States Consider Tax on Ads

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-biz-readies-fight-against-state-ad-taxes-147160

New taxes on advertising haven't yet been proposed in Congress, but that hasn't stopped financially strapped states from considering them. Governors John Kasich (R-Ohio) and Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) have both proposed new taxes on advertising and other business services as part of their 2014 budgets.
In both cases, the proposals call for reducing the sales tax, but increasing taxes on services.

Mindful Magazine Hits Newsstands

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/mindful-magazine-hits-newsstands-147130

Mindful magazine is a bimonthly lifestyle publication that focuses on integrating mindfulness into everyday concerns like personal health, food and eating, the arts and culture, and even business and technology. Published by the Foundation for a Mindful Society, a non-profit organization that runs the Mindful.org website, the magazine is available at stores like Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, Giant, and Wegmans.

MPA Head Launches Magazine Campaign

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/mary-berner-kicks-magazine-campaign-147129

Five months into her tenure as head of the MPA, the Association of Magazine Media, Mary Berner is trying to get its notoriously competitive members to play ball together.

Berner has spearheaded the creation of a 76-word working statement that makes the case for magazines. Next week, she'll kick off a road show with publishing companies and ad buyers to present it. First up are Hearst, Meredith and Bonnier.

Interesting Data Points for Digital Publishers

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2240698/interesting-data-points-for-digital-publishers?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin

I recently spoke at the CMO Institute conference hosted by the International Performance Management Institute in Las Vegas.

In the course of the meetings I heard some interesting statistics...
This got me thinking…what other interesting data points are out there for digital publishers? I found these:

12 percent of the top 200 grossing apps on the iPad are publications. See more data points like this here.

Readership of magazines and newspapers on tablets has doubled in the past year.
The second highest app category (to games) on the top grossing iPad chart was publications. Time, Conde Nast and Hearst were the top three.

NYT Revenue Up 5.2% in Q4

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193041/nytco-revenues-grow-on-digital-circ.html#axzz2KFXZcfHi

The New York Times Co. announced that total revenues increased 5.2% from $547 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 to almost $576 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, reflecting increased circulation revenues from digital subscriptions at its flagship newspaper. 

Total circ revenues jumped 16% in the fourth quarter, from $222 million to $258 million. Advertising revenues fell 3.1% from $289 million to $280 million.
Digital subscriptions, introduced for the first time in March 2011, also helped lift results for 2012.Total revenues for the year increased 1.9% from $1.95 billion in 2011 to $1.99 billion in 2012, powered by a 10.4% increase in circulation revenues, from $863 million to $953 million.
Full-year advertising revenues slumped 5.9% from $954 million to $898 million

USPS Transition to Digital Agency

http://www.retailonlineintegration.com/article/understanding-postal/1

USPS Vice President of Digital Solutions Paul Vogel told customers at a recent meeting that the federal agency is considering how best to transition from the existing hybrid environment of physical and digital into a more digital role in the future. The Postal Service defines "digital solutions" as "products or services that enhance physical USPS offerings with digital capabilities," such as the USPS' recent Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) offering, or those initiatives that "present fully digital alternatives to physical products and services."

Norske Skog Reports Q4 Results

Norske Skog faces challenging markets
Norske Skog continues to reduce debt and fixed costs despite challenging markets. Net loss was significantly influenced by non-cash items such as impairments and change in value of energy contracts.
Norske Skog had gross operating earnings (EBITDA) in the fourth quarter of 2012 of NOK 327 million, down from NOK 365 million in the third quarter. This decline was due to weak seasonal effects and NOK appreciation. Gross operating earnings for the full year 2012 were NOK 1 464 million, a reduction of NOK 51 million from 2011, mainly due to lower production capacity after the closure of Norske Skog Follum, sale of Norske Skog Bio Bio and Norske Skog Parenco.

Domtar Cuts Pulp Capacity at Kamloops

Domtar to downsize its capacity at Kamloops
Pulp & Paper Canada reports that Domtar will permanently shut down one pulp machine at its Kamloops, British Columbia, facility. The closure will put 125 employees out of work and curtailing Domtar's annual pulp production by approximately 120,000 air-dried metric tons of sawdust softwood pulp.
The pulp machine is expected to be closed by the end of March 2013.

Glatfelter Reports 2012 Financials

http://www.glatfelter.com/default.aspx

Glatfelter (GLT) today reported 2012 full year adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.25 (GAAP $1.36) compared with $1.01 per diluted share in 2011 (GAAP $0.93). For the 2012 fourth quarter Glatfelter reported adjusted earnings of $11.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared with $14.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the 2011 fourth quarter. On a GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2012 net income totaled $7.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared with $9.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011. The fourth quarter 2012 results were adversely impacted by costs related to strategic initiatives and a trial in December for the Fox River matter, a higher tax rate, and the impact of weaker economic conditions in Europe, each in nearly equal proportions.

Graphic Packaging Reports Q4 Results

http://www.graphicpkg.com/default.aspx

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK), (the "Company"), a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for fourth quarter 2012 of $22.9 million, or $0.06 per share, based upon 392.2 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to fourth quarter 2011 Net Income of $265.6 million, or $0.67 per share, based on 396.3 million weighted average diluted shares. The fourth quarter of 2011 was positively impacted by the release of a $265.2 million tax valuation allowance.

Nippon Reports on First 9 Months

http://www.nipponpapergroup.com/e/index.html

Consolidated net sales of Nippon Paper Group, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Group") for the nine months ended December 31, 2012 amounted to ¥770,986 million (down 1.1% year-on-year). Operating income was ¥17,515 million (down 28.8% year-on-year), ordinary income was ¥14,088 million and net income was ¥7,453 million on a consolidated basis for the nine-month period under review.

Boise Cascade IPO Soars

Boise Cascade soars after IPO, giving hope to others:
Los Angeles a Riding a U.S. housing recovery and a booming stock market, Boise Cascade, a maker of plywood and other building materials, jumped 25 percent in its market debut Wednesday.

MeadWestvaco Releases Packaging Study

MeadWestvaco study: Consumers dissatisfied with packaging:
MeadWestvaco Corp., a global leader in packaging and packaging solutions launched its inaugural consumer satisfaction study, "Packaging Matters." The study explores the role of packaging in product satisfaction as consumers purchase, transport, use and dispose of products across 10 different categories.

Old Navy Names CMO

http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/navy-taps-ivan-wicksteed-cmo-role/239636/

Ivan Wicksteed, who most recently served as chief marketer for Cole Haan, will take on the role of global chief marketing officer, overseeing marketing and store design. The Gap Inc.-owned retailer had been without a CMO since the summer of 2011.

AmericanStyle Suspends Publication

AmericanStyle Suspends Publication: AmericanStyle, a consumer quarterly founded in 1994, has announced that it will suspend publication immediately in a letter to subscribers.

Folio: People on the Move

People On The Move | 2.6.13: Michael Kuntz has been named publisher of Popular Mechanics. Kuntz was previously associate vice president of digital sales at Rodale.
Consumer Reports has added Diane Salvatore as senior director of content strategy and delivery, Brent Diamond as vice president of magazine and newsletter products and Christian Nimsky as vice president of digital interactive products and services. Salvatore is a former editor-in-chief of Prevention magazine. Nimsky has an extensive background in the consumer automotive space, contributing to Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com. And Diamond previously served in marketing for Powder and Surfer magazine.
Hearst Business Media has named Gregory Dorn as executive vice president, focusing on the company’s healthcare business portfolio. Dorn was previously president of the company’s First Databank property.
And More...

AAM: Mixed News on Magazine Sales

AAM: Newsstand a Drag On Circ as Digital Rises (UPDATED):
The magazine publishing industry got some mixed news on Wednesday, with the Alliance for Audited Media reporting that overall newsstand sales dropped 8.2 percent for the second half of 2012. Though publications sold at retail did not fare well, the industry’s digital business is on the rise, with more than 280 magazine reporting more than 7.9 million digital replica editions—double the amount when compared to the second half of 2011, but still is just 2.4 percent of total average circulation.

Penton Names Senior VP Mobile, Digital

Penton Taps Joe Territo to Lead Mobile, Digital Initiatives:
Penton has hired Joe Territo into the newly created position of senior vice president, content and user engagement to lead digital initiatives with an emphasis on mobile.

PIA & MPA React to USPS Move

PIA Statement on USPS Announcement to End Saturday Delivery: The following is a statement by Lisbeth A. Lyons, Vice President of Printing Industries of America, the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, regarding today’s announcement by the United States Postal Service that it would end Saturday delivery of First Class Mail in August of this year.

http://www.pubexec.com/article/mpa-president-mary-berner-usps-decision-halt-saturday-mail-delivery/1

MPA-The Association of Magazine Media represents consumer magazines, among them weekly titles, that may be most impacted by the United States Postal Service announcement this morning to cease Saturday delivery, with the exception of packages, effective August 5, 2013.

Heidelberg Reports Q3 Results

Heidelberg on Track After Nine Months of Financial Year 2012/2013:
After nine months of financial year 2012/2013 (April 1 to December 31, 2012), Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is on track to achieve its operating targets for the current financial year.
In the quarter under review (October 1 to December 31, 2012), higher sales and savings from the Focus 2012 efficiency program resulted in a much improved operating result as planned. Quarterly sales were 9 percent up on the same period of the previous year, increasing from EUR 631 million to EUR 688 million. The operating result (EBIT) excluding special items increased by EUR 23 million to EUR 25 million (previous year: EUR 2 million).