Japan's Paper & Board Shipments Expected to Fall

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2013012100591

Paper and paperboard shipments in Japan in 2013 are expected to fall 1.5 pct from the previous year to 27,358,000 tons, down for the third consecutive year, the Japan Paper Association said Monday. 
The expected decline is chiefly due to sluggish shipments of mainstay printing paper amid the wider use of e-mail and the Internet.

Sun Chemical Sustainability Report: Footprint of Supplliers

Newest Sun Chemical Sustainability Report Highlights the Environmental Footprint of its Suppliers: Sun Chemical released its 2012 Sustainability Report, which showcases Sun Chemical’s leadership in eco-efficiency through established data-driven metrics, as well as examples of how raw material suppliers are contributing to the company’s environmental footprint.

Vertis Closing Dallas Facility

Vertis Communications to close Dallas facility, lay off 27:
Vertis Communications, a Baltimore-based supplier of direct marketing services and advertising inserts, is closing a Dallas facility and laying off 27 people, according to a company letter to the Texas Workforce Commissio.

Vogue Still First in Ads

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/vogue-holds-top-spot-march-146728

Among the highly scrutinized March fashion magazines, Condé Nast's Vogue is holding on to its usual first place, with 457 ad pages, up 4.5 percent from 2012. Archrival Time Inc.'s InStyle weighed in with 361 pages, a 4 percent increase over last year's. Over at Hearst, Elle, as previously reported, came in third at 338 pages, up 6 percent.

Geiger (Farmers’ Almanac) Divesting Print/Manufacturing Business

Farmers’ Almanac Maker to Lay Off 75 as it Moves Printing from Lewiston: Geiger, the producer of the Farmers’ Almanac, as well as pocket diaries and calendars, is divesting itself of its printing and manufacturing business after 135 years. The company’s decision, one influenced by by changes in peoples’ behavior wrought by technology, will lead to 75 people losing their jobs, Peter Geiger, the company’s executive vice president and editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, told the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday evening.

Is Digital the Solution for Titles Failing in Print?

All Good Print Magazines Go to Digital Heaven…Or Do They?:
When a publication decides its earthly existence as a print life form is no longer a viable option and instead takes on a digital-only presence, is it really a heaven-sent opportunity or is it actually a gentle nudge by the minions of magazine hell to push it into its final resting place? If your print product isn’t connecting with an audience, is it really going to flourish among a billion more nondescript URLs or a million other apps?

Growth Expected in Media Market Competition

Media Market Competition, Growth Expected to Increase in 2013:
Media industry executives are optimistic about the coming year, specifically in the areas of product development, acquisitions and competition, new research reports from the Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (JEGI) and AdMedia Partners show. 

Study: Poor Data Plagues Marketers

Study: Poor data quality plagues customer experience: While marketers acknowledge that data quality affects the customer experience, companies lack accurate information to improve things, according to a new report from data management company Experian QAS.

KPMG: M&A Expected to Increase

KPMG Survey: Mergers And Acquisitions Projected To Be On The Rise In 2013: Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is expected to increase in 2013, according to a survey conducted by KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, and the Research practice unit of SourceMedia, the publisher of Mergers & Acquisitions.  The survey of more than 300 M&A professionals in the U.S. found that 76 percent of respondents anticipate that their company will make at least one acquisition in 2013.

Marketers Interested in Mobile, Question Measuring ROI

Study: Marketers Interested in Mobile; Measurement/ROI Remains a Barrier: An ANA study view mobile marketing as a way to build brand and awareness yet remain concerned about metrics and ROI.
The most noted barrier to the development of marketers’ use of mobile is measurement—42% of marketers indicated they are concerned with having proper mobile metrics in place, and another 42% are concerned with an inability to prove ROI.

Americans Still Like Libraries

http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/library-services/

In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age. 

The availability of free computers and internet access now rivals book lending and reference expertise as a vital service of libraries. In a national survey of Americans ages 16 and older:
80% of Americans say borrowing books is a “very important” service libraries provide.
80% say reference librarians are a “very important” service of libraries.
77% say free access to computers and the internet is a “very important” service of libraries.

Publishers Face Complex Future

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/conferences/article/55532-publishers-focus-on-a-complex-future-at-digital-book-world-2013.html

Former Macmillan president Brian Napack, now a senior advisor at Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm with $27 billion in assets that specializes in investing in media and education properties, offered a high altitude perspective on a publishing industry in the midst of “structural change.” Interviewed onstage by Publishers Marketplace founder Michael Cader, Napack responded to Cader's description of a publishing landscape dominated by the Random House/Penguin merger, McGraw-Hill’s withdrawal from educational publishing, the closing of Borders and the rise of technology companies as disruptors in the publishing business, emphasizing that “there’s been very little capital in-flow into publishing, the Random House, Penguin deal is all about scale but there’s no cash involved.”

Napack said that the McGraw-Hill deal was about, “unlocking value. It feels like a lot of change is going on but it’s the beginning of the end of change. We’re about to see what publishing looks like in the future...He said the clock is “ticking” for Hachette, “which likely is worried. There are only so many large publishing assets available to acquire,” and said more mergers were likely rather than acquisitions from players “outside” of publishing.
But Napack also emphasized that while the big six may end up as “the big three,” the power of innovation often flourishes in markets during periods of consolidation and new companies can “come from underneath,” and he cited the precarious but interesting market position of Barnes & Noble.

Financial Times Planning Staffing Changes

http://truthdive.com/2013/01/22/Financial-Times-to-cut-down-traditional-print-staff-to-cater-for-digital-shift.html

In a bid to compete with social networking sites and Google, The Financial Times has been planning to cut down staff to shift their traditional print news environment to a more digitally focused networked business. 

Lionel Barber, editor of the newspaper, said the newspaper is planning to appoint 10 new digital staff, and will be cutting down 35 of its existing 600 editorial jobs, The Telegraph reports.

Cenveo Completes Refinancing

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cenveo-completes-refinancing-210000255.html

Cenveo Corporation (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cenveo, Inc. (CVO) announced that it obtained a $50 million unsecured term loan due 2017 ("Unsecured Term Loan") from Macquarie Capital. The Company used the proceeds from the Unsecured Term Loan, plus available cash and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to repay the remainder of its 7.875% senior subordinated notes due 2013 plus accrued and unpaid interest.

BusinessBolts: 74% of Small Businesses Use Content Marketing

BusinessBolts survey finds 74% of small businesses use content marketing: Seventy-four percent of small businesses use content marketing to increase traffic and promote their brands, according to a new report from content marketing company BusinessBolts.com.
“Content Marketing Survey Report 2013” was based on an online survey of 265 small-business owners and marketing executives at small businesses conducted in the fourth quarter.

PPPC Reports 2012 Coated & SC Shipments

The Pulp and Products Council reported North American coated mechanical shipments fell -4.1% in 2012 as compared to the previous year.  Demand declined by -2.3%, imports were up +12.2% and the operating rate was 94%.  Coated woodfree shipments for 2012 decreased -3.9%, demand was down -4.7% and imports fell -7.4%.  The operating rate was 88%.  SC-A/SC-A+ paper shipments declined -20.4% for the year.  Demand decreased by -20.5% and imports fell -20.8%.  The operating rate for Supercalendered paper (including both SC-A, SC-B and SNC grades) was 93%.

Global Pulp Shipments Up 7.1% in December

Global pulp deliveries rose by 7.1% to 3.976 million tonnes in December, up from 3.712 million tonnes the previous month, according to Pulp and Paper Products Council (PPPC) data.

Shipments were 2.0% lower than the year-earlier period, down from 4.059 million tonnes in December 2011.

IP Plans Lay Offs with PM Close

Dozens of layoffs coming to International Paper:
International Paper announced on Tuesday it will be shutting down its No. 2 coated paperboard machine in its Augusta, GA mill by the end of February, taking dozens of jobs with it.
The company announced that approximately 75 positions are expected to be impacted at the mill as a result of this decision. The company says it will provide severance and outplacement assistance to affected employees.
The Augusta Mill will continue to employ more than 700 people, but they say they need to close this part of the plant to help balance production with demand.

Premier Announces Measures to Help Loggers

http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2013/01/premier-announces-measures-to-support-and-protect-logging-contractors.html 
Today Premier Christy Clark set in motion a $5-million fund to provide financial protection for forestry contractors, as well as announcing tax relief on previous compensation payments.
The compensation fund will strengthen payment protection for those who contract their services to forest sector companies. Logging contractors who provide services to licensees, but are not paid because of licensee insolvency, can now access this compensation fund to better protect their financial interests.
The Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund was initially established in the spring of 2012, under the Forestry Service Providers Protection Act (FSPPA). Since the fund's inception the Province and industry have now reached an agreement around the fund's parameters, permitting logging contractors to be compensated if they incur a financial loss resulting from the insolvency of a licensee. The fund is administered arm's length from government.

CPI: Paper Myths and Facts

http://www.paper.org.uk/

The Paper Industry has always been the subject of many common misconceptions and to dispel some of these, Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Paper Myths and Facts: A Balanced View'.

Paper is made from a natural, renewable and sustainable resource and boasts the highest recycling rate of any material in the UK, but environmental issues related to paper are still a source of numerous misconceptions. 
The Paper Industry has a good story to tell and some impressive statistics and research support the facts:
Europe's forests are increasing in size - by an area equivalent to 1.5 million football pitches every year and over 70% of the fibres used to make paper in the UK come from paper collected for recycling.
UK Papermaking has reduced total energy use by 34% per tonne of paper made.
The corrugated sector is vitally important to manufacturing, protecting around 75% of the UK's packaged goods in transit.
Over 80% of all corrugated packaging is subsequently collected for recycling.
Thanks to investment in lower carbon energy, annual emissions of fossil carbon have been reduced by 1.6m tonnes or 42%. 
The Paper Industry works continuously to optimise its processes and is already the biggest single user and producer of bio-energy in Europe.

Hearst Names Board Chairman

William Randolph Hearst III Named Hearst Corp. Board Chairman:
William Randolph ("Will") Hearst III, a grandson of the late Hearst Corp. founder (1887) William Randolph Hearst, was elected Hearst Corp. chairman of the board of directors on Jan. 22. He is a former San Francisco Examiner editor/publisher and is a partner emeritus at the venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
The 63-year-old Will Hearst fills one of two vacancies created by the June 25, 2012, death of his 84-year-old cousin, George R. Hearst, Jr., who had served as board chairman since 1996.

Summit Business Media Closes Treasury & Risk

Summit Business Media Closes Print Edition of Treasury & Risk, Selling Futures Magazine:
Summit Business Media has shut down the print version of Treasury & Risk magazine and is in advanced talks to sell Futures. The moves are part of on ongoing adjustment of resources towards digital and brands that offer scale in core markets served.
In other words, the company is focusing on developing only its market verticals that offer the best opportunities for multiplatform buildouts, while closing or selling off the ones that don't.

Traditional Media Continues to Hold Sway

Traditional Media Continues to Hold Purchasing Sway In Digital World: Next to friends and family and manufacturer/retailer websites, traditional media continues to holds sway in influencing consumers' purchase decisions. Next to friends and family and manufacturer/retailer websites, traditional media continues to holds sway in influencing consumers' purchase decisions.
Traditional media, such as TV and print, continue to be trusted, reliable sources for 42% of those consumers surveyed -- ahead of retail sales associates and e-mail messages from manufacturers and retailers

Hearst Tries a New iPad Pitch

http://allthingsd.com/20130117/hearst-tries-a-new-ipad-pitch-read-them-here-first/

Looking for a reason to buy an iPad edition of a magazine? Hearst hopes this will do the trick:

Readers who buy the publishers’ titles from Apple’s Newsstand will get them before anyone else — on or offline.

Benetton Greening Supply Chain

http://www.triplepundit.com/2013/01/benetton-greening-supply-chain/

Benetton Group is the latest global apparel company to join Greenpeace’s Detox Program. The Italy-based retailer, which operates 6,500 stores in 120 countries, is another coup for Greenpeace.
With its commitment to eliminate the release of toxic chemicals into water supplies and out of factories, Benetton joins apparel firms including Nike, Puma, Marks & Spencer and Zara.

Similar to other fashion companies who have signed Greenpeace’s pledge, Benetton promises to end the release of hazardous chemicals throughout the company’s global supply chain by 2020. This latest move by Benetton follows on the heels of other changes to which the company committed in recent years, including the switch to liquid wood clothes hangars, more eco-friendly white kraft paper bags printed with only water-based ink, reduced packaging and the increased monitoring of emissions throughout its operations.

Hot Print Markets For 2013-2014

Hot Print Markets For 2013-2014: Printing Impressions has compiled their projection for the hottest print markets by sector. Packaged Foods ranks number one with a revenue forecast of $1,151 billion, thanks to a potential 4% growth rate for 2013-2014.

Global Report on Packaging Preferences

Global consumers demand smarter packaging
Global consumers are guided by product packaging in their buying behavior. We reject products in plastic packaging and feel guilty when we throw away plastic water bottles. We worry about the amount of packaging consumed by society, and when shopping online we might consider having goods delivered in simple standard packaging instead of the original packaging if it makes them cheaper. These are the results of an international study by Innventia, Packaging 2020, carried out in association with Kairos Future.
The report describes seven global forces and their impact on the packaging industry and the packaging of the future. The conclusions are based on a survey carried out among consumers in the US, India and Sweden. A clear majority of the 1,500 interviewees see major problems with society’s consumption of packaging.

Marketers Continue Big Data Investments, but Struggle with Results

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130121/STRATEGY06/301219996/survey-marketers-to-ramp-up-big-data-spending

Marketers plan to increase their investments in data-related marketing initiatives this year, with a heavy emphasis on hiring, according to a report from Infogroup Targeting Services and Yesmail interactive.
According to the companies' report, “Data-Rich and Insight-Poor,” 68% of marketers said they expect their data-related expenditures to increase greatly or slightly this year, and only 3% said they would cut back in this area. Also, 56% plan to hire staff to handle data collection or analysis, with the most common position (20%) being data analyst. 

http://chiefmarketer.com/database-marketing/marketers-struggling-manage-big-data-survey

Sixty-percent of the more than 250 mid- and executive-level marketers who responded to the survey said they weren’t ready for the challenges of Big Data, and more than half said they were augmenting their marketing team and technology investments to become better prepared.
Eighty-one percent reported they are either somewhat or not very prepared when it comes to the new rules and regulations of marketing data governance.

GAO Review of USPS

http://www.gao.gov/highrisk/risks/efficiency-effectiveness/restructuring_postal.php

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) currently offers 12 nonpostal services (i.e., services not directly related to mail delivery) that were grandfathered by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) after enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA). These services--which include Passport Photo Services, the sale of advertising to support change-of-address processing, and others--generated a net income of $141 million in 2011. Since enactment of PAEA, USPS has received approval from PRC to offer eight experimental postal products, which are products that differ significantly from other offered products, such as the sale of gift cards loaded with a specified sum of money. Lastly, USPS performs at least four discretionary services (i.e., services it chooses, rather than is required, to perform) for other federal agencies, such as accepting passport applications for the State Department.

USPS is currently pursuing 55 new initiatives that it identified based on outreach to postal stakeholders. USPS chose to pursue these initiatives because of their potential to increase revenue and add value to the mail, among other reasons.
USPS considered but decided not to pursue 25 other stakeholder-identified initiatives, primarily because of financial reasons. Twelve initiatives were abandoned because USPS determined they were not likely to be profitable or the initial investment was too high.

Discussion: CPM and RTB Models

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/advertising-rtb-a-buying-model/239319/

For decades, cost per thousand (CPM) pricing has controlled how nearly all advertising is bought and sold and how different media properties are compared. While a focus on CPM-based buying also provided a foundation for the first decade of online display growth, it is now preventing the online advertising industry from realizing the full potential of what may be one of its biggest game changers—real-time bidding (RTB).

Gannett Selling Headquarters Building

http://news.yahoo.com/gannetts-downtown-rochester-building-sale-153504283.html

Gannett Co. says it's selling its downtown Rochester newspaper building that company founder Frank Gannett built 85 years ago.

The Gannett-owned Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports (http://on.rocne.ws/W4wS9m ) that the company announced Friday that the Gannett Newspapers building will be sold and the Democrat and Chronicle Media Group will seek a new home for its news and business operations in the city.

Burgo Closing Italy’s Last Newsprint Mill

Burgo to close Italy’s last newsprint mill

Burgo Group recently announced the suspension of production at Mantova mill starting February 9th, 2013.
Current production capacity of the plant is 150,000 tons/year of newsprint.
The decision is due to the unsustainable impact of energy costs in Italy. Additional causes are European newsprint market overcapacity and raw materials costs.
Burgo Group will evaluate developments of the competitive scenario before taking any decision about the industrial future of the plant.
188 employees are affected by the closure.
Since the closure of Cartiera Verde Romanello mill in February last year, Mantua has been the only facility producing newsprint in Italy, according to EUWID.

China's Graphic Paper Demand Growing

China's graphic paper demand expected to grow during next decade

The end-use structures in China are dramatically different than those of other world regions

China will continue to experience healthy graphic (printing, writing, & newsprint) paper demand growth over the next decade despite some markets in China already starting to mature. According to a new study released today by RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, healthy economic activity and improved standards of living in China will support demand even as some markets such as newsprint experience displacement by electronic technology. China's Influence on World Graphic Paper Markets in the Coming Decade analyzes China's end use structure to determine how it will affect future graphic paper market growth.

BC Commits $5 Million to Forest Industry

British Columbia promotes $5 million fund for forestry contractors:
The province of British Columbia set in motion a $5 million fund to provide financial protection for forestry contractors, as well as announcing tax relief on previous compensation payments.
“Our promise to logging contractors was to guarantee they receive payment for work performed, and to ensure fair tax treatment on earlier compensation,” said Premier Christy Clark. “Today we’re honouring those commitments.”
The compensation fund will strengthen payment protection for those who contract their services to forest sector companies. Logging contractors who provide services to licensees, but are not paid because of licensee insolvency, can now access this compensation fund to better protect their financial interests.

Tribune Names Officers

http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=5103

Tribune Company today announced that its Board of Directors has elected Bruce Karsh as Chairman of the Board and Peter Liguori as Chief Executive Officer.  The appointments are effective immediately.  The company also announced that former Chief Executive Officer Eddy Hartenstein will continue to serve as Publisher of the Los Angeles Times and CEO of the Los Angeles Times Media Group, and will act as special advisor to the Office of the CEO.

Since 1995, Karsh has served as President and co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., formerly Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, a Los Angeles-based investment management firm. 
Liguori most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications.  Before joining Discovery in 2009, he served as Chairman of Entertainment for the Fox Broadcasting Company.  Prior to assuming that position in 2005, Liguori was president and CEO of News Corp.’s FX Networks since 1998.

47% Direct Marketers to HIre in Q1

Nearly half of digital and direct marketers will hire in the first quarter: Forty-seven percent of digital and direct agencies and marketing companies plan to add staff in the first quarter, according to Bernhart Associates' “Quarterly Digital and Direct Marketing Hiring Report.”

Survey: Marketers to Up Big Data Spending

Survey: Marketers to ramp up Big Data spending: Marketers plan to increase their investments in data-related marketing initiatives this year, with a heavy emphasis on hiring, according to a report from Infogroup Targeting Services and Yesmail interactive.

Jordan, Edmiston: Robust M&A Market Ahead

Jordan, Edmiston forecasts robust M&A market: Media merger and acquisition activity will be strong over the next 24 months, according to the third annual “Media Growth Survey Report” from media investment bank Jordan, Edmiston Group and Econsultancy, a digital publishing and training company.
The survey found three out of four executives from companies with more than $50 million in revenue expect to make an acquisition during this period.

Union Holds 1-Day Strike at UPM Rauma

The workers at UPM's Rauma paper mill in southwestern Finland have downed tools, halting all paper production at the site. The action started at 6 AM today and is scheduled to end at 6 AM tomorrow.

"The employees decided that we will walk out to express support and protest against UPM's plans to close PM 3 during the first half of the year," shop steward Jouko Aitonurmi said.
Yesterday, UPM announced it would cut some 580,000 tonnes of paper capacity in Finland, Germany and France. These plans include the closure of PM 3 at the Rauma mill, producing uncoated mechanical paper. This may affect 90 workers at the factory, Aitonurmi said.
A company representative at the Rauma mill confirmed that the strike had started this morning and will continue for one day.

UPM Stops LWC Production in Stracel on 1/4

Coated magazine paper production ceased at UPM Stracel mill: UPM has finalized the employee information and consultation process with the Central Workers’ Council of UPM France and the Workers’ Council of the Stracel mill. The mill ceased production of coated magazine paper on January 4, 2013.
The current customers of the UPM Stracel will be served from other UPM mills. UPM Stracel mill has been producing 270 000 tonnes of coated magazine paper grades. The mill has 250 employees.
As the next step, UPM will continue the negotiations of the sale of assets and part of the land of the Stracel mill.

Stora Reports Preliminary Q4 Results

http://www.storaenso.com/investors/Pages/default.aspx 
Stora Enso will record non-recurring items (NRI) with a positive net impact of approximately EUR 110 million on operating profit, a positive impact of approximately EUR 11 million on financial items and a positive impact of approximately EUR 56 million on income tax in its fourth quarter 2012 results. The NRI will increase earnings per share by EUR 0.22.

Great Northern Paper Names President

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/01/17/business/great-northern-paper-names-new-president/Great Northern Paper (GNP), a subsidiary of Cate Street Capital, has announced that Ned Dwyer is the company's new president. Dwyer replaces CEO, Richard Cyr, who has served as GNP's acting president for the last 12 months. Cyr will remain as GNP's CEO, as well as CEO of Thermogen Industries, which is developing a torrefied wood manufacturing facility at the company's site in Millinocket. Dwyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paper Science & Engineering from the State University of New York and Syracuse University, and brings more than 26 years of relevant industry experience to his new role as president of GNP.

Norske Skog Relocates Headquarters

Relocation of Norske Skog's Headquarters to Oslo: (Norway)The President and CEO, Sven Ombudstvedt, has signed a lease contract for Norske Skog's new headquarters at Skøyen. The headquarters will be located centrally at Skøyen in Fram Eiendom's new building in 49 Karenslyst Allé in Oslo. The move will take place in early June 2013.

Advance Publications Buys Pop/ Reports Lay Offs

http://adage.com/article/digital/advance-buys-ad-agency-pop-assist-transition-digital/239233/?utm_source=mediaworks&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage

Advance Publications, parent company of Conde Nast and magazines like Wired, Vogue and Vanity Fair, has acquired Pop, a digital ad agency based in Seattle. Terms were not disclosed.Advance has treaded deeply into agency territory over the years by doing creative work directly for brands, but this is the first agency it has acquired outright.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/advance-lays-off-60-at-nj-pa-newspapers-including-34-at-star-ledger-njs-largest/2013/01/16/6f7a7e3c-6026-11e2-9dc9-bca76dd777b8_story.html

Advance Publications Inc. said Wednesday that it is laying off 60 employees at newspapers it owns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including 34 at New Jersey’s largest newspaper, the Star-Ledger of Newark.

Consumers Respond to QR Codes in Magazines

Survey: Consumers Respond Most to QR Codes Found In Magazines: A recent survey of 5,000 U.S. and European smartphone users finds, on average, 15% of respondents have used a QR code. Consumers have responded most to QR codes found in magazines.

Survey: Marketers Struggling to Manage Big Data

Survey Reveals Marketers Are Struggling to Handle Big Data: Conversational marketing technology provider Neolane Inc. announced the results of a survey it conducted in partnership with The Direct Marketing Assn. (DMA). Conducted in the third quarter of 2012, the more than 250 respondents to the survey spanned mid- and executive-level marketers in a wide range of industries.The key finding is that many markers are struggling with managing big data and must implement changes to make better use of their customer information. Overall, many are ill-equipped to handle the influx of growing data and are behind in planning for tremendous growth.

Meredith Lays Off 60 Employees

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/meredith-corp-lays-staff-146650

Publisher and broadcaster Meredith Corp. revealed today it laid off 60 people, a little less than 2 percent of its total workforce of 3,400. The parent of mass women's brands like Better Homes and Gardens and Family Circle took a $7 million net special charge related to the layoff in its fiscal second quarter, which it’s expected to report on Jan. 24.

Eating Well Partners with Dole

http://www.pubexec.com/article/dole-partners-with-eatingwell-magazine-education-sweepstakes/1

A unique, year-long partnership between Dole Salads and EatingWell Magazine seeks to inspire Americans to eat more salads, fruits and vegetables in 2013—and ultimately live happier, healthier lives. 

This partnership represents the first time the world's largest provider of fresh fruits and vegetables has teamed up with a major media brand. The year-long alliance between Dole and EatingWell print and online properties includes a host of initiatives designed to demonstrate just how easy and delicious a balanced diet rich in leafy greens and fresh produce can be.

Bloomberg Pursuits Ups Issues, Launches App

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/now-quarterly-bloomberg-pursuits-adds-masthead-launches-ipad-app-146463 
Bloomberg Pursuits, the luxury lifestyle spinoff of Bloomberg Markets, is trying to make more inroads into fashion as it steps up its frequency to four times a year. In addition to launching an iPad app, which will automatically download to subscribers of the Markets app starting with the spring issue, new editor in chief Ted Moncreiff's first, the magazine has added an art director and luxury marketing consultant.

Hearst's Fashion Week Competition

Hearst to Hold App 'Hackathon' During Fashion Week:
Hearst Magazines is planning what it's calling the 'Hearst Fashion Hack' during New York Fashion week. The event is a competition that courts the city's mobile development community by inviting them to build mobile apps in a 24-hour hackathon.

Women's Health Launches Contest

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/womens-health-launches-next-fitness-star-competition-146609

From The Next Food Network Star to the Next Action Star, we've seen a bevy of reality competitions attempt to find the latest, greatest fill-in-the-blank. Now, Rodale's Women’s Health is getting in on the trend with its own talent search: The Next Fitness Star.

Magna: Ad Revenue Up 4.7% in 2012

Magna: U.S. ad revenue up 4.7% in 2012: New York—U.S. ad revenue totaled an estimated $153.4 billion last year, up 4.7% over 2011, according to revised figures from Magna Global.

48.7% of BtoB Marketers Increasing Budgets

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130111/STRATEGY01/301119988/almost-half-of-marketers-to-boost-budgets-this-year

Despite continued uncertainty about the economy, nearly half of b2b marketers plan to increase their marketing budgets this year, according to BtoB's "2013 Outlook: Marketing Priorities and Plans" special report. 

The annual report, now in its 10th year, was based on an online survey of 366 b2b marketers, conducted between Nov. 12 and Nov. 30.
It found that 48.7% of marketers plan to increase their budgets this year, up from 40.1% last year; 41.8% will hold budgets flat, down from 48.4%; and 9.5% will decrease budgets, down from 10.8%.