Norske Skog - new head quarter location: The Mayor of Oslo Fabian Stang made the official opening of Norske Skog's new head quarter at Skøyen in Oslo. Norske Skog has had its headquarters at Oxenøen in the municipality of Bærum since 1998.
Norske Skog has undergone a major reorganisation and downsizing in recent years, reducing the need for the large premises at Oxenøen. The CEO Sven Ombudstvedt said at the opening ceremony: "Norske Skog is a very different company today than it was just a few years ago. Our intention is to have timely, efficient and pleasant premises, adapted to the number of employees and our current business".
(Norske Skogindustrier ASA)
Friday, June 28, 2013
Sonoco Raises Prices on Cores and Tubes
Sonoco
(SON) today announced that it will raise the price for all paperboard tubes and
cores by 5 percent, effective with shipments in the United States and Canada
beginning July 15, 2013.
"This
price increase is necessary to recover recently announced paperboard price
increases," said James Harrell , vice president, Tubes and Cores- North
America .Sonoco is the largest producer of paper-based tubes and cores in North America , used to serve the paper, textiles, plastic films, and tape and specialty industries.
Liens Sought on Cate Street Capital Millinocket Mill
The
town could seek tax liens on properties owned by Cate Street Capital LLC and
Specialty Minerals Inc. as early as Friday in response to what Town Manager
Peggy Daigle called the town's cash flow crisis, officials said Wednesday.
Daigle
will seek Town Council permission on Thursday to put liens on Cate Street's
Katahdin Avenue paper mill site and on properties there owned by Specialty
Minerals, she said.The value of all site property is $62 million - 24 percent of the town's total taxable value, Daigle said.
FSC Develops Program for Small Landowners
The
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has launched a fund to support the FSC
certification for small forest landowners, as well as contribute with the
improvement of the supply chain management, the investment on new machinery and
the increase in access to certified products.
To
be eligible to participate, the landowners must fill out a form with
information on their businesses and the plan to utilize the subsidies, as well
as a signed commitment to the fund's terms and conditions, by no later than
Jun. 30. A second stage of the process would require a full dossier, to be
submitted for the FSC's approval. Finally, the selected candidates would be
contacted by the regional offices of the FSC to perform the transfer of
subsidies. Funded by a percentage of the FSC's administrative rate, the program
intends on distributing up to Euro 420,000 to the selected applicants by
October 2013.
Oriental Trading Buys Toy Maker Mindware
Oriental
Trading Co., which is part of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate,
has purchased toy maker MindWare Holdings Inc. to help expand its product
offerings.
Financial
terms were not disclosed.Oriental Trading offers party supplies, arts, crafts, toys and other trinkets through its website and catalog.
MindWare, based in Minneapolis, sells its toys at retailers, through catalogs and its website and through distributors in more than 35 countries. Its products include Qwirkle, an educational game that requires tactical maneuvers and a well thought out strategy.
Some MindWare products will be shown in Oriental Trading's catalogs and on its website during the holidays.
Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. had announced plans to buy Omaha, Neb.-based Oriental Trading in November. Financial terms were not disclosed.
MediaPost Mag Bag
Layoffs
At Boy's Life, Scouting
Layoffs are coming to two iconic magazines associated with The Boy Scouts of America, Boy’s Life and Scouting. Altogether, around 34 layoffs are expected, with 17 positions already cut and another 17 due by the end of the year. Most of the positions cut came in the marketing department, according to a statement from the BSA.
Folio: also reports that BSA has entered into a partnership with educational publisher Pearson to consider various options for restructuring the publications, although there are currently no plans afoot to reduce the frequency of Boy’s Life or Scouting -- which publish 12 and five times per year, respectively.
B&N Hands Off Nook Manufacturing
Tablet computers may be the wave of the future, but not for Barnes & Noble, which is handing off responsibility for manufacturing its Nook devices to an as-yet-undesignated partner, according to the company’s most recent earnings announcement.
Mastrangelo Leaves Rolling Stone
Matt Mastrangelo stepped down from his position as publisher of Rolling Stone on June 21, according to the New York Post, which reported the news earlier this week. Neither Mastrangelo or owner Wenner Media provided a reason for Mastrangelo’s departure after three years at the publication.
Layoffs are coming to two iconic magazines associated with The Boy Scouts of America, Boy’s Life and Scouting. Altogether, around 34 layoffs are expected, with 17 positions already cut and another 17 due by the end of the year. Most of the positions cut came in the marketing department, according to a statement from the BSA.
Folio: also reports that BSA has entered into a partnership with educational publisher Pearson to consider various options for restructuring the publications, although there are currently no plans afoot to reduce the frequency of Boy’s Life or Scouting -- which publish 12 and five times per year, respectively.
B&N Hands Off Nook Manufacturing
Tablet computers may be the wave of the future, but not for Barnes & Noble, which is handing off responsibility for manufacturing its Nook devices to an as-yet-undesignated partner, according to the company’s most recent earnings announcement.
Mastrangelo Leaves Rolling Stone
Matt Mastrangelo stepped down from his position as publisher of Rolling Stone on June 21, according to the New York Post, which reported the news earlier this week. Neither Mastrangelo or owner Wenner Media provided a reason for Mastrangelo’s departure after three years at the publication.
News Corp. Splits
http://adage.com/article/media/news-corp-spinoff-forces-publishing-arm-prove-growth/242901/ Rupert Murdoch bowed to investor pressure to split his six-decade-old
publishing business from the rest of News Corp.'s media empire. Now
it's time for the newspaper unit to prove it can make it on its own.
Publishing CEO Robert Thomson has
promised cost-cutting and buzzy innovation.
The publishing unit -- owner of the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post
and London's Sunday Times -- officially becomes independent today, losing the
backing of News Corp.'s entertainment business as it pursues growth in a
declining industry. The newspaper company, which will keep the
News Corp. name,
is valued at about $8.9 billion -- a seventh the level of entertainment
business, which will be called 21st Century Fox. Robert Thomson, who will be CEO of the publishing group, promised investors last month that the company would be "relentless in our cost cutting and in our pursuit of profits."
Insert Cards Still Valuable Alternative
Why It's Worth It to Revive Your Wrap and Tip Promos:
Not everyone subscribes or renews online. There is a great temptation to use all things new in promotions and ignore the old—the wise circulation manager and audience developer will not fall into this trap. Not every promotion makes a profit, sometimes things have to be done for what they achieve rather than what they cost. Insert cards for instance almost never pay for themselves, but they get orders from every issue and are a good source of low-cost subscriptions compared to other types of promotion. If you don’t believe me, ask the folks at TV Guide.
Not everyone subscribes or renews online. There is a great temptation to use all things new in promotions and ignore the old—the wise circulation manager and audience developer will not fall into this trap. Not every promotion makes a profit, sometimes things have to be done for what they achieve rather than what they cost. Insert cards for instance almost never pay for themselves, but they get orders from every issue and are a good source of low-cost subscriptions compared to other types of promotion. If you don’t believe me, ask the folks at TV Guide.
BPA Redesigns Brand Report
BPA Redesigns, Shifts Exclusively to Brand Report Format: BPA Worldwide is planning to transition all of its business and consumer members to its Brand Report format, which allows audience developers to report audience metrics for all of a brand's media channels. The auditing firm will phase out its traditional circulation statement with the December 2013 reporting period.
M&A Activity Slows in 1H
Media M&A Activity Slows in 1H: Media business purchasing picked up after a slow first quarter, but year-over-year activity was down slightly in the first half of 2013, according to a report from the Jordan, Edmiston Group (JEGI).
NJ's Largest Paper Demands Union Concessions
NJ's Largest Paper Threatens Unions with Closure: The owners of The Star-Ledger plan to close New Jersey's largest newspaper by year's end if its production unions don't make concessions in contract negotiations, the publisher said Wednesday.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wausau/Expera Close Specialty Paper Sale
Wausau Paper Announces Closing of Specialty Paper Business Sale: Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) (“Wausau”) yesterday confirmed the closing of its previously announced definitive agreement entered into on May 18 to sell its specialty paper business to Expera Specialty Solutions, LLC, a newly formed company sponsored by KPS Capital Partners L.P., a New York-based private equity firm.
The transaction includes Wausau Paper’s manufacturing facilities in Mosinee and Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and resulted in net cash proceeds to Wausau, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, of approximately $105 million after settlement of transaction-related liabilities, transaction costs and taxes.
The transaction includes Wausau Paper’s manufacturing facilities in Mosinee and Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and resulted in net cash proceeds to Wausau, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, of approximately $105 million after settlement of transaction-related liabilities, transaction costs and taxes.
Catalyst Names Interim CEO
Catalyst
Paper (TSX:CTL) today announced the appointment of Denis Jean, a current
director of the Board as the company’s interim president and chief executive
officer, effective immediately.
A
veteran of the industry, Mr. Jean was president and chief executive officer of
Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. from 2002 to 2005. Prior to that, he held
executive roles with Abitibi Consolidated Inc. and Donohue Inc. Mr. Jean holds
a BSc.A (electrical engineering) from Universite de Montreal.
Canadian Pakaging Mills Reach 76.4% Recycled
The
average recycled content of paper packaging produced by Canadian mills for use
in Canada is close to 80%, according to the industry's environmental council,
PPEC. The council surveys the industry every two years and has been tracking
recycled content since 1990. For 2012, the average was 76.4%, basically the
same as in 2010.
Blue Heron Site Bought by Developer
A
California development company has signed a purchase agreement for the historic
Blue Heron mill site at the base of Willamette Falls, an industrial property
deeply rooted in Oregon history. Eclipse Development Group of Irvine, Calif.,
known for mid-level retail projects, is the first buyer to make an offer since
the bankrupt paper mill closed for good in early 2011, putting 175 employees
out of work.
Terms
of the deal were not disclosed, but details will be outlined in paperwork filed
today with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland, said bankruptcy trustee Peter
McKittrick.
How Forbes Magazine Stays Ahead of the Curve
Innovation is taking over the publishing industry, and big names such as Forbes are at the helm of the
change. Over at BtoB Media Business, President and CEO Mike Perlis
discusses how Forbes has stayed current in the publishing world for nearly 100
years. By approaching each day as a “startup” company, the leading
authority in business media is able to apply innovation to everyday
publishing. The symbiotic relationship that exists between print and
digital publishing can make or break a publication – and Forbes thrives on that synergy.
Listen
to Perlis discuss his strategy.
Great American Media Buys B-to-B Sports Mags
Great American Media Services Buys Two B-to-B Sports Mags: Sparta, Michigan-based Great American Media Services has purchased two b-to-b media brands from Lessiter Publications, based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The deal includes the magazines Coach and Athletic Director and Winning Hoops, as well as associated websites and newsletters.
The Catch-22 of Magazines and Mobile
The Catch-22 of Magazines and Mobile: Q&A with Rachel Pasqua: ...But what does Google's market dominance by a single player mean to the rest of the publishing market? min asked Rachel Pasqua, former mobile lead at iCrossing and co-author (with eMarketer's own principal analyst Noah Elkin) of Mobile Marketing: An Hour a Day, whether Google’s gobbling of the market is good or bad news for magazine publishers.
Hyatt Guests Can Print Their Own Postcards
Through
Aug. 15, the hotelier is encouraging guests to personalize up to two
complimentary postcards via a Facebook app that's available on Postagram and Hyatt's pages on the social site.
In five steps, Hyatt lodgers can add a photo and a 180-character message to the postcard before entering the name and address of a friend, putting USPS delivery into motion. It's an unusual blend of digital and old school direct marketing, ultimately serving as a branding vehicle when seen by the snail-mail recipient. Hyatt is promoting the test via social media channels and printed materials in the rooms of the Chicago-based chain.
In five steps, Hyatt lodgers can add a photo and a 180-character message to the postcard before entering the name and address of a friend, putting USPS delivery into motion. It's an unusual blend of digital and old school direct marketing, ultimately serving as a branding vehicle when seen by the snail-mail recipient. Hyatt is promoting the test via social media channels and printed materials in the rooms of the Chicago-based chain.
F+W Media Introduces CraftDaily.com
Interweave, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc., the nation’s number
one craft media company, enriches crafters worldwide with the launch of a new
website, CraftDaily.com.
Full-monthly access to CraftDaily.com
is less than the cost of a single course elsewhere. Access to the site is
available through a tiered-subscription program, starting as low as $11.99 a
month. The only requirement to membership is an Internet connection.
Subscription options range from full site access to more specialized access to
specific content.
Nonprofit Journalism Role in Publishing
Nonprofit journalism is now central to the American national news ecosystem;
ProPublica, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and the Center For Public Integrity, among
others, regularly make distribution agreements with major media organizations
that give them enormous reach.
Newsroom Employment Continues Slide
Total newsroom employment declined by 6.4 percent in 2012 while the
proportion of minorities in newsrooms remained about even, according to the
annual census released today by the American Society of News Editors and the
Center for Advanced Social Research.
There are about 38,000 full-time daily newspaper journalists at nearly 1,400 newspapers in the United States. That's a 2,600-person decrease from last year's 40,600. Of the 38,000 employees, about 4,700 or 12.37 percent are racial minorities; the percentage of minority employees has consistently hovered between 12 and 13 percent for more than a decade.
There are about 38,000 full-time daily newspaper journalists at nearly 1,400 newspapers in the United States. That's a 2,600-person decrease from last year's 40,600. Of the 38,000 employees, about 4,700 or 12.37 percent are racial minorities; the percentage of minority employees has consistently hovered between 12 and 13 percent for more than a decade.
Renewables Will Be Second-Largest Power Source
Renewable
energy is set to surpass natural gas to become the world's second-largest power
source by 2016, making it a small bright spot in the otherwise bleak outlook
for mitigating climate change, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.
The
IEA, which advises rich industrialized countries on energy policy, has warned
repeatedly that the world is on an unsustainable energy path and earlier this
month said the climate deal that international governments are targeting by
2020 could come too late to avert a global temperature increase of more than 2
degrees Celsius.
Consolidated Graphics Awarded Patent
Consolidated Graphics, Inc. Awarded Patent for Three-Dimensional Automated Flat Mailer: The CGX Flex Mailer® Saves Customers Millions of Dollars in Postage Expense
HOUSTON - Consolidated Graphics, Inc., one of North America's leading commercial printing companies and the world's largest digital printer, was recently awarded a patent for the company's CGX Flex Mailer, a unique, eco-friendly mailing solution that generates significant postage savings by enabling non-machinable items to be mailed as automated flats through the U.S. Postal Service.
HOUSTON - Consolidated Graphics, Inc., one of North America's leading commercial printing companies and the world's largest digital printer, was recently awarded a patent for the company's CGX Flex Mailer, a unique, eco-friendly mailing solution that generates significant postage savings by enabling non-machinable items to be mailed as automated flats through the U.S. Postal Service.
AMSP, NAPL Boards Take Next Step
AMSP, NAPL Boards Move Toward Consolidation: Directors Pass Resolution Directing Due Diligence Leading to Recommendation for Consolidation to Members
The Boards of Directors of the Association of Marketing Service Providers (AMSP) and the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) have unanimously passed a resolution to facilitate their consolidation.
The Boards of Directors of the Association of Marketing Service Providers (AMSP) and the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) have unanimously passed a resolution to facilitate their consolidation.
USPS Scraps Plan for Bulk Mailers
USPS scraps 'track and trace' mail promotion:
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
The U.S. Postal Service has abandoned plans to offer a financial incentive to bulk mailers that adopt its Full Service Intelligent Barcode program.
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction. However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
The U.S. Postal Service has abandoned plans to offer a financial incentive to bulk mailers that adopt its Full Service Intelligent Barcode program.
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
The U.S. Postal Service has abandoned plans to offer a financial incentive to bulk mailers that adopt its Full Service Intelligent Barcode program.
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
The U.S. Postal Service has abandoned plans to offer a financial incentive to bulk mailers that adopt its Full Service Intelligent Barcode program.
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
In April the Postal Service proposed its Technology Credit Promotion, to run from this month through May 2014, which would offer a credit of up to $5,000 to mass-mailing companies provided they put the money toward adopting the Postal Service's barcode technology that features automation pricing, tracking and address correction.
However, because its recent requests for rate hikes were denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Postal Service believed the promotion would lose money and scrapped it, according to a report from Post & Parcel.
- See more at: http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130627/DIRECT0202/306279995/1581/rss01&rssfeed=rss01#sthash.j2h3FUok.dpuf
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
AF&PA Reports U.S. P&W Shipments
The
American Forest & Paper Association has released its May 2013
Printing-Writing Paper Report.
According
to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments were down 7 percent
compared to May 2012, with total inventory levels increasing 1 percent from
April. Additional key findings:
Coated
mechanical (CM) shipments in May decreased 13 percent compared to May
2012. Shipments of CM are down 12 percent for the year, with imports
through April up 14 percent.
May shipments of
coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 2 percent compared to May 2012,
with year-to-date CFS shipments up less than 1 percent compared to 2012.
Imports of CFS papers increased 22 percent in April compared to the same
period last year.Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 5 percent year-over-year in May. For the year, shipments are down 4 percent in 2013. Imports of UFS in April increased 26 percent compared to April 2012.
May uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 11 percent when compared to May 2012, with year-over-year imports through April up 5 percent.
EURO-GRAPH Reports P&W Shipments
EURO-GRAPH has reported European coated mechanical paper shipments declined -13.1% in May, as compared to the same month last year. Demand fell -14.7% for the month and exports were down -8.3%. Coated woodfree paper shipments decreased -8.8% and demand declined -13.9%. Exports rose +10.9%. Supercalendered paper shipments were down -9.6%, demand decreased -8.5% and exports fell -8.5%. Uncoated woodfree shipments were down -5.9% and demand fell -9.4%. Exports increased +27.5%.
Verso Addresses NYSE's Determination
Verso Addresses NYSE's Determination to Commence Delisting Proceedings: Verso Paper Corp. announced today that the New York Stock Exchange has determined to commence proceedings to delist Verso's common stock from the NYSE due to Verso's failure to satisfy the NYSE's continued listing standard relating to market capitalization. As previously disclosed, on December 21, 2011, the NYSE initially notified Verso that it had fallen below the NYSE's continued listing standard relating to market capitalization. To maintain the listing, the NYSE requires that Verso have an average market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period of at least $75 million. On February 6, 2012, Verso submitted to the NYSE a plan to achieve compliance with the market capitalization standard within 18 months after the initial notice from the NYSE, and the NYSE notified Verso of its approval of the plan on March 16, 2012. Verso's market capitalization exceeded the $75 million requirement during much of the 18-month plan period; however, it was not able to maintain such level at the end of the plan period as required by the NYSE. As of June 21, 2013, the last day of the plan period, Verso's 30 trading-day average market capitalization was $60.5 million.
Falling Loonie Boost for Catalyst
As the Canadian dollar is falling to almost a two-year low, Catalyst Paper,
one the Alberni Valley's largest producers of jobs, is riding a bit of a high.
As of Monday morning, the Canadian dollar is trading at 95.04 cents U.S., down 0.60 of a cent from Friday's close against the U.S. greenback.
It is the lowest the loonie has traded at since October 2011.As of Monday morning, the Canadian dollar is trading at 95.04 cents U.S., down 0.60 of a cent from Friday's close against the U.S. greenback.
And while a drop like that can be painful in the stock market, it is a big money maker for parts of the local industry that manufacture in Canadian dollars, but sell in American.
"It's good for us," said Catalyst CEO Kevin Clarke, who is stepping down at the end of the month. "Every cent it weakens against the U.S. dollar, because we sell everything in U.S. dollars, is a positive on a weighted average base of about between six and seven million dollars a year."
Domtar's CEO Supports Call for Climate Action
Domtar's President and CEO, John D. Williams, offered his support for the
Obama Administration's proposal to develop a more certain path for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
"The President is correct that America is uniquely suited to find
sensible solutions for addressing this issue," said Williams. "The
forest products industry has voluntarily made significant reductions in its
reliance on fossil fuels over the past decade. We are better utilizing the
energy value of our biomass by-products which are carbon neutral over the long
term, making our industry more sustainable economically and environmentally.
U.S. Ad Spend Holds
U.S. advertising spending in the first quarter of 2013 was virtually the
same as a year ago -- with the second and third quarters also appearing murky.
Kantar Media says spending inched lower by 0.1% to stop at $30.2 million --
with the better performers including cable TV, Spanish-language TV and outdoor. Looking forward, Jon Swallen, chief research officer at Kantar Media North America, states: “Data from the early second quarter are mixed, suggesting marketers are still being cautious and conservative with ad budgets. However, there are some bright spots, including healthy growth for Hispanic media and outdoor.
Neiman Marcus Plans IPO
The retailer’s plan, announced in a regulatory filing, comes some eight years after it was acquired for $5.1 billion by private equity firms TPG Capital and Warburg Pincus. In its filing, Neiman Marcus indicated a desire to expand its outlet center concept, Last Call, which currently operates 35 locations.
Young Americans Still Turn to Printed Books
Large Newspapers See Gains
Executives at some of the nation’s largest newspaper companies say they are
more hopeful about their future after seeing readership grow for digital
subscriptions.
Speaking at the American Society of News Editors’ annual convention, the
newspaper executives said Monday that increased use of their digital products
is resulting in higher revenue.
Canadian Gov. Invests in Biofuel Production
Under FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Innovation (IBI) initiative,
Woodland Biofuels will receive a repayable contribution of up to $800,000 to
operate a plant to demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of cellulosic
ethanol production using its unique technology. The patented technology uses a
series of chemical reaction steps to produce cellulosic ethanol biofuel from
plant materials, including agricultural and forestry waste. Through the plant's
operations, Woodland Biofuels will determine the optimal processes and procedures
for producing cellulosic ethanol, preparing the company to construct commercial
plants and licence others to build plants that use Woodland's technology.
Why We Should Care About Saving the USPS
Why We Should Give a Damn About Saving the USPS:
"Print is dead." I hear it all the time. People love to say it. "No one reads magazines anymore."Here's the thing, though: Print isn't dead—at least not yet. Digital is growing at an aggressive rate, but it hasn't obliterated print. In fact, according to a recent survey by AdWeek, 98.6 percent of all magazine consumption is still rooted in print. And with the majority of magazine readers reading print, then publishers still need to be concerned with mailing a print product—even if it feels like the U.S. Postal Service can't get it together.
It's not the USPS that failed us—it's Congress. The USPS can't make any major moves without its approval. We've all read the stories—the USPS isn't really broke; it's just been mandated by congress that it pre-fund future retiree health benefits, which costs the USPS over $5 billion per year. This is something no other federal agency is required to do; in fact, even few corporate plans are fully-prefunded. Esquire, Forbes and even my publication, The Nation have all covered it. And Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are jointly sponsoring legislation which would reverse the mandate.
See, the discounted rates to mail magazines...were set up as a tactical way to honor the freedom of the press and to give a price break to media outlets educating the public...
Let me be clear: Just because Congress has turned the USPS into a model of inefficiency does not mean that I support privatization...What it means is that we should treat the USPS like any other company that is faced with necessary changes. Let's remove the $5.5 billion/year roadblock to let it do its job and grow. Let's support a Congress that values a free press; that isn't focusing on slash-and-burn techniques to save the institution, but rather gives it room to adapt; that reinvigorates the USPS's role in American communities, rural and urban...
"Print is dead." I hear it all the time. People love to say it. "No one reads magazines anymore."Here's the thing, though: Print isn't dead—at least not yet. Digital is growing at an aggressive rate, but it hasn't obliterated print. In fact, according to a recent survey by AdWeek, 98.6 percent of all magazine consumption is still rooted in print. And with the majority of magazine readers reading print, then publishers still need to be concerned with mailing a print product—even if it feels like the U.S. Postal Service can't get it together.
It's not the USPS that failed us—it's Congress. The USPS can't make any major moves without its approval. We've all read the stories—the USPS isn't really broke; it's just been mandated by congress that it pre-fund future retiree health benefits, which costs the USPS over $5 billion per year. This is something no other federal agency is required to do; in fact, even few corporate plans are fully-prefunded. Esquire, Forbes and even my publication, The Nation have all covered it. And Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are jointly sponsoring legislation which would reverse the mandate.
See, the discounted rates to mail magazines...were set up as a tactical way to honor the freedom of the press and to give a price break to media outlets educating the public...
Let me be clear: Just because Congress has turned the USPS into a model of inefficiency does not mean that I support privatization...What it means is that we should treat the USPS like any other company that is faced with necessary changes. Let's remove the $5.5 billion/year roadblock to let it do its job and grow. Let's support a Congress that values a free press; that isn't focusing on slash-and-burn techniques to save the institution, but rather gives it room to adapt; that reinvigorates the USPS's role in American communities, rural and urban...
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
FutureMark Secures Supply of Recovered Paper
“These types of agreements are highly unusual maybe — even unheard of — in recovered paper markets, but we believe they're going to be instrumental in ensuring the long-term health of U.S. recycled paper companies,” said Steve Silver, President and CEO of FutureMark Paper Group.
FutureMark
Paper Group pioneers a new practice for buying recovered waste paper through
multiyear purchase agreements with stable cost
Using
such agreements, the company now secures more than 50% of the recovered paper
needed to operate its two recycled paper-making facilities. Waste Management is latest firm with whom FutureMark has signed long-term purchase agreements; provides Waste Management with a stable outlet for its clients' recovered fiber, as well as a predictable revenue stream.
FutureMark's long-term, cost-stabilized purchase agreements for waste paper provide the company with supply assurance and cost predictability; insulates the company from extreme volatility in waste paper cost, which in the past has fluctuated by more than 300% over a two-year stretch.
FutureMark asserts long-term waste paper purchase agreements such as the ones it is pioneering will prove instrumental in helping U.S. recycled paper companies protect their long-term financial health.
Newton Falls Mill Dismantled
The
paper machines at Newton Falls Fine Paper are being dismantled and removed,
forcing the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency to give up on
trying to persuade the mill's owner to resell it as a turn-key business and
focus instead on reuse of the site.
"There's
no possibility for the facility to have productive capability as a paper
mill," IDA Executive Director Patrick J. Kelly said. "Finding ways to
redirect the site is obviously a priority."Sale of the mill intact collapsed in March, and its owner, Scotia Investments, Halifax, Nova Scotia, began liquidating the assets it sold at auction. The IDA had hoped for a while that either the buyers of the paper machines would change their minds about the equipment or that Scotia would rethink the sale. In the meantime, a scrapping operation has begun.
IP Pipeline Draws Local Opposition
More
than 100 Cornwall residents packed their school cafeteria on Wednesday, June
19, to send a collective message to Vermont Gas Systems: We don't want your
proposed pipeline and we are prepared to go to the courts and/or engage in
civil disobedience to stop it.
APRIL Comments on Withdrawal from FSC
We (APRIL) note a statement posted on FSC
websites on 22 June 2013, referencing withdrawal from FSC by companies
associated with APRIL, stating " no reason for the withdrawal was
offered ".
| The
decision by APRIL and companies associated with APRIL not to hold or seek FSC
CoC/CW certification for the foreseeable future is based on concerns about
the FSC's Policy for Association. This renders ineligible for FSC certification companies which are part of a group that has converted more than 10,000 hectares within the past five years... APRIL and many other companies in Indonesia are working towards developing a renewable and sustainable plantation fibre supply to meet the fibre needs of the future...
We
ask FSC to consider these points. APRIL remains open to constructive dialogue
with FSC.
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