Verso Announces Exchange Offer

http://www.versopaper.com/ Verso Paper Corp. announced today that two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Verso Paper Holdings LLC and Verso Paper Inc. (together, the "Issuers"), have launched an exchange offer and consent solicitation for their outstanding 11⅜% senior subordinated notes due 2016 (the "Old Subordinated Notes"). In addition, the Issuers have amended certain terms of the existing exchange offer and consent solicitation for their second priority senior secured floating rate notes due 2014 (the "Old Secured Floating Rate Notes").

NBSK Downtime Reported

Two major North American market pulp producers, Resolute Forest Products and Domtar, have annual maintenance closures at their northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) mills in Ontario this month that will trim 29,000 tonnes of output.

Nippon Relocating Headquarters

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/04_25_2012nippon_paper_group.html

Nippon Paper Group, Inc. said that it has decided to relocate its headquarters and the headquarters of major Group companies. In addition, the company today decided to review its existing holding company system, and transform its business structure using the Group’s comprehensive strength.

DS Smith Buying SCA Packaging, France

SCA has accepted DS Smith´s offer to acquire its packaging operations
SCA has accepted DS Smith´s formal offer to acquire the packaging operations in France following consultations with appropriate works councils.  The agreed purchase price amounts to EUR 1.7bn on a debt free basis.

Meredith Reports FY Q3 Results

Meredith's National Media Group Profits Down: Meredith Corporation released its fiscal third quarter results today and the overall picture is a mixed one for its National Media Group. Revenues were flat at $268 million compared with the same period the previous year, but profits were down 23% to $37 million.

Forrester: B2B to Grow 6.8%

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120425/STRATEGY06/304259996/forrester-says-b-to-b-marketers-will-increase-budgets-6-8-this-year

B2b marketers will increase their marketing budgets by an average of 6.8% this year, according to a report from Forrester Research.

Resolute/Fibrek Fight Continues

The Fibrek Inc. Board of Directors continues to recommend that shareholders TENDER to the superior $1.40 offer made by Mercer International Inc., which will be open for acceptance until 11:59 on April 27, 2012. As of April 11, almost 25% of Fibrek shares had already been tendered to Mercer's superior offer, representing approximately half of Fibrek's minority shareholders.

 Separately, it was reported that AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, today announced that it has taken up and accepted for payment 2,664,351 additional shares of Fibrek Inc... Resolute holds approximately 48.8% of the currently outstanding Fibrek shares.

Brazil Sets Duties on LWC

Brazilian authorities today confirmed anti-dumping duties against lightweight coated (LWC) with basis weights of 50-72 g/m² imported from the USA, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Canada and Germany. The request was made by Brazil's sole local LWC producer Stora Enso.The U.S. imports very little coated mechanical to Brazil.

Google Closes Subsciption Model

http://www.foliomag.com/2012/google-folds-paid-content-service-one-pass

After only a year and some change, Google folded its paid content platform One Pass. According to reports, Google made the decision public on its blog.

One Pass launched in early 2011, shortly after Apple announced its subscription model. The service appeared to be another option for publishers who did not want to play by Apple’s subscription rules.

Stora Enso Reports Q1 Results

Stora Enso profit falls on pricing pressure:
Finnish paper company Stora Enso reported a 43% fall in quarterly core operating profit due to pricing pressure and weaker demand for its graphic paper.
Europe's largest papermaker reported a core operating profit of 147 million euros ($193 million), down from last year's 258 million but above the market's average forecast of 139 million.

Study Shows Consumers Value Mail

Consumers Value Physical Mail, Even In This Digital Era: A survey conducted by Nielsen confirms consumers value physical mail, even in this digital era, and that marketing messages delivered via envelope get openend.

Print & Packaging May Be Recovering

Print and packaging sector 'showing early signs of recovery':
In the print and packaging sector the number of firms in difficulty fell by a massive 73% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to an overall drop of 17% across all sectors.
All other manufacturing businesses saw distress levels fall by 49%.

PPPC Reports SC Ships

The Pulp & Paper Products Council reported that North American SC-A/A+ paper shipments fell -23.2% in March, as compared to the previous month and -19.9% for the first quarter. Demand declined -23.4% for the month and -21.1% for Q1. Imports decreased -24.8% in March and -27.2% for the quarter. The operating rate for all Supercalendered paper was 98% in March.

Resolute Raises Coated Prices

Resolute Forest Products will raise its Coated paper prices by $40 US/CAD per short ton, effective July 1.

AF&PA Reports March P&W Ships

Paper shipments in the US down 11% 
According to the American Forest & Paper Association's March 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 11% in March compared to March 2011.

Standard Register Reports Q1 Results

Standard Register Reports 1Q Revenue of $157.6 Million: Standard Register today announced its financial results for the first quarter 2012. The Company reported revenue of $157.6 million and a net loss of $5.1 million.

Heidelberg Reports Q4 FY 2011 Results

Heidelberg Reports Higher Sales, Kodak Situation Impacts Operating Results: Based on preliminary calculations, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen achieved an increase in sales in the fourth quarter of financial year 2011/2012 (January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012) compared to the previous year - from EUR 745 million to around EUR 780 million, thus reaching the highest quarterly sales figure for the last three years.

Postal Reform Debated

How Some Senators Would Fix the Postal Service: Senators spent most of the week debating a measure to overhaul the Postal Service by giving it $11 billion to offer buyouts to hundreds of thousands of employees, to eventually end six-day mail delivery and to possibly end delivery of mail to door-side mailboxes in favor of more centralized locations.

Mobile Ads Forecast at $11.6 Bil

Mobile ad revenue to reach $11.6 billion this year: Boston—Mobile ad revenue will reach an estimated $11.6 billion this year, up 85.4% over last year, according to a forecast from research and consulting company Strategy Analytics.

Google to Offer Ad Analytics

Google to introduce ad analytics features: Google Inc. is introducing new advertising features, to be made available this spring, that facilitate the tracking of display ad views and the level of engagement users have with those ads.

March Coated Paper Shipments Down

The Pulp & Paper Products Council reported that North American coated paper shipments fell -15.7% in March as compared to the same month last year. For Q1, shipments were down -6.1%. Demand declined -15.8% for the month and -8.3% for the quarter. Imports fell -19% and -11.7%. Coated woodfree shipments decreased -10.9% for the month and -4.9% for Q1. Demand declined -15.0% in March and -10% for the quarter. Imports fell -29.4% and -24.3%.

Verso Names CEO

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/04_20_2012mike_jackson_verso_paper.html

Verso Paper Corp.announced that Michael A. Jackson will retire as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Verso and that David J. Paterson has been elected by Verso’s board of directors to serve in such roles, with both events to occur effective as of May 14, 2012.

Smart Papers Auctions Equipment

http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/smart-papers-auction-draws-hundreds-1362128.html

About 300 people spent the day Wednesday bidding both in person and online on various tools, equipment and machinery at the now-closed SMART Papers cfs mill in Hamilton, Ohio.

Formerly Champion Paper, the plant ceased manufacturing operations in February.

Catalyst Credit Protection Extended

Catalyst Paper gets extension to its creditor protection period:
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has extended Catalyst Paper‘s protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to June 30, 2012.

Grays Harbor May Restart

http://thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/gh-paper-mill-sale-expected-within-10-days.html

An agreement to sell and re-open the shuttered Grays Harbor Paper mill may close within 10 days according to an optimistic announcement to business leaders this morning.

The 150M tpy ufs mill closed in May 2011, laying off about 240 employees. The facility was quickly placed into receivership with Renton-based Pivotal Solutions, which has worked with owners and creditors to coordinate a sale of the property.

Back Stage Back in Print

http://www.foliomag.com/2012/back-stage-plans-relaunch-expansion

Weekly magazine Back Stage is re-launching its print publication and website to better capture best practices for individuals actively seeking news, information and careers in the preforming-arts industries.

Forbes Media Launches App

http://www.pubexec.com/article/forbes-media-launches-lifetime-financial-planning-application/1

Forbes Media announces the launch of its Lifetime Financial Planning iPad application, available now at the iTunes App Store.

 

Hearst buys 50% Aspen Labs

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120420/STRATEGY10/304209994/hearst-business-media-acquires-50-of-aspen-labs

Hearst Business Media's electronics group has acquired 50% of Aspen Labs, a business media company that operates the social media platform EEWeb. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Consolidated Graphics' JV in Japan

Consolidated Graphics Strengthens Its International Footprint Via Joint Venture: Consolidated Graphics announced the formation of a new joint venture with Asian printer Yamagata Corp. The investment comes as Consolidated Graphics experiences an increased focus on international growth to to service its multinational corporation customer base.

UPM Sells 11% Share of Metsä Fibre

http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/All-news/Pages/UPM-sells-11-of-Mets%C3%A4-Fibre-shares-to-Mets%C3%A4liitto-001-Thu-19-Apr-2012-08-30.aspx

UPM will complete the sale and purchase of the shares in Metsä Fibre Oy (formerly Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab) on April 24. In the sale and purchase, UPM sells its 11% share in Metsä Fibre Oy to Metsäliitto Cooperative for EUR 150 million. 

Eighth NA Mill Raises Prices

Evergreen Packaging announced an increase of $3.00/cwt on coated mechanical paper, effective June 1. The company follows (at least) Verso, NewPage, UPM, Sappi, Appleton Coated, West Linn and Kruger in raising coated paper prices (and, for Verso, Supercalendered paper increases) on May, June or July 1.

Fibrek/Mercer Appeal Denied

Supreme Court of Canada refuses to hear Fibrek and Mercer appeal:
According to AbitibiBowater, doing business as Resolute Forest Products, the Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal by Fibrek Inc. and Mercer International Inc. of the Québec Court of Appeal’s decision concerning Fibrek’s special warrants.

Americans' Time With Major Media

Americans Spend 11 Hours Per Day With Major Media: Data analysis conducted by eMarketer estimates U.S. adults "crammed more than 11 hours of media content into an average day in 2011."

Hearst's ELLE Trend Guide

ELLE Launches Social Commerce On Facebook: We had "e-commerce" then "m-commerce" and more recently "t-commerce" (tablet commerce for those still catching up). Get ready to add "S-Commerce" to the endless digital lexicon. Hearst Digital Media has given us “social commerce” this week via a new feature at ELLE magazine’s Facebook page.

Port Hawkesbury Union Votes Yes

Port Hawkesbury workers vote ‘yes’ to contract offer:
The unionized workers of the idled Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Nova Scotia have voted 85% in favour of their contract offer from Pacific West Commercial Corp.
This ‘yes’ vote brings the mill one step closer to reopening under its new owner and restarting the 400M stpy SC paper machine.
The company said it would work with Nova Scotia Power regarding energy supply and costs and with government regarding fibre supply and a forest management plan.
There is a hearing in late June or early July, with the possibility that the mill could reopen in August if all outstanding matters are settled.

Kruger Latest Mill to Increase Prices

Kruger asks for more time to repay underfunded pension plan:
Kruger will be increasing the transaction price on all coated paper grades by $2.00 cwt, effective with shipments on, or after July 1, 2012.  This will apply to all basis weights and brightness levels. Separately, it was reported that workers at Kruger's Corner Brook mill are meeting again today with management to discuss their pension plan.

1 in 5 U.S. Adults Not Online

One in 5 U.S. Adults Not Online, Thus Don't See Ads: The Pew Internet Project finds that one in five U.S. adults -- senior citizens, Spanish speakers and low-income families -- is not on the Internet. Simply said, these consumers are not part of the search, online, and social media advertising audience.

Nature Publishing Launches Data Platform

Nature Publishing Group Launches Linked Data Platform: Nature Publishing Group is trying to break into the future of scientific publishing with its new linked data platform—launched earlier this month; the new platform is designed to enrich search functions.

Farm Journal Starts Ad Network

Farm Journal’s AgWeb Launches Advertising Network: Farm Journal Media’s AgWeb debuted an advertising network for like-minded publishers and advertisers looking to grow their reach to farmers. The network adds another facet to AgWeb’s digital portfolio of e-newsletters, custom e-blasts and research solutions for advertisers.

Senate Debates Postal Bill

Senate Begins Debating the Future of U.S. Postal Service: The U.S. Senate moved Tuesday to consider legislation that would fundamentally reshape the U.S. Postal Service. Senators voted to proceed to debate on the bill, with less than a month left until postal officials say they plan to begin closing hundreds of post offices and processing facilities.

USPS Revenue from Every Door Direct

http://chiefmarketer.com/blog/sound-business-or-way-keep-post-offices-open

A year after the U.S. Postal Service launched its Every Door Direct Mail program, the USPS has pulled in more than $153 million in revenue from small local businesses it’s convinced to market through the mails. The program is a saturation mail service that charges as little as 14.5 cents per piece -- lower than comparable standard mail rates -- and lets small local companies send as many as 5,000 pieces per day without requiring a postal permit, according to the USPS.

Watermill Buys Mainistique

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/17/idUS200308+17-Apr-2012+BW20120417Manistique

The Watermill Group received court approval today to acquire Manistique Papers, the only company in North America producing high-value uncoated printing and writing paper exclusively from 100% recycled fiber. The purchase agreement was finalized following an auction and confidential bidding process. Watermill also owns FutureMark, maker of recycled coated mechanical paper.

Catalyst Creditors Meeting in May, Crofton Union Votes

Catalyst Paper reschedules meetings of creditors:

Catalyst Paper has announced that meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act have been changed from April 23, 2012 to May 2, 2012. 

http://hqcowichanvalley.com/home/local/news/Local/12/04/13/Crofton-union-votes-to-keep-contract

Separately, union workers at the Crofton Pulp and Paper (uncoated mechanical) mill have cemented in place their new collective agreements in the event Catalyst Paper loses ownership of its B.C. operations.

Resolute/Fibrek Fight Goes On

http://www.fibrek.com/en/media/

Fibrek Inc. reminded shareholders today that the $1.40 per share offer made by Mercer International Inc. ("Mercer") remains in force and Fibrek shareholders continue to have the ability and the right to tender their shares to this superior offer.

Direct Marketing Hiring Steady

Direct marketing hiring outlook stable: After a spike in first-quarter hiring of digital and direct marketers, companies plan to hold firm on staffing this spring. According to Bernhart's latest “Quarterly Digital and Direct Marketing Employment Report,” 50% of companies said they plan to add to staff in the second quarter,

Hearst's House Beautiful & HSN Partners

House Beautiful Introduces Television Partnership With HSN:  Hearst’s House Beautiful is taking to the small screen this year—the publication is launching a partnership with HSN, formerly known as the Home Shopping Network, to raise awareness about the brand and foster commerce and consumer interaction.

Evaluating the Digital Audience

Managing the Digital Audience: Managing a digital audience is truly a mixed bag: on one hand, it is now possible to understand more about who is consuming what content, where and how-maybe even why; on the other hand, it can be incredibly complicated, despite all the advantages, to do so.

Q1 Industrial Production Up 5.4%

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-17/u-dot-s-dot-march-industrial-production-and-capacity-report-text

Industrial production was unchanged in March for a second month but rose at an annual rate of 5.4% in the first quarter of 2012. Manufacturing output declined 0.2% in March but jumped 10.4% at an annual rate in the first quarter.

March Retail Sales Up

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/328592/20120416/march-retail-sales-auto-empolyment.htm

Sales at U.S. retailers rose sharply for the third straight month in March, as Americans continued to weather the hike in gasoline prices and splurged on buying new cars and renovating their homes.

Retail sales jumped 0.8% in March, after advancing 1% in February, Commerce Department figures showed Monday.

GAO Reports USPS Excess Capacity

USPS dealing with excess of infrastructure, employees: According to the GAO report, the USPS has 461 processing centers but only needs 238. There are about 8,000 processing machines but with mail capacity for only 5,000; and, out of 154,000 postal employees, there is work for just 119,000, according to the report.

Port Hawk. Union Recommends Buyer's Offer

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2012-04-16/article-2955600/Former-NewPage-employees-begin-to-vote-on-companys-offer/1
The union representing 550 NewPage paper mill employees has recommended its membership accept the latest contract offer, as revised on Sunday, by prospective buyer Pacific West Commercial Corp. as they begin to vote on the package today.

UPM Announces Coated Increase

UPM has announced an increase of $40/short ton on all lightweight coated mechanical web products and $30/short ton on all coated freesheet web products. The change is effective with all orders delivered on or after July 1.

73% of News Readers Use Inserts

Three-Quarters of Newspaper Readers Use Printed Circulars: A new study from the NAA shows Internet users rely on local newspaper media, digital as well as print, for news and information. 73% have used newspaper printed circulars in the past 30 days. 61% say that newspapers provide more useful advertising and the majority of respondents prefer print circulars to digital.

2011 FSI Coupons Up 30.7%

FSI Coupon Activity Increased 30.7% in 2011: Kantar Media reports that retailer advertising expenditures increased 1.6% and retailer participation in Free Standing Insert (FSI) coupon promotion pages increased 30.7% in 2011 versus 2010. Additionally, digital coupon events increased 40.4% during this period.

Bonnier's Names Mag+ CEO

Bonnier's Gregg Hano Named Mag+ CEO: This morning, it was announced that Bonnier Corp. senior VP/corporate sales Gregg Hano was elevated to CEO of Mag+, the Bonnier AB-owned tablet technology that was spun off in January 2011 so it can serve other companies and magazines.

Port Hawkesbury Union Considering Offer

Update: Port Hawkesbury workers taking time to consider offer:
At tonight’s meeting of the unionized workers of the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury mill, which manufactured Supercalendered paper, the employees were presented their offer from Pacific West Commercial Corp.
The workers have decided to take some time to consider the offer and will reconvene at a meeting on Saturday afternoon.

Appleton Coated Increases Paper Price

Appleton Coated is the latest company to announce a coated paper increase. The price of coated woodfree paper will go up $1.50/cwt, effective May 1. West Linn, Sappi, Verso and NewPage previously reported raising coated paper prices.

RRD CEO Compensation Falls

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-compensation-for-donnelleys-quinlan-slips-12-20120411,0,940951,print.story

Chicago-based R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. paid its president and chief executive $6.1 million last year, 12 percent less than 2010.

 

Catalyst Fund Reports a 8.1% Share in Quad/Graphics

Catalyst Fund reports a 8.1% stake in Quad/Graphics ([[QUAD]] +1.1%)...:
Catalyst Fund reports a 8.1% stake in Quad/Graphics in a filing with the SEC blasting the company in no uncertain terms.

Average CEO Tenure Down

Average Tenure of CEOs Declined to 8.4 Years: The average tenure of a CEO declined to 8.4 years in 2011 from approximately 10 years in 2000, according to the 2012 edition of CEO Succession Practices, a new report by The Conference Board, the global business research and membership organization.

Two Sides Survey on Print

Two Sides reaches out with buyer survey: Two Sides and Print Power are encouraging every company in the industry to forward a survey on print use to all their contacts in a bid to reinforce the positive message about print media.

Manistique Paper Sold

http://www.pioneertribune.com/news/2012-04-12/Front_Page/Seven_months_after_filing_bankruptcy_paper_mill_re.html

Manistique Papers Inc. had reached an agreement with The Watermill Group to sell the 91-year-old paper mill. According to MPI General Manager Jon Johnson, the agreement was signed Wednesday afternoon and was transmitted electronically to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., for approval.

Approval of the Watermill bid is anticipated to be April 17, with the close of the transaction to take place early May. Terms of the deal are undisclosed pending bankruptcy approval. In November 2009, Watermill purchased the FutureMark Paper Company in Alsip, Ill.