Walgreen's Launches Magazine

http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/16391/walgreens-launches-bi-annual-healthy-living-magazine

Walgreens announced the launch of "Happy And Healthy, Your Guide To Living Well With Walgreens," a bi-annual magazine focusing on healthy living tips, relevant offers and Balance Rewards loyalty program promotions. The book will also showcase its private brands.
The premiere edition debuts on Nov.4, in English and Spanish. Each issue is divided into three sections: Health and Wellness, Food and Beverage, and Beauty.
The magazine will be inserted into Sunday newspapers and be available in-stores nationwide. An electronic version can be viewed online at Walgreens.com, and the total circulation is expected to reach approximately 65 million.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Catalog Targets Affluent Homes

Bergdorf Goodman Reaches Affluent Homes Via Holiday Catalog: New York-based department store Bergdorf Goodman is looking to boost holiday sales through a direct mail catalog meant to lure affluent recipients to the in-store experience. The holiday catalog promotes the retailer’s exclusive gifts for fans of the Bergdorf lifestyle and features brands such as Cadillac, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Valentino. It includes gifts for men, women, children and the home in a 68-page print catalog.

Rolling Stone Courts Hispanic Market

Rolling Stone Courts Hispanic Market, Spanish Speakers With Latest Issue:
Rolling Stone is trying to get closer to the Hispanic market by introducing Spanish-language advertisements and a secondary Spanish-language cover on the back of its November 22 issue.
As the U.S. Latino population continues to soar, the need to actively court this demographic does as well. Here, FOLIO: checks in with Matt Mastrangelo, publisher of Rolling Stone (pictured below left), to get the details on this new focus for his brand and the industry at large.

Reed Elsevier Plan Pays Off

http://www.cityam.com/latest-news/magazine-disposals-pay-trade-publisher-reed-elsevier

PUBLISHING giant Reed Elsevier showed yesterday that a plan to dispose of most of its print operations is paying off, as it said all aspects of its business had grown in 2012.

The FTSE 100 firm got rid of Hollywood magazine Variety this year, and has sold other trade publications such as Publishers Weekly in a bid to hive off parts of the firm that rely on advertising. However, it is holding on to the successful New Scientist.

The remaining Reed Elsevier divisions, including research service LexisNexis and the Gray’s Anatomy medical textbook, drove the company to a four per cent rise in underlying revenue in the nine months to October.

The firm’s exhibitions business, which hosts international trade fairs, saw 15 per cent growth, while its financial data publishing operations also put in a strong showing.

Kantar, ZenithOptimedia, Nielsen: Moderate Growth in 2012

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/187000/ad-spend-remains-below-2007-peak-2012-recovery-mi.html

According to Kantar, total U.S. ad spending plunged from $158.2 billion in 2007 to $142.9 billion in 2008 and a low of $125.3 billion in 2009, for consecutive annual declines of 9.7% and 12.3%, respectively.

As the economy bottomed out and slowly began to recover, ad spending edged up 4.6% to $131.1 billion in 2010, then jumped 9.8% to $144 billion in 2011. But the rate of growth slowed considerably in the last year. Kantar is currently forecasting 2.2% growth to around $147 billion in 2012 -- still 7% short of its 2007 level.
ZenithOptimedia pegs total U.S. ad spending at $177.6 billion in 2007, $172.5 billion in 2008, $157 billion in 2009, and $151.7 billion in 2010 (which puts the low point a year later than Kantar), for consecutive annual declines of 2.9%, 9%, and 3.4% over this period. In 2011 ad spending increased 1.6% to $154.2 billion, according to ZO, followed by a forecast 4.3% increase to $161 billion in 2012 -- 9.3% below 2007.
Nielsen’s figures for total U.S. ad spending follow a similar arc, from $140.5 billion in 2007 to $136.8 billion in 2008 and $117 billion in 2009, for consecutive annual declines of 2.4% and 14.5%. Ad spending edged up 5.6% to $123.6 billion in 2010, then eked out 2% growth to $126.1 billion in 2011. If Nielsen’s figures for the first three quarters of 2012 are good indicators, 2012 might see growth of up to 4%.

China: World's Largest Economy by 2016

http://www.businessinsider.com/developing-world-will-pass-west-by-2060-2012-11

China, India and the rest of the developing world will eclipse the west in a dramatic shift in the balance of economic power over the next 50 years, according to research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The next five decades will see major changes in country shares in global output. The Paris-based thinktank's Looking to 2060: Long-Term Global Growth Prospects report uses a new economic model which forecasts that China will overtake the eurozone in 2012 and the US within the next four years to become the largest economy in the world. India is in the process of overtaking Japan and is forecast to pass the eurozone in about 20 years.

USPS Promotion for Online Merchants

USPS offering QR promotion to online merchants: The U.S. Postal Service is offering a postage discount through Nov. 21 to online merchants that include 2-D barcodes as part of their direct-mail campaigns.
The promotion, giving marketers a 2% discount on first-class and standard-mail postage, is designed to spur mobile purchasing by putting mobile-optimized promotional offers, coupons and catalogs into customers' hands in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the traditional shopping days that follow Thanksgiving.

NewPage Disclosure Statement Approved

NewPage Disclosure Statement Approved: (USA) NewPage Corporation (the Company) announced today that the Disclosure Statement for its Fourth Amended Chapter 11 Plan (the Plan) has been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

APRIL Disputes RAN's Statement on Disney

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) issued a media release on 11 October, 2012, claiming that The Walt Disney Company had "cut ties" to APRIL following changes to its Paper Sourcing and Use Policy. Disney's own announcement on its paper sourcing policy did not mention APRIL and to our knowledge, APRIL does not directly sell paper to Disney and has never done so.

Both the RAN announcement and the Disney announcement mentioned that Disney's new sourcing policy was designed to have particular impact on Indonesia.

Finnish Forest Industries Reports Q3 Results

Finnish paper and board production decreased by 3% year on year to 2.8 million tonnes in the third quarter, according to figures from the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF).

This is an improvement compared to the approximately 2.6 million tonnes produced in Q1 and Q2, respectively, which were equal to a year-on-year drop of 12% and 8%, respectively.

Production of printing/writing paper fell by 8% year on year to 1.8 million tonnes in Q3, while board manufacturing levels rose by 4% to 705,000 tonnes. Finnish pulp producers churned out 3% more pulp in the third quarter this year compared to last year, at 1.7 million tonnes (see table below).

According to the FFIF's year-to-date figures, Finland saw its biggest drop in printing/writing paper, where production was down 11% to 5 million tonnes in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year.

P&G Announces New Fiber Sourcing Goals

P&G Releases New Fiber Sourcing Goals for Tissue-Towel and Absorbent Hygiene Products: The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) today announced new fiber sourcing goals for the pulp it purchases for its tissue-towel, baby care, and feminine hygiene brands. These new goals help deliver progress toward P&G’s long-term environmental sustainability vision, which includes having all products and packaging made from 100% sustainably sourced renewable or recycled materials. The new fiber sourcing goals, developed in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), will be published in P&G’s 2012 Sustainability Report issued on November 12th.

Arctic Paper Makes Offer for Rottneros

Arctic Paper to Form an Integrated Pulp and Fine Paper Group With A Leading Position In Europe – Launches Recommended Public Offer to the Shareholders of Rottneros: Arctic Paper S.A. has announced a public offer to acquire all shares in Rottneros AB, a non-integrated and customized supplier of high quality paper pulp listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. Rottneros’ Board of Directors has unanimously recommended the offer.

Dawn Zier Leaves Reader's Digest

http://www.foliomag.com/2012/dawn-zier-leaves-readers-digest-become-ceo-nutrisystem

Dawn Zier has stepped down as president of Reader's Digest's international division to become president and CEO of diet and weight loss company Nutrisystem. She will also be joining the company's board of directors. Her last day at RDA will be November 14.

Global Ad Budgets Up 2.7%

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/186895/global-advertising-budgets-up-27.html

Although the global advertising business has been primarily "cautious" in the current economy, it is not universal when it comes to all major advertising categories.
Nielsen Global AdView Pulse says for the first half of 2012, telecommunications lifted spending by 7.9% -- the biggest category gain -- with the largest pushes in Latin America, up 32.5%, and the Middle East & Africa, 28.3% higher.

Williams-Sonoma Launches Mark and Graham

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/11/08/4397593/williams-sonoma-inc-announces.html
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the North America-based retailer that specializes in high-quality products for the home, today announced that it has launched its newest direct-to-customer brand, Mark and Graham, specializing in personalized gifts and accessories. As the newest brand to join the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio, Mark and Graham will offer colorful and timeless products personalized with a choice of more than 50 custom monograms and creative type treatments. The brand will offer its products through an exclusive direct mail catalog and an e-commerce website markandgraham.com.

HMH Announces Acquisitions

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/11/08/houghton-mifflin-harcourt-acquires-award-winning-c/

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) today announced that its Trade & Reference division has acquired the assets of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.'s (NYSE: JWa, JWb) culinary portfolio, in addition to classic reference titles Webster's New World Dictionary and CliffsNotes.

HarperCollins Closing Operation in Throop, PA

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/harpercollins-closing-warehouse-almost-200-will-lose-jobs-1.1400529

HarperCollins Publishers will close its warehouse and distribution operation in Throop next summer and put close to 200 people out of work.
"The industry is changing," said Erin Crum, spokeswoman for HarperCollins, a book publisher based in New York. "It just makes sense for us to go this route as we shift to a more digital industry."

Q3 Retail Spending Strong

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/186801/online-retail-spend-soars-15.html

Boding well for the holiday season, new data shows that online retail shopping remained strong in the third quarter of the year.
 Year-over-year, online retail spending increased 15% to $41.9 billion in the third quarter, according to new estimates from comScore.

That represented the 12th consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth, and eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni said Wednesday.

Northern Tool & Equipment Buys Sportsman's Guide, Golf Warehouse

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_21956682/northern-tool-buying-sportsmans-guide-golf-warehouse-215?source=rss

Burnsville-based Northern Tool and Equipment said it is acquiring The Sportsman's Guide, a catalog supplier of outdoor goods based in South St. Paul.

It is also purchasing The Golf Warehouse, an online golf equipment retailer based in Wichita, Kan. Together, the deals are worth $215 million, Northern Tool officials said Thursday, Nov. 8.

USA TODAY/National Geographic Produce Tribute Edition

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/08/4970459/usa-today-and-national-geographic.html

USA TODAY and National Geographic Channel have partnered on a special tabloid edition:  50 Years Later – A Salute to the Veterans of the Vietnam War. The special edition marks the 50^th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War.
The 48-page all color special edition is on newsstands now.

Macmillan Dictionary Goes Digital

Macmillan Dictionary goes digital:
Revealing the end of its printed editions, which are produced by the publisher's Hong Kong-based print firm MPAL, Macmillan said that the final copies were already "rolling off the presses".

Postmaster General Forecasts 20% Jump

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/08/4970969/us-postal-service-forecasts-record.html
The Postal Service projects the record-breaking increase in its competitive package business due to consumers' growing fondness for shopping online. In total, nearly 18 billion cards, letters and packages will be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

USPS Promotions and Incentives Web Page

https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mobilebarcode&inf_contact_key=8946c7a89b1f2c54635cd8108a2e6cf552c9ef165d6ddeef8d1d6f6550a3fe18

The USPS has a dedicated web page to provide information for promotions and incentives. Available on that page are details regarding these proposed promotions, but the best place to get detailed information is at their Promotions Calendar Overview.

Sappi Ltd. Reports Q1 Results

Sappi Ltd. sees Q1 operating profit "weaker" than a year ago:
Financial summary for the quarter
Net profit US$107 million (Q4 2011 net loss US$127 million)
Earnings per share of 21 US cents (Q4 2011 loss per share 24 US cents)
Operating profit excluding special items US$118 million (Q4 2011 US$80 million)
Net cash generated US$203 million (Q4 2011 US$279 million)
Targeted net debt level reached a year early - US$1,979 million

NewPage to Meet with Lenders

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2012-11-06/chesapeake-raises-rate-on-2-billion-loan-newpage-readies-deal.html

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) increased the rate it will pay on $2 billion of loans and NewPage Corp., the Cerberus Capital Management LP-owned coated paper maker, set a meeting to discuss an $850 million financing to lead companies in the market for leveraged loans in the U.S. today.
Chesapeake boosted the discount at which it’s selling the debt to 98 cents on the dollar from 99 cents, increasing the yield for investors and reducing proceeds for the borrower, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. NewPage’s bankruptcy exit financing consists of a $500 million, six-year term loan and a $350 million, five-year asset-based revolving line of credit, Bloomberg data show.

Private Contractors Concerned with Port Hawk Prices

Private land contractors balk at Port Hawkesbury Paper’s wood prices:
Private land contractors met in Sydney, Nova Scotia on Monday night with representatives of Port Hawkesbury Paper.
The contractors were not pleased with the information they learned at the meeting, and reportedly left as frustrated as when they arrived.

FPAC Asks for More Gov Help

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/07/4967836/forest-sector-requests-ongoing.html
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is asking the federal government to use Budget 2013 to continue to build on the existing momentum of innovation and transformation in the job-rich forest sector. This should include replenishment of the successful Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program.

The original $100 million IFIT program generated 107 applications and was over-subscribed by a factor of five, demonstrating the significant appetite by the Canadian forestry sector to develop and commercialize new innovative technologies in the areas of bio-energy, bio-chemicals and new solid wood projects. About a third of these project applications were for world-first innovations. By investing $300 million over the next three years in IFIT, the government will continue to support the ambitious Vision2020 agenda of the Canadian forest sector.

NGOs Urge APP Boycott

NGOs urge Asia Pulp and Paper boycott:
The letter, which was sent to banks and financial institutions in 12 countries on Monday (5 November), asks funders to "carefully screen any pulp industry investment projects related to Indonesia, particularly those of companies associated with the Sinar Mas Group, notably APP".
Indonesian and trade press reports that APP is planning to build a new pulp mill in Sumatra have heightened concerns amongst NGOs including WWF and Greenpeace, the letter states.
The reports have claimed that the proposed mill will be one of the largest in the world, with an annual production capacity of up to 2m tonnes.

Oriental Trading Bought by Berkshire Hathaway

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/berkshire-to-buy-oriental-trading-company/

 Berkshire Hathaway, run by Warren Buffett, shown, agreed to pay about $500 million for the retailer.

Berkshire, run by billionaire Warren Buffett, agreed to pay about $500 million for the business, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The purchase of Oriental Trading, based in Berkshire's hometown of Omaha, Neb., adds another retail company to Berkshire's stable and marks a vote of confidence in the company, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in February last year.

"Oriental Trading is a leader in its industry, has a strong management team and delivers exceptional customer value and service," Mr. Buffett said in a statement released jointly with Oriental Trading on Friday.

Group Makes Offer for Resolute’s Oakhill Sawmill

Investment group makes offer to buy Resolute’s Oakhill sawmill in Nova Scotia:
An investment group has made an offer to buy the Oakhill, Nova Scotia sawmill owned by Resolute Forest Products.
The mill was idled in June when Resolute Forest Products indefinitely idled the Bowater Mersey mill. The 100 employees of the sawmill were laid off.
The investment group is led by a manager of the sawmill, Hans Pedersen.

Quad/Graphics Reports Q3 Results

https://www.google.com/search?q=quad%2Fgraphics&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Highlights:
Generates third quarter net sales of $1,040 million.
Achieves Adjusted EBITDA of $155 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.9% for the quarter.  Generates $53 million in Recurring Free Cash Flow for the quarter and $220 million year-to-date.  
Raises full-year 2012 Recurring Free Cash Flow guidance to equal or surpass full-year 2011 of $340 million.
Repays $16 million in debt during the quarter and $148 million year-to-date.
Announces intent to acquire substantially all the assets of Vertis Holdings, Inc.

Cenveo Reports Q3 Results

http://www.cenveo.com/

The Company generated net sales of $451.3 million for the third quarter of 2012, compared to $475.8 million for the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower sales in our print and envelope product lines as a result of lower direct mail volumes from our financial services customers, the closure and consolidation of a print plant in the first quarter of 2012 and our decision to exit certain low margin businesses. The Company generated net sales of $1.3 billion for the first nine months of 2012, compared to $1.4 billion for the first nine months of 2011.

Hearst Buys Equity Stake in Spooky Cool Labs

Hearst Takes Equity Stake in Game Developer Spooky Cool Labs:
Hearst Corporation has officially entered the game space with a minority stake in mobile and social game developer Spooky Cool Labs. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Atlantic Headed for 3rd Year of Profits

Digital Pushing Third Year of Profit for The Atlantic:
The Atlantic had another strong month in digital sales and traffic. According to the company, October 2012 digital revenue was 28 percent higher than the same month last year. The increasing sales figures are expected to help push the brand into its third consecutive year of profit, with 2012 digital revenues projected to be 33 percent higher than 2011.

Finland's 3rd Biggest Coal User Plans Change

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-07/helsingin-energia-may-replace-40-of-coal-with-biomass-at-plants.html
Helsingin Energia, Finland’s third- biggest coal user, may replace as much as 40 percent of its coal with wood pellets at two plants in the next eight years to limit carbon emissions and boost renewable energy output.

Helsingin Energia, the country’s biggest municipal utility, strives to find an “optimal fuel mix” for replacing 5 to 10 percent of coal use by co-firing 100,000 metric tons of wood pellets annually starting 2014, and possibly 40 percent by 2020, after tests which are taking place through April, it said today in an e-mailed statement.

Michigan Votes No on Renewable Energy Goal

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/12/11/voters-reject-push-require-25-renewable-energy-25

Proposal 3, which called for amending the Michigan Constitution to require 25% of the state's energy to come from renewable resources by 2025, was easily trounced Tuesday.

With 41% of the precincts reporting, 64% of voters voted no, while 36% voted yes.

Heidelberg Q2 Sales up 10%

Heidelberg Q2 Sales up 10%: At EUR 668 million, incoming orders in second quarter remain at previous year's level; with more than EUR 1.5 billion after first six months around 17 percent above previous year
Sales in second quarter EUR 697 million, 10 percent up on previous year.

Resolute CEO Claims Defamation

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/163046-resolute-head-seeks-name-of-critic

The president of the company that closed the Bowater Mersey paper mill in Queens County wants to know who wrote online comments about him that he alleges are defamatory.

In documents filed in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Nov. 2, Richard Garneau, president and CEO of Montreal-based Resolute Forest Products Canada Inc., applied to have Bragg Communications Inc., owner of Internet service provider Eastlink, identify who made comments about him in response to a story published in September on the website, http://foresttalk.com/.

Chinese RCP Imports Up 2.8%, Pulp Jumps 16.4%

China's total recovered paper (RCP) imports grew 2.6% to around 2.714 million tonnes in September, up from some 2.646 million tonnes in August, according to data from China Customs.

September's figure was 9.8% higher than the 2.473 million tonnes recorded in the same month of 2011. 

China's total pulp imports shot up 16.4% in September compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.329 million tonnes, according to data from China Customs.
The surge was ascribed to Chinese customers' restocking after they had halted purchases of market pulp for the previous three months.

China Looks at Vancouver Island Investment

China looking to invest in Vancouver Island timber assets:
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that China Investment Corp. (CIC) is close to buying a 12.5% stake in Island Timberlands for about $100 million.
Island Timberlands  is jointly owned by a subsidiary, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, and other institutional investors.  Island Timberlands owns about 254,000 hectares of forest land on Vancouver Island.

Golf Digest Wins Top Prize at Pearl Awards

Golf Digest Properties wins top prize at Pearl Awards: Golf Digest Properties captured the Best in Custom Award at the 10th annual Pearl Awards Tuesday. The media company won the award for its 2012 Masters Journal.

Pearson Might Sell 'FT'

Pearson reportedly puts 'FT' on the block: Pearson is exploring a sale of the Financial Times, according to reports. Bloomberg said Pearson may initiate sale preparations ahead of the retirement of Marjorie Scardino, who is stepping down as CEO in January.
According to the Guardian, the FT has denied that it is for sale.
Pearson has been focusing on building its education and professional businesses via acquisitions. In the past 12 months, the company has made 10 acquisitions in the education sector for a total of $1.2 billion.

Meredith Teams Up With Campbell’s

Meredith Teams Up With Campbell’s For Holiday Pinterest Sweepstakes:
or Meredith brands like Better Homes and Gardens and Allrecipes.com, the holidays provide important opportunities to interact with readers, support partners and boost traffic and engagement metrics. To take advantage of holiday excitement, these brands have teamed up on a reader-driven Pinterest sweepstake that is supported by advertising partner Campbell’s Soups.

B-to-B Print Advertising Drops in July

B-to-B Print Advertising Drops in July:
Print advertising revenue figures declined again in July, according to the latest Business Information Network numbers released by ABM. Pages were down almost 9 percent for the month and revenues were down about 4 percent compared to the same period last year.

September Commercial Printing Ships Down

US Commercial Printing Shipments Decline -3.2% in September (Economics & Research):
September 2012 US commercial printing shipments were $6.97 billion, down -$232 million, or -3.2% versus September 2011. On an inflation-adjusted basis, shipments were down -$375mil, or -5.1%.

Response Rates: What is Their Role?

Response Rates: What's Really Being Said? (Digital Nirvana):
Last week, I started a lively discussion on Digital Nirvana with a post about the limited role that response rates should be playing in evaluating the success of marketing campaigns. Response rates have a role — and an important one — but not as the primary measure.

NFL Turns to Digital for Playbooks

NFL Playbooks: There’s an App for That: Want a competitive advantage? As NFL teams are discovering, there’s an app for that. Across the league, teams are trading in their 500-page printed playbooks for iPads.

Campaigns a Boon for Printers

Campaigns a Boon for Printers: This year’s elections have generated more than $500 million of added revenue for printing businesses nationwide. A chunk of that money is helping a struggling Wisconsin print industry. Between things like tickets for presidential visits, mailers and voter information flyers, Tom Schorr of Wells Print and Digital Services in Madison says he’s been busy this year.

Retailers Offering Paperless Receipts

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/03/retailers-e-mail-digital-paperless-receipts/1675069/

The "paper or plastic" mantra at store checkouts is getting a digital twin: "paper or e-mail."

As smartphones proliferate, more stores and banks are offering to e-mail shoppers their receipts rather than giving them a printed copy. These electronic or digital receipts, touted as green for saving paper and convenient for saving time, enable retailers to market directly to customers.

Consolidated Graphics Reports Q3 Results

Consolidated Graphics Reports Revenue and Income Declines: #INLINE-CHART#
Consolidated Graphics announced its financial results for the second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012. • The company’s revenue for the quarter totaled $263.6 million—a $3.8-million Consolidated Graphics announced its financial results for the second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012.