Norske Closing Newsprint PM

http://www.norskeskog.com

The PM2 paper machine at the Norske Skog mill at Kawerau will close on January 9, a Norske Skog spokesperson confirmed today.

The closure of one of the mills newsprint machines, which produces 145,000 tonnes of 685cm newsprint and improved newsprint each year, will halve the production of the mill.

The mill employs 290 staff and the closure is likely to result in layoffs, although the mill will not disclose how many people will lose their jobs.

2012 Finnish Production May Fall -10%

Finnish paper production and exports may drop by up to 10% this year, according to the Pellervo Economic Research (PTT) institute's updated forecast for 2012-2013. This represents a bigger dip than the PTT expected in its spring forecast, when it said levels might fall by up to 7%.

One of the big factors behind this is the economic slowdown in Finland's main export markets.

PWC: Canadian Paper Firms' Earnings

http://www.pwc.com/ca/en/forest-paper-packaging/global-net-earnings-summary.jhtml

The 2012 second quarter net earnings reports for the Canadian forest and paper companies show a distinct quarter to quarter change in fortunes between the Western and Eastern based companies. The lumber and solid wood segment of the industry is experiencing slow but steady improvements, based primarily on the gradually improving US housing market. Northern Bleached Softwood Pulp (NSBK) prices continued to decline from the record highs reached in Q2 2011.

USPS Announces 2013 Prices, Services

USPS Announces New Prices and Services for 2013: WASHINGTON - Beginning early next year, the Postal Service will introduce a First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp.  The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10, and is among new mailing and shipping services filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission today.The price for First-Class Mail single-piece letters will increase by just a penny when prices change in Jan. 
http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y12/m10/i12/s01  
Merchants to Be Squeezed by Postage Rate Increase in January 

Online merchants are increasingly feeling the pressure to offer free shipping, but, as they are fond of saying, there is no such thing as free shipping. That point is being driven home this week after the U.S. Postal Service announced it would raise postage rates on January 27, 2013, pending review by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

The popular Priority Mail service will increase overall an average of 6.3%. Retail prices will increase an average of 9%, but the approximately 3% of the increase is for free tracking visibility which will now be included at no charge.

Disney Announces New Paper Sourcing Policy

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-walt-disney-company-establishes-paper-sourcing-usage-policy-22469/

Disney today announced a new Paper Sourcing and Use Policy, establishing guidelines for paper used in Disney's day-to-day business operations as well as its consumer products and packaging. The policy - effective immediately - continues Disney's commitment to responsible forest practices and conservation, and will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will focus on paper sourced directly by Disney or on behalf of Disney for use in Disney-branded products and packaging, and the second will address paper sourced by the Company's independent licensees.

The policy aims to:

Minimize the consumption of paper
Eliminate paper products containing irresponsibly harvested fiber, such as fiber from High Conservation Value Areas
Maximize recycled content and fiber sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forestry operations

Rainforest Action Network commends Disney’s paper sourcing policy:

"Rainforests are more valuable left standing than being pulped for paper," said Rebecca Tarbotton, theExecutive Director of Rainforest Action Network, which worked with Disney on the policy. "Disney is adding its voice to the growing chorus of companies demonstrating that there's no need to sacrifice endangered forests in Indonesia or elsewhere for the paper we use every day.

Hearst's Harper's Bazaar Names Global Director

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/carine-roitfeld-named-global-director-harpers-bazaar-144394

Carine Roitfeld has kept busy since departing French Vogue in January 2011: In the past month alone, the famously smoky-eyed editrix has launched her own magazine, CR Fashion Book, and a makeup collection with MAC cosmetics. Now, Roitfeld is adding another project to her plate. Hearst Magazines announced today that Roitfeld, the former editor of Vogue Paris, was named global fashion director of Harper’s Bazaar. In the newly created position, Roitfeld will work with Stephen Gan, creative director for Bazaar’s U.S. edition, to produce “several stories a year” and oversee covers across all of the magazine’s 26 international editions, beginning in March 2013.

AmEx Vests New Responsibilites to Publisher

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/amex-publishing-ups-steve-deluca-144416

American Express Publishing has given expanded duties to Steve DeLuca at a time when the company faces growing print competition [1] for the luxury ad dollar. 

In the newly created role of svp and publishing director, DeLuca will add oversight for Travel + Leisure while continuing to act as publisher of Departures and Black Ink, a biannual magazine exclusively for Centurion card holders.

Time Inc.’s This Old House Relaunch

Time Inc.’s This Old House Uses Video to Power Website Relaunch:
With former Digitas CEO Laura Lang now at the helm of Time Inc., it’s no surprise that the company’s home enthusiast brand This Old House is building a stronger digital presence. The brand has relaunched its website with a new emphasis on expanded video content, as well as a reimagined navigation system.

H1 Internet Ad Revenue Hits $17 billion

IAB reports Internet ad revenue hit $17 billion in first half: Internet advertising revenue reached $17.0 billion in the first half, up 14.1% over the same period last year, according to the IAB's “Internet Advertising Revenue Report” released Thursday by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Barclays Revises Forecast

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184971/barclays-revises-ad-forecast-dips-down.html

U.S. advertising growth and TV advertising growth is estimated to be lower than expected for the rest of the year and way down in 2013, according to one analyst.
Barclays Capital analyst Anthony DiClemente said the overall U.S. advertising market is expected to grow at 4%, down from a 4.6% projection. Conditions will drop in 2013 with advertising growth at a weak 1.9%. He had estimated 2.3%.

China Second Biggest Ad Market in 2013

http://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/asiapacific-poised-dominate-north-america-worlds-top-ad-market-comprehensive-edition-emarketer-global-media-intelligence-report/

eMarketer, in collaboration with Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), today released its annual Global Media Intelligence report on media trends in major markets worldwide, for brands to use as they plan advertising budgets and strategy for 2013.

According to the report, China is set to become the world’s second-largest advertising market in 2013, and the second-largest digital advertising market the following year, behind the US. As a result, Asia-Pacific is expected to surpass North America in total ad spending in 2014, thanks to extraordinary growth rates in internet and mobile internet usage, as well as rapid growth in digital advertising spending. 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-10/china-may-surpass-japan-as-world-s-second-most-wealthy-by-2017.html

China May Surpass Japan as World’s Second-Most Wealthy by 2017

China may become the world’s wealthiest country by household assets after the U.S. in five years as the nation’s middle-class consumers grow richer, Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN) forecast.
The nation will add $18 trillion in household wealth by 2017, taking its total to $38 trillion, according to the bank’s global wealth report today. That would surpass Japan’s $35 trillion, and be less than half of the U.S.’s $89 trillion.

Kodak Publishes 2013-15 Forecast

Kodak publishes 2013-15 cashflow forecast:
The manufacturer has today published a cash flow forecast for the next three years for its Commercial Imaging business, comprising the commercial, packaging and functional printing and enterprise services that will make up the post-Chapter 11 Kodak.
The forecast reveals that Kodak's US operating cash flow will remain in the red for all but two of the next 10 months, with the largest projected monthly loss coming in January 2013, when it will lose $49m.

http://whattheythink.com/news/60524-kodak-reaches-agreement-retiree-committee/?utm_source=whattheythink&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Kodak Reaches Agreement with Retiree Committee

Proposed Agreement Resolves a $1.2 Billion Retiree Benefits Liability; Results in Significant Cost Savings and Liquidity Enhancement; Proposed Settlement Does Not Impact Retiree Pension Benefits
Eastman Kodak Company announced today that, following extensive negotiations, it has reached an agreement in principle with the Official Committee of Retirees (the 1114 Committee) that provides for a comprehensive resolution of Kodak's retiree health care and survivor benefits liabilities.