Source Interlink's Grind Media Forms Dirt Sports Group with Acquisition:
Source Interlink Media's enthusiast sports group, GrindMedia, bought Dirt Sports and Off-Road Industry magazines from Ryan Communications Group this week.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Penton Invests in Consulting Firm
Penton Takes Stake in Energy Management Consulting Firm:
Penton Media has made an investment in energy management and sustainability consulting firm GreenPoint Partners with the intention of co-developing a site that connects building managers with green utility and product manufacturers.
Penton Media has made an investment in energy management and sustainability consulting firm GreenPoint Partners with the intention of co-developing a site that connects building managers with green utility and product manufacturers.
Revamp at The New Republic
Making The New Republic New Again:
Chris Hughes, one of Facebook’s co-founders, took a majority stake in The New Republic in March. The brand, at a circulation of just under 40,000, has ricocheted between owners over the last few years and has been unable to turn a profit. Hughes is investing his own capital to relaunch its entire platform—print, mobile and web—all at once in the next couple months.
Chris Hughes, one of Facebook’s co-founders, took a majority stake in The New Republic in March. The brand, at a circulation of just under 40,000, has ricocheted between owners over the last few years and has been unable to turn a profit. Hughes is investing his own capital to relaunch its entire platform—print, mobile and web—all at once in the next couple months.
Wingate Partners Acquires Nekoosa Coated Products
Wingate Partners Acquires Nekoosa Coated Products: Deal to Accelerate GrowthNekoosa Coated Products, LLC announced today the sale of the business to Wingate Partners effective October 2, 2012. Wingate Partners, a Dallas, Texas based investment firm, partnered with Paul Charapata, John Danio and other leaders on the Nekoosa team to acquire the business from Dunsirn Partners, based in Appleton, Wisconsin. The company, which manufactures specialty paper products at its Nekoosa, Wisconsin facility, will remain an independent company operating company operating under the same name.
Hallmark to Close Topeka Plant
Hallmark to Close Topeka Plant; Consolidation to Cost 300 Jobs in Kansas: Hallmark Cards Inc. will close its Topeka (KS) manufacturing plant and shed about 300 jobs as it consolidates its Kansas operations at its remaining facilities in Lawrence and Leavenworth, the company said yesterday. The Kansas City-based greeting card company said the number of people working at its Kansas plants will fall from about 1,300 now to about 1,000 when consolidation is finished by the end of next year.
August Commercial Printing Shipments Fall
August 2012 US Commercial Printing Shipments Down -2.9% Compared to 2011 (Economics & Research):
August 2012 US commercial printing shipments were $6.9 billion, down -$205 million (-2.9%) compared to 2011. On an inflation-adjusted basis, shipments were down -$325 million (-4.5%). For the first eight months of the year, shipments are down -2.1% in current dollars, and -4.1% after inflation adjustment. Our forecast models indicate that the year will finish at approximately $80.5 to $81.0 billion. It is more likely that the models are slightly high, and that the year will probably finish at approximately $79.5.
August 2012 US commercial printing shipments were $6.9 billion, down -$205 million (-2.9%) compared to 2011. On an inflation-adjusted basis, shipments were down -$325 million (-4.5%). For the first eight months of the year, shipments are down -2.1% in current dollars, and -4.1% after inflation adjustment. Our forecast models indicate that the year will finish at approximately $80.5 to $81.0 billion. It is more likely that the models are slightly high, and that the year will probably finish at approximately $79.5.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Port Hawkesbury Paper Rolls Off Machine
http://pulp-paperworld.com/index.php/usa/canadian-news/item/3048-point-tupper-paper-rolls-again.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The first roll off the supercalendered paper machine at 1:11a.m. on Wednesday, a major milestone for the Point Tupper mill many once left for dead. "We're very, very happy we did because we have customers with orders that want to run that paper on Monday", Marc Dube, the mills restructing manager, said in a telephone interview Wednesday. They ran the first 12 hours without a paper break according to Dube.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/10/01/ns-mill-workers.html?cmp=rss
Clouds of steam billow from the Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Point Tupper. The mill hopes to produce paper early this week for the first time in about a year. There's a sense of relief in Cape Breton, N.S. as mill workers excitedly head back to work to make paper, says the union representing employees at Port Hawkesbury Paper.
"The fact that the last number of days that we've seen pulp trucks coming into the mill and we haven't seen that in a long time heading this direction. I sense a public that's at ease now."
Lowest Price to Book Ratio In Comm Prtg Ind.
Lowest Price to Book Ratio in the Commercial Printing Industry...:
Below are the three companies in the Commercial Printing industry with the lowest price to book ratios. Often companies with the lowest ratio present the greatest value to investors.Consolidated Graphics ranks lowest with a a price to book ratio of 0.98. Courier is next with a a price to book ratio of 0.99. Multi-Color ranks third lowest with a a price to book ratio of 1.44. RR Donnelley follows with a a price to book ratio of 1.85, and Innerworkings rounds out the bottom five with a a price to book ratio of 3.60.
Below are the three companies in the Commercial Printing industry with the lowest price to book ratios. Often companies with the lowest ratio present the greatest value to investors.Consolidated Graphics ranks lowest with a a price to book ratio of 0.98. Courier is next with a a price to book ratio of 0.99. Multi-Color ranks third lowest with a a price to book ratio of 1.44. RR Donnelley follows with a a price to book ratio of 1.85, and Innerworkings rounds out the bottom five with a a price to book ratio of 3.60.
Ups and Downs Of Today's Direct Marketing
The ups and downs of today's direct marketing: Direct marketing is still a "fantastic channel," but needs a bit of its own rebranding.
Marketing in general, and direct marketing specifically, face their share of challenges—both in- and outside their companies. I recently had the chance to speak with Mona Goldstein, president of The Goldstein Group, about the difficulties and opportunities she's seeing in the industry. According to Goldstein, one burning internal issue is the need for some marketing departments to reorganize. “Many marketing departments were built for another age,” she said. “They need to make changes to align with what's happening in marketing today.”
Marketing in general, and direct marketing specifically, face their share of challenges—both in- and outside their companies. I recently had the chance to speak with Mona Goldstein, president of The Goldstein Group, about the difficulties and opportunities she's seeing in the industry. According to Goldstein, one burning internal issue is the need for some marketing departments to reorganize. “Many marketing departments were built for another age,” she said. “They need to make changes to align with what's happening in marketing today.”
British Paper Mill Moves To American Ownership
http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news-and-market-deals/mergers-and-acquisitions/2126283/british-paper-mill-moves-to-american-ownership.thtml
A US private equity firm has taken control of Aylesford Newsprint, a Kent-based recycled paper mill. SCA Forest Products and Mondi Group has sold its shareholdings in Aylesford Newsprint to The Martland Holdings for an undisclosed amount. Located in Kent, Aylesford has a capacity to produce 400,000 tonnes of newsprint year from recycled fibre. According to a statement, the company supplies major national newspaper groups in the UK and generated £150 million of revenues in 2011.
A US private equity firm has taken control of Aylesford Newsprint, a Kent-based recycled paper mill. SCA Forest Products and Mondi Group has sold its shareholdings in Aylesford Newsprint to The Martland Holdings for an undisclosed amount. Located in Kent, Aylesford has a capacity to produce 400,000 tonnes of newsprint year from recycled fibre. According to a statement, the company supplies major national newspaper groups in the UK and generated £150 million of revenues in 2011.
Rate Base Inc For Parenting Group
http://www.audiencedevelopment.com/2012/parenting+group+sees+rate+base+increase+record+web+traffic#.UGyqOUROTE8?utm_source=MV_Audience+Development&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTMLLinkID%3a+31&utm_campaign=One+Third+of+U.S.+Adults+Get+News+by+Phone+or+Tablet%e2%80%a610+Ideas+For+Building+Circulation%2c+Part+2%e2%80%a6The+Circulator+%7c+10.03.2012
Bonnier’s Parenting School Years will increase its rate base 4.5 percent, the company announced.Citing an increase in the number of individual paid subscriptions, the School Years edition will now have a rate base of 575,000. It is the second rate base increase for the magazine since 2009. By comparison, Parenting itself has a 1.65 million rate base.
Bonnier’s Parenting School Years will increase its rate base 4.5 percent, the company announced.Citing an increase in the number of individual paid subscriptions, the School Years edition will now have a rate base of 575,000. It is the second rate base increase for the magazine since 2009. By comparison, Parenting itself has a 1.65 million rate base.
Foreign Affairs Turns 90
http://www.minonline.com/news/21245.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
One of the most respected and powerful periodicals in the Western world marks an important milestone this past month. Foreign Affairs, a platform for some of the most informed thought on international policy and relations turned 90. The magazine says it has honored its original mission stated nine decades ago: “The articles in Foreign Affairs will deal with questions of international interest today. The magazine stated its vision for the publication in its inaugural issue Sept. 15, 1922. While in print Foreign Affairs remains a bi-monthly publication, the brand has leveraged the Web wisely to maintain currency. Its daily posts and opinion pieces keep FA in the foreign policy conversation in real time online. The brand has been active in the social realm. Its Twitter feed had over 103,000 followers/
One of the most respected and powerful periodicals in the Western world marks an important milestone this past month. Foreign Affairs, a platform for some of the most informed thought on international policy and relations turned 90. The magazine says it has honored its original mission stated nine decades ago: “The articles in Foreign Affairs will deal with questions of international interest today. The magazine stated its vision for the publication in its inaugural issue Sept. 15, 1922. While in print Foreign Affairs remains a bi-monthly publication, the brand has leveraged the Web wisely to maintain currency. Its daily posts and opinion pieces keep FA in the foreign policy conversation in real time online. The brand has been active in the social realm. Its Twitter feed had over 103,000 followers/
EW Adds Twitter Feed To Print Issue
http://www.minonline.com/news/21246.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
In a novel twist on activating print with digital complements, Entertainment Weekly is bringing a live Twitter feed into its Oct. 5 issue. The ad for TV network CW includes an LED screen that receives a wireless feed of comments from and about the CW network and its programming. The screens will also run video clips from the fall season premieres on the CW.
In a novel twist on activating print with digital complements, Entertainment Weekly is bringing a live Twitter feed into its Oct. 5 issue. The ad for TV network CW includes an LED screen that receives a wireless feed of comments from and about the CW network and its programming. The screens will also run video clips from the fall season premieres on the CW.
Quebecor Issues $1.35 Billion in Bonds
Quebecor Issues $1.35 Billion in U.S., Canadian Dollar Bonds:
Quebecor Inc. , the Canadian media company, increased an offering of U.S.- and Canadian-dollar- denominated bonds by 36 percent to $1.36 billion and will use the additional proceeds to retire debt.
Quebecor Inc. , the Canadian media company, increased an offering of U.S.- and Canadian-dollar- denominated bonds by 36 percent to $1.36 billion and will use the additional proceeds to retire debt.
News, Long-Form Articles Drive Tablet Usage
http://www.abmassociation.com/News/2881/News,-long-form-articles-drive-tablet-usage
As media companies scramble to identify user behavior on mobile devices, two major reports were released this week that demonstrate that mobile users put a priority on news. According to a new survey, "Future of Mobile News," by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism(PEJ), in collaboration with The Economist Group, half of American adults have a web connection through their smartphone or tablet, and this is causing a rapid consumption of news. The PEJ study reports that 64 percent of tablet owners and 62 percent of smartphone owners access news articles on the devices at least once a week. According to the study, 22 percent of American adults own tablets and 44 percent own smartphones, concluding that roughly a third of American adults get news on their mobile devices weekly.
As media companies scramble to identify user behavior on mobile devices, two major reports were released this week that demonstrate that mobile users put a priority on news. According to a new survey, "Future of Mobile News," by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism(PEJ), in collaboration with The Economist Group, half of American adults have a web connection through their smartphone or tablet, and this is causing a rapid consumption of news. The PEJ study reports that 64 percent of tablet owners and 62 percent of smartphone owners access news articles on the devices at least once a week. According to the study, 22 percent of American adults own tablets and 44 percent own smartphones, concluding that roughly a third of American adults get news on their mobile devices weekly.
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New Research Shows Email Marketing Not Dead
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/digital-marketing/email-marketing-research/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SocialMediaExplorer+(Social+Media+Explorer)
With the advent of any new, exciting or sexy way of doing anything, the advocates for it will proclaim the old methods to be dead. The Internet was supposed to kill print. It hasn’t. Television was supposed to kill radio. It didn’t. Lately, social media has been said to be the next great “killer” driving things like email marketing to its death. That notion was largely behind my reason to pen The Rebel’s Guide To Email Marketing with DJ Waldow. Social will kill email? No, it won’t. Or at least that is our supposition. But why suppose? Why not ask? It’s kinda what we do here.
In the latest edition of The Social Habit, we asked a representative sample of over 3,000 American social media users 12 and older if they read email from brands products or companies. Of those who responded, 61 percent say that yes, they indeed do read emails from such entities. Email marketing is dead? We think not.
With the advent of any new, exciting or sexy way of doing anything, the advocates for it will proclaim the old methods to be dead. The Internet was supposed to kill print. It hasn’t. Television was supposed to kill radio. It didn’t. Lately, social media has been said to be the next great “killer” driving things like email marketing to its death. That notion was largely behind my reason to pen The Rebel’s Guide To Email Marketing with DJ Waldow. Social will kill email? No, it won’t. Or at least that is our supposition. But why suppose? Why not ask? It’s kinda what we do here.
In the latest edition of The Social Habit, we asked a representative sample of over 3,000 American social media users 12 and older if they read email from brands products or companies. Of those who responded, 61 percent say that yes, they indeed do read emails from such entities. Email marketing is dead? We think not.
Report Shows QR Codes Beat Direct Mail
http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/research/13905.html
QR codes are spurring consumers to take action with response rates that are higher than other direct marketing tactics, according to a new report from Nellymoser. The report, "Scan Response Rates in National Magazines," found that readers of national magazines scan QR codes, Microsoft Tags, digital watermarks and other mobile action codes at an average rate of 6.4 percent. The report also found that mobile users are actively engaged and view an average of 18.9 mobile pages. “The big news is that QR style mobile codes in magazines get higher response rates than other printed direct marketing tools,” said Roger Matus, executive vice president at Nellymoser Inc., Arlington, MA.
“We never knew this before because this is the first time anyone has been able to measure the complete impact of printed mobile codes from the initial scan to the delivery of the mobile experience,” he said. The number of QR codes and other mobile action codes appearing on print ads in magazines has been steadily growing. A recent report from Nellymoser found that approximately 10 percent of magazine advertising pages contained a QR code or other activation mechanism in the second quarter of 2012, up from 5 percent a year ago.
QR codes are spurring consumers to take action with response rates that are higher than other direct marketing tactics, according to a new report from Nellymoser. The report, "Scan Response Rates in National Magazines," found that readers of national magazines scan QR codes, Microsoft Tags, digital watermarks and other mobile action codes at an average rate of 6.4 percent. The report also found that mobile users are actively engaged and view an average of 18.9 mobile pages. “The big news is that QR style mobile codes in magazines get higher response rates than other printed direct marketing tools,” said Roger Matus, executive vice president at Nellymoser Inc., Arlington, MA.
“We never knew this before because this is the first time anyone has been able to measure the complete impact of printed mobile codes from the initial scan to the delivery of the mobile experience,” he said. The number of QR codes and other mobile action codes appearing on print ads in magazines has been steadily growing. A recent report from Nellymoser found that approximately 10 percent of magazine advertising pages contained a QR code or other activation mechanism in the second quarter of 2012, up from 5 percent a year ago.
CDS Launches Digital Newsstand System
http://www.audiencedevelopment.com/2012/cds+global+launches+digital+newsstand+data+management+system?utm_source=MV_Audience+Development&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTMLLinkID%3a+28&utm_campaign=One+Third+of+U.S.+Adults+Get+News+by+Phone+or+Tablet%e2%80%a610+Ideas+For+Building+Circulation%2c+Part+2%e2%80%a6The+Circulator+%7c+10.03.2012
The collection and management of the raw customer and sales data that comes out of the digital newsstand providers has been a huge pain point for publishers. Simply put, digital edition and app sales data coming in from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Zinio and the rest is not standardized. It has to be manipulated by hand and is extremely labor intensive. Imagine an Excel spreadsheet hundreds or thousands of columns wide and you begin to get the picture. Even more importantly, tying revenue back to sold issues has been problematic at best. The Web-based platform essentially sits between the digital newsstands and the publisher and collects sales data, standardizes it and makes it available in a variety of dashboards that allow publishers to generate reports automatically. The platform currently supports data from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Zinio. Apple data, says the company, will be added in the next couple weeks.
The collection and management of the raw customer and sales data that comes out of the digital newsstand providers has been a huge pain point for publishers. Simply put, digital edition and app sales data coming in from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Zinio and the rest is not standardized. It has to be manipulated by hand and is extremely labor intensive. Imagine an Excel spreadsheet hundreds or thousands of columns wide and you begin to get the picture. Even more importantly, tying revenue back to sold issues has been problematic at best. The Web-based platform essentially sits between the digital newsstands and the publisher and collects sales data, standardizes it and makes it available in a variety of dashboards that allow publishers to generate reports automatically. The platform currently supports data from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Zinio. Apple data, says the company, will be added in the next couple weeks.
How Newspapers Survive In Digital
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/183352/beyond-ads-how-newspapers-survive-in-digital.html?edition=51784
Over the past few years, the pendulum has swung from the newspaper industry writing its own obituary to a new -- and what some might say is surprising -- trend: bullishness. When analysts recently expressed concerns about the future of his papers, Rupert Murdoch responded by saying: “The answer is one word: digital. News is the most valuable commodity in the world, even if fewer people are buying printed papers on crushed wood.”
This new optimism has emerged alongside some dire trends. The hope that print ad revenue might rebound (or at the very least, plateau) has passed. Print ad revenues are half of what they were in 2006) a reflection of the steep decline in freestanding inserts’ revenue and circulation. So, too, has unceremoniously ended the decade-long battle to see if online advertising can make up the shortfall.
Over the past few years, the pendulum has swung from the newspaper industry writing its own obituary to a new -- and what some might say is surprising -- trend: bullishness. When analysts recently expressed concerns about the future of his papers, Rupert Murdoch responded by saying: “The answer is one word: digital. News is the most valuable commodity in the world, even if fewer people are buying printed papers on crushed wood.”
This new optimism has emerged alongside some dire trends. The hope that print ad revenue might rebound (or at the very least, plateau) has passed. Print ad revenues are half of what they were in 2006) a reflection of the steep decline in freestanding inserts’ revenue and circulation. So, too, has unceremoniously ended the decade-long battle to see if online advertising can make up the shortfall.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A.T. Clayton Names Peter Harding President
http://atclayton.com/
A.T. Clayton has named Peter Harding to the position of President. Mr. Harding has been in the paper industry for over 21 years, most recently as Vice President of Domtar's Business Paper Group. He started his career with Champion International in the New York area, focusing on the publishing and catalogue sectors. Mr. Harding served as Director of the HP business with Champion and continued in that capacity after International Paper acquired the company. He will have purview over sales and operations and will report to Mark Vallely, CEO of A.T. Clayton.
A.T. Clayton has named Peter Harding to the position of President. Mr. Harding has been in the paper industry for over 21 years, most recently as Vice President of Domtar's Business Paper Group. He started his career with Champion International in the New York area, focusing on the publishing and catalogue sectors. Mr. Harding served as Director of the HP business with Champion and continued in that capacity after International Paper acquired the company. He will have purview over sales and operations and will report to Mark Vallely, CEO of A.T. Clayton.
Domtar Kamloops: CEP Union Votes for Strike
CEP Local 10b votes 99.6% in favour of a strike:
CEP Local 10b at Domtar‘s mill in Kamloops, British Columbia voted 99.6% in favour of a strike on Monday night.
The union wants to establish pattern bargaining in British Columbia’s pulp sector, using Canfor‘s deal as the pattern. Canfor’s latest contract with its workers includes a 7.5% wage increase over 5 years (with no wage hikes in the first 2 years.)
Domtar and the union have scheduled 2 days of bargaining. The workers have been without a contract since April.
CEP Local 10b at Domtar‘s mill in Kamloops, British Columbia voted 99.6% in favour of a strike on Monday night.
The union wants to establish pattern bargaining in British Columbia’s pulp sector, using Canfor‘s deal as the pattern. Canfor’s latest contract with its workers includes a 7.5% wage increase over 5 years (with no wage hikes in the first 2 years.)
Domtar and the union have scheduled 2 days of bargaining. The workers have been without a contract since April.
SCA Divests Aylesford, UK Mill
SCA divests newsprint mill in Aylesford, UK
SCA has divested its 50 per cent shareholding in the UK-based newsprint facility Aylesford Newsprint to the private equity company Martland Holdings.
SCA has divested its 50 per cent shareholding in the UK-based newsprint facility Aylesford Newsprint to the private equity company Martland Holdings.
Oji Expands, Buys Thai Packaging, Print Firms
Oji
Holdings, the newly established parent firm of Oji Paper, has stepped up its
investments in Thailand, acquiring converter Box Asia Group International and
boosting its stake in another Thai converting firm, S Pack & Print, to
become the latter's majority shareholder.
Consumer Reports Names New Editorial Director
Consumer Reports Undergoing Reorg, Editorial Director Kevin McKean Out:
Consumer Reports is currently working its way through an organization-wide restructuring, FOLIO: has learned. The bulk of the changes at this point will hinge on forming a new centralized content group that will merge the editorial, testing and survey groups.
Consumer Reports is currently working its way through an organization-wide restructuring, FOLIO: has learned. The bulk of the changes at this point will hinge on forming a new centralized content group that will merge the editorial, testing and survey groups.
One Third Get News from Mobile Units
http://www.foliomag.com/2012/pej-one-third-u-s-adults-get-news-phone-or-tablet#.UGxUwxhmuKw
One third of adult Americans now get news via mobile devices, Amy Mitchell of the Project for Excellence in Journalism reported during a panel discussion as part of Advertising Week in New York yesterday. Surely, the announcement came as no surprise to the standing-room-only crowd at the NASDAQ Building in Times Square-many of whom were taking notes, tweeting and surfing on their own smartphones and tablets during the session.
One third of adult Americans now get news via mobile devices, Amy Mitchell of the Project for Excellence in Journalism reported during a panel discussion as part of Advertising Week in New York yesterday. Surely, the announcement came as no surprise to the standing-room-only crowd at the NASDAQ Building in Times Square-many of whom were taking notes, tweeting and surfing on their own smartphones and tablets during the session.
Holiday Sales Expected to Grow
http://www.4-traders.com/news/NRF-National-Retail-Federation-NRF-Shop-org-Expect-Solid-Growth-This-Holiday-Season--15247662/
Tempered by political and fiscal uncertainties but supported by signs of improvement in consumer confidence, holiday sales this year will increase 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion.* NRF's 2012 holiday forecast is higher than the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 3.5 percent. Actual holiday sales in 2011 grew 5.6 percent.
http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/02/4307690/online-retail-sales-for-2012-predicted.html
As retailers continue to adjust to omni-channel platforms, there is still plenty of room for growth online. According to a new survey from BDO USA, LLP, retail CFOs predict a 5.9 percent increase in total 2012 online sales, compared to 4.1 percent and 4.5 percent increases in comparable store sales and total sales, respectively.
Tempered by political and fiscal uncertainties but supported by signs of improvement in consumer confidence, holiday sales this year will increase 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion.* NRF's 2012 holiday forecast is higher than the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 3.5 percent. Actual holiday sales in 2011 grew 5.6 percent.
http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/02/4307690/online-retail-sales-for-2012-predicted.html
As retailers continue to adjust to omni-channel platforms, there is still plenty of room for growth online. According to a new survey from BDO USA, LLP, retail CFOs predict a 5.9 percent increase in total 2012 online sales, compared to 4.1 percent and 4.5 percent increases in comparable store sales and total sales, respectively.
Educational Publishers Face Multichannel Future
Educational Publishers Must Prepare for Multichannel Future Survey Finds: NEW YORK—Oct. 2, 2012—Data Conversion Laboratory (DCL), a leader in converting content to new formats, and the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP), which encourages and advocates for professional, quality content for teaching and learning, announced the results of “The Changing Face of Back to School Survey” of the K-12 education market.
USPS, Postal Union Find Agreement
USPS, Postal Union Agree on Retirement Incentives: The Postal Service and one of its largest unions have agreed to offer retirement incentives to a wide swath of postal employees. Employees who accept the buyout—who must have at least 20 years tenure at 50 years old, or have worked at least 25 years—would leave USPS at the end of January 2013. They would receive $10,000 in May 2013, and then the last $5,000 in May 2014.
Advertisers Upset with Microsoft 'Do Not Track'
Advertisers slam Microsoft over 'do not track': The advertising community took advantage of Advertising Week here to criticize Microsoft Corp. for its decision earlier this year to ship its new version of the Internet Explorer Web browser with “do not track” as the default setting.
Flint Group Announces Flexo Plate Price Increase
Flint Group announces 3% flexo plate price hike:
The manufacturer cited the fact energy costs have risen more than 20% since 2007, with further "major increases" expected due to the move to renewable energies, as one reason for the price hike.
It added that transport and logistic costs had "constantly gone up" in recent years, with future rises becoming evident, and that raw material prices had escalated since 2008 with "no recovery" in sight.
The manufacturer cited the fact energy costs have risen more than 20% since 2007, with further "major increases" expected due to the move to renewable energies, as one reason for the price hike.
It added that transport and logistic costs had "constantly gone up" in recent years, with future rises becoming evident, and that raw material prices had escalated since 2008 with "no recovery" in sight.
IDEAlliance Releases New Printing Guidelines
IDEAlliance Releases Updated Printing Guidelines Publication: ALEXANDRIA, VA—Oct. 2, 2012—IDEAlliance has released its “12th Edition of Printing Guidelines,” categorizing the latest best practices and specifications for printing. The 44-page guide addresses the demands of evolving customer needs, the new challenges of acting globally, and the latest changes in technology.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
NewPage Reaches Agreement with Creditors
NewPage Reaches Agreement with Creditors on Chapter 11 Plan: NewPage Corp. has reached an agreement in principle with all of its major creditor groups concerning the terms of its Chapter 11 plan. A brief summary of the agreement in principle has been posted to the KCC restructuring website.
From BloombergNewsweek:
The NewPage Corp. warring creditor factions came to agreement on a reorganization plan with help from a bankruptcy judge serving as mediator.
The plan will give all the stock to holders of first-lien notes. Second-lien noteholders and some unsecured creditors will split up $30 million in cash and the first $50 million collected by a litigation trust.
After the initial $50 million from the trust, additional distributions will be shared by the first- and second-lien noteholders and some unsecured creditors.
Trade suppliers who agree to provide credit in the future will receive 15 percent on their claims over two years, according to a company statement.
The company reported a $2.25 million net loss in August on net sales of $273.7 million. Reorganization expenses in the month were $3.9 million, according to the operating report filed with the bankruptcy court in Delaware.
Newpage filed a Chapter 11 plan in August that dissatisfied both secured and unsecured creditors. NewPage had been saying that unsecured creditors are “hopelessly out of the money” with no theory that would bring them a dividend under a Chapter 11 plan. For details on the August plan, click here for the Aug. 14 Bloomberg bankruptcy report.
Although the NewPage bankruptcy is pending in Delaware, the mediator was Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain from New York.
Newpage will fund the litigation trust with $40 million cash and specified lawsuit recoveries. NewPage will also loan the trust $5 million to be used for administrative expenses. The official creditors’ committee supports the newly negotiated plan.
The official committee argued that that the lenders financed an acquisition in 2007 and a refinancing two years later that included fraudulent transfers. For details on the creditors’ claims, click here for the May 9 Bloomberg bankruptcy report.
Eighty percent owned by Cerberus Capital Management LP, NewPage listed assets of $3.4 billion and debt totaling $4.2 billion in the Chapter 11 reorganization begun in September 2011. Liabilities included $232 million on a revolving credit plus $1.77 billion on 11.375 percent senior secured first-lien notes.
Second-lien obligations include $802 million in 10 percent secured notes and $225 million in floating-rate notes. In addition to $200 million in 12 percent senior unsecured notes, $498 million is owing on two issues of floating-rate pay-in-kind notes.
NewPage, based in Miamisburg, Ohio, filed bankruptcy with 16 paper-making machines operating in seven plants in the U.S. and Nova Scotia. The Canadian affiliate filed for reorganization in Nova Scotia. The company reported a net loss of $229 million in the first half of 2011 on revenue of $1.79 billion, following a $674 million net loss in 2010 on revenue of $3.6 billion.
From BloombergNewsweek:
The NewPage Corp. warring creditor factions came to agreement on a reorganization plan with help from a bankruptcy judge serving as mediator.
The plan will give all the stock to holders of first-lien notes. Second-lien noteholders and some unsecured creditors will split up $30 million in cash and the first $50 million collected by a litigation trust.
After the initial $50 million from the trust, additional distributions will be shared by the first- and second-lien noteholders and some unsecured creditors.
Trade suppliers who agree to provide credit in the future will receive 15 percent on their claims over two years, according to a company statement.
The company reported a $2.25 million net loss in August on net sales of $273.7 million. Reorganization expenses in the month were $3.9 million, according to the operating report filed with the bankruptcy court in Delaware.
Newpage filed a Chapter 11 plan in August that dissatisfied both secured and unsecured creditors. NewPage had been saying that unsecured creditors are “hopelessly out of the money” with no theory that would bring them a dividend under a Chapter 11 plan. For details on the August plan, click here for the Aug. 14 Bloomberg bankruptcy report.
Although the NewPage bankruptcy is pending in Delaware, the mediator was Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain from New York.
Newpage will fund the litigation trust with $40 million cash and specified lawsuit recoveries. NewPage will also loan the trust $5 million to be used for administrative expenses. The official creditors’ committee supports the newly negotiated plan.
The official committee argued that that the lenders financed an acquisition in 2007 and a refinancing two years later that included fraudulent transfers. For details on the creditors’ claims, click here for the May 9 Bloomberg bankruptcy report.
Eighty percent owned by Cerberus Capital Management LP, NewPage listed assets of $3.4 billion and debt totaling $4.2 billion in the Chapter 11 reorganization begun in September 2011. Liabilities included $232 million on a revolving credit plus $1.77 billion on 11.375 percent senior secured first-lien notes.
Second-lien obligations include $802 million in 10 percent secured notes and $225 million in floating-rate notes. In addition to $200 million in 12 percent senior unsecured notes, $498 million is owing on two issues of floating-rate pay-in-kind notes.
NewPage, based in Miamisburg, Ohio, filed bankruptcy with 16 paper-making machines operating in seven plants in the U.S. and Nova Scotia. The Canadian affiliate filed for reorganization in Nova Scotia. The company reported a net loss of $229 million in the first half of 2011 on revenue of $1.79 billion, following a $674 million net loss in 2010 on revenue of $3.6 billion.
Holmen to Close Hallsta 140,000 mtpy SC PM
Holmen to shut 140,000 tonne/yr SC machine at Hallsta mill in Sweden, mill to focus on MF magazine and book paper: Holmen Paper is starting work aiming to concentrate production at the mill in Hallstavik to two paper machines with strong positions in their respective product segments: MF Magazine and book paper. The result of this is that the mill's oldest machine, PM 3, is being shut down. At the same time, there are plans to invest in energy efficiency measures that, together with the closure, will considerably reduce the mill's future investment needs. These measures will strengthen the mills competitiveness.
Resolute Increases Pulp Price
Resolute Forest
Products told North American customers its northern bleached softwood kraft
(NBSK) and southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK) market pulp prices would increase
$20/tonne, effective October 1.
China's Pulp Imports Fall, RCP Up
China's total
pulp imports dropped 4.6% in August compared to the previous month, to nearly
1.141 million tonnes, according to data from China Customs.
China's total
recovered paper (RCP) imports climbed 12.5% to nearly 2.646 million tonnes in
August, up from some 2.352 million tonnes in July, according to data from China
Customs.
Barker Named Paperlinx Chairman
Boon replaced by actuary Michael Barker as Paperlinx chairman:
Michael Barker joins newly-appointed non-executive director Robert Kaye and Andrew Price, who was brought onto the Paperlinx board on September 1, despite Boon voicing concerns in a letter to shareholders about Price becoming a non-executive director, in the run up to an extraordinary AGM in April.
Michael Barker joins newly-appointed non-executive director Robert Kaye and Andrew Price, who was brought onto the Paperlinx board on September 1, despite Boon voicing concerns in a letter to shareholders about Price becoming a non-executive director, in the run up to an extraordinary AGM in April.
Modern Luxury Buys Aspen
Modern Luxury Acquires Aspen Magazine:
Affluent lifestyle publisher Modern Luxury is closing a hole in its portfolio with the acquisition of Aspen Magazine—a market the CEO says will help propel the company’s growth.
Affluent lifestyle publisher Modern Luxury is closing a hole in its portfolio with the acquisition of Aspen Magazine—a market the CEO says will help propel the company’s growth.
Smaller Deals Driving Media M&A Activity
Lots of Smaller Deals Are Driving Media M&A Activity:
Media, information and marketing acquisition volume and value continue to grow according to a third-quarter M&A report released by media bankers The Jordan, Edmiston Group. Year-to-date deal volume pace has been driven primarily by smaller, sub-$50 million transactions, however, with strategic buyers accounting for the vast majority.
The report says deal volume is up 49 percent for the first three quarters over the same period last year to 946—91 percent of the deals were below $50 million.
Media, information and marketing acquisition volume and value continue to grow according to a third-quarter M&A report released by media bankers The Jordan, Edmiston Group. Year-to-date deal volume pace has been driven primarily by smaller, sub-$50 million transactions, however, with strategic buyers accounting for the vast majority.
The report says deal volume is up 49 percent for the first three quarters over the same period last year to 946—91 percent of the deals were below $50 million.
Hearst CDS Global Offers eEditions Platform
http://www.foliomag.com/2012/cds-global-launches-digital-newsstand-data-management-system#
The collection and management of the raw customer and sales data that comes out of the digital newsstand providers has been a huge pain point for publishers.
Simply put, digital edition and app sales data coming in from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Zinio and the rest is not standardized. --> Fulfillment providers have been in the unique position of finding a solution to this issue and Hearst-owned CDS Global has just rolled out a platform it's calling eEditions that aims to collect, filter and standardize sales data from all of the major digital newsstands.
The collection and management of the raw customer and sales data that comes out of the digital newsstand providers has been a huge pain point for publishers.
Simply put, digital edition and app sales data coming in from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Zinio and the rest is not standardized. --> Fulfillment providers have been in the unique position of finding a solution to this issue and Hearst-owned CDS Global has just rolled out a platform it's calling eEditions that aims to collect, filter and standardize sales data from all of the major digital newsstands.
Hearst Design Group Consolidates Editorial Side
http://www.adweek.com/news/press/hearst-design-group-consolidates-editorial-side-144129
Hearst Magazines' Design Group, comprised of House Beautiful, Veranda and Elle Decor, is combining several editorial departments and is expected to eliminate some positions in the process.
Newell Turner, currently House Beautiful editor in chief, will become editor in chief of the group, a newly created position. Each title will have its own eic—Michael Boodro and Dara Caponigro will remain at Elle Decor and Veranda, respectively, while House Beautiful—the largest of the three with a circulation of 835,005—will get a new editor), as well as design director, interiors editor and senior writer. All three magazines—which already share a publishing department—will share market, features, and photography departments, though.
Hearst Magazines' Design Group, comprised of House Beautiful, Veranda and Elle Decor, is combining several editorial departments and is expected to eliminate some positions in the process.
Newell Turner, currently House Beautiful editor in chief, will become editor in chief of the group, a newly created position. Each title will have its own eic—Michael Boodro and Dara Caponigro will remain at Elle Decor and Veranda, respectively, while House Beautiful—the largest of the three with a circulation of 835,005—will get a new editor), as well as design director, interiors editor and senior writer. All three magazines—which already share a publishing department—will share market, features, and photography departments, though.
More Titles Launched First 9 Months 2012
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20121001/MEDIA_ENTERTAINMENT/120929881
Publishers launched 155 magazines in
the first three quarters of 2012, among them Fairchild Publications' men's
fashion quarterly M and northeast Mississippi's new lifestyle title Mud &
Magnolias.
An even more promising statistic for the
period: Only 55 magazines folded, compared to a loss of 119 titles a year ago.
WSJ Launches "Mansion"
“Mansion” will run as a standalone section in the Journal every Friday in the U.S., with select content appearing each week in the Journal's Europe and Asia editions. Relevant content will also run in WSJ.com's Chinese-, German- and Japanese-language editions. All “Mansion” content will be available via the Journal's universal app for iPhone and iPad.
Canadian Print Magazine Readership Up
http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/media-news/pmb-reports-magazine-readership-up-slightly-in-2012-62838
Print magazines in Canada had an average readership of 1.02 million Canadians in 2012, a slight rise from 1 million in 2011.
Time Inc. Introduces Amplify
http://adage.com/article/media/time-s-ad-product-ceo-laura-lang/237479/
Time Inc. is introducing a digital ad unit that pairs its editorial content with brands' marketing messages on Time Inc. properties and beyond.
Time Inc. is introducing a digital ad unit that pairs its editorial content with brands' marketing messages on Time Inc. properties and beyond.
The product, which Time Inc. is calling Amplify,
is one of the company's first tangible moves to boost digital revenue since CEO
Laura Lang joined in January from the digital agency Digitas.
PRC Questions USPS Plan
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/29/us-usa-postal-processing-idUSBRE88S00F20120929?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews
The Postal Service's regulator on Friday questioned the potential savings from a plan to shut mail processing sites and slow mail delivery, saying the mail agency could save about the same amount without making major changes to delivery times.
The Postal Service's regulator on Friday questioned the potential savings from a plan to shut mail processing sites and slow mail delivery, saying the mail agency could save about the same amount without making major changes to delivery times.
But postal officials' assumption that the best response to lower volume was to slow delivery caused it to overlook other cost-cutting options, the Postal Regulatory Commission said in a non-binding opinion.
CA; First Free Online Text Library
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/27/4861604/california-governor-signs-free.html
Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed a monumental set of bills that create the nation's first free online textbook library, an effort aimed at alleviating the burden of rising costs to students attending California's public postsecondary institutions. California is now set to become the nation's first state to create a digital textbook library free of charge for the state's most popular college courses, says the 20 Million Minds Foundation.
Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed a monumental set of bills that create the nation's first free online textbook library, an effort aimed at alleviating the burden of rising costs to students attending California's public postsecondary institutions. California is now set to become the nation's first state to create a digital textbook library free of charge for the state's most popular college courses, says the 20 Million Minds Foundation.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Port Hawkesbury Paper Restarts
http://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/news/nova-scotia-mill-restarts-as-port-hawkesbury-paper/1001732141/
The $33-million sale of the Port Hawkesbury paper mill is complete, and the first paper is expected to roll off the line in the first few days of October. One year after the former NewPage facility in Nova Scotia shut down, the sale to Pacific West Commercial Corp. was completed on Sept. 28. Two hundred and fifty employees returned to work within days.
The mill is restarting under the name Port Hawkesbury Paper.
Marubeni Renewed as DJSI Index Component
http://www.marubeni-usa.com/
The status of
Marubeni Corporation ("Marubeni") has been renewed as an index
component of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the year
2012-2013.
The DJSI World
is one of the best known measures of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)* in
the world; this year 340 companies from all over the world were selected for
the index, including 20 Japanese companies.
More Join Pulp Price Increase
Joining producers including
including Domtar, Mercer International, Tembec, and West Fraser,
Canfor Pulp
informed customers in North America and across Asia that its northern bleached
softwood kraft (NSBK) pulp price will increase $20/tonne, effective October 1
until further notice.
Resolute CEO Joins Others Asking for Improved Rail
Resolute Forest Products among group to appeal to Ottawa for better rail service:
Richard Garneau of Resolute Forest Products was among a group of CEOs and senior executives from major resource sectors to converge in Ottawa earlier this week to deliver a strong common message – that now is the time to address inefficient and inadequate rail freight service.
The business leaders, all members of the Coalition of Rail Shippers (CRS), brought their message directly to Ministers, groups of MPs and key officials from Transport, Industry, Natural Resources, Agriculture, the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Richard Garneau of Resolute Forest Products was among a group of CEOs and senior executives from major resource sectors to converge in Ottawa earlier this week to deliver a strong common message – that now is the time to address inefficient and inadequate rail freight service.
The business leaders, all members of the Coalition of Rail Shippers (CRS), brought their message directly to Ministers, groups of MPs and key officials from Transport, Industry, Natural Resources, Agriculture, the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Prime Minister’s Office.
PaperlinX Names Chairman
PaperlinX: Appointment of New Chairman: The Board of PaperlinX Limited is pleased to advise that Mr Michael Barker has been elected to the role of Chairman for PaperlinX Limited effective today.
Mr Barker said,
Mr Barker said,
Recapitalizing White Birch Becomes Personal for Brant
Peter Brant uses personal art collection to recapitalize White Birch newsprint business:
Peter Brant, chairman and chief executive officer of White Birch Paper Co., pledged pieces of his personal art collection to recapitalize the family newsprint business.
Brant had to buy his family business out of bankruptcy with the help of Black Diamond Capital Management LLC, a company that specializes in distressed credits. The new company is called BD White Birch Investment LLC.
Peter Brant, chairman and chief executive officer of White Birch Paper Co., pledged pieces of his personal art collection to recapitalize the family newsprint business.
Brant had to buy his family business out of bankruptcy with the help of Black Diamond Capital Management LLC, a company that specializes in distressed credits. The new company is called BD White Birch Investment LLC.
USPS Network Rationalization Plan
Redrawing the Map: A Look at USPS’ Network Rationalization Plan: he USPS’s Network Rationalization Plan, opposed by some postal unions and not-in-my-district Congress members, would cut the number of processing centers nearly in half by 2015—from 461 this year to 232 in 2015. That’s down from 673 in 2006 and 599 in 2009.
The impact would be especially dramatic in certain regions. Several states—including Mississippi, Kansas, and Arizona—would go from having six or more facilities to only one.
The impact would be especially dramatic in certain regions. Several states—including Mississippi, Kansas, and Arizona—would go from having six or more facilities to only one.
USPS Reports $956 million Loss
USPS posts $956 million loss for August: The U.S. Postal Service reported a net loss of $956 million for August, and is on track for a record annual loss with one month to go in its fiscal year.
Magazine Industry Employment Falls
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184075/magazine-employment-shrinks-29-in-10-years.html
While the decline hasn’t been quite as steep as in the newspaper industry, magazine publishers have shed a substantial number of jobs over the last decade, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides quarterly estimates of the number of people employed by periodical publishers, among other industries.
According to the BLS, the total size of the magazine industry workforce shrank from 156,212 in March 2002 to 111,126 in March 2012, the most recent month for which data are available -- a 29% drop over 10 years.
While the decline hasn’t been quite as steep as in the newspaper industry, magazine publishers have shed a substantial number of jobs over the last decade, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides quarterly estimates of the number of people employed by periodical publishers, among other industries.
According to the BLS, the total size of the magazine industry workforce shrank from 156,212 in March 2002 to 111,126 in March 2012, the most recent month for which data are available -- a 29% drop over 10 years.
2012 Leading Media Companies
http://adage.com/print/237500
U.S. media revenue for the 100 Leading Media Companies rose 4.0% in 2011, fueled by surging growth in digital. That represents a record $340 billion in net U.S. media revenue. However, last year's percentage gain marked the lowest growth rate in a nonrecession year since Ad Age began this ranking in 1981. Digital revenue -- mostly at digital pure plays such as Google and Facebook -- jumped 19.7%. Remove digital from the equation, and Media 100 revenue rose only 2.8% in 2011. The top five magazines companies, in order, were Time Warner, Advance Publications, Hearst Corp., Meredith Corp. and Wenner Media,
U.S. media revenue for the 100 Leading Media Companies rose 4.0% in 2011, fueled by surging growth in digital. That represents a record $340 billion in net U.S. media revenue. However, last year's percentage gain marked the lowest growth rate in a nonrecession year since Ad Age began this ranking in 1981. Digital revenue -- mostly at digital pure plays such as Google and Facebook -- jumped 19.7%. Remove digital from the equation, and Media 100 revenue rose only 2.8% in 2011. The top five magazines companies, in order, were Time Warner, Advance Publications, Hearst Corp., Meredith Corp. and Wenner Media,
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