Sports Illustrated NBC TV Show

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/178060/nbc-sports-illustrated-team-for-show.html?print

TV networks are turning into magazines and magazines are turning into TV shows. The latest crossover in the latter category coming from Sports Illustrated in collaboration with NBC Sports.

The two media brands are coming together to create a show, “Sports Illustrated,” which will include feature segments, original reporting and commentary from the magazine’s editorial staff.
Sports Illustrated will cross-promote the show with print editorial features highlighting subjects from the TV series, along with additional content appearing on SI.com and NBCSports.com.
SI’s journey from print to TV mirrors the earlier migration of cable sports broadcaster ESPN from TV to print, with the launch of ESPN The Magazine in 1998. While still the dominant sports network on TV, ESPN lags SI in print somewhat, with a paid circ of around 2 million for ESPN The Magazine in the second half of last year, versus 2.8 million for SI, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Prometheus Global Media Names CEO

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120703/MEDIABUSINESS06/307039999/mattison-named-ceo-of-prometheus-global-media-after-beckmans-exit

Prometheus Global Media, which publishes Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, has named Guggenheim Partners Senior Managing Director Dottie Mattison CEO of the company. Guggenheim Partners is an owner of Prometheus.

Mattison succeeds Richard Beckman, who stepped down as CEO last week. Prior to joining Guggenheim Partners in 2010, Mattison was senior VP-general manager of the Apparel Global Merchandising Center of Wal-Mart Stores.

Chinese RCP Imports Up 22.6% May '12/'11 and Pulp Up 23.1%

China's total recovered paper (RCP) imports climbed 7.2% to nearly 2.816 million tonnes in May, according to data from China Customs.

May's figure was 22.6% higher than the 2.296 million tonnes recorded in the same month of 2011. 

China's total pulp imports grew 6.3% in May compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.495 million tonnes, according to data from China Customs.

Strong demand continued to drive up imports of bleached softwood kraft pulp, which saw a surge of 16.3% to 630,248 tonnes.

May's intake was 23.1% higher than the 1.215 million tonnes recorded in May 2011.

BC Court Approves Catalyst Plan, U.S. Court Decision to Come

BC Court Approves Catalyst Paper Reorganization Plan: Catalyst Paper Corporation received approval today for its reorganization plan from the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The company’s second amended plan under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the Amended Plan) received 99 per cent support from creditors at meetings held earlier this week.
Court approval of the reorganization plan comes only five months following Catalyst Paper’s entry into creditor protection on January 31, 2012. A confirmation hearing under the Chapter 15 process of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the US Court) is expected to occur in mid-July. Approval from both courts is required before the company can complete its reorganization.

Tembec Gets Financing for Capital Project

Tembec announces $30 million in financing for specialty cellulose manufacturing facility in Temiscaming:
Tembec has entered into a $30 million loan facility with Integrated Private Debt Corp. (IPD).
The funds will be utilized to fund a portion of the previously announced $190 million capital project to upgrade Tembec’s specialty cellulose manufacturing facility in Temiscaming, Quebec.

DS Smith Completes Acquisition of SCA Packaging

SCA's divestment of its packaging operations is completed: SCA’s previously announced divestment of its packaging business, excluding the two kraftliner mills in Sweden, has been completed.
The buyer is DS Smith DS Smith and the purchase price amounts to EUR 1.7bn on a debt-free basis. SCA’s two kraftliner mills in Sweden are not included in the transaction as they are well integrated with SCA´s forest products operations.
The divested operations have approximately 12,000 employees.
(SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget)

Bonnier & American Media Join Hearst & Meredith on Goggle Play

http://www.bonniercorp.com/news/top-bonnier-titles-now-available-on-google-play-1000090490.html

http://www.americanmediainc.com/press-releases/american-media-inc-magazines-google-play

Bonnier Corp.'s most popular brands, including Popular Science, Saveur, Parenting and Islands, are now available for purchase with the launch of magazines on Google Play.   

Today, with the launch of magazines on Google Play, American Media, Inc. (AMI) is making 11 of its most popular titles available for purchase and reading on Android smartphones and tablets.

Organic Growth Estimates Lowered

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/177989/organic-growth-forecast-dips-for-wpp-omnicom-ipg.html?print

Pivotal Research Group, the media and communication research company, has lowered its organic revenue growth estimates for WPP, Omnicom and Interpublic Group for both the soon-to-end second quarter and full-year 2012. Organic revenue growth is considered a key performance indicator across the advertising industry.

 

USPS Seeks to Repeat Promotion This Fall

http://postandparcel.info/48650/news/companies/usps-to-run-mobile-barcode-mail-promotion-in-november/

This year’s 2% summer discount in the United States, for mail sporting two-dimensional barcodes for mobile phones, is set to begin on Sunday – but now looks set to be repeated in November.

Mailers using Priority Mail to send their customer m-commerce purchases could get a 3% discount.

Yesterday, USPS filed a notice seeking approval from regulators, stating that its Governors have now approved another promotion based on a 2% mail discount for 7 November to 21 November 2012.

Financial Times Launches Print/Digital Ads in U.S.

'FT' rolls out ad campaign in U.S.: The Financial Times has rolled out a print and digital ad campaign in the U.S. The budget was not disclosed, but the newspaper said it will be a multimillion-dollar program.

UPM Making Additional Cutbacks

Finland's UPM to make more cutbacks as sales weaken:

UPM has concluded co-determination negotiations and decided to restructure its sawn timber and further processing operations in Finland and renews its business strategy. UPM has made a contract to sell its Kajaani sawmill to Pölkky Oy. Pölkky will continue sawn timber operations in Kajaani and all UPM sawmill personnel in Kajaani will continue working for Pölkky as permanent employees. UPM's Aureskoski and Heinola further processing mills will be closed down by the end of 2012. 

Separately, UPM reported redeeming the Myllykoski power plant from Vamy Oy in accordance with a previous commitment. The redemption is included in the reserves made in connection of the Myllykoski paper mill restructuring plans.

First Nation Lawsuit Against NS

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/first-nation-to-proceed-with-lawsuit-against-nova-scotia-government-160607975.html

A First Nation in Nova Scotia is moving forward with a lawsuit against the provincial government and Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corp.

The Pictou Landing First Nation launched the lawsuit in 2010 demanding the province clean up nearby Boat Harbour and build a new treatment plant for effluent from a pulp mill now run by Northern Pulp.

Verso Program to Add Certified Forest

Verso Paper Corp. Announces Grant Program to Increase Certified Forest Acreage near Its Paper Mills: (USA)Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE:VRS) today launched the Verso Forest Certification Grant Program, an initiative aimed at increasing certified fiber and certified acreage on lands near the company's four paper mills. The program will provide start-up funding to encourage and assist landowners, consulting foresters and other stakeholders in developing innovative new projects that will help expand and maintain certification in Verso’s wood procurement zones.

Domtar Unveils 2020 Sustainability Plan

Domtar Unveils 2020 Sustainability Indicator Framework: Domtar Corporation today released its 2011 Sustainable Growth Report, unveiling 35 key performance indicators that will shape the company's sustainability efforts out to 2020. This sustainability framework builds on years of industry leadership in forestry certification, mill-level environmental performance and longstanding ENGO collaborations.
This year also marks the first time Domtar is issuing a level-checked "B" Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report, as well as the first

Ontario Supports CBFA’s Boreal Plan

Ontario supports CBFA’s boreal woodland caribou action plan:
The province of Ontario has announced its support for the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA)’s  action plan to secure the future of the 3 million hectares of caribou range in the Abitibi River Forest to conserve Boreal woodland caribou and maintain hundreds of jobs in forestry.
The proposed approach and recommendations are intended to produce over 800,000 hectares of critical habitat for Boreal woodland caribou that would be excluded from harvest.  The remaining 2.2 million hectares would remain open to forestry, with high standards of sustainable forest practices in place to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems.

Québec First Nations Continues Blockade

Some 36 hours after the start of their logging activities blockade on their ancestral territory, the Atikamekw Nation finally received a call from Québec Natives Affair's Minister. "We spoke to Natives Affair's Minister Geoff Kelley, but he had nothing to present us", said Wemotaci Chief, David Boivin. Consequently, the Atikamekw leaders decided to maintain their blocking of logging activities and logging transportation in Haute Mauricie region.

NewPoint Buys Assets from Network Communications

NewPoint Acquires Publication, Printing Assets from Network Communications: NewPoint Media Group has completed the purchase of business assets from Network Communications Inc. (NCI), including all the latter’s print and digital publishing titles and trademarks of long-standing real estate brands, along with NCI’s publication printing division and facilities.
The brands acquired include The Real Estate Book, Mature Living Choices, Senior Living Choices, New Home Finder, New Homes & Ideas, and New Homes Journal. NCI retains the assets associated with Apartment Finder, Unique Homes, ByDesign Publishing, along with home design titles and Digital Sherpa division.

Meredith Offers Titles on Goggle Play

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/27/v-print/4594049/meredith-joins-google-play-to.html

Meredith Corporation today announced that it is offering digital editions of its most popular magazines, including such well-known titles as Family Circle, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, Ladies' Home Journal, Midwest Living and MORE, as magazines on Google Play.

Google Play Adds Magazines

Google Play Adds Magazines, Shares Data: In a sign of the escalating turf war between it and Apple, Google made several key announcements this week at its I/O event—including the introduction of a new tablet, and the addition of magazines on Google Play.

Q1 Global Advertising Up

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/177804/global-spend-sees-31-uptick.html

Global advertising spending was up 3.1% in the first quarter of 2012 -- lower than the gains in the first quarter of a year ago. Worldwide advertising revenues were at $128 million for the quarter. A year ago, ad revenue was up 4.5% versus the same period in 2010. North America gains slightly underperformed worldwide results overall, up 2.1%.

Media Mergers Up Q1 2012

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/177842/media-deals-climb-52-in-q1-2012-hit-32-bil.html

Media deals quickened in the first half of 2012 -- with many mergers and acquisitions coming among smaller companies. Media investment banker The Jordan, Edmiston Group, says the number of announced deals climbed 52% over 2011 levels, with 95% of the transactions valued at less than $100 million. Overall, announced transaction value climbed about the same amount, 49%, to nearly $32 billion.

News Corp. to Split Company

News Corp. agrees to split company: News Corp. announced today that its board has approved splitting the company in two. One unit will consist of its newspaper and book publishing business; the other, its entertainment operations.
Since 2008, publishing profit has declined 32%.

USPS: Looses $2.1 billion in May

USPS posts $2.1 billion loss for May: Washington, D.C.—Despite steadying mail volume and revenue, the U.S. Postal Service reported a net loss of $2.1 million for the month of May, the eighth month of its fiscal year. The Postal Service has lost $10.1 billion year-to-date.

Carton Packs "Greener" than Bottles

Bottles use 50% more finite resources than carton packs:
Packaging systems specialists SIG Combibloc commissioned the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU) to carry out the life-cycle assessment of 1,000ml carton packs and HDPE and PET bottles...
The study, run across 27 EU countries, revealed that, from extraction through to distribution and recycling, PET bottles used 57% more non-renewable fossil fuels, emitted 45% more carbon dioxide and consumed 36% more primary energy than carton packs for the UHT milk market.

Sappi Restarts Cloquet PMs

Sappi Fine Paper North America said Thursday it fully restarted manufacturing at its Cloquet, MN, pulp and paper mill including both coated freesheet paper machines. The mill shut down June 20 due to severe flooding across northeast Minnesota.

Resolute Layoffs at Catawba Mill

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/06/27/4077614/resolute-to-lay-off-98-employees.html

Resolute Forest Products will lay off 98 employees when it shuts down one of four production lines at its Catawba plant. The No. 1 line which makes lightweight coated paper used in magazines and advertising fliers, will shut down Saturday. Layoffs will start Monday, said Debbie Johnston, spokeswoman for the company known formerly as Abitibi Bowater. The company employs about 750 workers in the mill.

Another Pulp Price Change

Weyerhaeuser informed customers that its northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) market pulp prices would decrease $20/tonne, effective July 1 until further notice.

China Addresses Overcapacity in Pulp & Paper Sector

China has adjusted its national policies in its newest development plan for the pulp and paper industry, aiming to address the issue of overcapacity in the domestic market, said Sinolight Corporation's deputy general manager Cao Zhenlei.

The five-year plan, running from 2011 to 2015, will apply guidelines that seek to discourage additional machine investment, the funding of which has led to overcapacity.

In China, without the government's approval, companies cannot get bank loans to fund their projects.

Fraser Papers Retirees Pursue Case

Fraser Papers retirees seek legal justice over corporate pension theft:

Fraser Papers retirees from Quebec and New Brunswick, who had their pensions cut by up to 40% when their employer filed for bankruptcy protection, will be at the Superior Court of Justice inToronto on Friday when their former bosses challenge their case.

Appleton Announces Consent Solicitations

Appleton Announces Consent Solicitations for its Senior Secured and Second Lien Notes: Appleton Papers Inc. announced today that it is soliciting consents to amend each of the indentures governing its 10.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the "Senior Notes") and 11.25% Second Lien Notes due 2015.

Hearst Offers 20 Titles on Google Play

http://www.hearst.com/press-room/pr-20120627a.php

With today’s launch of magazines on Google Play, Hearst Magazines, one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, announces that all 20 of its popular magazine brands are now available for purchase and reading on Android smartphones and tablets. Readers can buy single issues or annual subscriptions to Hearst titles such as Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, the newly launched HGTV Magazine and Marie Claire, and enjoy digital magazines in full-color with a clickable table of contents.

Bicycling Title Plans for Tour de France

Bicycling Mag Steps Up Content Strategy for Tour de France Coverage:  The 2012 Tour de France is a sporting event that cyclists and enthusiasts around the globe look forward to. Bicycling, a Rodale title, has this international event on its radar throughout the year and it uses it to increase Web traffic, reach new audiences, enhance social engagement and drive sales in print and digitally.