Maine Mill Executives: Industry Viable

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/09/26/business/mill-executives-say-maine-paper-industry-viable-but-there-are-challenges/ 
Executives from three of Maine’s paper mills told 50 businesspeople that reports of the demise of Maine’s pulp and paper industry have been greatly exaggerated.

“Maine is 92 percent forested,” said Keith Van Scotter, president and CEO of Lincoln Paper and Tissue. “If paper and pulp is going to be made anywhere, it’ll be made in this state, so it’s not a dying industry. It’s a viable industry.”
Van Scotter; Bill Cohen, director of communications for Verso Paper Corp. in Bucksport; and George McLaughlin, manager of manufacturing for Great Northern Paper in East Millinocket, were the main speakers at Wednesday morning’s Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Early Bird Breakfast.

Strike at UPM Stracel Ends

Employees returned to work at UPM's Stracel mill in northeastern France this morning. After a meeting with the management yesterday, employees voted to end the industrial action which started on the morning of September 19.

Sappi Converting Alfeld PM 2 from CFS to Specialties

Sappi Alfeld Mill to refocus production to one-sided coated paper

Sappi Fine Paper Europe has started the process of converting the coated woodfree (CWF) paper machine PM 2 at its Alfeld mill in central Germany to make specialty paper. The project will be completed in one year.

PM 2 has a capacity of 150,000 tonnes/yr of single and double coated paper mainly for sheets in the basis weights of 80-225 g/m². The machine will be rebuilt to make some 135,000 tonnes/yr of one-side coated grades for packaging and technical purposes as well as liner and label applications in the basis weights of 40-180-g/m².

Domtar & First Book Team Up for Literacy

Domtar Partners with First Book for Children's Literacy: Domtar Corporation today announced that it is teaming up with the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization First Book to put over 20,000 new books in the hands of children in need. Domtar will be providing a total of $25,000 in grants among ten schools and community programs located near Domtar facilities across the United States.

Quad/Graphics Starts New Press in Oklahoma City

Quad/Graphics rolls out new press, creates jobs in Oklahoma City:
With the press of a button Tuesday, Gov. Mary Fallin fired up the newest printing press at Quad/Graphics' Oklahoma City plant and essentially created 120 jobs.

Attending a ceremony at the 1 million-square-foot printing facility at 6801 S Sunnylane Road, Fallin congratulated the company on the addition of its 12th press. The new press has created more than two dozen new jobs already, and Quad/Graphics has nearly 120 full- and part-time openings to fill.

"M" Magazine's Debuts New Design

A Look at the Design and Influences on Fairchild’s New M Cover:
The first issue of M magazine, luxury men’s magazine last seen in 1992 and being revived by Fairchild Fashion Media, came out on Monday with a very distinctive and unusual cover. It’s not the cover subject, Bradley Cooper (People magazine’s Sexiest Man in the World of 2011), but the design, format, and photographic style that makes M very different from the usual newsstand fare.

VSS: Overall Communications Spending to Grow 5.2%

VSS predicts b-to-b media will grow 4.9% this year: New York—The b-to-b media sector will grow 4.9% to $26.60 billion this year, according to the “VSS Communications Industry Forecast” released by Veronis Suhler Stevenson.
Overall communications industry spending in the U.S. is expected to rise 5.2% this year to $1.18 trillion. It will grow at a 5.2% CAGR from 2011 to 2016.
VSS said the Business & Professional Information & Services sector will grow 7.2% to $204.40 billion this year. The sector will post a 7% CAGR from 2011 to 2016, fueled by growth in business and professional services related to economic, financial, marketing, and scientific and technical Information, as well as technology services, VSS said.

"T" Magazine Names Editor-in-Chief

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/t-magazine-names-deborah-needleman-editor-chief-144010
Looks like the rumors were true: The New York Times Co. has announced that the new editor in chief of T magazine will be Deborah Needleman—currently the editor of T’s four-year-old rival publication, WSJ. Amid reports [1] earlier this month that Needleman had twice been offered the top position at T, which has been vacant since Sally Singer’s departure [2] in August, Needleman vehemently denied that she had accepted the job, telling WWD, “That is just not true!” But in T's case, the third time may have really been the charm.

UBM to Sell Data Services

http://www.foliomag.com/2012/ubm-exploring-sale-data-business-not-magazines
Despite reports earlier today indicating that UBM has put some of its print magazines up for sale the company is saying that it's the data services business that's actually up for review. Included in that group are the Techinsights, Aviation, Global Trade and other related data services operations.
The strategic review of UBM's data services business was announced back in July during the company's 2012 interim results presentation.
According to a spokesperson, there are one or two print titles associated with these groups, but the bulk of any print products included in the review are directories. "This is purely about the data services business, it does not touch the magazine business," says the spokesperson.
Earlier report: 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9563659/UBM-puts-data-services-up-for-sale-for-250m.html

The company appointed Credit Suisse to carry out a strategic review of the so-called data services division in July. However, UBM chief executive David Levin is understood to have made it clear internally that he favours a sell-off. “It is effectively up for sale,” a senior source said. 

The expected sale would fit with UBM’s ongoing strategy to scale back its magazines business and instead focus investment on major tradeshows and conferences, particularly in emerging territories like China.

US News & World Report Releases E-Book

http://www.pubexec.com/article/us-news-world-report-releases-first-e-book-how-live-100/1

U.S. News & World Report today unveiled its first ebook, a guide on how to live to 100, featuring chapters on health, happiness, and personal finance. 
Featuring chapters on the latest scientific advances, the best exercises for every age, longevity diets, happiness secrets, and how to save enough money, How to Live to 100 gives readers a personalized guide to their own longevity.

Ennis Reports Q3 Results

Ennis Net Sales Increase 2.7% in Q3: Ennis, Inc., today reported financial results for the three and six months ended August 31, 2012.Financial OverviewOur consolidated net sales were $138.3 million for the second quarter ended August 31, 2012 compared to $130.4 million for the second quarter ended August 31, 2011, or an increase of 6.1%. Print sales increased 24.3% for the quarter, from $69.2 million to $86.0 million.

Fortune Relaunches iPad App

Fortune Relaunches iPad App With Free, Paid Content Mix: In an effort to gain subscribers, Fortune has relaunched its iPad app with a mix of free and paid content.
Fortune.com managing editor Megan Barnett says the previous version of the app-which offered single-copy or subscription options for the magazine but no free content or access to the website-was frequently downloaded, but left many users wanting. The immediate goal is to bring those people back.

Port Hawkesbury Gears Up For Restart

Port Hawkesbury Paper gears up for restart:
Opinions are mixed in Nova Scotia after the roller coaster weekend experienced in Port Hawkesbury when the mill deal fell through and then was back on again a day later.There are a lot of concerns that the province of Nova Scotia is giving too much money to the mill, and many people are convinced that history will soon repeat itself and the mill will be back looking for more money.

Tembec Follows With NBSK Increase

Following Domtar's announcement yesterday, Tembec Inc. has announced a US$20/ton NBSK pulp list price increase for North America, to $850/ton, effective Oct 1st.

Quad Adds New Press In Oklahoma City

Quad/Graphics rolls out new press, creates jobs in Oklahoma City:
With the press of a button Tuesday, Gov. Mary Fallin fired up the newest printing press at Quad/Graphics' Oklahoma City plant and essentially created 120 jobs.Quad/Graphics, based in Wisconsin, also marked the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking on its Oklahoma City plant, which occurred Oct. 14, 2002. “It was a big deal,” Fallin recalled.It opened in 2003 with 100 employees and two presses and has since more than quadrupled in size. Quad/Graphics now employs more than 600 workers in Oklahoma and has “a vast need for additional employees,” company spokeswoman Claire Ho said.

Mags To See Positive Ad Growth in 2012

http://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/emarketer-magazines-positive-ad-spending-growth-2012/ Although both newspaper and magazine publishers are encouraged by positive trends in device adoption and consumer behavior, the continued growth of digital ad revenues has not yet made up for declines in print ad revenue for newspapers. But it has for magazines. According to new estimates from eMarketer, US ad revenue growth at magazines is expected to increase from 1.9% in 2011 to 2.6% this year, as revenue reaches $18.33 billion. Print ad revenues at magazines will increase marginally to $15.19 billion in 2012 from $15.15 billion in 2011, according to eMarketer. In the same period, digital ad revenues are expected to grow to $3.14 billion from $2.72 billion.

AF&PA Aug '12 P/W Shipments Down 5%

AF&PA Release Aug 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report: The American Forest & Paper Association has released its August 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 percent in August compared to August 2011.  All four major printing-writing grades posted single-digit decreases compared to last August. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down 6 percent in August.  Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent from last month, primarily due to double-digit decreases in mechanical-grade paper inventories.

PIA Report: Printing Industry Profits Increase

PIA Report: Printing Industry Profits Increase Again: The printing industry sees its second increase in profits in the last three years.
The average printer’s before-tax profit on sales was 1.8% over this past year. This was an increase compared to 1.4% in the 2011 survey (2010 fiscal year-end numbers) and -1.4% in 2009. This is the second increase in profits in the last three years. Printing Industries of America (PIA) notes that at this rate, the industry earned approximately $1.5 billion in total profits in 2011, which is above the $1.2 billion profit from the prior year.ndustry sees its second increase in profits in the last three years.

Sandra Lee Launching New Lifestyle Mag

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/lifestyle_mag_for_sandra_lee_PR3KdGknZsojpvljoTQ35N

Sandra Lee, is making a comeback on the mag scene with Sandra Lee, the Magazine. Lee, who will be editor-in-chief, told Media Ink that the new publication will be a lot broader than her previous venture, a simple cooking magazine that last appeared in January.
The print version will be available on newsstands only. No subscriptions will be sold. Avoiding subs means circulation will be lower, but it also avoids the costly direct-mail efforts needed to sustain a rate base.

NYM Tries Hand-Delivery In Manhattan

 http://adage.com/article/media/york-hand-delivery-counter-postal-cutbacks/237430/
New York Magazine is trying to remedy rising postal costs and slower postal deliveries by distributing many subscriber copies by hand -- at least for Manhattan subscribers with doormen. After a test than began in May, sparked by concerns that post-office cutbacks would only continue to worsen, New York is now rolling out hand delivery to doorman buildings and commercial addresses in Manhattan. "Hand delivery means you'll get New York on Monday mornings -- earlier than is possible by U.S. Mail," New York explained in a letter to some subscribers.
The cost is competitive with the post office or cheaper, a New York spokeswoman said in an email. "It also gives us experience in this arena, in preparation for future USPS changes that may be more onerous."

Penske Media Leading Bidder For 'Variety'

Report: Penske Media leading bidder for 'Variety': Penske Media Corp., owner of Deadline and six other online properties, has emerged as the leading bidder for Variety, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. Penske has partnered with private equity company Shamrock Capital Advisors to acquire the 107-year-old trade publication, the report said. It added that a deal to purchase Variety for around $30 million could close within the next three weeks.Variety's parent company, Reed Elsevier put the publication up for sale in March.

M. Scott Havens Named President of The Atlantic

M. Scott Havens Tapped as President of The Atlantic:
The Atlantic has named M. Scott Havens as president effective today. The move puts a dedicated executive into the top spot for the brand and allows Justin Smith, who has held the dual role of president of Atlantic Media Company and The Atlantic, to shift solely to corporate oversight. The move also signals a continued emphasis on digital strategies for The Atlantic. Havens joined the brand in 2009 as its vice president of digital strategy and operations and then was promoted to senior vice president of finance and digital operations for the entire company.

Atlantic Media's Digital-only Quartz

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/business/media/with-digital-only-quartz-atlantic-to-cover-business-world.html?_r=1
“I love the romance of print,” said David G. Bradley, owner of Atlantic Media, but it has cost him. Business titans are generally not prone to self-appraisal, and when they do take stock, it usually begins and ends with a list of their conquests. David G. Bradley, the owner of Atlantic Media, has never been like that. He built and then sold the Advisory Board and the Corporate Executive Board, two research advisory firms, but he never trumpeted that or his fancy education — he was a Fulbright scholar with a law degree from Georgetown and an M.B.A. from Harvard — as a significant credential. At lunch a few weeks ago, we talked about Quartz, Atlantic’s new, strictly digital play in global media, a site for business news that is making its debut on Monday at qz.com. He was clearly excited about the new enterprise, but Mr. Bradley spoke candidly about his costly education in the economics of publishing.

NAPL- Conditions for Industry Mergers 'Favorable'

NAPL Economist Suggest Conditions for Industry Mergers 'Favorable': Executives and owners from a wide variety of printing and graphic communications companies gathered here for the inaugural NAPL/MFSA Mergers & Acquisitions Conference heard from top industry professionals and from their graphic communications industry peers about the most pressing issues facing the industry and what they can do now to get out in front of, and benefit from these trends.

The Print Council Transfer Print-in-the-Mix to RIT

The Print Council to Cease Operations, Transfer Print-in-the-Mix to RIT: The Print Council transferred its sponsorship of the industry resource to RIT. The Print Council, established in 2002 to promote the broader use of print in the marketing and media mix, is announcing the transfer of its sponsorship of the Print-in-the Mix website to Rochester Institute of Technology.

Print Thrives Among The Affluent

http://www.audiencedevelopment.com/2012/study+print+thrives+among+affluent
Both old and new media executives may be talking more openly about the inevitability of print’s decline, but for one demo dead trees and ink remain vital. The well-off. According to the 2012 iteration of the Ipsos MediaCT Mendelsohn Affluent Survey, in households making $100,000 and up, 82 percent of the “Affluents” read at least one of the 150 print titles the study tracks. (143 magazines and 7 national newspapers). This well-heeled and well-read segment of 59 million Americans is reading 18.7 issues across 8.2 titles. Despite the digital onslaught, this group showed only a tiny decline in their devotion to print since last year (-1.3 percent). The Ultra-Affluents ($250,000 a year and up) read 25 percent more than the Affluents, generally 23.5 issues over 10 titles.

Is Newsstand Slide Related To Pricing?

http://www.audiencedevelopment.com/2012/how+much+newsstand+slide+related+pricing
 Have you seen that Lucky subscription offer? It seems to be expired now, but it’s been all over the place online. You could buy a two-year subscription of this roughly $3.00-per-copy monthly magazine for the low, low price of $5.99. As in just under $6.00. As in a quarter per copy. Lucky, of course, isn’t the only publication doing this kind of thing. An online search can yield pages of results of magazines that are deeply discounted when compared to their newsstand prices. A number of years ago, audited publications couldn’t do this kind of thing. The ABC had guidelines preventing publishers from cutting subscription prices to only a fraction of the retail price.

USPS Moves Closer to Insolvency

Postal Service to Move Closer to Insolvency: At the end of this month, the U.S. Postal Service takes another step toward insolvency. On Sunday, the service is required by law to pay the federal government $5.6 billion to fund health care benefits for retirees. But it won’t do it, because it doesn’t have the money. It will be the second time that the service has defaulted on a payment, the first occurring on Aug. 1.
“This default will have no effect on the processing or delivery of mail, and employees and suppliers will continue to be paid,” said David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the Postal Service. But if Congress does nothing, come next spring, the Postal Service will truly start running out of cash. That means the agency may not have enough to pay mail carriers and subcontractors, which could mean drastic cuts to the mail delivery system -- postal service Armageddon.            

USPS Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion

USPS Opens Registration for Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion: Mobile barcodes and direct mail will drive retail sales this holiday season, so marketers looking to boost revenue while saving money should consider the 2012 Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion.
The Promotion is designed to drive online product purchases by putting mobile-optimized promotional offers, coupons and catalogs into consumers’ hands in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The promotion will offer online merchants a 2-percent postage discount on Standard Mail and First-Class Mail letters, flats and cards that include a mobile barcode or print/mobile technology

P&P Mills Future Water Usage Goals

Many pulp and paper mills will change future water usage goals
Since water has become an increasingly important strategic issue in the pulp and paper industry, potentially affecting the ability of a large number of the world’s mills to operate at capacity, Fisher International conducted a study of the topic and has published its findings in a study titled, The 2012 Global PPI Water Benchmark Report. The report is intended to help environmental managers understand how water issues are affecting pulp and paper mills around the world as they benchmark their own positions and evaluate their policies.
The study finds that many mills expect that their access to water will be threatened in the next five years.

Heidelberg Opens Plant in Detroit

Heidelberg Opens Manufacturing Plant in Detroit: Five years after introducing Saphira Aqueous Coatings to the market, Heidelberg recently began manufacturing the coatings locally at its new Hi-Tech Coatings plant, located in the Detroit suburb of Taylor, MI. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening was held Aug. 30. The plant has been in production for several months. Hi-Tech Coatings International, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg Druckmaschinen.

Domtar Announces October Pulp Increase

Domtar informed North American customers today its northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) market pulp price will increase $20/tonne, effective October 1 until further notice, as reported by RISI.

The Montreal-headquartered firm's price increase is the first known pricing move in North America for October business.

As for other Oct. 1 pricing plans, the only previous moves from NBSK producers came in Europe, where Sodra, Mercer International, Metsa Fibre, and Stora Enso announced $790/tonne, Oct. 1 list prices. None stated the amount of their European increases.

AF&PA P&W, Recovered, Kraft Paper Reports

http://www.afandpa.org/

P&W Papers

According to the AF&PA report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 percent in August compared to August 2011.  All four major printing-writing grades posted single-digit decreases compared to last August. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down 6 percent in August.  Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent from last month, primarily due to double-digit decreases in mechanical-grade paper inventories.  Additional key findings include: 

Shipments of coated free sheet papers decreased year-over-year, but August shipments reached the highest level since October 2011. Shipments of uncoated free sheet papers down year-over-year, the sixth consecutive single-digit year-over-year decrease .Uncoated mechanical paper inventories dropped sharply. Inventory of coated mechanical papers also dropped and hit the lowest point since December 2007.

Recovered Fiber

According to the AF&PA report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in August was 2.56 million tons, 6 percent higher than July 2012. Year-to-date total consumption in 2012 is 4 percent lower than during the same period last year.

U.S. exports of recovered paper, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, increased 5 percent in July compared to June, led by a 14 percent increase in Mixed Papers exports. Year-to-date exports of recovered paper in 2012 are 6 percent lower than during the same period in 2011.

Kraft Paper

Total Kraft paper shipments were 133,000 tons, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to the prior month. Total inventory was 77,800 tons this month. Both unbleached and bleached Kraft shipments decreased year over year.

August Global Pulp Ships Up

Global pulp deliveries increased by 6.4% to 3.667 million tonnes in August, up from 3.447 million tonnes the previous month, according to Pulp and Paper Products Council (PPPC) data.

Shipments were 7.4% higher than the year earlier period, up from 3.415 million tonnes in August 2011.

UK Paper Industry Calls for Changes in Gov. Policy

UK Paper Industry Calls for U-turns in Manufacturing Policy: The UK’s Paper Industry still operates 50 mills and accounts for 25,000 jobs. It contributes significantly to the UK economy. It has reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions by over 30% since 1990. It has invested £10bns in state of the art equipment and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and on-site biomass plants. Paper is now the most recycled of materials with a recycling rate of 73%.
However, government policy is acting as a huge disincentive to further investment and could result in the closure of many mills over the next decade.
Potentially the most damaging of the policies is the Carbon Price Floor, which comes into effect in 2013. At £16 per tonne it could cost UK Energy Intensive Industries more than twice the amount paid by our EU competitors.

"New York" Magazine's Best Year

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120923/MEDIA_ENTERTAINMENT/309239995

To its groaning shelf of National Magazine Awards and bulging portfolio of stories extolling its business success, New York magazine can add one more credit: It's having its best year in a decade.
Both profits and revenue are the highest they've been since financier Bruce Wasserstein bought the barely profitable publication in late 2003 for $55 million and lured Adam Moss from The New York Times to become editor in chief. That move was among several that would make New York what it is now: a growth property at a time when much of the rest of the industry is struggling to hold its ground.
Observers also praise New York's owners for their willingness to invest for the long term and a nimble business team that's equally adept at selling print and digital advertising.
In addition, the magazine and website have racked up more National Magazine Awards since Mr. Moss' 2004 arrival than any other title during the same period.

"The Economist" Sets First Digital Rate Base

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/economist-sets-digital-rate-base-143969

Print media buyers have been pushing publishers to give up more information about their digital editions as they try to assess a new medium. Now, The Economist is delivering on one of those buyer demands by being, it claims, the first to set a digital rate base.
The rate base of 50,000 is intended, like a print base, to increase advertisers’ confidence. It will take effect in January and appear on the newsweekly’s Consolidated Media Report [1], a year-old reporting tool from the Audit Bureau of Circulations that attempts to present a brand’s total footprint across print and digital platforms. (The ABC’s longstanding publisher’s statements don’t yet have a place for digital-only rate base claims.)

Voice Media Buys Village Voice Media

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/09/24/4285203/newly-formed-denver-holding-company.html New holding company Voice Media Group today announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase the publishing and related sales properties owned by Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC. The purchase includes the iconic Village Voice Media alternative weekly newspapers and their associated websites, as well as the national advertising arm of the company.

The buyout is being led by Scott Tobias, who has been Village Voice Media Holdings' chief operating officer and will be chief executive officer of the new Voice Media Group. Christine Brennan will become executive editor of the new enterprise.

Direct Mail Key to USPS Viability

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/junk-mail-postal-services-latest-attempt-fix-budget/story?id=17284772#.UGHlUBhmuKw

"Advertising mail is a critically important part of the economic engine that funds USPS services," USPS spokeswoman Darlene S. Casey said in an email. "The postage paid on letters, checks and bills (First Class Mail) is no longer enough by itself to fund the universal mail service Americans enjoy today."

The 83.5 billion coupons, catalogues and credit card offers that advertisers sent through standard mail brought in $17 billion in revenues for the Postal Service in 2010.

USPS Recycling Program: Cash for Electronics

http://weissmanreport.com/2011-06-30-23-44-03/item/2286-us-postal-service-gives-customers-chance-to-get-cash-for-their-old-electronic-devices

There's no reason to toss out that old cell phone, PDA, digital camera or other small electronic device, says the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) — which has expanded the availability of a recycling program to 3,100 retail location. Customers can trade in their old electronic gadgets for cash.
"The U.S. Postal Service is making recycling your old cell phone quicker and easier than ever before," said Gary Reblin, vice president of Domestic Products. "We've expanded this recycling program to offer more consumers the opportunity to protect the environment and put some money in their pocket at the same time and with USPS, the shipping is free."

NS Premier Announces New Deal for Port Hawk.

Nova Scotia Premier announces new deal to reopen Port Hawkesbury paper mill:
This statement has just been released by the Province of Nova Scotia:
Premier Darrell Dexter today, Sept. 22, announced that the province has negotiated a new, better agreement for Nova Scotia taxpayers to reopen the former NewPage mill and keep hundreds of people working in the Strait region.
“I want to thank the people of the Strait. Their hard work, sacrifice and determination over the past year has paid off,” said Premier Dexter. “Even after it appeared there was no hope, both parties worked through the night and I’m very pleased to say we now have a new agreement that is a better deal for Nova Scotians. 
Statement from Pacific West:
"I am very pleased -for the employees of the mill, members of the community, and the mill's many suppliers and customers - to be able to announce that the issues that yesterday prevented the mill from restarting have been overcome...continue to work hard together over the coming years to ensure that Port Hawkesbury remains the highest quality, most competitive paper mill of its kind in North America.

Starting next week, we intend to call all employees back to work.

The UARB has advised us that it has extended the date for filing of the required amendments to its previous order so that the matter can be dealt with on an expedited basis next week. We are pleased that NSPI has agreed to support that application.

It is our plan to take ownership Sept 28th, and for paper to begin to roll off the machines in the very first days of October. Our sales team has alerted customers and we are taking orders now.

US East and Gulf Coast Port Strike Averted

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120921/business/709219843/

Port workers and shippers on Thursday agreed to a 90-day contract extension, averting a potential shutdown of up to 14 East and Gulf coast ports by early October. Contract talks will continue with assistance of a federal mediator.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service dir George Cohen said "progress was made on several important subjects," leading to the extension through Dec. 29 by negotiators from the International Longshoremen's Assn and the US Maritime Alliance.

The current labor agreement would have expired Sept. 30.

Pulp & Paper Green Transformation Program

FPAC is pleased with Canada’s Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program:
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) would like to congratulate the Government of Canada for the unprecedented success of its $1 billion Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program (PPGTP) and for its continued commitment to the ongoing transformation of the forest products sector.

2012-13 Ratios; Printing Industry Profits Rising

http://www.piworld.com/article/2012-13-commercial-printers-ratios-report-show-printing-industry-profits-increasing/?params=print#

The printing industry as a whole reported profits of 1.8 percent in 2011, compared to 1.4 percent in 2010 according to the recently completed “2012–2013 Printing Industries of America Ratios Survey.” The sluggish economy and slowing print markets pulled down printers’ profitability in 2009 (–1.4 percent), but improving economic conditions helped the print industry pick up steam and reverse the trends in 2010 (1.4 percent) and continued into 2011 (1.8 percent).
The average printer’s before-tax profit on sales was 1.8 percent over this past year. This was an increase compared to 1.4 percent percent in the 2011 survey (2010 fiscal year-end numbers); it is still below the 3.0–3.4 percent range experienced from 1995 to 2001.

Fairways+Greensis Becomes GolfGetaways

http://www.foliomag.com/2012/fairways-greens-becomes-golfgetaways

Golf publication Fairways + Greensis set to rebrand itself as GolfGetaways, cementing an editorial change to the niche travel market and coinciding with a new digital effort built around apps for Apple and Nook devices.

The changes will officially occur when its next issue hits newsstands and app stores on November 6.

Luxury Retailers: Direct Mail Works

Why Do Luxury Retailers Use Direct Mail? It works!:
Let’s face it, if you can afford a $66,950 private jet excursion you are probably treated differently in all areas of your life, not just the direct mail you receive. I have to assume that there is a level of quality that is expected to capture attention and interest, and Luxury Brands get that because they attempt to know their customers and prospects as we all do. So at surface level, these marketing materials are saying – you are WORTH this.

Campaigns Still Rely on Direct Mail

You've Got Mail: Campaigns Still Rely on Snail Mail: In the coming weeks, candidates will bombard your mailboxes with ads. It may seem old-fashioned, but the consultants who devise direct-mail campaigns have become sophisticated about knowing whom to reach and what to say.
"It's almost because of the changing media landscape that direct mail remains relevant," says Anil Mammen, who runs a small direct-mail shop in Washington, D.C.
"Direct mail is one of the few mediums left where you can go reach a voter and convince your voter to consume your information, without them having to choose to do it," says Mammen.

2012 Digital Ad Spending Up 16.6%

U.S. digital ad expenditures to rise 16.6% this year: U.S. marketers will spend $37.3 billion on digital advertising this year, an increase of 16.6% over 2011, according to a report from eMarketer.

Valassis and Rite Aid Marketing Partnership

Valassis Announces Rite Aid Marketing Partnership: Industry Leaders Join Forces to Enhance Shopping ExperienceValassis, one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies, and Rite Aid Corporation, one of the nation's leading drugstore chains, announced today that they have entered into a multi-year partnership to develop and execute in-store marketing and media programs.

August NA Coated Shipments Fall

The Pulp and Products Council reported August North American coated mechanical paper shipments fell -5.2% as compared to the same month last year. Demand declined -4.9% and imports increased +10.7%. The operating rate was 100%. Coated woodfree shipments were down -5.4%, demand decreased -6.6% and imports fell -15.5%. The operating rate was 93%. SC-A/SC-A+ shipments declined -14.8%, demand was down -12.3% and imports decreased -7.7%. The operating rate for all Supercalendered paper was 103%.