Pacific West's Port Hawkesbury Story Continues

Tax bill for idled N.S. paper mill can't be changed in court: lawyer:

A lawyer for Nova Scotia's Richmond County argues the prospective buyer of the idle NewPage paper mill can't change a tax agreement through court action. Bruce Clarke said in Nova Scotia Supreme Court today that only the provincial legislature has the right to amend a tax agreement set out in legislation.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/08/27/ns-newpage-court.html  

The prospective owners of the idle Port Hawkesbury paper mill say they have made three offers for a new tax deal with Richmond County and none have been accepted.

The impasse has reached the courts.

On Tuesday, a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge will rule on whether the company has the right to break the existing tax agreement reached in 2006. 

http://foresttalk.com/index.php/2012/08/28/port-hawkesbury-paper-court-decisions-today/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foresttalk%2FZdAe+%28ForestTalk%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Creditor protection period has been extended for another month – until September 28, 2012.

Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice John Murphy refused to approve $2 million in spending requested to restart the idle mill.  The request was filed yesterday after business hours, which did not give time for other stakeholders to respond.  Pacific West Commerical Corp. was willing to put up $500,000 and was requesting $1.5 million from the provincial funds used to keep the mill operating.  Justice Murphy said, ”I’m not satisfied the circumstances justify the extent of the exemption (of required notice).”

Chinese July RCP Imports Up, Pulp Drops

China's total recovered paper (RCP) imports climbed 0.2% to nearly 2.352 million tonnes in July, up from some 2.346 million tonnes in June, according to data from China Customs.

July's figure was 9.6% higher than the 2.146 million tonnes recorded in the same month of 2011. 

China's total pulp imports dropped 11.7% in July compared to the previous month, to nearly 1.196 million tonnes, according to data from China Customs.

Poor demand drove down imports of both bleached softwood and hardwood kraft pulp, as it had in June, amid the country's economic downturn. The former fell 11.0% to 498,696 tonnnes and the latter plummeted 13.6% to 392,293 tonnes.

July's intake was nonetheless 24.0% higher than the 964,440 tonnes recorded in July 2011.

Catalyst Paper Names New Board

Catalyst Paper announces a new board of directors:
Catalyst Paper has announced that the following individuals have been selected by certain of the senior secured and unsecured noteholders in accordance with the terms of the Court-sanctioned second amended Plan of Arrangement to form the new Board of Directors on the company’s emergence from creditor protection.

Stora Enso Successfully Completes Bonds

Stora Enso Successfully Completes Tap of Two Five-year SEK Bonds: Stora Enso has today successfully tapped its two five-year bonds due in June 2017. Both bonds are issued under Stora Enso’s EMTN (Euro Medium Term Note) programme.
The SEK 1 350 million bond that pays a floating coupon of three-month Stibor plus 390 basis points was tapped with SEK 850 million of new notes issued with a yield of Stibor + 3.70% at a price of 100.866. The settlement date of the transaction is 3 September 2012. Following the tap, a total of SEK 2 200 million of the bond is outstanding.

Newspapers Seek Injunction Against USPS

http://postandparcel.info/50127/news/companies/us-newspapers-seek-injunction-against-usps-direct-mail-contract/

The US newspaper industry has taken to the law courts in an attempt to block a key US Postal Service direct mail contract, which was approved by regulators last week.

The Newspaper Association of America, representing around 2,000 local and community newspapers across the country, filed on Friday for an emergency injunction on the new USPS contract with Michigan-based direct marketing giant Valassis.

More Than Half of Online Ads Fail

 http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/more-half-online-ads-fail-viewability-standard-143149

The online ad industry’s Making Measurement Make Sense [1] (3MS) initiative calls for a new viewability metric that would only measure when 50 percent of an ad is in view for at least one second. The problem is, fewer than half of online ads meet that standard, according to a forthcoming study due out Tuesday.

Meredith Names Senior VP Digital

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/meredith-corp-makes-big-digital-hire-143135

Meredith Corp. has made a big bet on digital, and now it’s hired an industry vet to take advantage of it. Carolyn Bekkedahl was named senior vp of digital sales, a new position for Allrecipes.com, the giant food site that Meredith bought from Reader’s Digest Association [1] earlier in the year; and the rest of the Meredith Women’s Network.

Social Media Enhances Magazine Use for Millennials

Study Reveals Link Between Magazines and Social Among Millenials: In a new study produced by the MPA, the Association of Magazine Media, and research firm GfK MRI, data reveals that Millennial magazine media readers aged 18 to 34 believe that technology has improved their experience of accessing various media—including magazines.

Action Codes Gain Traction

Action Codes Continue to Gain Traction in Magazines: QR codes and their ilk continue to rise in usage by publishers, according to a study out today by mobile marketing and technology services company Nellymoser. In the second quarter, the top 100 magazines by circulation featured a variety of mobile action codes in 2,200 instances, a 61 percent jump over the first quarter this year.

BuzzMedia Adds Four Acquisitions

BuzzMedia Continues Expansion with Four Acquisitions:  BuzzMedia has added four more websites to its network of pop culture and music sites. Under the Gun Review, Alter the Press!, PropertyofZack and Punknews.org will be combined with existing property AbsolutePunk to create a new punk rock vertical called AbsoluteVoices.

Influence Graphics, One of Fastest Growing Private Companies

Influence Graphics is on Inc. Mag's List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in US: Influence Graphics, a leading digital printing company in the New York City area, has once again been named to the Inc. Magazine list of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America.

EPA to Review Pulp Mill Clean Air Standard

EPA to Review Pulp Mill Clean Air Standard After 17-year Delay: After a 17-year delay, the Environmental Protection Agency will review Clean Air Act rules designed to reduce dangerous pollution from so-called “kraft” pulp mills under a proposed consent decree announced today by the agency and the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and Port Townsend Airwatchers.
Kraft pulp mills use chemicals to dissolve wood chips into fibers used to make paper products. The EPA has not reviewed kraft pulp mill emission-control standards, called “New Source Performance Standards,” for more than 25 years. The Clean Air Act requires such reviews every eight years to ensure that the industry uses up-to-date pollution-control technology.

Going Green Two Sides: ecoEnvelopes Save Cost

Going Green Two Sides Fast Fact #21 (Going Green):
We have spoken of ecoEnvelopes (that is, a single envelope that can be used for two-directional mail) before—Sprint notably began developing and using them earlier this year—and now Florida Garden Magazine has been using them for subscription renewals. Via PrintMediaCentr, “Gale Ward of ecoEnvelopes says the simple switch from using two envelopes in a mailing to one can have huge cost savings for a business. Savings typically range from 15–50% over the cost of two envelopes.”

NewPage Announces CGW & SC Price Jump

Today, NewPage announced coated mechanical and Supercalendered paper price increases, effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of October 1, 2012. An increase of $3.00 cwt applies to Escanaba web, Dependoweb web, Capri web and Consoweb web. An increase of $2.00 cwt applies to Voyager web and Supier Gloss web. The changes are for all basis weights and finishes.

Resolute Drops Pulp Price for September

Resolute Forest Products (Resolute) informed North American customers today that its paper grade bleached softwood kraft (BSK) market pulp prices would decrease $20/tonne, effective September 1.

Port Hawkesbury Future Depends on Tax Ruling

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/129305-taylor-tax-ruling-will-determine-mills-future

To most Nova Scotians, it may seem like the revival of the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill at the Strait of Canso is all but a fait accompli.

A federal tax ruling is all that stands in the way of restarting the mill, which has been on “hot idle” for nearly a year.

But the Canada Revenue Agency tax decision now appears to be a large obstacle in the way of completing the deal.

Russia in WTO; Opportunities for Finnish Forest Industry

Russia's WTO Membership Opens Fresh Opportunities for the Forest Industry of Finland: (Finland) Russia's ratification of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession agreement on July 21 improves corporate access to the Russian market.

PRC Approves Valassis Plan; Newspaper Assoc. "Stunned"

PRC Approves Valassis Plan to Grow Shared Mail Volume: Valassis, one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies, announced today that it will begin moving forward with plans to introduce a mail product that provides national retail advertisers an affordable avenue to reach a broad base of consumers following the Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) approval of a three-year negotiated service agreement (NSA).

http://www.piworld.com/article/newspaper-association-stunned-approval-usps-valassis-services-agreement/1

The Newspaper Association of America is stunned by the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission’s decision to approve an anti-competitive and damaging negotiated services agreement (or special contract rate) between the U.S. Postal Service and Valassis Direct Mail.

USPS Saves Millions in Energy Costs

USPS Saves Millions in Energy Costs: The U.S. Postal Service recently reported it had reduced total facility energy consumption by nearly 26 percent, or 8.6 trillion BTUs, since 2003. Robust energy measurement systems and practical steps, including actions such as the steps noted by the Go Green Forever Stamps, Adjust the Thermostat and Turn off Lights Not in Use, contributed to the reduction, which is about the same amount of energy used annually by 90,000 households.

IKEA; Catalog Using Digital Photos

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444508504577595414031195148.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

This year 12% of IKEA's content for the Web, catalog and brochures were rendered virtually; that number will increase to 25% next year.

IKEA's newest catalogs are touting photos created by digital artists, not 

photographers. Jens Hansegard reports on The News Hub.

In all, IKEA plans to publish 208 million catalogs this year, more than double the amount of Bibles expected to be produced. And it will create 62 different versions in 43 countries.

"Smithsonian" Redesigned

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/181515/smithsonian-debuts-redesign-new-features.html?print

Smithsonian Magazine unveils its redesign under new editor-in-chief Michael Caruso. The September "Style & Design" special issue offers a revamped layout, graphics and content. It also introduces new features, with a new focus on technology and design to include subjects found in Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt and Hirshhorn museums.

"The Printed Blog" is Launched

"The Printed Blog" Mixes New and Traditional Media: Thanks to a recent investment in The Printed Blog, the magazine is debuting its largest issue to date, the 36-page "Dejà Vu" issue released under the guidance of guest editors, New York Times best-seller Maddox and Heroin Life editor Neal Boulton.The Printed Blog is the world's first and only print magazine featuring blog content hand-picked from around the web.

New York Times Co. Sells About.com

New York Times Co. Sells About.com to IAC for $300 Million:
The New York Times Company has agreed to sell the About Group to IAC. Included in the $300 million all-cash deal are About.com, ConsumerSearch.com and CalorieCount.com.

Google Acquires Frommer's

Google acquires Frommer's: Having acquired Frommer's from John Wiley & Sons on Aug. 13, Google now plans to add the travel guide trademark to its previous Zagat acquisition in an effort to expand its Google+Local platform.

Study; 8 Reasons Mail Works

8 Reasons Mail Succeeds in a Digital Age:
A recent study by ExactTarget, an international company that specializes in interactive marketing, helps illustrate direct mail’s continued relevance. 
1. Mail Is Tangible  /  2. Mail Integrates Well  /  3. People Like Opening Mail  /  4. There’s Less Competition in Direct Mail  /  5. Mail Builds Loyalty  / 6. Mail Is More Sophisticated Now  /  7. Mail Helps You Target  /  8. Mail Delivers Results.

L.A. Schools Replace Plastic Trays with Paper

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-plastic-foam-20120824,0,1467040.story

The districtwide switch to recyclable paper trays was sparked by students at one middle school who were studying the effects of trash on the environment.

The district uses about 40 million trays a year. The new paper tray is about 3 to 4 cents cheaper per unit and saves the district about $5 million to $6 million, Binkle said. King Middle and every other school in the district have now adopted the compostable paper trays.

Kodak Will Sell Personalised & Document Imaging

Kodak to sell personalised and document imaging businesses:
Eastman Kodak Company today outlined its next steps toward a successful emergence from Chapter 11 reorganization as a company primarily focused on commercial, packaging and functional printing solutions and enterprise services. Accordingly, the company has initiated sale processes for its market-leading Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses.

Resolute Will Restart Dolbeau SC Paper Mill

Resolute Forest Products Announces Restart of its Dolbeau (Québec) Paper Mill:
Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced today that its paper mill in Dolbeau-Mistassini (Québec) is to resume operations.
This decision follows the receipt of a notice of acceptance of the tender regarding the sale of electricity to be produced at the company’s Mistassini cogeneration facility to Hydro-Québec. The restart of operations represents an investment of $20 million.
Production of soft nip calendered (SNC and SCB) commercial printing paper will resume as soon as the recall of employees is completed.

AF&PA Releases Recovered Fiber Report

AF&PA Releases July 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report:The American Forest & Paper Association released its July 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report today.
According to the report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in July was 2.43 million tons, less than 1 percent lower than June 2012. Year-to-date consumption in 2012 is 4 percent lower than during the same period last year.
U.S. exports of recovered paper, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, dropped 3 percent in June compared to May, led by a steep decrease in Pulp Substitutes exports to China. Year-to-date exports of recovered paper in 2012 are 5.5 percent lower than during the same period in 2011.

Pacific West Adding $40 Million & Other Port Hawk. News

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2012-08-22/article-3058621/Pacific-West-to-spend-$40M-to-get-mill-going/1

Pacific West Commercial Corp. will put up $40 million of its money, in addition to the purchase price, to get the former NewPage paper mill operating again, a company official says.

It will take a total of $80 million in working capital to get the mill, to be named Port Hawkesbury Paper, up and running, including the $40-million repayable loan the province announced this week.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/128648-ecological-group-gives-cautious-thumbs-up-to-newpage-mill-deal

An environmental advocacy group is cautiously applauding the Nova Scotia government’s fibre deal with the potential new owner of the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill.

The outline of the forest utilization licence agreement between the province and Pacific West Commercial Corp. was released this week.

http://www.canada.com/business/Pacific+West+wants+mill+agreement/7128827/story.html

The Vancouver company working to buy an idled Nova Scotia paper mill is arguing that its municipal tax bill should be about one-sixth of what it is currently expected to pay.

Pacific West Commercial Corp. wants the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to cancel the Port Hawkesbury mill's tax agreement with Richmond County.

Study: Millennials, Social Media & Magazines

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/study-millennials-engage-magazines-social-media-143075

While many magazines are still struggling to produce revenue from digital platforms, their social media efforts aren’t going to waste—if they have something tangible to offer. According to a new study from the MPA and GfK MRI, millennials are engaging with magazines through a number of different social media platforms in search of special contests, promotions and discounts.

The MPA’s study, which surveyed over 1,000 consumers between the ages of 18 and 34, found that nearly all millennials read magazines—93 percent of those surveyed said that they have looked at a magazine in the past 60 days, and 37 percent read a digital edition—and are hooked on mobile technology and social media.