Resolute Forest Products Reports Q2 Results

http://www.paperage.com/2013news/08_01_2013resolute_earnings.html

Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) today reported a net loss of $43 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, or $0.45 per share, on sales of $1.1 billion. This compares with a net loss of $17 million, or $0.17 per share, on sales of $1.2 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

(US $)

Reports Q2 net income of $18 million / $0.19 per share, excluding special items
Continues to reduce newsprint cost
Reduces annual cash interest burden by $16 million with refinancing

Excluding $61 million of special items described below, net income for the quarter was $18 million, or $0.19 per diluted share. Excluding special items of $50 million, net income in the second quarter of 2012 was $33 million, or $0.33 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $90 million in the quarter, compared to $124 million in the year-ago period.

Tembec Reports Q2 Results

http://www.paperage.com/2013news/08_01_2013tembec_earnings.html

Tembec said consolidated sales for the three-month period ended June 29, 2013 , were $399 million, as compared to $415 million in the same quarter a year ago. The Company generated a net loss of $4 million or $0.04 per share in the June 2013 quarter compared to a net loss of $5 million or $0.05 per share in the June 2012 quarter. Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $30 million for the three-month period ended June 29, 2013 , as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $27 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $24 million in the prior quarter.

Domtar Completes Sale of Ariva

http://www.paperage.com/2013news/07_31_2013domtar_ariva_cng.html

Domtar today announced the closing of the previously announced sale of its Ariva business in the United States to privately-held Central National-Gottesman (CNG), and the business will be integrated into Lindenmeyr Munroe, a division of CNG.

Ariva's Canadian operations are not affected by the transaction and will be consolidated into Domtar's Pulp and Paper Division.

Two Sides: Most Consumers Want Paper Option

http://www.piworld.com/article/two-sides-72-agree-print-paper-can-be-a-sustainable-way-to-communicate/1

As pressure to go paperless from banks, utilities, telecommunications companies and other service providers grows, a majority of U.S. consumers wants to keep the option to receive paper bills and statements, according to survey results published today by Two Sides. More than six in 10 consumers say they would not choose a provider that does not offer paper bills and statements, and 88 percent want to be able to switch between electronic and paper bills without difficulty or cost. The survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers was conducted for Two Sides in June by research firm Toluna.   

64 percent of consumers say they would not choose a company that did not offer a paper bill option.
72 percent agree that print and paper can be an environmentally sustainable way to communicate if responsibly produced, used and recycled.
50 percent of consumers either do not believe, feel misled by or question the validity of claims like “Save Trees, Go Paperless” and “Go Green, Go Digital.”
Over 84 percent of people agree that e-billing and e-statements are being promoted to save costs.
91 percent of consumers say they are unwilling to pay for paper bills.
44 percent prefer to receive bills by postal mail only.
59 percent of consumers would refuse to switch to electronic bills and statements or would not take action when asked to do so.
50 percent of consumers read their bills and statements received both electronically and by postal mail; only 15 percent read bills which they receive by e-mail only.
34 percent of consumers are clearly ‘home printers’ with 20 percent printing up to 20 percent of their bills and 8 percent printing between 80 percent and 100 percent of their bills. 66 percent don’t print out any bills at home.

Cygnus Sells Ag Group

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/cygnus-sells-ag-show-group-american-farm-bureau#.Ufqw2VOYyKw 

The American Farm Bureau Federation, the largest trade association in the U.S. agriculture industry, will acquire Cygnus Business Media's agriculture group, FOLIO: has learned.
An official announcement is expected on Monday.
Cygnus announced in February that the group was for sale.
The group includes four agriculture events in a group called IDEAg: Dakotafest, the Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show, the Northern Illinois Farm Show, Farmfest and the Interconnectivity Conference.

Summit Media Group Names CEO

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/summit-media-group-names-new-ceo#.UfqxTlOYyKw

Summit Media Group has named Joseph Angel its president and CEO. He takes over for co-founder Lloyd Ferguson who will remain as a consultant after heading the company for 20 years.
Angel (pictured) has been with the b-to-b publisher, events producer and custom media provider since its opening in 1993, and continues as publisher of Packaging World and Contract Packaging. Packaging World is the largest of the company's five publications with a monthly circulation of more than 65,000 and about 74,000 monthly unique website visits, per BPA.

Reader's Digest Emerges from Bankruptcy

http://ipdahome.org/newsstand/?cat=296

As expected, Reader’s Digest Association ended nearly six months of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 31, when U.S. Bankruptcy Court gave final approval. The groundwork had been set on June 28, when the court approved RDA’s restructuring plan that reduced its debt burden from $500M to $100M. Much of that was achieved through a debt-to-equity conversion of RDA’s secured notes. This ends RDA’s second Chapter 11 filing. The first, from Aug. 2009 to Feb. 2010, lowered the debt from $2.5B to $500M, with some of the individual creditors (retired employees, etc.) receiving three cents to the dollar. How well the current creditors (including 2010-2012 Reader’s Digest N.A. president Dan Lagani)–will be compensated is not known. MIN says it appears that current RDA president, CEO Robert Guth will remain in charge.  

City, Regional Mags Stick to Print Roots

http://ipdahome.org/newsstand/?cat=296

Folio: survey shows that, while there are exceptions, city and regional magazines generally still heavily focused on print. This year, respondents report that print advertising will account for 71% of total revenue, on average; paid subs 11.4%; e-media 5.2%; events 3.3%; custom publishing 3.1%; newsstand 2.7%; mobile tablet 1.3%. City/regional category has shown among the largest growth in new print launches, per MediaFinder data. But two-thirds of Folio: survey respondents aren’t planning a print launch this year, while 38% are planning non-magazine launches. Costs and competition are pressuring financials.

Meredith Names Group Publisher

http://ipdahome.org/newsstand/?cat=296

Staffing its new Allrecipes magazine, to launch this fall, Meredith has promoted Christine Guilford to VP/group publisher, with oversight for that new title, in addition to continuing as publisher of Every Day with Rachael Ray and EatingWell. Cheryl Brown, previously editorial director of Meredith’s Recipe.com, has been named editor-in-chief of Allrecipes magazine. In addition, Linda Fears was promoted to VP/editor-in-chief of Family Circle. She’s been FC’s EIC for eight years. She will also continue as editorial director of Meredith’s Food Content Center of Excellence. Also, Britta Cleveland was promoted from VP to SVP of research solutions.

American Media CEO Interview

http://ipdahome.org/newsstand/?cat=296

Caught by a reporter over lunch in NYC, American Media Inc. chief David Pecker offered glimpses into how different AMI titles gear coverage of royal news to their readers’ differing interests. Said the ubiquity of such coverage poses challenges, noting: “Two years ago, when William and Kate got married, the special issue of People sold 2 million copies, but last week’s issue with the royal couple and the baby on their cover sold 1.1 million.” Said Star’s demographics have changed considerably, with readers falling into the 25-45 age group, competing head-to-head with People. Praised David Zinczenko (lunching with him), whose remake of Men’s Fitness as editorial consultant for AMI has upped last two issues’ newsstand sales 35% vs. year-ago and upped advertising 50%. Said Zinczenko now working on Shape and other AMI titles. Also, there are at least a half-dozen books slated to be published by March 2014 under the new AMI books imprint (Zinczenko’s idea). Piece also offers more, colorful observations re Pecker’s “holding court” during lunch.

Circulars Still Important Source for Shoppers

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/FindSave-Survey-Compares-Back-to-School-and-Black-Friday-Shopping-Behavior-1816170.htm

Wanderful Media®, the company behind Find&Save®, today unveiled the survey results of shoppers and their strategies to nab the best back-to-school deals and the latest school gear. The full report can be accessed here.
Circulars are a primary source for sales: There is a broad mix of where shoppers find their sales. Approximately 59 percent report they uncover back-to-school sales through newspaper ads and circulars,  as well as 60 percent via circulars that come by mail. More than one-third of respondents find back-to-school sales via online shopping websites and social media.

Folio: People on the Move

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/people-move-8-1-13#.UfrAC1OYyKw

Hearst Magazines announced that Kristine Welker has been named vice president, publisher and chief revenue officer of the company’s new pilot magazine collaboration with Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Todd Haskell has been hired to fill Welker’s former position as senior vice president and chief revenue officer of Hearst Magazines Digital Media. He had been vice president of advertising at The New York Times.

Andrew Lack has been named chairman at Bloomberg Media Group. He had been CEO there.

Bloomberg Media Group also announced that Justin Smith would take over Lack’s position as CEO. He had been president at Atlantic Media.

Meredith Corporation has announced several promotions within the National Media Group.

Christine Guilfoyle has been promoted to VP/group publisher. As part of her expanded position, Guilfoyle will add responsibility for Meredith’s newest title, Allrecipes magazine, which will be launching this fall.
Linda Fears has been named VP/editor-in-chief of Family Circle. The promotion follows her eight-year role as editor-in-chief of the brand. Fears will also continue as editorial director of Meredith’s Food Content Center of Excellence.

Hanley Wood announced the appointment of Paul Silva as editorial director, Pool Group. Silva joins Hanley Wood from The Beach Reporter and PALOS Verdes Peninsula News, where he held roles as reporter, managing editor and most recently served as executive editor.

22% Emails to Opt In Recipients Fail

http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130801/EMAIL13/308019998/many-email-messages-fail-to-reach-inboxes

Twenty-two percent of marketing emails worldwide sent to subscribers who have opted in never reach their inboxes, according to a new study by email deliverability company Return Path.

According to the company's “Inbox Placement Rate Benchmark Report,” 18% of email messages were either blocked or went missing, and another 4% were delivered to subscribers' spam or junk folders. Results in the U.S. were slightly better, with 14% of messages not making their way into recipients' inboxes.

Study: B-to-B Media’s Impact on Purchase Decisions

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130801/MEDIABUSINESS10/130809999/abm-study-shows-b-to-b-media-8217-s-impact-on-purchase-decisions

Seventy-four percent of responding business professionals reached by b-to-b media and live events are involved in purchasing decisions or supplier selections, according to American Business Media’s “Value of B-to-B” report, released Wednesday.
Of those, 87% use industry-related websites when researching such decisions; 65% use print magazines; 58% use industry conferences and trade shows; and 55% use e-newsletters.
The study also found that 74% of respondents used both digital and traditional media to learn best practices and gain information for their work, and 68% spend more time with industry-related print publications than with mainstream business or consumer publications.

Military Newsstands Dump 891 Titles

http://www.foliomag.com/2013/military-newsstands-dump-891-titles#.UfqwolOYyKw

Retailers cutting physical newsstand space by 33 percent.
In an allegory of the print industry at large, military exchanges are dropping close to 900 magazine titles from their newsstands to make room for products like consumer electronics.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), a network of general merchandise retailers for military personnel, has announced that it will reduce its physical newsstand space by 33 percent effective immediately, cutting ties with 891 titles in an effort to "align offerings with industry counterparts."
Print magazines sales dipped 18.3 percent last year, officials say, while demand for items like electronics has risen.

Pulse Report Shows a Strong Start to 2013

http://whattheythink.com/news/64706-first-quarter-industry-pulse-report-shows-strong-start-2013/

SGIA has released its first-quarter 2013 Industry Pulse Benchmarking Report for the graphic and sign, garment decoration and industrial printing communities. The reports examine sales figures, technologies utilized and the popular methods used by industry-leading companies to reach and retain customers.
“The data presented in these Industry Pulse Reports provides an unprecedented view into the specialty graphics industry today,” said Dan Marx, SGIA’s vice president of markets and technologies,“and should be used by imaging business owners to help them make the best decisions for their businesses.”