media-report

The Economist is the first weekly magazine to release a Consolidated Media Report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The CMR is designed to verify a media brand's reach on separate platforms.