Hearst executives are moving closer to launching a new self-help
magazine with Dr. Mehmet Oz, according to reports from ad-agency honchos who
have discussed the matter with the publisher. If the plans, now in the final talking stage, come to
pass, the new title will debut with a January/February issue that will be one
of the biggest launches in magazine history. One source said that the company is predicting a rate base
of 800,000, with 350,000 from newsstand sales and the rest to selected
subscribers. Madison Avenue sources say that corporate Executive Vice
President of Sales Jeff Hamill has been talking to prospective media buyers.
The project on the edit side is being overseen by Hearst Editorial Director
Ellen Levine. “There was no creative or anything to look at, but a
lifestyle approach different from the field,” said one source who was involved
in the discussions. Oz will only give final approval if he is convinced the
project will be a huge hit. Oz’s highly rated talk show is already carried by
many Hearst- owned television stations. A joint venture with Hearst is expected
to be constructed, similar to the deal the publishing house has with Oprah
Winfrey and her Harpo Productions to publish O, the Oprah Magazine. Hearst has
big hits with its last two joint ventures, HGTV magazine and the Food Network
Magazine, both with Scripps.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wired Completely Overhauls Print Magazine
Wired is debuting a new look for its June issue, which hits
newsstands Tuesday. The magazine has been completely made over by Scott Dadich,
who before being named editor-in-chief last November worked as creative
director of Wired from 2006 to 2010.There was something about the previous version of Wired the bright colors, bold fonts, perhaps the splashy photos and graphics that
made it feel distinctly like a magazine about science and technology for men.
Not so with the new edition of Wired, which feels more like Wired meets T: The
New York Times Style Magazine meets The New Yorker. With its modern, almost
muted aesthetic, it feels more like a lifestyle magazine and a rather
sophisticated, thoughtful one at that. Wired's redesign began with an idea and a problem to solve,
Claudia de Almeida, Wired's new deputy design director, recalled in a phone
conversation with Mashable last week. "We asked ourselves what is
technology, what kind of role does it play in our lives today, and how can that
be communicated on the pages of Wired that people can connect to and that feels
current?" "From my point of view, technology is not only your
computer on your desk anymore, it's part of your life. It made sense to me to
have a design that felt more accessible, that didn't make you feel all the time that you're just reading a tech magazine," de Almeida said. "It's not only a magazine about technology, it's also a magazine about people who make technology happen."
Magazines-More Popular Than Ever
Magazines are More Popular than Ever Among College Students, Says Shweiki Media:In a seemingly tech-oriented world, there's been constant speculation over the last few years that print is a dying medium—especially among the younger set, who had smartphones thrust into their hands years ago and haven't looked back since. Shweiki, in conjunction with Study Breaks College Media, wanted to test these suspicions, however, and see just how accurate the "print is dead" theory actually is. After surveying 387 college students, the answer is, it turns out, that it couldn't be further from the truth. Take a look at the results below, and you'll see that not only are students reading magazines
, getting fashion ideas from magazines, visiting Websites they've discovered through magazines and buying things they've seen in magazines; they're also sharing publications among their friends. Check out the awesome results.
Of 387 Students Surveyed:
, getting fashion ideas from magazines, visiting Websites they've discovered through magazines and buying things they've seen in magazines; they're also sharing publications among their friends. Check out the awesome results.Of 387 Students Surveyed:
These results prove that not only is print not dying; it's flourishing. And with new innovations like augmented reality integrating technology into print and literally bringing it to life, the age-old medium shows no signs of slowing down.
integrating technology into print and literally bringing it to life, the age-old medium shows no signs of slowing down.
MPA Rolls Out Digital Pilot Program
MPA Rolls Out Pilot Program For Digital Measurement Standardization:About 100 independent magazine media professionals descended on the Big Easy this week for the MPA’s 10th annual Independent Magazine Media Conference (IMAG). While the event was focused on strategies and tactics for the independent market, during the first full day of the conference the association announced a new pilot program that could stretch far across the entire magazine market. At a morning session on digital magazine measurement, Ethan Grey the association’s SVP of Digital Strategy and Initiatives, formally introduced a multi-industry pilot program that aims to provide consistent measurement and reporting of standardized metrics and data sets for magazine media across tablets and other digital platforms. “Digital editions are like having every international plug in front of you—they’re all different,” Grey said. "Every electrical outlet works exactly as designed, and all deliver power, but they're incompatible."The fundamental issue is two different publishers can both create a digital edition and have a single ad unit applied. Yet, depending on what platform the digital edition was built in, data sets from the same ad may vary widely—though both are equally accurate.
Swedish Paper & Paperboard Prod In Q1
Swedish production of paper and paperboard fell by 2.4% in
the 1Q 2013, while wood pulp production decreased by 0.7% compared with the 1Q
2012, as the Swedish Forest Agency said in a press release. Production of paper
and paperboard fell by 2.4% to 2.8 million tonnes in the 1Q 2013 compared with
the same quarter in 2012. Production of newsprint decreased most by 12%.
Printing paper fell by 3%, while other paper and paperboard grades increased
slightly .Production of wood pulp in Sweden increased by 0.7% to 3 million
tonnes in the 1Q 2013 compared to with the same quarter 2012. Production of
sulphate pulp accounts for 64% of the total production of wood pulp was 0.7%
higher in the 1Q 2013 compared with the same quarter 2012. Production of other
grades of wood pulp decreased slightly.
Russia's Ilim Group Q1 Performance
Over the first three months of 2013, Ilim Group’s mills in
Siberia (the Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk mills) manufactured about 362,000 tons of
pulp and paper products. This almost equals to the performance in the similar
period of the previous year, as the company said in a press release. The
figures include about 309,000 tons of pulp, which is 2% less as compared to
January-March 2012. Market containerboard production has gained 11%, reaching
54,000 tons in the 1Q 2013.
Own harvesting has decreased by 5% with 1,360,000 cubic
meters of wood harvested in the same period of the previous year.
GP’s Parent Donates Paper Products To OK Relief
Koch Industries, Inc. is making a $1 million donation to
support relief efforts in Oklahoma following the tornadoes that devastated the cities
of Moore and Shawnee, and affected other areas of the state this week. Half of
that amount will be given to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund established by
Governor Mary Fallin in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma.
The other half will go to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army to help
affected families with their most urgent needs, including housing,
transportation, clothing and more. In addition, Georgia-Pacific, a Koch
company, has donated six truckloads of products from its Muskogee, Okla., Fort
Smith, Ark. and Naheola, Ala. facilities including Angel Soft® and Quilted
Northern® bath tissue, Sparkle® paper towels, Dixie® cups and plates, and Mardi
Gras® napkins. “Koch has deep roots in Oklahoma, and we want the communities of
Moore, Shawnee and others throughout the state to know we stand with them and
pray for them as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives,”
said Dave Robertson, president and COO of Koch Industries, Inc.
Domtar Rolls Out TAPPISAFE At Ashdown
Domtar’s Ashdown Facility Rolls Out TAPPISAFE Safety Program: Domtar will roll out the TAPPISAFE Safety Orientation Program at the integrated Ashdown, Arkansas pulp and paper facility. TAPPISAFE, a service of TAPPI offered in partnership with Alliance Safety Council, provides a standardized safety course program for contractors and is the only safety orientation program specifically designed for the pulp and paper industry, by the industry. “The TAPPISAFE program provides the Domtar facility in Ashdown with a proven safety orientation system that will ensure all contractors working at our facility have the same safety orientation,” states Terry Hughes, Safety Manager. “The safety of our employees and contractors working at our facility is of primary importance.
PH Glatfelter Turns More Into Less
PH Glatfelter Turns More Into Less:
Margins matter. The more PH Glatfelter keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong PH Glatfelter's competitive position could be. Here's the current margin snapshot for PH Glatfelter over the trailing 12 months: Gross margin is 13.2%, while operating margin is 5.3% and net margin is 3.5%.Unfortunately, a look at the most recent numbers doesn't tell us much about where PH Glatfelter has been, or where it's going. A company with rising gross and operating margins often fuels its growth by increasing demand for its products. If it sells more units while keeping costs in check, its profitability increases. Conversely, a company with gross margins that inch downward over time is often losing out to competition, and possibly engaging in a race to the bottom on prices. If it can't make up for this problem by cutting costs -- and most companies can't -- then both the business and its shares face a decidedly bleak outlook.
Margins matter. The more PH Glatfelter keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong PH Glatfelter's competitive position could be. Here's the current margin snapshot for PH Glatfelter over the trailing 12 months: Gross margin is 13.2%, while operating margin is 5.3% and net margin is 3.5%.Unfortunately, a look at the most recent numbers doesn't tell us much about where PH Glatfelter has been, or where it's going. A company with rising gross and operating margins often fuels its growth by increasing demand for its products. If it sells more units while keeping costs in check, its profitability increases. Conversely, a company with gross margins that inch downward over time is often losing out to competition, and possibly engaging in a race to the bottom on prices. If it can't make up for this problem by cutting costs -- and most companies can't -- then both the business and its shares face a decidedly bleak outlook.
SKG Sets Out Vision On Sustainability
SKG sets out vision on sustainability
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) announces the publication of its vision on sustainability which establishes additional objectives for the business up to 2020 and which extends and builds on the range of sustainability initiatives which SKG already has in place. The statement details SKG’s commitment to sustainable business practices and belief that profitable growth can be achieved by providing its customers with innovative packaging solutions while continuing to minimise product waste; optimising resource use and re-use through recycling; and, stimulating afforestation through sustainable forestry practices.
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) announces the publication of its vision on sustainability which establishes additional objectives for the business up to 2020 and which extends and builds on the range of sustainability initiatives which SKG already has in place. The statement details SKG’s commitment to sustainable business practices and belief that profitable growth can be achieved by providing its customers with innovative packaging solutions while continuing to minimise product waste; optimising resource use and re-use through recycling; and, stimulating afforestation through sustainable forestry practices.
Peak Rock Capital Acquires Atlas Paper Mills
Headquartered in Miami, FL, Atlas is a leading company in
the manufacture of tissue products, utilizing 100% recycled fiber. The Company
produces a complete line of tissue products; including bath tissue, towels and
facial tissue, serving leading customers in both the away-from-home and retail
channels. This strategic approach has allowed the Company to develop long-term
relationships with an attractive customer base. The Company provides both
branded ("Green Heritage") and private label products throughout
North America. Anthony DiSimone, CEO of Peak Rock Capital, said, "Atlas is
a great example of our interest in investing in middle market businesses that
can benefit from our resources and expertise to enhance their growth and
strategic position; it also highlights our continued interest in the
manufacturing and consumer product sectors."Peter Leibman, Managing
Director of Peak Rock Capital, added, "Atlas has a strong competitive
position as a supplier of 'green' tissue products with long-standing customer
relationships. We believe Atlas is an excellent
platform for expansion through organic growth and strategic add-on acquisitions
and are excited to work with the Company's outstanding management team in
pursuing these opportunities."
IP Receives EU Eco-Label
IP receives EU Eco-LabelFor its HP Everyday Paper range
International Paper, the world’s largest paper and packaging company, has achieved EU Eco-label status for its HP Everyday Papers range. The grade is manufactured at International Paper's paper mills, using virgin wood fibre from sustainable forests. International Paper's paper mills are the best in class in terms of environmental performance. Having the EU Eco-label accreditation now complements the HP Everyday Papers existing environmental accreditations, which include attainment of both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Chain of Custody schemes, guaranteeing that a product is made from sustainably managed forests. The EU Eco-label is a voluntary environmental label created by the European Commission, established in 1992 to encouraged businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products awarded the Eco-label carry the flower logo to allow consumers including public and private purchasers to identify them easily.
Saskatchewan Forests Establishes Right To Practice
Saskatchewan establishes Right To Practice for foresters and technologists:
Forestry professionals who want to practice in Saskatchewan’s public forests must now demonstrate their qualifications and competence through registration with their professional association, similar to other professions like engineers and agrologists. On May 15, amendments to The Forestry Professions Act were proclaimed, legally establishing the right to practice for Registered Professional Foresters and Registered Professional Forest Technologists. Now, anyone practicing professional forestry on forested Crown lands must be registered with the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals (ASFP) or work under the supervision of a registered member. The ASFP works to establish and maintain high standards of ethics and excellence for its members in the professional practice of forestry. The association is governed by a council of elected members and one public representative.
Forestry professionals who want to practice in Saskatchewan’s public forests must now demonstrate their qualifications and competence through registration with their professional association, similar to other professions like engineers and agrologists. On May 15, amendments to The Forestry Professions Act were proclaimed, legally establishing the right to practice for Registered Professional Foresters and Registered Professional Forest Technologists. Now, anyone practicing professional forestry on forested Crown lands must be registered with the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals (ASFP) or work under the supervision of a registered member. The ASFP works to establish and maintain high standards of ethics and excellence for its members in the professional practice of forestry. The association is governed by a council of elected members and one public representative.
Barefoot Books Stops Selling to Amazon
Seven years after Barefoot Books in Cambridge, Mass., cut off Barnes & Noble and Borders, it announced that it has terminated its relationship with Amazon in North America and in the U.K. Instead, the children’s book publisher will focus on selling direct through its bookstore/studios in Concord, Mass., and Oxford, England, and its boutique in FAO Schwarz in New York City. It will also continue to sell direct on its Web site and to expand its Ambassador network of home-based sellers, which has been growing at a rate of 16% a month, according to Barefoot. “As entrepreneurs, we admire Amazon and its groundbreaking accomplishments,” said cofounder and CEO Nancy Traversy. “However, Barefoot’s commitment is to diversity and to grassroots values. Living Barefoot is about creating a sustainable model, which enables individuals to build small-scale businesses.” Traversy said she was unhappy with having Barefoot titles heavily discounted at the e-tailer, which sometimes began selling them before the press even received advance copies from the printer. Today’s announcement does not affect the sale of Barefoot’s titles to the education market or to independent bookstores and gift shops. According to the press, its relationships with wholesalers will not be affected. Last year, Educational Development Corp., which employs thousands of home-based sellers for its titles, also cut its ties to Amazon in a bid to boost sales for its home reps.
Penguin Agrees To $75M Settlement
Penguin has agreed to pay $75 million to settle the ebook
pricing lawsuit with consumers and states. Meanwhile, Apple and the Department
of Justice are set to go to trial on June 3. Book publisher Penguin has agreed
to a $75 million settlement with consumers and states in the ebook pricing
lawsuit, several months after it settled with the Department of Justice. The
other publishers in the case — HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette
and Macmillan — had already settled with both the states and the DOJ. Penguin’s
settlement is by far the largest that any of the publishers have reached. The
settlement also clears the way for the Penguin-Random House merger to move
forward in the second half of this year. Penguin’s parent company Pearson said
in a statement, “In anticipation of reaching this agreement, Pearson had made a
$40m provision for settlement in its 2012 accounts. An incremental charge will
be expensed in Pearson’s 2013 statutory accounts as part of the accounting for
the Penguin Random House joint-venture.
CWU Receive Ballots DSA Boycott
Postal union ballots members on DSA boycott:
Around 112,000 CWU members will receive ballot papers asking them four questions, one of which asks: "Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail".While the ballot is primarily targeted at strengthening CWU's hand in negotiations with Royal Mail on pay, privatisation and working conditions - a strong yes vote on the question of boycotting DSA mail would give the union the mandate to introduce a boycott."This ballot is about protecting the interests of our members and the future of the UK postal service. It is time to challenge Royal Mail and send a strong message to the government and regulator. The consultative ballot deals with the complex issues facing our members and the postal industry. We're asking postal workers to support the union or allow Royal Mail a free hand to determine their future - there is no fence to sit on," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward.
Around 112,000 CWU members will receive ballot papers asking them four questions, one of which asks: "Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail".While the ballot is primarily targeted at strengthening CWU's hand in negotiations with Royal Mail on pay, privatisation and working conditions - a strong yes vote on the question of boycotting DSA mail would give the union the mandate to introduce a boycott."This ballot is about protecting the interests of our members and the future of the UK postal service. It is time to challenge Royal Mail and send a strong message to the government and regulator. The consultative ballot deals with the complex issues facing our members and the postal industry. We're asking postal workers to support the union or allow Royal Mail a free hand to determine their future - there is no fence to sit on," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward.
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