New Face for The New Republic

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/business/media/the-new-republic-aims-to-broaden-its-audience.html?_r=0

There are not many firsts for a politically savvy, 98-year-old publication like The New Republic. But Franklin Foer, its 38-year-old editor, experienced one recently when he passed a Hudson News store at Union Station here and saw the magazine displayed prominently near the checkout. 
It’s all part of the plan by Chris Hughes, the 29-year-old co-founder of Facebook, former online campaign adviser to President Obama and The New Republic’s newest owner, to turn around the magazine he bought in March.

What Magazines Can Learn from eBooks

http://paidcontent.org/2013/01/25/what-digital-magazines-can-learn-from-ebook-publishers/

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Keach Hagey takes a look at trends in digital magazine pricing and finds a number of publishers charging more for tablet editions than print. As ad revenue declines, publishers are turning to digital magazines as a way to “become more leveraged toward consumer revenue and a little less dependent on advertising,” in the words of Hearst president David Carey.
And here’s Condé Nast president Bob Sauerberg: “We’re using this new platform and the clear demand for all access to our content as a way to redefine our subscription offerings at a higher price. The industry is trying to take a step forward because we’re all trying to get more money from the consumer.”

Sperduti on Rebranding J.Crew Retail

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-24/anthony-sperduti-on-rebooting-j-dot-crew-retail

J.Crew thought their men’s business was considered irrelevant and wanted to rebrand it. At the time [2007-08] there were a lot of blogs about menswear that gave a lot of smaller brands an outsized footprint and large reach. J.Crew was making great products, they had amazing attention to detail, they just weren’t part of the conversation. Mickey Drexler, the CEO, asked what they could do to remedy that: Was it a national campaign or rethinking their catalogue? Our answer was a small space with no overt branding that was outside the retail corridor. We believed the Liquor Store had the perfect makings to recontextualize J.Crew menswear. The rent was half of what a billboard in Tribeca would cost. For us it was a big lesson: There is more than one way to rebrand a company. Offering something experiential and acting smaller reverberates on a much larger scale.

Nonprofits Hurt By New Postal Rules

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/article/detail/nonprofits-hurt-by-new-postal-rules-5160

Six of the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) new workshare discount rates, that took effect yesterday, are shallower for nonprofit mailers than for commercial mailers, and unfairly discriminate against nonprofits, contends the Association of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM), based in Washington, D.C.
Three of the new discounts -- high density letters, high density flats, and automated 5-digit flats -- are higher than the old rates, two categories (high density plus letters and high density plus flats) are new and the discount for non-automated 3-digit flats is slightly lower than the old rate. But the key issue is the discrepancy between the nonprofit and commercial rates.

Rolling Stone Debuts iPad App

Rolling Stone Debuts iPad App with Support From MEI, Nervous Pixel: Jenkintown, PA — Managing Editor Inc. (MEI) today announced its professional and creative services support of Rolling Stone magazine’s recently released iPad app. Wenner Media, publisher of Rolling Stone and other entertainment magazines including Us Weekly, produced the app using vjoon K4™ Cross-Media Publishing Platform and the Adobe® Digital Publishing Suite™ (DPS), both top-tier products provided and supported by MEI.

Publishers Increasing Invesment In Mobile

Survey: Publishers Upping Their Invesment In Mobile: A survey of North American newspaper, magazine and business publication members shows how they are innovating and investing in cross-media platforms.
With an eye on profitability, more respondents report moving to some form of a paywall. Of those currently not using a paywall, 44% plan to implement one in the next 24 months.
Business publications and newspapers are more than twice as likely to have implemented a paywall as magazines.
The most employed paywall is metered, allowing consumers to access a set number of articles before payment is required. Almost 40% are using this type of paywall, while 17% are using a hard paywall (payment required to read any content). One-third (33%) are using a combination paywall that restricts access to premium content.

AF&PA Reports P&W 2012 Numbers

http://www.afandpa.org/
The American Forest & Paper Association has released its December 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9 percent in December compared to December 2011. For the year of 2012, printing-writing and related paper shipments were 4.6 percent below the 2011 level. All four of the major printing-writing grades posted decreases compared to last December, with inventory levels increasing in November, led by double-digit increases in mechanical grade papers.
Additional key findings:
December shipments of coated mechanical (CM) papers decreased 10 percent compared to December 2011 and 5 percent for the year.
December shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 7 percent when compared to December 2011 and were down 3 percent for the year in 2012. Year-to-date imports of CFS through November were down 12 percent compared to the 11-month period in 2011.
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers shipments decreased 7 percent compared to December. Annual purchases of UFS papers for the year were down 4 percent compared to 2011. Year-to-date UFS imports are up 4 percent in 2012 compared to same 11 months in 2011.
December uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 27 percent when compared to December 2011, with annual shipments 17 percent below 2011 levels.

EURO-GRAPH Reports 2012 Coated, SC Results

http://www.euro-graph.org/publicms/index/view 
EURO-GRAPH reported European coated mechanical paper shipments fell -7.3% in 2012, as compard to the previous year. December shipments decreased -13.1%. Demand was down -9% for the year, -16% for the month, and exports declined -1.5% and -3%. Coated woodfree shipments fell -2.9% in 2012 and -9.6% in December. Demand was down -3.6% for the year and -12.9% for the month. Exports rose +0.1% and +1.5%. Supercalendered paper shipments declined -5% in 2012 and -9.7% in December. Demand decreased -3.7% for the year and -10.2% for the month. Exports fell -10.4% and -7.3%.

New Financing for Great Northern Paper

Enhanced Community Development, a subsidiary of Enhanced Capital Partners ("Enhanced Capital"), announced today it recently participated in providing $50 million in New Market Tax Credit financing to the Great Northern Paper Mill ("GNP") in East Millinocket, Maine, which includes $40 million in Maine New Market Capital Investment tax credits and $10 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits.
This investment will be used for capital improvements at GNP which will result in up to 50 new jobs at the mill by the end of the year, plus more than 100 new indirect jobs in related industries including logging, forestry, and trucking. The plant upgrades include a conversion from oil to clean-burning natural gas, a 30% increase in annual production capacity, and a complete overhaul of the grinder room.

AF&PA Reports Dec. Recovered Paper Numbers

http://www.afandpa.org/ 
The American Forest & Paper Association released its December 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report on Jan. 24.
According to the report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in December was 2.38 million tons, less than 1 percent higher than in November. Receipts decreased for most grades and, coupled with the flat consumption, caused across-the-board decreases in inventories. Total consumption in 2012 was 3 percent lower than in 2011.
U.S. exports of recovered paper in November dropped off 4 percent from the strong October figures, though they were still 4 percent higher than November 2011. Total exports of recovered paper in 2012 were 5 percent lower than in 2011.

Moody's: European Paper Co.s Must Diversify

http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2013/01/24/moodys-warns-european-paper-companies-to-diversify

Ratings agency’s report says European paper companies should look to nonpaper operations and emerging markets to drive long-term growth and protect profits MOODY’s released a "special comment" report on Thursday saying European paper companies could safeguard growth and profits by diversifying away from paper markets.

The ratings agency said despite declining paper volumes, diversification would enable European paper and forest-product companies to restore long-term profitability and strengthen their credit profiles.

China's 2012 RCP Imports Up 10.2%, Pulp Rises 14.8%

China's total recovered paper (RCP) imports grew 4.5% to around 2.687 million tonnes in December 2012, up from some 2.570 million tonnes in November, according to data from China Customs.

December's figure was 3.8% lower than the 2.792 million tonnes recorded in the same month in 2011.   

RCP imports totaled over 30.066 million tonnes in 2012, up 10.2% from the preceding year. The intake in 2011 totaled just over 27.280 million tonnes.

China's total pulp imports fell 1.3% last December compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.394 million tonnes, according to data from China Customs.

The December drop, which came following an increase of 3.8% in November from October, was attributed largely to a decline of 6.8% in bleached softwood kraft (BSK) pulp imports. 

Pulp imports for 2012 totaled around 16.462 million tonnes, a surge of 14.8% from 2011, which came in at 14.340 million tonnes.

Paper Excellence & Union Reach Agreement

http://www.hspp.ca/

Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) has reached a new collective agreement with Local 1119 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP).

The five-year contract was set to go before the CEP membership yesterday (Jan. 24) for a ratification vote, union local president Don Rheaume said Monday, Jan. 21.

Alberta-Pacific Announces Pulp Price Hike

Alberta-Pacific (Alpac) announced Friday that its northern bleached hardwood kraft (NBHK) pulp price would increase in North America and China, effective February 1 until further notice.
Alpac Pulp Sales told customers that its aspen grade NBHK price would be $790/tonne in North America.

Barnes & Noble Closing 1/3 of Stores

http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/28/barnes-noble-to-shutter-one-third-of-retail-stores-over-the-next-10-years/

Barnes & Noble has put up an excellent fight over the past few years against the rising tide of digital competitors like iPad, Kindle Fire, etc. 
But it would seem that the bookseller has still come up a bit short, as the Wall Street Journal reports that the company has plans to shut down nearly 20 stores per year over the course of the next decade.

Number of Magazines on Tablets

http://www.pubexec.com/blog/how-many-magazines-being-sold-tablets

How many magazines are being sold on the tablets?
This seems like it would be an elementary question, one covered far and wide. But, my research tells me that this information does not exist out there in any accessible way. So, how did I compile it?
Remember when you used to have to count on your fingers to figure out things? That’s basically what I did. I went to three different tablets, found digital magazines, and added them up. 
Here’s what it looks like more or less today (counts were all made in January 2013)...

Hearst Titles on iPad Before Print

http://tabtimes.com/news/media/2013/01/18/hearst-publish-magazines-ipad-they-go-print?goback=.gmp_125214.gde_125214_member_207401881

Magazine publisher Hearst is taking a unique approach to tablet publishing by offering the tablet edition before the print version becomes available.

Hearst's decision applies to subscriptions and single copies of magazines. 
Hearst says that all 22 of its magazines will become available on Apple’s Newsstand "days" before the print editions are published, with this headstart apparently varying by publication.

2013 Retail Sales Forecast to Grow 3.4%

http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1513

The National Retail Federation released its 2013 economic forecast today, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 3.4 percent*, slightly less than the preliminary 4.2 percent growth seen in 2012. The subdued forecast comes on the heels of a holiday season that went head-to-head with Washington’s political wrangling over fiscal concerns, shifting consumers’ spending plans downward.  In the end, holiday sales in 2012 grew 3.0 percent.

79.8% of Consumer Use Coupons

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/01/24/DE47273

Consumers' expectations for value in their purchasing decisions remained strong throughout 2012. NCH's August 2012 Consumer Survey found that 79.8% of consumers regularly shop using CPG coupons, very similar to the 80.6% prior year result, and well above the 63.6% who reported regularly using coupons in the pre-recession 2007 study. Digital coupons represent less than 1% of all coupons distributed.

B-to-B Marketers Concerns with Data Quality

Study: B-to-b marketers struggle with data quality:
More than 60% of companies work with unreliable contact data that may be negatively affecting marketing and sales efforts, according to a study by marketing list-building company NetProspex Inc.

Weyerhaeuser Reports Q4 & 2012 Earnings

http://www.weyerhaeuser.com

Weyerhaeuser Company (WY) today reported net earnings of $143 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter. This compares with net earnings of $65 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, and net earnings before special items of $77 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, for the same period last year. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $2.0 billion, compared with net sales of $1.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2011.

For the full year 2012, Weyerhaeuser reported net earnings of $385 million, or 71 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $7.1 billion. This compares with net earnings of $331 million, or 61 cents per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $6.2 billion for the full year 2011.

Industry Key to Conservation as Demand Triples by 2050

Industry key to conserving forests as demand for wood projected to triple by 2050: By 2050, rising population and demand, as well as an increase in use of wood for bioenergy, could triple the amount of wood society takes from forests and plantations per year, according to the latest instalment of WWF’s Living Forests Report . The report, presented today at the international paper conference Paperworld in Frankfurt, projects paper production and consumption may double in the next three decades, and overall wood consumption may triple.

Consumer Group Asks Treasury to Lift Ban

http://www.paperoptions.org/

Consumers for Paper Options, a coalition of individuals and organizations advocating for the right to paper-based communications, today asked the U.S. Treasury to formally lift the pending mandate that all federal benefits be received electronically. With millions of seniors, veterans and other federal beneficiaries still receiving traditional checks, Treasury officials have quietly indicated that they no longer plan to force the switch to direct deposit. However, the widely publicized direct deposit mandate - set to take effect on March 1, 2013 - still officially remains in place.

U.S. Manufacturing PMI at 22-Month High

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jan-us-flash-manufacturing-pmi-at-22-month-high-2013-01-24?link=MW_latest_news

The preliminary flash manufacturing purchasing managers index for the U.S. rose to a 56.1 reading in January from 54.0 in December, according to a Markit report released Thursday. This is the strongest rate of growth since March 2011. Output, new orders and employment each accelerated and stayed above the 50 level indicating growth. The new orders index was at the highest level in 32 months.

"The U.S. manufacturing sector started 2013 on a strong footing. Prospects also look good for the upturn to be sustained in coming months, meaning both growth of GDP and non-farm payroll are likely to accelerate in the first quarter," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit. Earlier, Markit reported its euro-zone composite purchasing-managers' index rose to a ten-month high of 48.2 in January from a December reading of 47.2 and the HSBC Markit flash China manufacturing PMI climbed to a two-year high of 51.9 from 51.5 in December.

Hearst/Bauer Media Group/Lagardère in Partnership

Hearst, Bauer Media Group and Lagardère Active Enter International Partnership:
The brand footprint of Hearst’s Elle magazine just got a little bigger. The publication, which already has a global circulation of 6,560,000 and 21 million readers across 44 editions, is launching in Australia as part of a partnership with Bauer Media Group and Lagardère Active.
Here, FOLIO: catches up with Duncan Edwards (pictured), president and CEO of Hearst Magazines International, to get the details on the partnership and a sense of where the international magazine market is headed next.

Study Reports Steady Use of Coupons

Coupon Facts Report Indicates Marketers Continue Steady use of Coupons:

Valassis released today the annual topline report of U.S. coupon trends prepared by its subsidiary, NCH Marketing Services Inc., providing retailers and marketers with redemption response insights for manufacturer coupons that are offered to consumers. The findings include that consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers issued a steady flow of coupons in 2012, distributing 305 billion coupons to consumers, the same quantity as the year prior, although the marketing objectives were substantially different for those coupons.

Consumers' expectations for value in their purchasing decisions remained strong throughout 2012. NCH'sAugust 2012 Consumer Survey found that 79.8% of consumers regularly shop using CPG coupons, very similar to the 80.6% prior year result, and well above the 63.6% who reported regularly using coupons in the pre-recession 2007 study.

Fashion Magazines Enjoy Ad Jump

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/191876/mag-bag-fashion-magazines-get-march-boost.html#axzz2IvesJVIj

Fashion magazines are seeing a big uptick in ad pages for their March issues, according to Media Industry Newsletter, which recently revealed figures showing double-digit percentage increases at many big titles. 
MIN reports that Vogue will have 457 ad pages in March 2013 -- up 3.5% from the previous year -- while InStyle’s March issue will have 361 ad pages, up 4%. People Style Watch is up 27% to 172 ad pages. Elle’s March issue is up 7% over 2012, to 338 ad pages, Marie Claire’s ad pages for March are up 15% over last year to 207, while Cosmopolitan increased 13% to 130 pages. Harper’s Bazaar jumped 21% to 330 ad pages. W is up 3% to 210 ad pages, and Teen Vogue jumped 30% to 124 ad pages.

Warc Reports Global Marketing Strength

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130124/STRATEGY06/301249995/global-marketing-picks-up

The Warc Global Marketing Index rose to 55.0 in January, its highest level since last May, according to business intelligence company Warc. The index tracks trends in budgets, trading conditions and marketing staffing levels on a monthly basis.

The Americas showed the highest GMI in January, with a score of 58.0, up from 56.8 in December.

Ad Age Offers iPad App

http://adage.com/article/news/ad-age-introduces-ipad-app-creativity-content-inside/239337/

You've asked for it, and it's finally here. Advertising Age is please to bring you an app for the iPad. 

And it's not only chock-full of marketing and media news, but also the industry's best advertising. Now available for free in the App Store, Ad Age's first iPad app brings together Ad Age news and Creativity content in one couch-ready package.

HarperCollins & New York Post Publish eBook

http://observer.com/2013/01/the-post-teams-up-with-harpercollins-on-ashley-dupre-e-book/

The New York Post and corporate book publishing sibling HarperCollins have teamed up for a foray into the brave new world of e-publishing. Tricks of the Trade, by Eliot Spitzer scandal veteran Ashley Dupré, goes on sale today. The Post’s press release describes Ms. Dupré as ”America’s most famous former escort,” which, while a dubious distinction, we suppose isn’t inaccurate.

UBM Tech Cuts Executives

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/round-layoffs-ubm-tech-hits-vp-level#.UQK5vujZGKw

UBM Tech, the media division within UBM that targets the technology market, has undergone a round of layoffs impacting VP-level executives. The cuts were focused on the content side of the group, trimming some redundant positions tied to legacy print operations.

Meredith Reports Q2 Results

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/24/5137659/meredith-delivers-strong-fiscal.html

Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com), the leading media and marketing company serving American women, today reported fiscal 2013 second quarter earnings per share of $0.79, including a previously announced special charge of $0.10 per share.  Total Company revenues rose 10 percent to $361 million, including an 18 percent increase in advertising revenues to $217 million.

Deluxe Corp Reports Strong Q4

Deluxe Corp Reports Strong Q4:
Revenue for the quarter was $387.6 million compared to $366.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2011. Revenue increased 5.8% compared to 2011, driven by 11.2% growth in Small Business Services, which included the impact of the OrangeSoda, Inc. acquisition in the second quarter. Marketing solutions and other services revenue, which also included the impact of the OrangeSoda, Inc. acquisition, increased 26.4% compared to 2011 and represented 22.5% of consolidated revenue, up from 18.8% in the fourth quarter of 2011.

UPM Signs Agreement for Stracel Sale

UPM Signs Agreement on the Sale of Assets of UPM Stracel in France:
UPM has signed an agreement on the sale of assets and part of the land of the UPM Stracel paper mill site with Blue Paper SAS, the joint venture company of VPK Packaging Group NV and Klingele Papierwerke.
The transaction is expected to be closed during March 2013 once all legal and administrative conditions will be fulfilled.
UPM stopped the production of coated magazine paper on the mill on 4th January 2013. 

Talks on Support of Kruger Mill Sought

http://www.thewesternstar.com/News/Local/2013-01-23/article-3162000/Opposition-wants-update-on-talks-with-mill/1

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball says his party wasn't breaking its commitment to not play politics with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper when it issued a press release Tuesday asking for a status update on a long-term plan for the mill.

The new release said it's time for an update from the provincial government, which has committed to helping the struggling mill if the company can come up with a long-term strategy for the operation's sustainability.

Plastic Bag Ban Bill Revived in CA

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22429829/san-rafael-lawmaker-pushing-state-wide-plastic-bag

Assemblyman Marc Levine, in his first piece of legislation, is calling for banning plastic grocery bags throughout California, starting in 2015.

Levine, D-San Rafael, introduced Assembly Bill 158 on Tuesday, reviving a similar bill that got stuck in a Senate committee last year after it faced criticism from plastic bag manufacturers and grocers.

Pulp & Paper Chemical Industry Growth 2012-2017

http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Lucintel-Estimates-Moderate-Growth-for-Global-4217406.php

The pulp and paper chemical industry is a highly diverse and growing global market. The global industry is forecast to reach an estimated US $38.98 billion by 2017, with a CAGR of 3.3%. The various companies involved with this industry have embraced innovations to offer sustainable products against the megatrends such as population growth and scarcity of resources.

Boise Cascade Files for IPO

Boise Cascade files for IPO worth up to $243 million:
Boise Cascade LLC, which makes wood products and building materials, said Wednesday that it plans to sell 11.8 million shares of its common stock in an initial public offering that could generate up to $243.5 million in proceeds.

RR Donnelley Closing Wisconsin Plant

RR Donnelley Closing Appleton-area Plant: Chicago-based printing giant RR Donnelley will close its printing facility at W6545 Quality Drive in Greenville before the end of April.

Folio: People On The Move

People On The Move | 1.24.13:
Vox Media has named Marty Moe as its chief operating officer and group publisher. Moe was the company’s chief content officer. Joe Purzycki is now vice president, national sales. Purzycki had been senior director of East Coast sales.
Time Inc. has named Stephanie Vautravers as its executive director of digital sales, branded solutions. Vautravers had been director of mobile advertising at Turner and more...

Rodale Names CTO

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/rodale-hires-cond-nast-vp-new-cto-role#.UQGdxejZGKw

Upping its commitment to a new e-commerce platform, Rodale has brought on Bobby Chowdhury to serve in the newly-created role of Chief Technology Officer.

Chowdhury will oversee the technology infrastructure of the company, including an expansion of Rodale's web and software development teams, and will be given a strategic role in the construction of Rodale's, an e-commerce platform scheduled to launch in the spring.

National Geographic Celebrates 125 Years with New Book

http://www.pubexec.com/article/national-geographic-125-years-legendary-photographs-adventures-discoveries/1

This fall, readers can join the National Geographic Society in celebrating its past and future with a new book National Geographic 125 Years: Legendary Photographs, Adventures, and Discoveries

That Changed the World (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0957-4; on sale Nov. 6, 2012; $50 hardcover), by author and historian Mark Collins Jenkins, a former National Geographic Society archivist. The foreword is by Gilbert M. Grosvenor, the Society’s former chairman, president and National Geographic magazine editor, who is a fifth-generation member of the Society’s founding family.

Gov. Awards More Federal Shipping to FedEx, UPS than USPS

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-23/postal-service-losing-to-fedex-ups-on-federal-shipping.html

The U.S. Postal Service, required to send congressional letters at reduced rates, can’t win regular business from the federal government, according to an inspector general’s report.

Private-sector competitors led by FedEx Corp. (FDX) and United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) “consistently” have more than 98 percent of the $337 million annual shipping spending by federal agencies, according to the Jan. 18 report.

Random House/Facebook with App for Book Lovers

http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-bookscout-app/

The relationship between authors and social media has long been a close one, with many of the former realizing the usefulness of the latter when it comes to staying in touch with their existing fanbase, and reaching out to new readers to win them over as fans. Now, one publisher believes that it’s time to take that close relationship to the next level with the launch of a new Facebook app that will “enable book lovers to discover new authors and share their favorite books with friends.”