The Pulp & Products Council has reported North American coated mechanical paper shipments in Jun declined -14.6%, as compared to the same month last year. Shipments for H1 2013 fell -10.7%. Demand for the month decreased -5.8% and for the first six months it was down -5.1%. Imports grew +63.8% in June and +22.1% for H1. The operating rate was 91% for the month, 87% for the first six months.
Coated woodfree shipments fell -2.5% in June, -1.2% in H1. Demand was up +1.7% for the month, 0.4% for H1. Imports increased +20.7% in June, +4.5% in H1. The operating rate was 86% for the month and 86% for the first six months.
SC-A/SC-A+ shipments rose +17.9% in June and +25.9% in H1. Demand was up +4.6% for the month and +13.5% for the first six months. Imports fell -16.7% in June, -11.1% in H1. The operating rate for Supercalendered paper, including SC-A and SC-B, was 91% for the month, 90% for the first six months.
Uncoated woodfree shipments declined -3.2% in June and -4.8% in H1. Demand decreased -1.6% for the month and -4.5% for the first six months. Imports grew +15.1% in June, +13.7% for H1. The operating rate was 87% in June and 91% in H1.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Verso Adds Pharmaceutical Insert Grade
http://www.versobooks.com/
Verso Paper Corp. (VRS) announces the launch of a new
pharmaceutical insert grade: VersoRxTM. This new product offering,
engineered to deliver outstanding print fidelity while providing excellent
sheeting and folding performance, is an exciting addition to Verso's growing
specialty papers product portfolio.
Paper Companies, Fuel Tax Credits and the IRS
When the American paper industry came up with a plan to get $2 billion in
tax refunds, it first had to get past a guardian of the public’s money: the
Internal Revenue Service.
But the IRS, which has been in the news lately for its aggressive targeting
of politically affiliated nonprofits, took at look at the paper industry’s
efforts and effectively shrugged. With no ruling from the agency, the refunds
went through — based on the findings of the companies themselves. The $2 billion in refunds are a new twist in an earlier controversy about U.S. paper companies and an IRS interpretation of a highway bill provision passed by Congress in 2007.
The controversy began in 2009 when the IRS said that paper companies — which had been generating power by burning a pulping byproduct known as “black liquor” since the 1930s — could add a few drops of diesel and qualify for the 50-cent-a-gallon alternative fuel mixture tax credit.
Study: Canada Must Preserve Half Boreal Forests
A group of top international scientists says Canada needs to dramatically up
its conservation game to ensure its vast northern forests remain healthy in the
face of increasing industrial pressure.
In a paper to be presented today at the International Congress of Conservation Biology in Baltimore, Md., its authors argue that Canada needs to preserve about half of its boreal forest. That's significantly more than the 10 per cent level researchers previously thought was necessary to conserve natural systems."Conservation science has caught up to an understanding of what is really needed," said Jeffs Wells, a scientist with the Boreal Songbird Initiative and one of 23 researchers from Canada and around the world who contributed to the paper.
In a paper to be presented today at the International Congress of Conservation Biology in Baltimore, Md., its authors argue that Canada needs to preserve about half of its boreal forest. That's significantly more than the 10 per cent level researchers previously thought was necessary to conserve natural systems."Conservation science has caught up to an understanding of what is really needed," said Jeffs Wells, a scientist with the Boreal Songbird Initiative and one of 23 researchers from Canada and around the world who contributed to the paper.
UK: 79% Act on Direct Mail
http://printinthemix.com/Fastfacts/Show/749
44% visit a brands’ website,
34% search online for more information about the product
26% keep the mailing for future reference.
DIRECT MAIL VIEWED AS TRUSTWORTHY
YOUNGER CONSUMERS MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE THAT DIRECT MAIL IS NOT GOING AWAY
New UK research into
consumers’ attitudes towards direct mailings reveals that 79% of consumers surveyed
act on brands’ direct mailings immediately, demonstrating the continuing power
of print.
The finding is reported in From Letterbox to Inbox 2013, an attitudinal print tracking study of 1,232 UK adults conducted by the UK Direct Marketing Association (DMA), conducted by consumer research firm fast.MAP and sponsored by HP.
According to the findings, consumers regard direct mail and other printed communications as being essential to their overall experience of brands of which they’re customers or in which they’re interested.
DIRECT MAIL TRIGGERS AN ONLINE RESPONSE
The finding is reported in From Letterbox to Inbox 2013, an attitudinal print tracking study of 1,232 UK adults conducted by the UK Direct Marketing Association (DMA), conducted by consumer research firm fast.MAP and sponsored by HP.
According to the findings, consumers regard direct mail and other printed communications as being essential to their overall experience of brands of which they’re customers or in which they’re interested.
DIRECT MAIL TRIGGERS AN ONLINE RESPONSE
The survey found there was a 10%
greater percentage of consumers who visited a brand’s website in response
to direct mail than responded to an email.
The top three actions consumers
take after receiving direct mail from a brand they’re interested in:44% visit a brands’ website,
34% search online for more information about the product
26% keep the mailing for future reference.
DIRECT MAIL VIEWED AS TRUSTWORTHY
Respondents highlighted the
essential role direct mail plays within their lives as consumers, with 56%
saying they found printed marketing to be the “most trustworthy” of media
channels.
DIRECT MAIL IS RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Nearly half of those surveyed
(48%) said they had retained direct mailings for future reference, with
17% saying they do so regularly.
MANY CONSUMERS EXPECT DIRECT MAILINGS
One-third (33%) say they would
have a negative view of a brand not offering printed communications. MANY CONSUMERS EXPECT DIRECT MAILINGS
YOUNGER CONSUMERS MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE THAT DIRECT MAIL IS NOT GOING AWAY
Twice the numbers of 18-34
year-olds believe direct mailings will never be replaced entirely by
online marketing messages, compared to consumers over age 55 (20% v. 9%).
Ikea's Interactive Catalog
http://www.dmnews.com/jumping-off-the-page/article/303994/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DMNewsHome+%28DMNews+Home%29&utm_content=Netvibes
No matter how beautiful, colorful, thick, glossy, or lovely a print catalog
can be, the process of flipping through it is mostly, at core, a passive
experience. Not so with the 2014 IKEA
catalog, slated to mail to consumers in August.
For the past two years IKEA has been on a mission to take its catalog—which is celebrating its 63rd anniversary in print this year, I might add—from the coffee table to the tablet with an interactive app that combines augmented reality, video galleries, and extra product information to create what CMO Leontyne Green Sykes calls, “an experience that's consistent with how consumers are consuming media today.”
“Of course we like having that physical piece of collateral we can go through and tear out pages to create collages of the things we like,” says Green Sykes. “But it's even more exciting when you can really interact with a catalog and it becomes a mobile piece with a digital component—and who doesn't love augmented reality?”
For the past two years IKEA has been on a mission to take its catalog—which is celebrating its 63rd anniversary in print this year, I might add—from the coffee table to the tablet with an interactive app that combines augmented reality, video galleries, and extra product information to create what CMO Leontyne Green Sykes calls, “an experience that's consistent with how consumers are consuming media today.”
“Of course we like having that physical piece of collateral we can go through and tear out pages to create collages of the things we like,” says Green Sykes. “But it's even more exciting when you can really interact with a catalog and it becomes a mobile piece with a digital component—and who doesn't love augmented reality?”
Don't Give Up Your Order Form Just Yet
With the help of The Dingley
Press, we conducted a study to
determine how many catalogs it prints that still include some type of order
form. We found that almost half of our fairly large sample size have no
inside ink-jet or order form insert, but they do have an order form printed
on-page in the catalog. Another 18.5 percent use a bind-in order form. In
summary, 71.5 percent of the catalogs we reviewed use an order form; only 28.5
percent of the catalogs eliminated the order form entirely.
Often the consumer completes the order form by listing the items they wish to purchase, making it easy for them to place their order by phone or online. Yes, the order form does take up valuable selling space in the catalog, however, it's a very necessary part of any catalog.
Often the consumer completes the order form by listing the items they wish to purchase, making it easy for them to place their order by phone or online. Yes, the order form does take up valuable selling space in the catalog, however, it's a very necessary part of any catalog.
Don’t Abandon Outbound Marketing Just Yet
Inbound marketing has gotten a reputation for being the sexier, less
intrusive marketing solution that brings about magic results. Sure, it’s
exciting to see how many people have “liked” your hilarious YouTube video, but
traditional marketing is still around, and it continues to be effective.
Before you give up on TV, email, and direct mail to throw all your resources into creating the next viral dancing cat sensation, consider using a combination of inbound and outbound marketing tactics.
Before you give up on TV, email, and direct mail to throw all your resources into creating the next viral dancing cat sensation, consider using a combination of inbound and outbound marketing tactics.
Direct Business Media Launches New Print Title
http://www.foliomag.com/2013/direct-business-media-launches-new-print-title#.Ue7iwFOYyKw
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin-based b-to-b media company Direct Business Media is launching a new print title called Pro Contractor Rentals. The 6x frequency title will debut in January 2014, but the brand's website and an email newsletter will launch this fall.
"We feel that by developing our e-newsletter and website first we will educate our audience faster on what Pro Contractor Rentals' mission will be," says publisher Rick Monogue. "And it will allow us to start building our brand as soon as possible."
Direct Business Media already has two titles serving similar markets—Industrial Supply and Contractor Supply—and publishes directories for the Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association and the Industrial Supply Association.
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin-based b-to-b media company Direct Business Media is launching a new print title called Pro Contractor Rentals. The 6x frequency title will debut in January 2014, but the brand's website and an email newsletter will launch this fall.
"We feel that by developing our e-newsletter and website first we will educate our audience faster on what Pro Contractor Rentals' mission will be," says publisher Rick Monogue. "And it will allow us to start building our brand as soon as possible."
Direct Business Media already has two titles serving similar markets—Industrial Supply and Contractor Supply—and publishes directories for the Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association and the Industrial Supply Association.
Time Inc. May Look at Further Spinoffs
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/time-incs-new-ceo-says-hes-open-selling-titles-151364
Time Warner decided earlier this year to spin off its publishing arm, but Joe Ripp, Time Inc.’s newly named CEO, hinted at more possible deals by the publisher of Time and People.
Ripp said the company needed to stay open to the possibility of whether its titles could be worth more to a buyer.
“That’s a question we should all be asking ourselves,” he said.
Earlier this year, Time Warner was in talks with women-aimed media company Meredith Corp. to merge their publishing units. Those talks fell apart, though, and Time Warner subsequently announced it would spin off its publishing division. But Time Inc.’s Lifestyle division, which includes titles like Real Simple and Cooking Light, have long been seen as a sale target, and Meredith CEO Stephen Lacy has said he remains interested in the chance for the two companies to work together.
Time Warner decided earlier this year to spin off its publishing arm, but Joe Ripp, Time Inc.’s newly named CEO, hinted at more possible deals by the publisher of Time and People.
Ripp said the company needed to stay open to the possibility of whether its titles could be worth more to a buyer.
“That’s a question we should all be asking ourselves,” he said.
Earlier this year, Time Warner was in talks with women-aimed media company Meredith Corp. to merge their publishing units. Those talks fell apart, though, and Time Warner subsequently announced it would spin off its publishing division. But Time Inc.’s Lifestyle division, which includes titles like Real Simple and Cooking Light, have long been seen as a sale target, and Meredith CEO Stephen Lacy has said he remains interested in the chance for the two companies to work together.
Departures Ups Frequency of Home + Design
http://www.adweek.com/news/press/departures-increases-frequency-home-design-supplement-151355
If the fashion’s record-breaking September issue paging is any indication, the luxury wave is still booming. So it makes sense that uber-luxury Departures, the tony magazine sent to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, is taking full advantage of that boom in high-end advertising by increasing the frequency of its shelter spinoff Departures Home + Design to twice a year in 2014.
Home + Design launched in May as a supplement to Departures’ annual Culture Issue, covering everything from one-of-a-kind furnishings to entertaining to luxurious homes in far-flung locations. The launch issue, distributed to 500,000 readers, contained 40 ad pages—29 of which were from brands new to Departures. Next year, the supplement will be sent to readers along with the May/June and October issues of Departures.
If the fashion’s record-breaking September issue paging is any indication, the luxury wave is still booming. So it makes sense that uber-luxury Departures, the tony magazine sent to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, is taking full advantage of that boom in high-end advertising by increasing the frequency of its shelter spinoff Departures Home + Design to twice a year in 2014.
Home + Design launched in May as a supplement to Departures’ annual Culture Issue, covering everything from one-of-a-kind furnishings to entertaining to luxurious homes in far-flung locations. The launch issue, distributed to 500,000 readers, contained 40 ad pages—29 of which were from brands new to Departures. Next year, the supplement will be sent to readers along with the May/June and October issues of Departures.
Hearst. Dr. Oz Launch New Magazine
According to the pundits, the magazine industry
has been in critical condition…supposedly. So why did Dr. Oz -- whose good
sense and business savvy few would doubt -- announce recently that he is
launching a new lifestyle magazine with Hearst?
Every report of the demise of magazines inevitably cites a decline in newsstand
sales, a metric which remains the most quoted industry barometer, despite the
fact that it’s not an accurate reflection of consumer demand. Today, newsstand
sales account for less than 10% of total paid circulation. Decreases in that
area are largely the byproduct of secular brick-and-mortar retail trends, as
well as a shift in consumer preference in where and how they purchase their
magazines.
Consumer demand for magazine media -- across all platforms -- isn’t just
holding steady, it’s growing. The audience in print and on tablets is up 2%
(GfK MRI S’ 2013 v. S’ 2012). The readership for print rose 2% this spring, and
tablet audiences alone grew 72.9% since last year. There are nearly 312 million
print magazines in circulation in the U.S., where the total population is just
under 314 million. So in print copies alone, magazines have the country
covered.
Postal Service Looks to End At-Your-Door Mail
If you're moving to a newly built
house, say goodbye to mail delivery at your door.
And if some House Republicans get their way, all door-to-door mail delivery
will go away. The U.S. Postal Service is marching towards a more "centralized delivery," where residents pick up their own mail from clusters of mail boxes located in their neighborhood. Local postmasters are sending hundreds of letters to fast-growing communities, warning that cluster boxes will be the way mail will be delivered to new developments.
In the past year, the cash-strapped Postal Service has been asking companies in industrial parks and shopping malls to also adopt this form of mail delivery.
But Rep. Darrell Issa, the California Republican leading the House effort to save the postal service, wants more. He has made doing away with doorstep delivery a key part of his bill, which would require everyone to get mail at a curbside box or from a cluster box.
Gannett Reports Q2 Results
With the agreement to buy the big Belo Corp. TV group, Gannett will become more of a TV company, and less
dependent on print. It could not come sooner for Gannett’s quarterly results.
Overall revenues were basically flat at $1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2013, with net income down 6.5% to $126.7 million. Broadcast revenues were up 3.2% to $212 million, with digital revenues some 2.9% higher to $186.5 million during the period. But publishing revenues -- Gannett’s big revenue generator -- were down 5.3% to 562.5 million.
Overall revenues were basically flat at $1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2013, with net income down 6.5% to $126.7 million. Broadcast revenues were up 3.2% to $212 million, with digital revenues some 2.9% higher to $186.5 million during the period. But publishing revenues -- Gannett’s big revenue generator -- were down 5.3% to 562.5 million.
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