The
government of the city of Nantong in China has announced that it would stop
construction of a local wastewater pipeline following fierce environmental
protests on July 28. The move has raised concerns about whether Oji Paper's
700,000 tonne/yr pulp line at its nearby mill will come online on schedule in
early 2013.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
RR Donnelley Reports Q2 Results
RR Donnelley Posts Earnings Increase, Net Sales Decline: R.R. Donnelley & Sons reported second-quarter 2012 net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $88.8 million on net sales of $2.5 billion (down 3.6 percent), compared to net earnings of $12.2 million.
Global Spending Forecast; Up 7.4% in 2012
Global ad spending will reach an estimated
$542.3 billion this year, up 7.4% over last year, according to a forecast from
eMarketer Inc.
The U.S. leads in global ad spending, with an
expected increase of 6.7% this year, to $169.5 billion.
ABC Delays New Publisher's Statement
A new, more detailed publisher’s statement is
coming from the Audit Bureau of Circulations, including expanded reporting of
digital metrics, but it will debut a little later than originally promised,
allowing the ABC board to gather more input from publishers, advertisers and ad
agencies, per the organization.
The board also agreed to defer requiring larger magazines to report issue-by-issue data via ABC’s Rapid Report tool until the new digital reporting requirements are approved.
The board also agreed to defer requiring larger magazines to report issue-by-issue data via ABC’s Rapid Report tool until the new digital reporting requirements are approved.
CR Roll Call Consolidates Brands
The Economist
Group’s CQ Roll Call business, which produces a variety of publications
that includes CQ Weekly, CQ Today and Roll Call, is undergoing a series of
changes, most notably with the consolidation of its brand into one daily print
publication and laying off up to 30 employees.
Condé Nast Makes Brides Bimonthly
Condé Nast Taking Brides Bimonthly, Boosts Mobile Interaction:
Brides is ratcheting back its print brand and investing more in its digital presence with a mobile-enhanced website. The 300,000-circ magazine is dropping down to a bimonthly frequency and the site will become fully mobile compatible and feature new tools and functionality to drive more engagement.
The magazine's last monthly issue will be December, with a January-March issue after that and then the bimonthly schedule will kick in with the April/May issue.
Brides is ratcheting back its print brand and investing more in its digital presence with a mobile-enhanced website. The 300,000-circ magazine is dropping down to a bimonthly frequency and the site will become fully mobile compatible and feature new tools and functionality to drive more engagement.
The magazine's last monthly issue will be December, with a January-March issue after that and then the bimonthly schedule will kick in with the April/May issue.
Afar Media Makes Executive Changes
Afar Media Makes Executive Changes:
Three-year old Afar is taking advantage of some forward momentum on print and digital business by shifting co-founder Joe Diaz into more of a business development role as chief product officer—he was previously vice president of sales and brand development. Meanwhile, the sales team is getting three new executives as well as promoting from within.
Three-year old Afar is taking advantage of some forward momentum on print and digital business by shifting co-founder Joe Diaz into more of a business development role as chief product officer—he was previously vice president of sales and brand development. Meanwhile, the sales team is getting three new executives as well as promoting from within.
D&B May Be For Sale
Report: Dun & Bradstreet puts itself on the block: Short Hills, N.J.—Business and marketing information company Dun & Bradstreet has reportedly put itself on the market and hired investment banks to help with the sale.
USPS Defaults on $5.5 Billion Payment to Treasury
The United States Postal Service defaulted today on a $5.5 billion payment to the United States Treasury, which was intended to cover the healthcare benefits of the organization's future retirees.
On July 30, the USPS issued a statement warning of the August 1 default, as well as a subsequent $5.6 billion payment that will not be made due. According to the statement, the USPS says there should not be any disruption of service.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Resolute Forest Products Reports Q2 Results
Resolute Forest Products reports net loss of $20 million in second quarter, 2012:
Resolute Forest Products has reported a net loss of $20 million in its second quarter of 2012 on sales of $1.2 billion. This can be compared to a net income of $61 million on sales of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2011.
Resolute Forest Products has reported a net loss of $20 million in its second quarter of 2012 on sales of $1.2 billion. This can be compared to a net income of $61 million on sales of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2011.
Second Derailment Raises Concerns for Verso
After the second derailment in about as many months of a train going to or from the Verso mill, the papermaking plant is concerned.
The train that derailed early Sunday afternoon was carrying paper from Verso Paper Corp. when it went off the tracks at the intersection of Route 15, said Bill Cohen, a Verso spokesman.
Cohen said he couldn’t confirm how much paper was on the train, but said Verso was working with Pan Am Railways — which owns the tracks and operates the train — to assess how much product was damaged in the derailment.
Resolute Acquisition of Fibrek Moves Forward
Resolute Forest Products and Fibrek complete their second step arrangement:
/Resolute Forest Products Inc. and Fibrek Inc. have completed their previously announced second step plan of arrangement transaction, whereby Fibrek and RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute, have amalgamated resulting in Resolute indirectly owning 100% of the shares of Fibrek Inc.
This announcement comes following the approval of the arrangement by Fibrek’s shareholders on July 23, 2012 and the issuance of a final order of the Superior Court of Quebec on July 27, 2012 approving the arrangement.
/Resolute Forest Products Inc. and Fibrek Inc. have completed their previously announced second step plan of arrangement transaction, whereby Fibrek and RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute, have amalgamated resulting in Resolute indirectly owning 100% of the shares of Fibrek Inc.
This announcement comes following the approval of the arrangement by Fibrek’s shareholders on July 23, 2012 and the issuance of a final order of the Superior Court of Quebec on July 27, 2012 approving the arrangement.
Judge Approves Sale of SP Newsprint Assets
Judge Christopher Sontchi of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for
the District of Delaware in Wilmington on July 27 signed an order approving the
bidding procedures of the newsprint producer.
According to court papers filed July 19, an affiliate of
secured lender GE Capital Corp. will be stalking-horse bidder for the assets in
a deal valued at $145 million. SPN AcquisitionCo LLC would credit-bid the
entire amount of GE Capital’s outstanding revolving loans and a portion of an
outstanding term loan for substantially all of the Greenwich, Conn., newsprint
producer’s assets.
Consumers Prefer Print Statements & Bills
Print Statements and Bills Still Favored by Many U.S. Consumers: A survey of more than 5,000 US households found that 71% of consumers open print financial statements and bills mailed to them, and 65% said they actually preferred to get a print copy of their bill or statement.
USPS Issues Sustainability Report
The Sustainability and Energy Scorecard of the USPS shows that it is on track to meet all of its goals, except reducing vehicle petroleum fuel use by 20 percent by 2015. The Scorecard is a reporting tool that federal government agencies use to publicly report on the progress of their sustainability goals. The USPS has experienced a 6.4 percent increase in fuel use, which earned it a “red” score, meaning it did not meet its goal to achieve a 10 percent reduction since 2005. All other goals earned a “green” score, which means they are on track to meet targets.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Catalyst Paper Closing Snowflake Mill
Catalyst Paper is permanently closing its Snowflake mill in Arizona:
Catalyst Paper has decided to permanently close its Snowflake recycle mill located in northeastern Arizona and its subsidiary the Apache Railway Company. The mill has two PMs with the capacity to produce ~400,000 stpy of newsprint and uncoated mechanical paper.
This follows extensive efforts to improve the operation’s financial performance in the face of intense supply input and market pressures. The operation is scheduled to shut production on September 30, 2012.
Catalyst Paper has decided to permanently close its Snowflake recycle mill located in northeastern Arizona and its subsidiary the Apache Railway Company. The mill has two PMs with the capacity to produce ~400,000 stpy of newsprint and uncoated mechanical paper.
This follows extensive efforts to improve the operation’s financial performance in the face of intense supply input and market pressures. The operation is scheduled to shut production on September 30, 2012.
RISI Names Richard Garneau "CEO of the Year"
Richard Garneau named 2012 North American CEO of the Year:
RISI today announced that Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolute Forest Products, has been selected as RISI’s 2012 North American CEO of the Year.
RISI today announced that Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolute Forest Products, has been selected as RISI’s 2012 North American CEO of the Year.
Domtar Reports Q2 Results
Domtar Corporation Reports Preliminary Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results: Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) today reported net earnings of $59 million ($1.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2012 compared to net earnings of $28 million ($0.76 per share) for the first quarter of 2012.
China's June RCP & Pulp Imports Fall
According to data from China Customs; China's
total recovered paper (RCP) imports fell 16.7% to nearly 2.346 million tonnes
in June, down from some 2.816 million tonnes in May.
China's total pulp imports fell 9.4% in June compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.354 million tonnes.
China's total pulp imports fell 9.4% in June compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.354 million tonnes.
Resolute Estimates Cost of Bowater Mersey Closing
Resolute Forest Products’ costs for closing Bowater Mersey:
Resolute Forest Products has amended their estimate for the cost they will incur for indefinitely idling the Bowater Mersey newsprint mill in Nova Scotia.
Resolute Forest Products now estimates that it will incur, on an accounting basis, a charge of approximately $18 million for severance and other termination benefits and approximately $77 million of asset impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the mill assets.
Resolute Forest Products has amended their estimate for the cost they will incur for indefinitely idling the Bowater Mersey newsprint mill in Nova Scotia.
Resolute Forest Products now estimates that it will incur, on an accounting basis, a charge of approximately $18 million for severance and other termination benefits and approximately $77 million of asset impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the mill assets.
USPS Default Coming, Congress Not Moved to Act
Looming U.S. Postal Service Default Shakes Mailers’ Confidence: Missing the health pre-payment, the first default in the agency’s history, would not cause interruptions in service or prevent the Postal Service from paying suppliers and employees, USPS spokesman David Partenheimer said in an email.
The U.S. Postal Service is bracing for a first-ever default on billions in payments due to the Treasury, adding to widening uncertainty about the mail agency’s solvency as first-class letters plummet and Congress deadlocks on ways to stem the red ink.
Cabela's Multi-Channel Future
Cabela's is taking initial steps to focus on a print-to-digital transformation. Last year, the company began to develop an approach to
transform our 51-year-old legacy catalog
business into an omni-channel enterprise.
New York Magazine & Dwell Annouce Venture
Dwell Media and New
York Magazine today unveil the name of their joint venture celebrating
design, now known as CITY
MODERN. The partnership is comprised of a joint-publication (out this
Fall), 10+ special design events the week of Oct 1-7, and modern home tours in
Manhattan & Brooklyn Oct 6 & 7.
Financial Times Digital Subscriptions Top Print
The Financial
Times’ digital subscribers surpassed its print customers for the first time,
marking a milestone that the New York Times and other newspapers with so-called
paywalls are aiming to reach.
The newspaper’s digital subscribers grew 31
percent to 300,000 paying readers, compared with a year ago, Financial Times
owner Pearson Plc (PSON) said today. Total circulation, including print,
increased to almost 600,000.
F+W Acquires Aspire Media
F+W Acquires Aspire Media: F+W has purchased Aspire Media, a Loveland, Colorado-based enthusiast publisher serving the craft market and backed by private equity firms Frontenac Company and Catalyst Investors. Terms of the deal were not released, but F+W CEO David Nussbaum says it will add another 30 percent of revenue to the company.
New Paper Options
New Paper Options:
Production managers weigh in.
The basic idea behind paper buying is to strike the right balance between cost and quality. Determine your organization’s priorities, and make your compromises accordingly.
Production managers weigh in.
The basic idea behind paper buying is to strike the right balance between cost and quality. Determine your organization’s priorities, and make your compromises accordingly.
Omnimedia Reports Q2 Results
Martha Stewart Pares Loss; Publishing Still Weighs: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.’s second-quarter loss narrowed as the media-and-merchandise company’s struggling publishing unit continued to weigh on its revenue. Martha Stewart Living reported a loss of $2.7 million, or 4 cents a share, compared with a loss of $2.94 million, or 5 cents, a year earlier. The most-recent quarter included $777,000 in restructuring charges. Revenue dropped 13% to $47.9 million.
Graphic Arts & Print; Pessimism for Q3
Semper Finds Pessimism Regarding Third-Quarter Sales in Latest ‘Industry Insight’ Survey: Semper International, the leading placement firm for skilled help in the graphic arts and printing industry, announces that in spite of profitability throughout the industry, many companies have a negative outlook for the rest of the quarter. The results of Semper’s most recent “Industry Insight” survey show a negative outlook and indecision about hiring plans.
Search for North America’s Greenest Printers
Search Launched for North America’s Greenest Printers: Canopy announces the release of the first comprehensive effort to identify North America’s greenest printers. The “Green Print Leadership Survey” will be circulated to the top 50 printers in North America to identify those demonstrating the highest green standards and engagement on forest conservation.
IDEAlliance; New Specification for Intelligent Mail
IDEAlliance Publishes New Specification for Intelligent Mail: IDEAlliance and its Postal Operations and Technology Committee has published for public review a new specification for presort vendors, list processors, inkjet technicians, and all concerned mail owners who choose to support the launch of the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation for Commercial Parcels.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Global Pulp Shipments Fall in June
Global
pulp deliveries slipped by 2.6% to 3.449 million tonnes in June, down from
3.541 million tonnes the previous month, according to Pulp and Paper Products
Council (PPPC) data.
Shipments
were 5.5% lower than a year earlier, down from 3.651 million tonnes in June
2011.
Weyerhaeuser Reports Q2 Results
Weyerhaeuser
Company today reported net earnings of $84 million for the second quarter, or
16 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $1.8 billion. This compares with
net earnings of $10 million on net sales from continuing operations of $1.6
billion for the same period last year.
IP Sells Franklin PM to Tak
Tak Investments, LLC, is pleased
to announce it has completed a deal to purchase a portion of the papermaking
assets at International Paper's recently reopened mill in Franklin, Virginia.
Over the past few months, Tak Investments has been converting one of the mill's
former paper machines to tissue production. Tak Investments has established a
new subsidiary, ST Tissue, LLC, that will operate at the Franklin mill site.
Full-scale tissue making operations will begin in late September, 2012.
Study: Direct Mail Still Preferred
Direct Mail the Top Channel for Some of America's Best Known Companies: Among some of America's most well-known companies, direct mail ranks number one in planned marketing channels.
Direct mail ranked number one (88%) planned marketing channels for 2012, followed by web/micro-site, email, and social media.
Direct mail ranked number one (88%) planned marketing channels for 2012, followed by web/micro-site, email, and social media.
Media Measurement & Tracking Tools
Top Social Media Measurement and Tracking Tools: Social media audiences have effectively become another universe of prospects to tap, which means measurement and tracking is essential to yielding from these visitors both direct and indirect revenue. While Facebook and Twitter offer their own analytics tools, a host of third-party offerings exist to pick up where they leave off.
Managing Multi-Channel Content
The New CMS Mandate: Managing Multi-Channel Content: Magazine publishers—especially larger ones with multiple syndication and distribution channels—have struggled for years with finding better ways to manage and automate the use of their valuable intellectual property.
Standard Register Reports Q2 Results
Standard Register Announces 6% Revenue Decline for Q2: Standard Register, a leader in the management and execution of mission-critical communications, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2012. The Company reported quarterly revenue of $155.1 million and a net loss of $1.1 million. The results compare to prior year quarterly revenue of $164.3 million and a net loss of $1.0 million.
Spin Magazine Reports Layoffs
Reports: Major Layoffs at Spin:
Billboard.biz broke the news Friday that Spin had a round of layoffs and a later report by The New York Times said 11 employees were let go—a third of the staff. Among those that were shown the door were editor-in-chief Steve Kandell and managing editor Catherine Davis.
Billboard.biz broke the news Friday that Spin had a round of layoffs and a later report by The New York Times said 11 employees were let go—a third of the staff. Among those that were shown the door were editor-in-chief Steve Kandell and managing editor Catherine Davis.
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