January Commercial Printing Ships Fall

January US Commercial Printing Shipments Down -2.4% Compared to 2011 (Economics & Research Center):
The year started with a mild thud in January, with current dollar printing shipments at $6.4 billion, down -$160 million, or -2.4% compared to the prior year.

Top Magazine Industry Deals

The Top Magazine Industry Deals of 2011: While not a blockbuster year for magazine media M&A, 2011 did have its share of big deals, as well as some that clearly signaled where publishers were placing their bets on future revenues. Hearst’s purchase of the Hachette brands was the biggest strictly magazine deal of the year.

Hearst Completes Acqusition

Lagardere SCA’s Magazine Portfolio: Hearst Corp. finally completed its $919 million acquisition of Lagerdere SCA’s nearly 100 magazines outside the French market in December 2011 when it closed on its deal to buy the Hachette China operations. The full transaction, which had been undergoing regulatory approval in 15 different countries, was initiated in late 2010.

Bloomberg Businessweek’s Site Redesign

Behind Bloomberg Businessweek’s Site Redesign: After relaunching its print product two years ago, Bloomberg Businessweek recently debuted a redesigned website to reflect the changes readers are seeing in print.

J.C. Penney Invests in MSLO

16 Percent Stake In MSLO: After initiating a search for investors and potential partners with Blackstone Advisory Partners in May 2011, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced that retailer J.C. Penney invested $38.5 million in the multi-brand company, and will hold a 16.6% stake.

Bonnier Buys Hunting Expos

Hunting Expos: Bonnier Corporation, publisher of magazines including Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, purchased four hunting expos from Mequon, Wisconsin-based Target Communications for an undisclosed sum.

More Producers Announce UFS Price Increases

NewPage, Boise, Glatfelter and Finch have announced price increases for uncoated freesheet.  Domtar and International Paper had previously reported price increases affecting the same grade.  The changes, which vary from producer to producer, are characterized by an jump of $3.00/cwt for offset rolls and $1.50/cwt for sheets and return card and are effective with shipments on and after April 1.

Appleton Reports 2011 Results

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/03_06_2012appleton_earnings.html

Appleton's 2011 net sales of $857.3 million increased 0.9% compared to 2010 net sales of $849.9 million. Appleton reported 2011 operating income of $36.1 million compared to $37.0 million during 2010.

2011 Chinese Pulp Imports Up 26.2%, RCP 12%

Pulp imports for 2011 totaled some 14.340 million tonnes, a jump of +26.2% from the previous year.  2011 BSK imports rose +45.9%. China's total pulp imports fell -16.7% in January as compared to the same month last year and BSK pulp imports were down -21.8%. 

2011 RCP imports totaled around 27.280 million tonnes last year, up +12.0% from 2010. China's total recovered paper (RCP) imports declined -25% for January as compared to the same month in 2011.

Hearst Digital Media Picks Sprout

Hearst Digital Media taps Sprout to bolster mobile ads: Hearst Digital Media, a unit of Hearst Magazines, has tapped mobile brand-advertising platform Sprout, Laura Schooling, Hearst Digital Media's executive director of marketing services, confirmed.

Study: Newspaper Digital/Print Ads

Study: Newspapers lose $7 in print advertising for every $1 gained in digital revenue: Newspapers lose $7 in print advertising for every $1 they gain in digital advertising, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Centers Project for Excellence in Journalism.

Quebecor, CBC Settle Dispute

Deal ends Quebecor, CBC dispute:
In an agreement announced Monday, the public broadcaster will now buy advertising in Quebecor media outlets, such as the Sun newspaper chain and the Journal de Montreal.

IP Announces Price Jump

International Paper has informed customers that it is increasing the price of Williamsburg offset rolls, Williamsburg Return Postcard rolls, Accent Opaque rolls and Springhill offset colors in rolls and sheets by $3.00/cwt, effective with April 2 shipments.  The cost of Williamsburg offset sheets, Williamsburg Retrurn Postcard sheets and Accent Opaque sheets will go up $1.50/cwt on the same date.

Domtar Increases UFS Price

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/03_05_2012domtar_ufs_price.html

Paperage is reporting a March 2 announcement by Domtar that it is increasing their price for uncoated freesheet offset rolls by $60 per ton, effective April 1.  There is no change to cutsize pricing

Changes at Sappi's Cloquet

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/224763/

For 113 years, there’s been a mill in Cloquet making pulp for use in paper mills — but not much longer. The mill isn’t going anywhere and still will be making paper, and it still will be turning trees into pulp. But the pulp made by Sappi Fine Paper in the future will be made into clothing and baby wipes.

Resolute’s Thunder Bay Mill Adding Workers

General Manager of Resolute’s Thunder Bay mill promises 300 jobs:
Doug Murray, general manager Resolute Forest Products in Thunder Bay, Ontario said he is expecting to hire at least 300 skilled trades-people in the coming years.

ALM Names President and CEO

ALM Hires Bill Carter As New President and CEO:
ALM has found its new president and CEO in Bill Carter, who replaces the departing William Pollak and who was most recently senior vice president of Thomson Reuters' Small Law Business Unit. Carter officially starts with the company today.

Comag Sold to Jim Pattison Group

How the Sale of Comag Might Impact the Newsstand Supply Chain: Comag Marketing Group, the national magazine distributor jointly owned by Hearst and Condé Nast, has been sold to the Jim Pattison Group.

Heidelberg Installs Speedmaster XL 105

Heidelberg Installs Speedmaster XL 105 in Its North American Print and Publishing Technology Center: Commercial and packaging printers looking to evaluate the very latest in sheetfed offset technology need look no further than Heidelberg USA’s North American Print and Packaging Technology Center.

Kodak Partners with Graphic Innovators

Kodak Partners with Graphic Innovators on Hybrid-Printing Solutions: ROCHESTER, NY—March 2, 2012—Kodak and Graphic Innovators are partnering to provide customers with new opportunities to expand their offerings using hybrid inkjet printing.