Quad/Graphics,
a leading global printer and media channel integrator, was recognized by the
U.S. Postal Service this week for excellence in driving technology innovation
and supporting growth for the mailing industry. Postmaster General and CEO,
Patrick R. Donahoe presented the inaugural Partnership for Growth award to
Quad/Graphics at the annual National Postal Forum.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Bid for LA Times
The Los Angeles Times
is up for sale again, and once again L.A. investment mogul Eli Broad is
interested. The billionaire philanthropist has partnered with Austin Beutner,
who served as L.A. deputy mayor from 2009-2011, to bid for the newspaper --
still one the nation’s largest metropolitan dailies, despite declining
circulation in recent years.
Carat Forecasts Advertising Up 3.7%
While TV will remain advertising’s No.
1 medium, digital -- principally online display and search -- will account for
one-fifth of all ad spending next year, according to new projections released
this morning by Aegis Group’s Carat unit. The forecast, which calls for the
global ad economy to expand 3.7% this year, represents a significant downgrade
from Carat’s previous projections in August 2012, when Carat projected ad
spending would increase 5.1% in 2013. On the bright side, Carat projects
worldwide ad spending will rise 5.0% in 2014, led by double-digit increases in
Latin America, Russia, and a resurgence in North America and the U.K.
Wiley Launches Digital Classroom
John Wiley and Sons, Inc., in partnership with
the American Graphics Institute, announce the launch of Digital Classroom (www.digitalclassroom.com),
a new e-learning resource that combines video training from expert instructors
with a rich library of digital books published by Wiley.
Folio: People On The Move
People On The Move | 3.20.13:
Bobby Ghosh has been promoted to international editor at Time. Ghosh was serving as deputy international editor at the magazine.
Jane Wladar has been promoted to publisher and chief revenue officer at Hearst's Country Living. Wladar was previously associate publisher of Hearst's Car and Driver and Road & Track titles.
Town & Country has named Hillary Koota Krevlin as executive director of partnerships and brand development. Koota Krevlin was serving as a corporate executive at Condé Nast Media Group. Also, William Gasperoni has been named executive director of print and digital marketing. Gasperoni was previously an integrated marketing director at The Wall Street Journal.
And more...
Bobby Ghosh has been promoted to international editor at Time. Ghosh was serving as deputy international editor at the magazine.
Jane Wladar has been promoted to publisher and chief revenue officer at Hearst's Country Living. Wladar was previously associate publisher of Hearst's Car and Driver and Road & Track titles.
Town & Country has named Hillary Koota Krevlin as executive director of partnerships and brand development. Koota Krevlin was serving as a corporate executive at Condé Nast Media Group. Also, William Gasperoni has been named executive director of print and digital marketing. Gasperoni was previously an integrated marketing director at The Wall Street Journal.
And more...
New Value in Uncommon Print Marketing Options
Print Marketing Less Travelled:
Oddly enough, with the digital tsunami drowning us, print has taken on a fresh personality. What some once derided as “junk” is becoming semi-precious.
That thought prompted me to consider options for less-often-seen print marketing. Here’s my list.
1. Personalized print products used post-purchase to bolster relationships..
2. Transpromotional customer service relationship building..
3. “Handwritten” notes..
4. “must save” value-added print..
5. “Real” photographs..
7. Personalized 3D-printed products.
Oddly enough, with the digital tsunami drowning us, print has taken on a fresh personality. What some once derided as “junk” is becoming semi-precious.
That thought prompted me to consider options for less-often-seen print marketing. Here’s my list.
1. Personalized print products used post-purchase to bolster relationships..
2. Transpromotional customer service relationship building..
3. “Handwritten” notes..
4. “must save” value-added print..
5. “Real” photographs..
7. Personalized 3D-printed products.
PostNet Receives USPS Mail Innovations Award
PostNet Receives 2013 Mail Innovations Award From U.S. Postal Service: DENVER - PostNet, the nation's first Neighborhood Business Center offering printing, marketing and design solutions for small businesses, received a Mail Innovations award from the U.S. Postal Service at the 2013 National Postal Forum on March 18. PostNet was recognized for its exemplary participation in Every Door Direct Mail, a direct mail service from the U.S. Postal Service.
Launched in 2011, Every Door Direct Mail enables businesses to efficiently reach all residences in a designated area.
Launched in 2011, Every Door Direct Mail enables businesses to efficiently reach all residences in a designated area.
Mailstream Meets the Inbox
Where the Mailstream Meets the Inbox: The convergence of print and digital has been much-discussed in recent years, but what exactly does that mean? There are of course QR codes, near field communications (NFC) and augmented reality solutions—all in various stages of market maturity. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is working on solutions of its own. The goal: to digitize mailboxes.
McClatchy Buys Tru Measure
McClatchy buys Tru Measure: Sacramento, Calif.—Newspaper publisher McClatchy Co. has acquired Tru Measure, a digital marketing company that measures online ad effectiveness. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Email Open Rates Up, Click Rates Fall
Email in Q4 2012: Open Rates Up, Click Rates Fall: The average email open rate increased to 27.4% in Q4 of 2012, representing the highest rate in at least 2 years, finds Epsilon. Click rates remain near a 2 year low at 4.5%.
InfoTrends: Big Data, Customer Experience & Personalization
InfoTrends Explores How Big Data Powers Customer Experience Personalization: Weymouth, MA - There continues to be plenty of hype in the business and technology media about the potential that ?big data? has to help companies glean meaningful insights, make better decisions, develop useful products, and deliver exceptional customer service. Many enterprise marketers have been clued into the power of big data years before the hype caught on, amassing an incredible amount of data on everything from target audiences to campaign performance, all in effort to improve the effectiveness of their customer acquisition and engagement activities.
Washington Post Imposes Paywall
Washington Post to establish paywall: The Washington Post will begin charging users to access its website after they've viewed 20 articles or multimedia features a month. The paywall is expected to go into effect this summer, although no fee structure has been announced.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
NewPage Rumford Looks for Tax Break
The Rumford Paper Mill is paying $2 million more in property
taxes than the next highest NewPage mill, according to recent statistics
released by the mill.
The Rumford Paper Mill pays $4.4 million annually in
property taxes, which is the highest annual property tax of all eight NewPage
mills, and $2 million more than the Escanaba mill in Michigan, the mill with
the next highest property tax, said mill spokesman Anthony Lyons."The Escanaba mill and the Wisconsin Rapids mill are much more modern and newer than our mill," Lyons said. "Yet somehow, their tax rates are much lower than ours in Rumford. Something has to be done."
WA Extends Biomass Tax Break to Mills, with Caveat
Winning a tax break could become a lot harder to do at the
Washington state Capitol soon.
In both the Democrat-run House and Republican-leaning
Senate, bills have passed unanimously this year either to set a new standard
for an existing tax break or to lay out expectations for new ones. The House is
taking the stricter position, demanding specific goals for job creation or retention,
proof that goals are being met, and an expiration date.And in what House Finance Committee Chairman Reuven Carlyle says is an Evergreen State first, a bill extending a fuel-tax break for lumber and paper mills - mostly on the economically hard-hit Olympic Peninsula - will require a company to repay tax favors if it takes the money then pulls up stakes and leaves the state for China, Brazil or even Idaho.
Nippon Port Angeles/Labor Sign Contract
Nippon Paper Industries USA implemented a labor contract
with about 130 members of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers
Local 155 without union approval, company and union officials said (Port Angeles, WA mill).
They said workers remained on the job Monday at the plant,
which produces paper for telephone books and newspapers, including the
Peninsula Daily News.Plant manager Harold Norlund said the union was warned two months ago that if an agreement was not reached, Nippon would implement it on its own.
Shandong Tralin Converts Coated PM
China's Shandong Tralin Group
has halted production on the sole 80,000 tonne/yr coated fine paper (CFP)
machine at its Gaotang mill in Liaocheng city, Shandong province, aiming to
overhaul it to produce food packaging.
According to the firm, the
rebuild of the PM has almost wrapped up. The machine will now mainly produce
coated ivory board grades such as cupstock at a rate of 100,000 tonnes/yr.
Holmen to Close 200M mtpy Newsprint PM
Holmen cuts 180 jobs
Holmen Paper intends to cease production on PM 51 at Braviken Paper Mill outside Norrköping, Sweden during the third quarter of 2013. The mill’s product mix will be improved when the proportion of newsprint shrinks by 200 000 tonnes. At the same time, staff will be cut by 180 persons.
Holmen Paper intends to cease production on PM 51 at Braviken Paper Mill outside Norrköping, Sweden during the third quarter of 2013. The mill’s product mix will be improved when the proportion of newsprint shrinks by 200 000 tonnes. At the same time, staff will be cut by 180 persons.
Sale of MeadWestvaco's Headquarters Explored
NewMarket Corp. explores possible sale of Meadwestvacoa s corporate headquarters building:
The NewMarket Corp. is exploring the possible sale of one of Richmond’s newest corporate headquarters buildings.
Bruce Hazelgrove, a spokesman for the company, said it has retained HFF Inc. (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler), to check into the possibility of selling the 310,000-square-foot, Class A office tower on South Fifth Street that is home to Fortune 500 company MeadWestvaco Corp.
MeadWestvaco, a global packaging giant, moved its headquarters from Stanford, Conn., to Richmond in 2006 and moved into the building in late 2009. Since then, Hazelgrove said the building’s owner, NewMarket Corp., has “had so many inquiries that we felt we owed it to our shareholders to look into it.”
The NewMarket Corp. is exploring the possible sale of one of Richmond’s newest corporate headquarters buildings.
Bruce Hazelgrove, a spokesman for the company, said it has retained HFF Inc. (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler), to check into the possibility of selling the 310,000-square-foot, Class A office tower on South Fifth Street that is home to Fortune 500 company MeadWestvaco Corp.
MeadWestvaco, a global packaging giant, moved its headquarters from Stanford, Conn., to Richmond in 2006 and moved into the building in late 2009. Since then, Hazelgrove said the building’s owner, NewMarket Corp., has “had so many inquiries that we felt we owed it to our shareholders to look into it.”
Google Drops Tagline of Paperless Campaign
Michael Makin: Google Drops Tagline of Paperless 2013 Campaign: Printing Industries of America’s President and CEO Michael Makin thanked CEO Larry Page and Chairman Eric Schmidt for reconsidering the message of the Paperless 2013 campaign. The following message from Michael Makin has been sent to the Printing Industries of America membership:Dear members,
It may have taken months, but I am pleased to report that as a result of the protest by Printing Industries of America—along with other groups such as Two Sides—Google has corrected its misleading claims made as part of its ill-conceived Paperless 2013 campaign. While the campaign to reduce office paper use will continue, its offensive tag line “Save money. Save time. Save trees” has been eliminated!
It may have taken months, but I am pleased to report that as a result of the protest by Printing Industries of America—along with other groups such as Two Sides—Google has corrected its misleading claims made as part of its ill-conceived Paperless 2013 campaign. While the campaign to reduce office paper use will continue, its offensive tag line “Save money. Save time. Save trees” has been eliminated!
Time Inc. CRO Steps Down
Paul Caine Steps Down as Time Inc. CRO: Shortly after Time Warner announced the spinoff of Time Inc. one senior executive has already taken flight: after 23 years with the company, former chief revenue officer Paul Caine is leaving Time Inc. to become the CEO of Dial Global, Inc., an independent syndicator of audio content
Complex Media Acquires Sole Collector
Complex Media Acquires Men’s Apparel Media Company, Sole Collector: Complex Media, a multimedia network of entertainment, sports and lifestyle properties, has acquired Sole Collector, a consumer sneaker website, iPad monthly and quarterly print magazine.
RRD Closes Second Ohio Plant
RR Donnelley & Sons Co. told the state of Ohio it
expects to close its Sycamore Township facility and lay off 57 workers.
The Chicago-based commercial printing firm said the layoffs
could start May 13 and be complete by the end of the month.
Cabela's Pursues Omnichannel Growth
http://risnews.edgl.com/retail-best-practices/Cabela-s-New-Chapter-of-Omnichannel-Growth85374?rssid=Article85374
Cabela's has set its focus on leveraging technology investments for 2013 and beyond. It will make three key technology enhancements including price optimization, SKU profitability and the many segments of omnichannel fulfillment.
Cabela's has set its focus on leveraging technology investments for 2013 and beyond. It will make three key technology enhancements including price optimization, SKU profitability and the many segments of omnichannel fulfillment.
In the next 12 to 16 months, the
retailer will deploy three different technology enhancements: the first being
price optimization, second is around net SKU profitability, and third is
omnichannel fulfillment.
44% Book Purchases from e-Tailers
http://www.bowker.com/en-US/aboutus/press_room/2013/pr_03182013.shtm
The rise in e-book reading in the U.S. and U.K. over the last three years has been a key driver in the market share gains of e-retailers, according to research being released this month by Bowker Market Research. In the U.S., e-retailers accounted for 44 percent of book purchases by volume in 2012, up from 25 percent in 2010. In the U.K. the rise has been somewhat less dramatic but still significant, up from 25 percent in January-November 2010, to 38 percent in the same period in 2012.
The rise in e-book reading in the U.S. and U.K. over the last three years has been a key driver in the market share gains of e-retailers, according to research being released this month by Bowker Market Research. In the U.S., e-retailers accounted for 44 percent of book purchases by volume in 2012, up from 25 percent in 2010. In the U.K. the rise has been somewhat less dramatic but still significant, up from 25 percent in January-November 2010, to 38 percent in the same period in 2012.
Plastic Bags: What a Difference a State Makes
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20130301/NEWS/130309988/plastic-bags-remain-under-fire-in-california
While California legislators plan to once again consider a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags across the state, local communities are continuing to plow ahead with their own bag ordinances.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/03/14/4703384/legislator-wants-to-keep-cities.html
The Republican from Muenster recently filed "The Shopping Bag Freedom Act," a bill intended to block plastic-bag bans in Austin and other Texas cities.
While California legislators plan to once again consider a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags across the state, local communities are continuing to plow ahead with their own bag ordinances.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/03/14/4703384/legislator-wants-to-keep-cities.html
The Republican from Muenster recently filed "The Shopping Bag Freedom Act," a bill intended to block plastic-bag bans in Austin and other Texas cities.
Washington Examiner Relaunched as Weekly Magazine
Washington Examiner Daily to Relaunch as Weekly Magazine: Denver-based Clarity Media Group is announcing some changes to its Washington Group portfolio, which includes the Washington Examiner, conservative magazine The Weekly Standard and Red Alert Politics. The Examiner will transition from a daily news format to a weekly print magazine offering coverage and commentary on politics and policy.
DMA: Fairness Act Unfair
DMA: Fairness Act Unfair:
The Direct Marketing Association today declared its opposition to a proposed amendment to the 2014 Federal Budget endorsing the Marketplace Fairness Act. If passed, the Senate bill would require remote sellers to collect and remit sales taxes to states where consumers purchased their products via the Internet or catalogs.
The Direct Marketing Association today declared its opposition to a proposed amendment to the 2014 Federal Budget endorsing the Marketplace Fairness Act. If passed, the Senate bill would require remote sellers to collect and remit sales taxes to states where consumers purchased their products via the Internet or catalogs.
USPS: $14B Loss or a $2B Profit?
USPS's Options: a $14B Annual Loss or a $2B Annual Profit: U.S. Postal Service (USPS) CFO and EVP Joseph Corbett laid out the harrowing financial stakes the agency faces now and in the coming years during the “Financial Update” panel at the National Postal Forum (NPF) in San Francisco. Essentially, he said, if the USPS is given by Congress the autonomy it needs to adapt its five-year financial plan in full, the agency will make a “modest profit” of $2 billion per year over the next five years, paying its debt down by 2017. If the status quo remains, the USPS will lose $14 billion per year over the next five years.
Postal Reform: Congressional Interest Revived
Postal Service Reform Finds New Life on Capitol Hill:
During an interview on In Depth with Francis Rose, Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), the new chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and the Census, said the problems plaguing the Postal Service exist outside of core party values.
"We're going to work with the minority side to make sure their views are always heard," said Farenthold. "A lot of the postal issues and a lot of the federal workforce issues are not these core differences between the Republicans and Democrats that we see on things like taxing and spending."
Farenthold said Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), ranking member of the subcommittee, also is committed to the issues and willing to work on overcoming the hurdles standing in the way of major postal reform. However, progress may come a bit slower as Lynch is currently campaigning for a seat in the Senate.
During an interview on In Depth with Francis Rose, Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), the new chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and the Census, said the problems plaguing the Postal Service exist outside of core party values.
"We're going to work with the minority side to make sure their views are always heard," said Farenthold. "A lot of the postal issues and a lot of the federal workforce issues are not these core differences between the Republicans and Democrats that we see on things like taxing and spending."
Farenthold said Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), ranking member of the subcommittee, also is committed to the issues and willing to work on overcoming the hurdles standing in the way of major postal reform. However, progress may come a bit slower as Lynch is currently campaigning for a seat in the Senate.
Postmaster General: Technology is Making Mail More Powerful
Postmaster General Says Technology is Making Mail More Powerful: Technology and changing consumer expectations are helping to transform mail into an even more powerful communications channel, Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe told the nation’s largest annual gathering of mailing industry leaders today.
“As the mailing industry, we must continue to work to drive innovation and leverage data and technology to improve the consumer experience and grow revenue," Donahoe said in his keynote address at the National
“As the mailing industry, we must continue to work to drive innovation and leverage data and technology to improve the consumer experience and grow revenue," Donahoe said in his keynote address at the National
NPF: Four Challenges for Direct Mailers
National Postal Forum: Four Challenges for Direct Mail Marketers: There are four key challenges marketers must “embrace” to ensure the effectiveness of direct mail in a multichannel world, said Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) CEO, at the National Postal Forum (NPF) in San Francisco; Personalization, Actionable, Functional, Creactivity.
The Path to Personalized Mail
The Path to Personalized Mail:
Begin with Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), essentially a saturation service for small local businesses to blast certain geographies with their marketing messages. This of course isn't personalized yet. But through this program, mailers can send out an entire postal carrier route of around 400 households without needing a list. They can send pieces without a personalized name or a street address—and they can target specific geographies using an online tool.
The second step is to incorporate technology to get customers to interact digitally. Strapped for resources? The USPS offers discounts to marketers who incorporate technology into direct mail pieces.
“If you're a mailer and don't take advantage of these, I'm shocked,” Mitzel said. “The USPS is actually giving you money to fund the use of these technologies.”
Begin with Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), essentially a saturation service for small local businesses to blast certain geographies with their marketing messages. This of course isn't personalized yet. But through this program, mailers can send out an entire postal carrier route of around 400 households without needing a list. They can send pieces without a personalized name or a street address—and they can target specific geographies using an online tool.
The second step is to incorporate technology to get customers to interact digitally. Strapped for resources? The USPS offers discounts to marketers who incorporate technology into direct mail pieces.
“If you're a mailer and don't take advantage of these, I'm shocked,” Mitzel said. “The USPS is actually giving you money to fund the use of these technologies.”
Monday, March 18, 2013
Harbor Paper Announces Partnership with A.T. Clayton
Harbor Paper announced to
employees on Thursday that they are entering a new partnership between the
company and AT Clayton, a Marubeni company. AT Clayton will supply pulp to
Harbor Paper from the Marubeni Peace River mill in Alberta, Canada. The pulp
will be supplied under a long term contract.
We are pleased to announce today a partnership
between Harbor Paper and AT Clayton, a Marubeni company.
AT Clayton will supply pulp to Harbor Paper from
the Marubeni Peace River mill in Alberta, Canada. The pulp will be supplied
under a long term contract. AT Clayton will also be responsible for the sales
and marketing of 100% of the production output from the mill and Harbor Paper
will continue to manufacture environmentally friendly products made from 100%
renewable energy.The mill will restart the week of April 15th. We want to thank our employees for their support thru this difficult time. We are re-emerging as a stronger company with a long-term strategic ability to compete in this global environment.
Lecta Plans to Close Condat Coated Woodfree PM
Today
the Condat Management has called a meeting with employee representatives for
next March 22nd to discuss the restructuring plan for the company. This plan
includes the closure of Line 6 with a production capacity of 130,000 tons. The
decision is the result of Condat's poor economic results.
US Suppliers Raise Boxboard, Paperboard Pricing
Price increases have been set in
the US on four major grades of folding boxboard and paperboard for early 2013.
The price hikes apply to both
bleached and unbleached kraft paperboard and both coated and uncoated recycled
board with effective dates from February through April. Price hikes on
unbleached and recycled board have full support of suppliers, and an increase
on bleached grades that started rolling out in the past two weeks gained more
support. Industry contacts said RockTenn and Clearwater Paper will raise solid bleached sulphate (SBS) folding carton prices $50/ton effective April 1.
The overall industry increases also apply to recycled tube and core grades, displays, and platestock, and do not include cupstock and bristols.
With varied effective dates, the increases include $50/ton moves on both unbleached kraft (CUK) and SBS, a $40/ton increase on coated recycled board (CRB) and a $25 hike on uncoated recycled board (URB).
Online Retailers Find Success with Print Ads
Online Retailers Find Success with Print Ads: A Wharton School study looks at online retailing marketing tactics. Key findings: The physical density of an area plays a key role as to what works best in attracting shoppers; Print has an important role to play.
As reported by Print Power, the researchers found, “the most successful way of attracting consumers to the website depended on the physical density of consumers; a higher density implied more powerful word of mouth as the proximity of consumers amplified the possibility of interaction. Print advertising tends to work best in less dense environments where customers have less opportunities for contacts.”
Interestingly, online search and online word of mouth (social media, blogs) was not among the top three methods of acquiring new customers in the either of the two regions.
The researchers concluded, “Though it is clear that technology-enabled acquisition methods are important, the authors contend that traditional methods of customer acquisition remain vital even in the Internet retail economy.”
As reported by Print Power, the researchers found, “the most successful way of attracting consumers to the website depended on the physical density of consumers; a higher density implied more powerful word of mouth as the proximity of consumers amplified the possibility of interaction. Print advertising tends to work best in less dense environments where customers have less opportunities for contacts.”
Interestingly, online search and online word of mouth (social media, blogs) was not among the top three methods of acquiring new customers in the either of the two regions.
The researchers concluded, “Though it is clear that technology-enabled acquisition methods are important, the authors contend that traditional methods of customer acquisition remain vital even in the Internet retail economy.”
Hearst Hosts Sustainability Event for Media Exec.s
Burns
& Hammond, an integrative sustainability consultancy, has announced its
next Sustainability Base Camp for Business Leaders designed specifically for
print, digital and broadcast media executives. The exclusive, interactive
training is being hosted by the Hearst Corporation and will be held at the LEED
Platinum Hearst Tower in New York City on April 23, 2013 from 8:15am - 3:30pm.
Sponsors include Catalyst Paper; hibu; iCompli, a division of BPA Worldwide;
and Park&Co.
Alpha Media Explores Title Sale
The
magazine business is in a state of flux, with a rapid series of changes
reflecting the continuing challenges facing publishers in a difficult print
advertising environment. In the latest development, Alpha Media announced that
it is exploring a possible sale of Maxim, the lifestyle magazine and
multiplatform media brand targeting young men.
Fairchild Fashion Media Names CMO
Melissa Brecher has been named CMO at
Fairchild Fashion Media. Brecher is a 12-year veteran of FFM parent Condé Nast,
serving for the past three years as VP-marketing and communications for FFM.
Brecher will oversee marketing and communications for FFM and its brands, including Fairchild Summits, Footwear News, M, Style.com and WWD.
Brecher will oversee marketing and communications for FFM and its brands, including Fairchild Summits, Footwear News, M, Style.com and WWD.
NYT Reorganizes into 3 Groups
New York Times
Co. (NYT), reshuffling its staff after the arrival of Chief Executive
Officer Mark
Thompson last year, will create three new groups in an effort to streamline
the company and promote its online operations.
The company will now have groups devoted to digital, print and advertising, according to a memo to staff. The changes also will eliminate the barrier between the New York Times Media Group and the company’s corporate operations. Roland A. Caputo, who was chief financial officer of the Media Group, will now focus on the print operations. Jim Follo, the corporate-level CFO, will remain in that role.
The company will now have groups devoted to digital, print and advertising, according to a memo to staff. The changes also will eliminate the barrier between the New York Times Media Group and the company’s corporate operations. Roland A. Caputo, who was chief financial officer of the Media Group, will now focus on the print operations. Jim Follo, the corporate-level CFO, will remain in that role.
Quebecor Names President & CEO
Robert Dépatie Appointed New Quebecor President & CEO as Peladeau Steps Down: Quebecor today announced changes to corporate management to take effect at the time of its annual shareholders meeting, to be held in Montréal on May 8 2013.
In view of Serge Gouin’s desire to retire after serving as Chairman of the Board of Quebecor Media Inc. (QMI) since the company’s creation in 1999, Pierre Karl Péladeau will be appointed Chairman of the Board of QMI and of TVA Group.
In view of Serge Gouin’s desire to retire after serving as Chairman of the Board of Quebecor Media Inc. (QMI) since the company’s creation in 1999, Pierre Karl Péladeau will be appointed Chairman of the Board of QMI and of TVA Group.
Quebecor Reports 2012, Q4 Results
Quebecor Profits Plunge, Q4 and Full Year Results Reported:Quebecor Inc. (“Quebecor” or the “Corporation”) today reported its fourth quarter and full?year consolidated financial results for 2012. Quebecor consolidates the financial results of its Quebecor Media Inc. (“Quebecor Media”) subsidiary. The Corporation’s interest in Quebecor Media increased from 54.7% to 75.4% on October 11, 2012 as a result of the repurchase of part of the interest held by CDP Capital d’Amérique Investissement inc. (“CDP Capital”), a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
2012 financial year
Revenues up $145.2 million (3.5%) to $4.35 billion in 2012, mainly because of the 8.4% revenue growth in the Telecommunications segment.
Operating income up $61.9 million (4.6%) from 2011 to $1.40 billion.
2012 financial year
Revenues up $145.2 million (3.5%) to $4.35 billion in 2012, mainly because of the 8.4% revenue growth in the Telecommunications segment.
Operating income up $61.9 million (4.6%) from 2011 to $1.40 billion.
What’s in the Stars for Print?
What’s in the Stars for Print?:
When Frank Romano speaks, I always listen. Recently he was the star of a webinar sponsored by At Techkon, Frank Romano shared his print industry predictions.
“Printing does have a future,” Frank opined.
1. What can printers do to stay competitive?
2. Where do you see the industry in 2023?
3. What’s the outlook for offset vs. digital?
4. What’s your take on the paperless debate?
Frank: It’s not a debate. You’re not going to stop the forces of electronic communications. Wang said offices would be paperless in the early 1970s. Offices today are Wangless, not paperless. It’s foolhardy to fight the paperless sayers. We have to find a way to get paper into the mix. We should help printers understand where new markets are. But some markets are going away – Variety just announced its print edition is going to weekly, not daily.
The print industry should be fighting the postal service instead! We have some serious problems out there, starting with this one.
We need to help printers find new markets. The future is going to be in new markets on lots of substrates.
5. Where would you look to find new markets?
Frank: I’d buy a wide-format inkjet printer. Printing on paper has become a commodity. Another market that’s evolving is printing on fabric. If you can print on tons of substrates, you can still print on paper.
He also touched on packaging. “The packaging market can only be a growth market. It will always be an analog market."
When Frank Romano speaks, I always listen. Recently he was the star of a webinar sponsored by At Techkon, Frank Romano shared his print industry predictions.
“Printing does have a future,” Frank opined.
1. What can printers do to stay competitive?
2. Where do you see the industry in 2023?
3. What’s the outlook for offset vs. digital?
4. What’s your take on the paperless debate?
Frank: It’s not a debate. You’re not going to stop the forces of electronic communications. Wang said offices would be paperless in the early 1970s. Offices today are Wangless, not paperless. It’s foolhardy to fight the paperless sayers. We have to find a way to get paper into the mix. We should help printers understand where new markets are. But some markets are going away – Variety just announced its print edition is going to weekly, not daily.
The print industry should be fighting the postal service instead! We have some serious problems out there, starting with this one.
We need to help printers find new markets. The future is going to be in new markets on lots of substrates.
5. Where would you look to find new markets?
Frank: I’d buy a wide-format inkjet printer. Printing on paper has become a commodity. Another market that’s evolving is printing on fabric. If you can print on tons of substrates, you can still print on paper.
He also touched on packaging. “The packaging market can only be a growth market. It will always be an analog market."
Friday, March 15, 2013
More Japanese Mills Raise Prices
Japan's Daio Paper and Hokuetsu
Kishu Paper have followed the lead of Mitsubishi Paper Mills and the Nippon
Paper Group, tabling large domestic price hikes on their graphic paper ranges,
effective on shipments from April 21.
In all cases the hikes have been
announced at ¥15/kg, which is equivalent to about $156/tonne. All the firms have 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 they are now moving to correct.
Prices for graphic paper grades in Japan have fallen by up to 9% since March 2011.
Target Acquires CHEF'S Catalog
Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) today announced
agreements to acquire CHEFS Catalog and assets of Cooking.com in two separate
transactions. The e-commerce acquisitions are aimed at expanding Target’s
presence in the growing cooking and kitchenware market.
Following the closings, the two businesses will be combined to create a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Target. Both brands will continue to operate under their current names. Target believes these transactions present a strategic growth opportunity; however, there will not be any meaningful financial impact to Target’s 2013 results.
Following the closings, the two businesses will be combined to create a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Target. Both brands will continue to operate under their current names. Target believes these transactions present a strategic growth opportunity; however, there will not be any meaningful financial impact to Target’s 2013 results.
Tunku Varadarajan Leaves Newsweek Global
Tunku Varadarajan is stepping
down as the editor of Newsweek Global, three months into its experiment as an
all-digital publication.
Varadarajan had been the editor
of Newsweek International, a post he inherited from Fareed Zakaria, who left after
The Washington Post Co. sold the magazine to stereo magnate Sidney Harman. When
the newsweekly prepared to discontinue its print edition this past fall,
NewsBeast editor in chief Tina Brown tapped Varadarajan to edit the
magazine's tablet successor.
Meredith, the Publishing Company That Beat the Internet
That the Meredith/Time deal was even proposed suggests how
much publishing has changed. With the advent of the Internet, the primary
sources of revenue—circulation and advertising—have eroded, while the costs of
printing magazines—ink, paper, and distribution—continue to rise. In the 20th
century, publishers of all shapes and sizes looked to Henry Luce’s Time Inc.
for ideas on how to make profitable magazines. But in the months and years to
come, they are much more likely to look to Meredith to figure out how to
survive.
Meredith has profited from a few key strategies.
They are experts at repurposing their content across multiple platforms
(magazines, books, websites, mobile devices, tablets, etc.) and aggressively
look beyond advertising and circulation for revenue. In print, they stay as far
away from the news as possible. They are particularly successful at licensing
their magazine titles’ names to major national businesses selling branded
products; they also run their own marketing agency. Meredith hasn’t been immune
to the forces battering the industry. But over the past decade, by
strategically tweaking their portfolio, they’ve managed to maintain steady
profits and reliable margins year after year in spite of the turbulence.
Time Spinoff: Hunter or Prey?
The spinoff of Time Inc. to create the
world’s largest publicly traded magazine publisher may be just the beginning of
deals for the owner of People and Sports Illustrated.
With analysts estimating an enterprise value
of about $3.9 billion, Time Inc. would be bigger than any other publicly held
company focused on magazine publishing after it separates from Time Warner Inc.
(TWX), according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Following a failed attempt
to divest some magazines to Meredith Corp. (MDP) (MDP), Time Inc. could buy Meredith,
which is half its projected size, to consolidate costs, said Wunderlich
Securities Inc. Or, Time Inc.’s titles and its more than $3 billion in annual revenue may
lure private-equity interest, said Wedbush Inc. Time Inc. “could either be an acquisition target for a larger, traditional publishing company or it could itself be an acquirer,” Brett Harriss, a Rye, New York-based analyst at Gabelli & Co., which owns Time Warner shares, said in a telephone interview. “It’s clear that magazine publishing is likely in secular decline. That being said, it doesn’t mean it’s valueless.”
MediaPost Mag Bag: Garden Design Closed & More
Garden Design has been closed by Bonnier Corp., effective
March 13, Min Online reported. Bonnier
cited the uncertain economic climate, the shift to digital media, and a tough
advertising environment as reasons for the closure...
Macy’s is launching a new fashion line for
young women called Teen Vogue through a
licensing deal with Condé Nast, which publishes the magazine. According to Women’s Wear Daily (which is also owned by Advance
Publications), the fashion line was developed by Macy’s in collaboration with
editors from the magazine... Eddie Ross has been named East Coast produce/editor for print and digital at Better Homes and Gardens, Meredith Corp. announced this week...
Condé Nast had a busy week, with a veritable raft of new products and staffing news. On Wednesday, Condé Nast revealed that Anna Wintour, has been given yet another role; artistic director for the entire company. Also this week, Condé Nast Entertainment, the company’s new video division, unveiled its first online video offerings, with new video players for GQ and Glamour. On the ad tech front, this week Condé Nast joined The New York Times Co.’s Ricochet, a digital platform that allows advertisers to pair their ads with specific pieces of editorial content for sharing via social media, email, and other channels. And more...
2013 e-Commerce Revenue Forecast at $262 Billion
Forrester predicts e-commerce revenue will reach $262 billion this year: E-commerce sales will reach $262 billion this year, up 13% over last year, making up 8% of total retail sales, according to a new report from Forrester Research.
January Commercial Print Ships Up
January 2013 commercial printing shipments
were $6.3 billion, up +$148 million (+2.4%) compared to 2012. On an inflation-adjusted
basis, shipments were up +$50 million (+0.8%). This followed a poor December,
where shipments were down -3.4% in current dollars. The December decrease and
January increase may have been affected by small and mid-size businesses
delaying expenses until January as part of their management of new tax laws.
RRD Closes Debt Offering
RR Donnelley Closes $450 Million Debt Offering:
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has closed an offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875 percent Notes due 2021.
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has closed an offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875 percent Notes due 2021.
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