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."