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%.

Pacific West: Port Hawk. Deal Still On Track

Pacific West held a status call this morning to reassure interested parties that the company was on track, despite recent setbacks, to close the deal on the Port Hawkesbury mill and to restart the 400,000 tpy Supercalendered paper machine. The closing is scheduled for 9/28 and they expect to start making paper two days later. They will begin manufacturing 35# SC-B, for which they have orders, and are looking actively looking for additional business.
http://www.energy-business-review.com/news/ns-power-solicits-interest-from-biomass-suppliers-for-its-port-hawkesbury-plant-210912 

Nova Scotia Power sought an expression of interest from bidders to supply biomass and related services for its under construction plant at Port Hawkesbury in UK.
The company is looking for 500,000t of biomass fuel for its 60MW biomass plant, expected to be operational in 2013.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/99328--revamped-deal-for-shuttered-cape-breton-paper-mill-not-in-danger-says-minister

A provincial funding package considered vital to resume operations at the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill is not in danger of unravelling despite delays in announcing details of the deal, Nova Scotia's natural resources minister said Thursday.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/138022-ns-downplays-mill-aid-s-effect 
The province isn’t worried that the millions it is investing to support the sale of the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill may trigger American trade reprisals.

“The province has done its due diligence and feels it’s a defensible position, and is on solid ground,” government spokesman Lucas Wide said Thursday.