TC Media is once again breaking new
ground by partnering with the talented Véronique Cloutier to launch a new
women's magazine called VÉRO. This quarterly magazine will be on
newsstands throughout Quebec starting next fall, and will target passionate,
active women who want to feel good about themselves, who treasure time with
their families and have a zest for life.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
McGraw-Hill Education Names President
McGraw-Hill Education today announced that
Peter Cohen, most recently CEO of Pearson School, will be president of
McGraw-Hill School Education Group, a division of the company that serves both
the PreK-12 and assessment
markets. Mr. Cohen will replace McGraw-Hill School Education President Dan
Caton, who recently announced his retirement after 43 years in the education
industry.
Retailers' Top Goal: Expansion
Despite recent headlines trumpeting retailers'
entry into Canadian and overseas markets, U.S. expansion remains a key growth
strategy. According to a new survey of 100 retail chief financial officers by BDO USA, LLP, 30 percent of CFOs say U.S.
expansion will be their priority growth tactic in 2013.
WSJ to Launch Risk & Compliance Journal
WSJ to launch Risk & Compliance Journal: The Wall Street Journal announced it will launch Risk & Compliance Journal, a news service covering governance, risk and compliance issues.
The service, scheduled to debut in the spring, will target C-level executives and board directors. It is the latest in a series of dedicated content services from Dow Jones that also includes CFO Journal, CIO Journal, DJ FX Trader and Wall Street Journal Wealth Management. It will be available to WSJ subscribers and complements Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, a suite of enterprise screening and diligence tools, the company said.
The service, scheduled to debut in the spring, will target C-level executives and board directors. It is the latest in a series of dedicated content services from Dow Jones that also includes CFO Journal, CIO Journal, DJ FX Trader and Wall Street Journal Wealth Management. It will be available to WSJ subscribers and complements Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, a suite of enterprise screening and diligence tools, the company said.
Telegraph to Cut Jobs as Newspapers Merge
Telegraph to cut 80 jobs as newspapers merge:
In a letter addressed to all staff today (12 March), TMG chief executive Murdoch MacLennan also announced that The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, printed at Newsprinters' Broxbourne site, would move to a 24/7 publishing model.
He said: "We are going to have to restructure our editorial operation to produce a root and branch change in the way we function. To this end, it will be merged into one unfied operation, serving digital and print products on a 24/7 basis.
In a letter addressed to all staff today (12 March), TMG chief executive Murdoch MacLennan also announced that The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, printed at Newsprinters' Broxbourne site, would move to a 24/7 publishing model.
He said: "We are going to have to restructure our editorial operation to produce a root and branch change in the way we function. To this end, it will be merged into one unfied operation, serving digital and print products on a 24/7 basis.
Higher Postal Rates Coming?
Are Higher Postal Rates in Your Future?:
Marketers should not be surprised at being hit with sharp increases in postal rates if Congress, postal unions, and regulators cannot agree on a self-sustaining survival plan for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The heads-up was delivered to Direct Marketing Association (DMA) members yesterday by Postal Regulatory Commission general counsel Steven Sharfman.
“It could be coming within the next 12 to 18 months,” Sharfman warned. “It's just that no one talks about it.”
The USPS finds itself in troubled waters, attempting to cut costs and right itself in the middle of a government breakdown.
Marketers should not be surprised at being hit with sharp increases in postal rates if Congress, postal unions, and regulators cannot agree on a self-sustaining survival plan for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The heads-up was delivered to Direct Marketing Association (DMA) members yesterday by Postal Regulatory Commission general counsel Steven Sharfman.
“It could be coming within the next 12 to 18 months,” Sharfman warned. “It's just that no one talks about it.”
The USPS finds itself in troubled waters, attempting to cut costs and right itself in the middle of a government breakdown.
NY Times Plans Site Redesign
NY Times plans site redesign: The New York Times announced plans to introduce a prototype version of NYTimes.com in advance of major site changes to be implemented later this year.
The prototype will include a cleaner design; richer integration of photography, video and interactive story elements; responsive design optimized for both desktop and tablet computers; higher-impact advertising; and updated user-comment and share tools, the company said.
The prototype will include a cleaner design; richer integration of photography, video and interactive story elements; responsive design optimized for both desktop and tablet computers; higher-impact advertising; and updated user-comment and share tools, the company said.
PIA Supports Program to Promote Paper Communications, Packaging
Printing Industries of America Supports Creation of New Program to Market and Promote Paper-Based Communications and Packaging: Printing Industries of America recently filed public comments on the proposed national Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order. This program, advocated by the paper industry and its national trade association, American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), would be a new government-approved commodities "check-off" program funded by requiring a small assessment on the nation’s largest paper producers and importers. The goal of the program would be to market and promote segments of the paper industry by spotlighting both the economic importance of paper-based materials as well as the industry’s ever-improving sustainability record. If it is approved and as successful as advocates predict it could be, the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order would be welcomed as an effort to spur continued growth in certain areas of print while at the same time stemming decline in demand for other areas of print.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Resolute Closes Calhoun Newsprint PM
Resolute Forest Products Inc. (RFP)
(RFP) announced today the indefinite idling of a newsprint machine at its
Calhoun mill in Tennessee. The idling comes as a result of a decrease in demand
for newsprint, coupled with high operating costs for the machine, which
produced 215,000 metric tons per year. The decision follows Resolute's March 11
acquisition of the 49% interest in Calhoun Newsprint Company ("CNC")
owned by The Herald Publishing Company, LLC, its joint-venture partner.
The Calhoun mill, which presently employs 610 workers, will
continue to operate the two specialty paper machines and the pulp dryer. The
announcement will affect approximately 150 positions at the mill.
Great Northern Paper Converts to Gas
After more than a decade of decline, manufacturing in the
U.S. is going through a small, but significant renaissance. A big reason: new
sources of energy, like natural gas, that are helping companies cut costs,
produce more products and hire more people. Here in Maine, one of the state's
best-known paper mills in East Millinocket is betting on this formula for
resurgence and growth. Jay Field begins his report at Great Northern Paper
inside the boiler house.
Iceland/Maine in Shipping Partnership
Iceland shipping line partners with railroad at Portland,
Maine, port; will connect pulp and paper exports to Europe. A
strategic partnership between Iceland's largest steamship line and New
England's largest railroad is poised to transform the quiet port of Portland
into a hub for freight crossing the North Atlantic. Starting later this month, container ships from Icelandic
Steamship Co., also called Eimskip, will be connecting Portland directly with
cities as far north as Murmansk, Russia, 125 miles above the Arctic Circle,
and as far south as Rotterdam, Netherlands, Europe's largest port.
Direct Response Ads Drive Growth for AARP's Bulletin
Direct Response Ads Drive Growth for AARP's Bulletin: AARP's print publication Bulletin has seen direct response advertising rates grow despite the downturn.
| There a bright spots in in magazine publishing, most of which revolve around niche publications with a very specific—and interested—readership. Shelagh Miller, VP of AARP's has seen advertising rates from AARP's various publications grow steadily amid the downturn. The AARP Bulletin, published 10 times a year, covering key issues relevant to AARP's demographic: news about Federal policies that might affect, say, social security or healthcare, and scam alerts. Revenue growth in AARP Bulletin has increased more than 22% since 2011. |
Politico Plans Print Magazine
Politico Plans Print Magazine Launch as It Passes 1,000 Pro Subscriber Mark:
Politico, the politics and policy journalism site, says it has broken the 1,000 subscription mark to its Pro news service. Like other content-based sites, Politico has supplemented its revenues through paid subscription service that includes original content, but in this case offers robust personalization features to add value for subscribers.
Going forward, Politico is launching a new afternoon newsletter as a follow-on to its crack-of-dawn version, called the Pro Report, along with a quarterly policy magazine. Politico already has a newspaper distributed around the Washington, D.C. area and plans to have the magazine follow a similar distribution strategy.
Politico, the politics and policy journalism site, says it has broken the 1,000 subscription mark to its Pro news service. Like other content-based sites, Politico has supplemented its revenues through paid subscription service that includes original content, but in this case offers robust personalization features to add value for subscribers.
Going forward, Politico is launching a new afternoon newsletter as a follow-on to its crack-of-dawn version, called the Pro Report, along with a quarterly policy magazine. Politico already has a newspaper distributed around the Washington, D.C. area and plans to have the magazine follow a similar distribution strategy.
Printed Books Making a Comeback
Printed Books Making a Comeback Over E-Books:
According to a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, the death of the printed book has been greatly exaggerated. The article points to the results of a Pew Research Center survey that showed that the percentage of adults who have read an e-book rose modestly over the last year from 16% to 23%. It also showed that 89% of print book readers say they have read at least one printed book during the last year while only 30% report reading a single e-book during the same period.
The article goes on to suggest that e-book popularity might have been an anomaly. Author Nicholas
Not only is there evidence to support the growth of printed books, there is also evidence of a shift in printing technologies used for books, from offset and toner to inkjet technologies. In the InfoTrends study, “US Digital Production Printing Forecast 2011 to 2016″ InfoTrend predicts an increase of 52 billion pages printed on digital devices and that a transfer will occur from toner-based devices to inkjet presses.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, the death of the printed book has been greatly exaggerated. The article points to the results of a Pew Research Center survey that showed that the percentage of adults who have read an e-book rose modestly over the last year from 16% to 23%. It also showed that 89% of print book readers say they have read at least one printed book during the last year while only 30% report reading a single e-book during the same period.
The article goes on to suggest that e-book popularity might have been an anomaly. Author Nicholas
Not only is there evidence to support the growth of printed books, there is also evidence of a shift in printing technologies used for books, from offset and toner to inkjet technologies. In the InfoTrends study, “US Digital Production Printing Forecast 2011 to 2016″ InfoTrend predicts an increase of 52 billion pages printed on digital devices and that a transfer will occur from toner-based devices to inkjet presses.
New York Magazine's Perspective on News Feed
A Publisher’s Perspective on Facebook's Revamped News Feed:
It’s been more than six years since Facebook rolled out its News Feed feature, which has ever since enabled brands to get their content in front of the site’s social users. Last week, the company announced it would be introducing a new design and functionality to the News Feed to include less clutter, more visuals and increased options for user preferences.
To help get a sense of how this change might impact content brands, FOLIO: checked in with New York magazine, which claims more than 307,000 Facebook fans across three brand pages that includes The Cut, Vulture and, of course, New York.
It’s been more than six years since Facebook rolled out its News Feed feature, which has ever since enabled brands to get their content in front of the site’s social users. Last week, the company announced it would be introducing a new design and functionality to the News Feed to include less clutter, more visuals and increased options for user preferences.
To help get a sense of how this change might impact content brands, FOLIO: checked in with New York magazine, which claims more than 307,000 Facebook fans across three brand pages that includes The Cut, Vulture and, of course, New York.
Traditional Women's Magazines Change Focus
Traditionally the purveyor of
recipes and cleaning tips, women's service magazines have come a long way, but
apparently not far enough. More than a decade ago, Real Simple and O, The Oprah
Magazine packaged service as lifestyle, forcing the category to pivot en masse.
So, in the past year, Good
Housekeeping, Redbook, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal and Woman’s Day—all
facing long-term advertising and newsstand sales declines—further downplayed
their bread-and-butter housecleaning, parenting and relationship advice in
favor of fashion, beauty, shopping and entertaining.
Utne Reader Magazine Moving to KS
The Utne Reader, a landmark magazine based in
the Twin Cities, will shut down its local editorial offices and relocate in
Topeka, Kan.
The literate-minded magazine, envisioned as a sort of Reader's Digest that compiled "the best of the alternative press," was purchased by Topeka-based Ogden Publications six years ago. The company hopes to save money by consolidating operations at its national headquarters, where it oversees such titles as Mother Earth News and Motorcycle Classics.
The literate-minded magazine, envisioned as a sort of Reader's Digest that compiled "the best of the alternative press," was purchased by Topeka-based Ogden Publications six years ago. The company hopes to save money by consolidating operations at its national headquarters, where it oversees such titles as Mother Earth News and Motorcycle Classics.
Minnesota Gov. Rethinking Ad Tax
Doug Spong, president of Minneapolis ad
agency Carmichael Lynch, isn't sugarcoating the effect a
tax on advertising would have. It "would absolutely devastate our
industry," Mr. Spong told the Minnesota House of Representatives' Taxes
Committee on Feb. 28. "It would handicap all Minnesota agencies," he
said, because they would have to raise their fees to cover the tax.
Mr. Spong is part of a broad coalition that is wasting no time trying to derail budget proposals by Minnesota and Ohio that would tax advertising sales. And it looks like his efforts may have already paid off. Gov. Mark Dayton said he's rethinking his business-to-business tax and it won't be part of the budget he releases this week.
Mr. Spong is part of a broad coalition that is wasting no time trying to derail budget proposals by Minnesota and Ohio that would tax advertising sales. And it looks like his efforts may have already paid off. Gov. Mark Dayton said he's rethinking his business-to-business tax and it won't be part of the budget he releases this week.
2012 Coupon Use Declines
After surging during the Great Recession, the old-fashioned savings tool seems to have lost favor among consumers. Or has it?
Coupon industry insiders disagree on whether the drop is an aberration caused by a poor mix of coupon offers in 2012 or whether it signals the beginning of the end of the paper coupon era... -->
In 2012, manufacturers put the brakes on coupons. The coupon values became skimpier, the expiration dates shorter and oftentimes, the coupons were requiring that you buy two or even three of an item before you get your 55 cents off.
RRD Agreement with International Airlines
RR Donnelley Awarded a Multi-Year Agreement by International Airlines Group:
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company has been awarded a multi-year agreement by International Airlines Group (IAG) and its subsidiaries British Airways, Iberia and Avios. Under the terms of the agreement, which renews and expands the companies' relationship, RR Donnelley will provide a range of print management, direct response, warehousing and logistics services.
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company has been awarded a multi-year agreement by International Airlines Group (IAG) and its subsidiaries British Airways, Iberia and Avios. Under the terms of the agreement, which renews and expands the companies' relationship, RR Donnelley will provide a range of print management, direct response, warehousing and logistics services.
Monday, March 11, 2013
More Mills Raise Prices in Europe
http://www.arcticpaper.com/en/Pressroom/News-archive/Arctic-Paper-announces-a-general-price-increase-of-5-7-for-coated-fine-papers/
Arctic Paper wishes to announce to its customers a price increase on all CWF paper grades, both in sheets and reels. The price increase will range from 5-7% and will differ from the current price levels per country and paper grade.
The price increase will affect deliveries from 15 April 2013. Further price increases in 2013 seems to be inevitable, to secure a minimum profitability.
Arctic Paper wishes to announce to its customers a price increase on all CWF paper grades, both in sheets and reels. The price increase will range from 5-7% and will differ from the current price levels per country and paper grade.
The price increase will affect deliveries from 15 April 2013. Further price increases in 2013 seems to be inevitable, to secure a minimum profitability.
The increase will be at least 50
Euro per tonne and take effect for all deliveries invoiced from 15th April
2013.
PwC Forest Product CEO Survey Released
Forest, paper & packaging
(FPP) CEOs are less confident about revenue growth over the next 12 months than
their peers in other sectors, but are more optimistic about their company's
revenue prospects in the next three years, according to PwC's 16th Annual
Global CEO Survey released recently in Davos, Switzerland.
"CEOs have identified their
top three priorities: enhancing operational effectiveness; investing in
innovation and R&D; and developing new business models."
The
survey found 92% of sector CEOs have implemented a cost-reduction initiative in
the past 12 months.
R&D
and innovation is a top priority for 42% of FPP CEOs in the next 12 months-a
full 10% higher than the overall average across the entire CEO Survey.Half of the FPP CEOs surveyed have entered into a new strategic alliance or joint venture in the past year, 34% completed a cross-border M&A and 32% completed a domestic M&A.
Every FPP CEO surveyed said that customer service was a key differentiator, the only sector in the full survey where 100% reported that customers influence their strategy.
Seventy-five per cent of FPP CEOs worry that energy and raw material costs could pose a threat to growth, far more than the average across the overall survey sample.
Ninety-five per cent reported that supply chain partners are influencing their strategy, and the large majority of CEOs are increasing efforts to engage with them.
Nearly three quarters (71%) of FPP CEOs plan to increase their company's focus on reducing their environmental footprint, while 18% will continue at their current levels.
Study: Consumers Trust Ads in Magazines & Newspapers
Study: Consumers Trust Advertising in Magazines and Newspapers More Than Any Other Media:
New research has revealed that despite important changes in media consumption in recent years, consumers continue to have most trust in advertising in printed media. When asked how much trust they attach to advertising in the various media, consumers gave magazines and newspapers a score of 63%, TV 41% and Internet 25%. Consumers were also asked about the role of advertising in purchase decision making - almost seven out of ten said that advertising in magazines and newspapers was most important in supporting purchase decisions. When asked to compare direct mail with social media almost 90% of respondents valued addressed and non-addressed mail above social media.
New research has revealed that despite important changes in media consumption in recent years, consumers continue to have most trust in advertising in printed media. When asked how much trust they attach to advertising in the various media, consumers gave magazines and newspapers a score of 63%, TV 41% and Internet 25%. Consumers were also asked about the role of advertising in purchase decision making - almost seven out of ten said that advertising in magazines and newspapers was most important in supporting purchase decisions. When asked to compare direct mail with social media almost 90% of respondents valued addressed and non-addressed mail above social media.
Catalogs Are Part of a Balanced Marketing Diet
http://www.dmnews.com/catalogs-are-part-of-a-balanced-marketing-diet/article/283668
For a supposedly dead channel, print isn't doing too badly. According to the Direct Marketing Association, roughly 12.5 billion catalogs—often featuring interactive elements such as QR codes, text codes, and augmented reality enhancements—are printed and mailed each year.To demonstrate the continued viability of print as an evolving and thriving channel, NewPoint Media Group, publisher of The Real Estate Book and a variety of other targeted magazines, issued its advertisers and prospects the following challenge: collect as many catalog covers as you can and mail them in to win a cash prize.The secondary goal of NewPoint's “Catalog Challenge” was to open people's eyes to the sheer number of targeted, welcome print catalogs they receive, especially around the holiday season. Even e-commerce behemoths like Amazon and Zappos print and mail catalogs in the lead up to Christmas.
For a supposedly dead channel, print isn't doing too badly. According to the Direct Marketing Association, roughly 12.5 billion catalogs—often featuring interactive elements such as QR codes, text codes, and augmented reality enhancements—are printed and mailed each year.To demonstrate the continued viability of print as an evolving and thriving channel, NewPoint Media Group, publisher of The Real Estate Book and a variety of other targeted magazines, issued its advertisers and prospects the following challenge: collect as many catalog covers as you can and mail them in to win a cash prize.The secondary goal of NewPoint's “Catalog Challenge” was to open people's eyes to the sheer number of targeted, welcome print catalogs they receive, especially around the holiday season. Even e-commerce behemoths like Amazon and Zappos print and mail catalogs in the lead up to Christmas.
News Corp. Puts $2.6 Billion in Publishing Co.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/in-filing-news-corp-says-it-will-provide-2-6-billion-to-its-new-publishing-company/?partner=rss&emc=rss
News Corporation’s new publishing company will receive a $2.6 billion infusion of cash and have no debt when it separates from the company’s higher-growth cable channels and Hollywood studio this summer.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, the company confirmed what analysts had expected: Rupert Murdoch will make sure his beloved trove of roughly 175 newspapers will have plenty of capital once they are split off on their own.
The $2.6 billion figure, $1.82 billion of which will come from the parent company, is slightly higher than investors had anticipated, leading to speculation that it might be used to acquire additional newspapers.
News Corporation’s new publishing company will receive a $2.6 billion infusion of cash and have no debt when it separates from the company’s higher-growth cable channels and Hollywood studio this summer.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, the company confirmed what analysts had expected: Rupert Murdoch will make sure his beloved trove of roughly 175 newspapers will have plenty of capital once they are split off on their own.
The $2.6 billion figure, $1.82 billion of which will come from the parent company, is slightly higher than investors had anticipated, leading to speculation that it might be used to acquire additional newspapers.
Men Still Prefer Newspapers for Sports
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195349/newspapers-remain-top-sports-source-for-men.html#axzz2NGRghbV
Between social media, mobile and cable TV, sports news outlets have been proliferating -- but newspapers are still the top source for sports news for sports fans. Among male sports fans ages 18-54, 76% cited the sports section of their local newspaper Web site as one of their “go-to” sources for sports news, while 69% cited the print edition.
That compares with 66% for ESPN.com, 46% for league sites, 45% for Yahoo Sports.com, and 45% for ESPN Sports Center. Further down the list, 33% said sports talk radio and 23% said Sports Illustrated or SI.com.
Between social media, mobile and cable TV, sports news outlets have been proliferating -- but newspapers are still the top source for sports news for sports fans. Among male sports fans ages 18-54, 76% cited the sports section of their local newspaper Web site as one of their “go-to” sources for sports news, while 69% cited the print edition.
That compares with 66% for ESPN.com, 46% for league sites, 45% for Yahoo Sports.com, and 45% for ESPN Sports Center. Further down the list, 33% said sports talk radio and 23% said Sports Illustrated or SI.com.
How Time Inc. Should Reinvent Itself
http://adage.com/article/media/time-reinvent-independent-publisher/240254/
When Time Warner spins off its magazine unit, the world's biggest magazine company will become an anomaly: a publicly traded media company consisting entirely of magazines. Time Inc. titles were once the crown jewels of media, generating nearly a billion in annual operating profit just a decade ago. By 2012 that had fallen to $420 million, a precipitous 25% drop from the year earlier. Despite recent cost cuts, that portfolio -- and its infrastructure -- was built for an era when ad dollars were plentiful.
When Time Warner spins off its magazine unit, the world's biggest magazine company will become an anomaly: a publicly traded media company consisting entirely of magazines. Time Inc. titles were once the crown jewels of media, generating nearly a billion in annual operating profit just a decade ago. By 2012 that had fallen to $420 million, a precipitous 25% drop from the year earlier. Despite recent cost cuts, that portfolio -- and its infrastructure -- was built for an era when ad dollars were plentiful.
RRD Closing Greenfield, Ohio Plant
Citing "changing market conditions," the RR Donnelley &
Sons company in Greenfield, previously known as Banta publishing, informed its
employees Wednesday that it will be closing in May. Nearly 170 employees will
lose their jobs as a result of the closing.
2012 Ad Spending Up 3%
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130311/ADVERTISING13/303119997/kantar-media-reports-u-s-ad-spending-up-3-last-year
Total ad spending in the U.S. reached $140.0 billion last year, up 3% over 2011, according to Kantar Media. Kantar tracks ad spending for measured media including TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, online (display ads only) and outdoor advertising. During the fourth quarter, total ad spending was up 2% compared with the same period in 2011.The fastest-growing media category last year was TV, which grew 8% over 2011, Kantar said. Outdoor advertising grew by 5%, and radio increased by 3%. Categories that were down last year included magazines (down 2%), newspapers (down 3%) and online (down 3%).
Total ad spending in the U.S. reached $140.0 billion last year, up 3% over 2011, according to Kantar Media. Kantar tracks ad spending for measured media including TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, online (display ads only) and outdoor advertising. During the fourth quarter, total ad spending was up 2% compared with the same period in 2011.The fastest-growing media category last year was TV, which grew 8% over 2011, Kantar said. Outdoor advertising grew by 5%, and radio increased by 3%. Categories that were down last year included magazines (down 2%), newspapers (down 3%) and online (down 3%).
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195465/us-ad-economy-expands-for-third-consecutive-year.html#axzz2NGRghbVr
U.S. Ad Economy Expands For Third Consecutive Year: Big, Mid-Tail Advertisers Biggest Factors
Buoyed by big and mid-tail advertisers, the U.S. advertising marketplace expanded for its third consecutive year, albeit at a relatively modest 3% rate of growth.
U.S. Ad Economy Expands For Third Consecutive Year: Big, Mid-Tail Advertisers Biggest Factors
Buoyed by big and mid-tail advertisers, the U.S. advertising marketplace expanded for its third consecutive year, albeit at a relatively modest 3% rate of growth.
Brown Printing Buys Nellymoser
Brown Printing Expands Mobile Solutions through the Acquisition of Nellymoser: WASECA, MN—March 11, 2013—Brown Printing Company today announced the acquisition of Nellymoser, a Boston-based mobile marketing and technology company. Nellymoser is a mobile innovator and a pioneer in rich media delivery, having deployed over 800 print-to-digital campaigns in 2012 for 50 of the Top 100 magazines.
Print Wins Again
Now THIS Is Funny! Print Wins Again:
This is for all those claiming that print is dead . . . or who want to respond to those who do. No commentary necessary. This ad speaks for itself. Enjoy.
This is for all those claiming that print is dead . . . or who want to respond to those who do. No commentary necessary. This ad speaks for itself. Enjoy.
World’s Largest Biomass Plant Started
World’s largest biomass gasification plant inaugurated
Vaskiluodon Voima Oy has inaugurated the world's largest biomass gasification plant, which was supplied by Metso, in Vaasa, Finland. The plant was inaugurated by the Finnish Minister of Labour Lauri Ihalainen on March 11th.
Vaskiluodon Voima's plant is ground-breaking in many ways, as this is the first time in the world that biomass gasification is being adopted on such a large scale for replacement of fossil fuels.
Vaskiluodon Voima Oy has inaugurated the world's largest biomass gasification plant, which was supplied by Metso, in Vaasa, Finland. The plant was inaugurated by the Finnish Minister of Labour Lauri Ihalainen on March 11th.
Vaskiluodon Voima's plant is ground-breaking in many ways, as this is the first time in the world that biomass gasification is being adopted on such a large scale for replacement of fossil fuels.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Boise Cascade Reports 2012, Q4 Results
Boise Cascade Reports Profit in Q4: BOISE, Idaho - Boise Cascade Company today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2012 Operating Results
Total sales in fourth quarter 2012 were $694.6 million, compared with $547.4 million in fourth quarter 2011. Total sales for the full year improved by 24% to $2,779.1 million: growth of 23% in our Building Materials Distribution (BMD) segment and 32% in our Wood Products segment.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2012 Operating Results
Total sales in fourth quarter 2012 were $694.6 million, compared with $547.4 million in fourth quarter 2011. Total sales for the full year improved by 24% to $2,779.1 million: growth of 23% in our Building Materials Distribution (BMD) segment and 32% in our Wood Products segment.
NA & SA Q4 Wood Fiber Costs Fall
Wood fiber costs decreased in North and South America in 4Q 2012
Lower pulp prices during last summer and an increased supply of sawmill chips put downward pressure on pulpwood prices in North America and Latin America in the 4Q/12. The biggest declines occurred in Western US, British Columbia and Brazil.
Wood fiber prices trended downward in the local currencies in many of the key pulp-producing countries of the world in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the report Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).
However, as a result of the weakening US dollar, wood fiber prices actually increased in US dollar terms in a number countries and the Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) was up slightly (+0.1%) in the 4Q/12 to $100.13/odmt. The biggest increases from the 3Q to the 4Q occurred in Eastern Canada, Finland, France and New Zealand, WRQ added.
The price declines in the local currencies were mainly the result of an increased supply of softwood fiber in regions with extensive lumber production. In the US Northwest, chip prices fell as much as 27 percent during 2012 and pulp mills in the region had some of the lowest softwood fiber costs in the world in the 4Q/12.
Lower pulp prices during last summer and an increased supply of sawmill chips put downward pressure on pulpwood prices in North America and Latin America in the 4Q/12. The biggest declines occurred in Western US, British Columbia and Brazil.
Wood fiber prices trended downward in the local currencies in many of the key pulp-producing countries of the world in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the report Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).
However, as a result of the weakening US dollar, wood fiber prices actually increased in US dollar terms in a number countries and the Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) was up slightly (+0.1%) in the 4Q/12 to $100.13/odmt. The biggest increases from the 3Q to the 4Q occurred in Eastern Canada, Finland, France and New Zealand, WRQ added.
The price declines in the local currencies were mainly the result of an increased supply of softwood fiber in regions with extensive lumber production. In the US Northwest, chip prices fell as much as 27 percent during 2012 and pulp mills in the region had some of the lowest softwood fiber costs in the world in the 4Q/12.
Bengal Paper Files Countersuit Against Pt Hawk
A Pennsylvania company being sued by the Port Hawkesbury
mill says it will file a countersuit.
David O'Brien, a spokesman for Bengal Paper &
Converting, Inc., of Linfield, Pa., says the lawsuit is "beyond
belief" and contains "crazy allegations.""We are going to be vigorously disputing these allegations and we are going to be countersuing them for contract violations," O'Brien said.
Nippon, Mitsubishi P&W Paper Price Hikes
Japan's Mitsubishi Paper Mills (MPM) and Nippon Paper Group (NPG) have both announced large domestic price hikes for their graphic paper ranges, effective
on shipments from April 21.
In both cases the hikes have been
announced at ¥15/kg, which is equivalent to about $161/tonne. In MPM's case, the hikes cover uncoated and coated fine paper and lightweight coated paper. NPG's announcement covers the same grades, as well as ultra lightweight coated paper. NPG ascribed the need for the increase to conditions since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which had a considerable impact on domestic graphic paper production. It heralded in a boom in imports and a big drop in graphic paper prices, which it is now moving to correct to a level it considers sustainable. MPM also cited the impact of imports on its business, as well as the cost of raw materials and fuel. Prices for graphic paper grades in Japan have fallen by up to 9% since March 2011. |
MediaPost Mag Bag
Magazines are unveiling new looks, as publishers
reposition titles to keep pace with the changing interests and habits of
readers. Both Redbook and Taste
of Home have been revamped to make them more social and
mobile-friendly.
The Reader’s Digest Association is revamping Taste
of Home, giving it a new look and 20% more pages of editorial
content. Now perfect-bound and printed on a heavier stock, Taste
of Home will include more healthy recipes and health-related
content, as well as clip-and-save recipe cards, and a new logo. According to
the fall 2012 MRI index, Taste of Home reaches 11.1 million
readers.
The Week is
raising its rate base for the second time in six months, owner Dennis
Publishing announced this week. Beginning July 1, The Week
will have a rate base of 550,000, up 2.8% from 535,000.
And more...
Personalized Messages Pay Off for Retailers
Personalized Marketing Messages Pay Off for Retailers: A study finds 40% of online shoppers buy more from retailers who personalize their marketing message across all channels; Half say they are willing to share data to receive a better shopping experience.
Former Vertis Workers in Court
A dispute between former employees of Vertis Communications in Stevensville
and Quad/Graphics Marketing will most likely be resolved in a courtroom and not
on the picket line.
And, it will likely take some time before all the legal issues are ironed out.
On Thursday, lawyers representing both the workers, who are members of the
Communications, Energy and Paperworks Union of Canada, and Quad/Graphics
appeared in the Superior Court of Justice in St. Catharines to try and resolve
some issues regarding what has been taking place on the picket line.
And, it will likely take some time before all the legal issues are ironed out.
Senate Reconsiders Eliminating Paper Communication
US Senate to Reconsider Elimination of Paper Based Communication: 'Consumers for Paper Options', a coalition of individuals and organizations advocating for the right to paper-based communications, today applauded a new Congressional resolution to protect access to paper-based options for government services and information. This bipartisan resolution (H.Res. 97), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) and Mike Michaud (D-Maine), seeks to reverse recent federal initiatives to completely eliminate paper-based information and services, such as Social Security checks and earnings statements, savings bonds and income tax forms.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Verso Paper Reports 2012 & Q4 Results
Verso Paper Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2012 Results:
Verso's net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased $89.3 million, or 19.8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting a 17.0% decline in total sales volume, which was driven by the closure of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.4% decrease in the average sales price per ton for all of our products. Verso's gross margin was 14.0% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 12.6% for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Verso reported net income of $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, or $0.48 per diluted share, which included $47.4 million of net gains from special items, or $0.90 per diluted share, primarily due to proceeds from the insurance settlement related to the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill.
Verso's net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased $89.3 million, or 19.8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting a 17.0% decline in total sales volume, which was driven by the closure of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.4% decrease in the average sales price per ton for all of our products. Verso's gross margin was 14.0% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 12.6% for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Verso reported net income of $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, or $0.48 per diluted share, which included $47.4 million of net gains from special items, or $0.90 per diluted share, primarily due to proceeds from the insurance settlement related to the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill.
Verso had a net loss of $67.9 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011, which included $51.5 million of charges from special items, or $0.98 per diluted share.
Verso's net sales for 2012 decreased $247.9 million, or 14.4%, compared to 2011, reflecting an 11.1% decrease in volume for all of our products, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.7% decrease in sales prices compared to 2011.
China Chengtong Takes Over MCC
China Chengtong Holdings' total
pulp and paper capacity will reach 3.9 million tonnes/yr after it takes over
the Metallurgical Corporation of China's (MCC) pulp and paper business.
The two parties signed an agreement on February 28, which will see MCC transfer its wholly-owned subsidiary MCC Paper to China Chengtong without cost.
But the plan still needs further approvals from the central government.
Both MCC and China Chengtong are giant state-owned companies directly under the administration of the Chinese government.
MCC Paper has a total capacity of more than 1.5 million tonnes/yr of pulp and paper at its many subsidiaries in China.
The two parties signed an agreement on February 28, which will see MCC transfer its wholly-owned subsidiary MCC Paper to China Chengtong without cost.
But the plan still needs further approvals from the central government.
Both MCC and China Chengtong are giant state-owned companies directly under the administration of the Chinese government.
MCC Paper has a total capacity of more than 1.5 million tonnes/yr of pulp and paper at its many subsidiaries in China.
Direct Mail Tops In ROI
Direct Mail Tops In ROI, Say B2C Marketers; Email Delivers for B2B: The Target Marketing 2013 Media Usage survey finds direct mail delivers the strongest ROI for B2C customer acquisition and retention; Email deemed tops amongst B2B marketers.
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