B-to-B Content Marketing Spend Is Up, Despite Mixed Effectiveness:
If content is king, then content marketing is a king’s trade.
According to new research from the Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs, b-to-b marketers, on average, are spending 33 percent of their marketing budgets on content marketing—a 7 percent jump since 2011. About 54 percent say they plan on increasing content marketing spending next year. While more and more b-to-b marketers are turning to content marketing, just 36 percent of respondents say they believe they are effective at content marketing. The data saw a total of 1,416 respondents from North American companies and represented a full range of industries, functional areas and company sizes.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
MSLO CEO Lisa Gersh To Resign
MSLO CEO Lisa Gersh to Resign: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced this morning that president and CEO Lisa Gersh, after a year and a half on the job, will be stepping down and that the company is already looking for a successor. A timeframe has not been put on the transition period, according to the announcement, but the changeover is signaling a expanded merchandising strategy. The company says it plans to expand into new product categories and add new distribution partners both domestically and internationally. In its fourth quarter earnings call, the company reported merchandising revenue will be 15 percent higher than the same period last year with EBITDA margins of 70 percent.
Mags Respond to Instagram
Magazines Respond to Instagram Terms of Service Fiasco:
Yesterday was not a good day for Instagram. Users and brands slammed the social network for changing its privacy policy and terms of service to include the following language: “You agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.” Several hours after announcing these changes, the Facebook-owned company back peddled, saying in a blog post that it would not go through with that or other actions.
Yesterday was not a good day for Instagram. Users and brands slammed the social network for changing its privacy policy and terms of service to include the following language: “You agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.” Several hours after announcing these changes, the Facebook-owned company back peddled, saying in a blog post that it would not go through with that or other actions.
Getting The Most Out of Action Codes
Getting The Most Out of Action Codes: Integrated action and experience codes within the pages of a magazine are just one of the many ways publishers are connecting print to digital. As the technology gets used more, publishers are identifying what works and what doesn’t. Bonnier’s Popular Science launched PopSci Interactive, which affords users the ability to engage with the print product through a free app. Instead of driving users to a Web page with something like a QR code, the PopSci Interactive app allows users to see specific print content come to life, like a video or photo slideshow.
QuantumDigital Publishes Marketing Guide
QuantumDigital Publishes Real Estate Marketing Guide: QuantumDigital Inc., a direct marketing company making direct mail simple and fast, announced the release of its latest whitepaper, “The One-Minute Real Estate Marketing Guide.” Top-performing real estate professionals have learned that methodical and well-focused postcard direct mail campaigns conducted on a continual basis can generate added commissions. What was discovered was that the agents who distributed an average of 250 direct mail postcards each month over a 12-month period acquired an additional two listings per year. Those supplementary listings resulted in an additional $12,000 in annual commissions.”
Voith Holds Its Own
Voith Holds Its Own in a Difficult Environment: The Voith Group has finished the fiscal year 2012 (ending September 30) satisfactorily in a challenging market environment. The globally active family-owned company increased its Group sales by 2 percent to EUR 5.7 billion compared to the record value of the previous year. All key figures are positive, although on a lower level than in the past year. Despite the declining sales for graphic paper machines in the Group Division Voith Paper, Voith was able to generate one of the best operational results in the history of the Group.
Two Austin Printing Firms Combine Operations
Two Leading Austin Printing Firms Combine Operations: Nationwide Argosy Solutions and The Whitley Group announce the combining of Cerqa LLC, a division of Nationwide, with The Whitley Group, a leading Austin, TX-based graphic-communications firm. TWG’s services include digital printing, sheetfed offset printing, fulfillment and database marketing. Cerqa is Nationwide’s largest fulfillment, small- and large-format digital, offset and ad-specialty distribution division in the southern U.S. region. The combined company will be named The Whitley Group (TWG). “Combining TWG and Cerqa is a great opportunity to build on our individual strengths by offering our customers a broader platform of services,” said Karl Kluetz, president of Cerqa. “We are pleased to have our teams come together to deliver full-service solutions to our significant customer base.”
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Another NBSK Pulp Price Increase
Billerud, a Swedish pulp manufacturer, has announced an increase for January deliveries for northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) to $840/tonne. They join Stora Enso, Metsa Fibre and Mercer Int'l who have made similar recent announcements.
IP Continues Strong Community Support
International Paper Touts Community Support:
The Memphis-Shelby County Industrial Development Board meets Wed., Dec. 19, to consider a request from International Paper Co. for government tax incentives to support an expansion of its headquarters here. Part of the presentation the company will make will include the millions of dollars spent and the significant amount of hours and resources IP commits to volunteer and charitable efforts in the Memphis area. On one hand, there is a financial incentive for local economic development officials to green-light the company’s request for incentives. In exchange for 15-year tax freezes on several buildings, IP would keep 2,274 jobs here, create 101 new jobs, keep its headquarters in Memphis and build a new 235,000-square-foot, 10-story building along with a new 470-car garage and two pedestrian bridges. On the other hand, the company will make as part of its presentation an appeal that the incentives will help it stay in Memphis and continue what it will argue is a strong tradition of corporate giving.
The Memphis-Shelby County Industrial Development Board meets Wed., Dec. 19, to consider a request from International Paper Co. for government tax incentives to support an expansion of its headquarters here. Part of the presentation the company will make will include the millions of dollars spent and the significant amount of hours and resources IP commits to volunteer and charitable efforts in the Memphis area. On one hand, there is a financial incentive for local economic development officials to green-light the company’s request for incentives. In exchange for 15-year tax freezes on several buildings, IP would keep 2,274 jobs here, create 101 new jobs, keep its headquarters in Memphis and build a new 235,000-square-foot, 10-story building along with a new 470-car garage and two pedestrian bridges. On the other hand, the company will make as part of its presentation an appeal that the incentives will help it stay in Memphis and continue what it will argue is a strong tradition of corporate giving.
Arctic Paper Boost From HarperCollins'
http://www.printweek.com/news/1164545/arctic-paper-gets-boost-harpercollins-bumper-hobbit-print-run/
Arctic Paper has shipped more than 400 tonnes of Arctic Silk 130gsm for the production of four different books from HarperCollins based on The Hobbit film trilogy. HarperCollins has published the Visual Companion and Official Movie Guide for The Hobbit, as well as children's books The Movie Story Book and The World of Hobbits to coincide with the cinema release of the first of three films based on the prequel to JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Arctic Paper delivered 404 tonnes of Arctic Silk 130gsm to Italian book printer Rotolito Lombarda Spa for the 740,000 books that made up the initial print runs of the four titles, reprints of which are already in the pipeline. Adrian Sutcliffe, group production and purchasing manager of HarperCollins, said: "The books had to be produced on a silk coated with FSC accreditation, and they had to give excellent quality of print.
Arctic Paper has shipped more than 400 tonnes of Arctic Silk 130gsm for the production of four different books from HarperCollins based on The Hobbit film trilogy. HarperCollins has published the Visual Companion and Official Movie Guide for The Hobbit, as well as children's books The Movie Story Book and The World of Hobbits to coincide with the cinema release of the first of three films based on the prequel to JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Arctic Paper delivered 404 tonnes of Arctic Silk 130gsm to Italian book printer Rotolito Lombarda Spa for the 740,000 books that made up the initial print runs of the four titles, reprints of which are already in the pipeline. Adrian Sutcliffe, group production and purchasing manager of HarperCollins, said: "The books had to be produced on a silk coated with FSC accreditation, and they had to give excellent quality of print.
AAM: Mobile & Digital Monetization To Rise
AAM Data: Mobile and Digital Monetization Expected to Rise:
Publishers might be finally getting a grasp on the changing media landscape, new data from the Alliance for Audited Media shows. A survey of 210 of its members reveals that by the end of 2014, 41 percent of publishers expect mobile to represent at least 10 percent of their overall circulation revenues. Similarly, within the next two years, 46 percent of publishers expect mobile to represent at least 10 percent of their overall advertising revenue. More than half—54 percent—say that mobile currently represents up to 9 percent of advertising revenue. About 56 percent say mobile represents 9 percent of their circulation revenue.
By the end of 2014, 20 percent of AAM media companies expect their portfolio of digital products—websites, mobile, social media—to account for at least 25 percent of their advertising revenue, up from about 4 percent now.
Publishers might be finally getting a grasp on the changing media landscape, new data from the Alliance for Audited Media shows. A survey of 210 of its members reveals that by the end of 2014, 41 percent of publishers expect mobile to represent at least 10 percent of their overall circulation revenues. Similarly, within the next two years, 46 percent of publishers expect mobile to represent at least 10 percent of their overall advertising revenue. More than half—54 percent—say that mobile currently represents up to 9 percent of advertising revenue. About 56 percent say mobile represents 9 percent of their circulation revenue.
By the end of 2014, 20 percent of AAM media companies expect their portfolio of digital products—websites, mobile, social media—to account for at least 25 percent of their advertising revenue, up from about 4 percent now.
Windows 8 Takes Over Mag Editorial
http://adage.com/article/media/microsoft-windows-8-takes-magazines-table-contents/238775/
Microsoft's sprawling Windows 8 campaign has taken new editorial territory in magazines: the table of contents. The January issues of magazines including Family Circle, Fitness, and Better Homes and Gardens each open to reveal a table of contents touting Windows 8, which Microsoft is promoting with traditional paid ads on the adjacent pages. The contents pages in Better Homes and Gardens, for example, look like Windows 8 Start screens and use the same color as the Windows 8 ads on the facing pages. Other titles participating include Every Day with Rachael Ray, Parents and Family Fun.
Microsoft's sprawling Windows 8 campaign has taken new editorial territory in magazines: the table of contents. The January issues of magazines including Family Circle, Fitness, and Better Homes and Gardens each open to reveal a table of contents touting Windows 8, which Microsoft is promoting with traditional paid ads on the adjacent pages. The contents pages in Better Homes and Gardens, for example, look like Windows 8 Start screens and use the same color as the Windows 8 ads on the facing pages. Other titles participating include Every Day with Rachael Ray, Parents and Family Fun.
Discover Mag Rebuilds Design Staff
Discover Magazine Rebuilds Entire Edit and Design Staff:
A move from New York to Wisconsin prompts a complete turnover.
After an acquisition, some staff turnover is expected. Privately-owned Kalmbach, picked up Discover two years ago. Less than a year later, Kalmbach outsourced the sales operation to James G. Elliott, Co., a partnership that's still in place. Which left the edit team still in New York. In August this year the company finally announced that it was closing the editorial offices and moving operations to Wisconsin. At the time, about 20 edit and design staff were faced with the decision on whether to move. All opted out—except former editor-in-chief Corey S. Powell, who was with the brand for 15 years and will continue as editor-at-large and columnist, and executive editor Pamela Weintraub, who remains in a consultative role. Today, Discover announced a completely rebuilt edit and design team. The magazine has hired 13 new staff members.
The magazine's new editor-in-chief is Stephen George, who was last with Reader's Digest at the Greendale, Wisconsin branch as its executive editor in the book and special publication group. Former managing editor of Kalmbach's Trains magazine will take the same title at Discover. From there, two senior editors, a photo editor, four associate editors, a senior graphic designer, staff writer, editorial assistant and copy editor have also come on board.
A move from New York to Wisconsin prompts a complete turnover.
After an acquisition, some staff turnover is expected. Privately-owned Kalmbach, picked up Discover two years ago. Less than a year later, Kalmbach outsourced the sales operation to James G. Elliott, Co., a partnership that's still in place. Which left the edit team still in New York. In August this year the company finally announced that it was closing the editorial offices and moving operations to Wisconsin. At the time, about 20 edit and design staff were faced with the decision on whether to move. All opted out—except former editor-in-chief Corey S. Powell, who was with the brand for 15 years and will continue as editor-at-large and columnist, and executive editor Pamela Weintraub, who remains in a consultative role. Today, Discover announced a completely rebuilt edit and design team. The magazine has hired 13 new staff members.
The magazine's new editor-in-chief is Stephen George, who was last with Reader's Digest at the Greendale, Wisconsin branch as its executive editor in the book and special publication group. Former managing editor of Kalmbach's Trains magazine will take the same title at Discover. From there, two senior editors, a photo editor, four associate editors, a senior graphic designer, staff writer, editorial assistant and copy editor have also come on board.
AF&PA Statement Regarding EPA's Standards
American Forest & Paper Association Statement Regarding EPA's Final PM NAAQS Standards: American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman released the following statement following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of its final National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). “We are disappointed that EPA chose to lower the annual PM standard, imposing burdensome new restrictions on economic growth and ignoring the significant uncertainty in the underlying science. This lower annual PM standard means that businesses seeking air quality permits to construct new equipment or modify existing plants even in rural areas will find it very difficult to model compliance. We are concerned that manufacturing facilities may be forced to look at pollution controls that are technically infeasible or cost prohibitive, preventing expanded production and job growth. In setting this new PM NAAQS standard, EPA apparently relied on a few selected studies to support their hypothesis of health effects resulting from PM exposure, while discounting studies that showed no association.
“This is yet another example of where regulation by consent decree creates costly rules with huge scientific uncertainty and, in this case, at a time when the economy is struggling.”
“This is yet another example of where regulation by consent decree creates costly rules with huge scientific uncertainty and, in this case, at a time when the economy is struggling.”
Monday, December 17, 2012
Court Confirms NewPage Chapter 11 Plan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Confirms NewPage Chapter 11 Plan:
NewPage Corporation (NewPage) announced today that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington has confirmed the Company's Chapter 11 Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was accepted by the overwhelming majority of NewPage creditors entitled to vote. The Company will now proceed to close on the restructuring transactions contemplated by the Plan.
"We are pleased that the Court has confirmed our Chapter 11 Plan, clearing the way for us to officially exit bankruptcy, hopefully by the end of this year," said George Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "We will exit bankruptcy with substantially less debt and new financing at lower interest rates. NewPage will be well positioned to serve the needs of our customers and compete successfully in the North American paper industry."
NewPage Corporation (NewPage) announced today that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington has confirmed the Company's Chapter 11 Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was accepted by the overwhelming majority of NewPage creditors entitled to vote. The Company will now proceed to close on the restructuring transactions contemplated by the Plan.
"We are pleased that the Court has confirmed our Chapter 11 Plan, clearing the way for us to officially exit bankruptcy, hopefully by the end of this year," said George Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "We will exit bankruptcy with substantially less debt and new financing at lower interest rates. NewPage will be well positioned to serve the needs of our customers and compete successfully in the North American paper industry."
Norske to Convert PM to LWC, Tasmania
Metso to supply grade conversion rebuild from newsprint to LWC grades for Norske Skog's PM 2 at Boyer mill in Tasmania: Metso will supply Norske Skog with a grade conversion rebuild from newsprint to lightweight coated (LWC) grades of their PM 2 machine at their Boyer mill in Tasmania, Australia. The rebuilt production line will be fully operational after several phases of rebuild during the first quarter of 2014. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
Resolute Increases Pulp Price
Resolute Forest Products told
North American customers that its softwood and hardwood kraft market pulp
prices will increase $30/tonne, effective January 1. Resolute is the second major pulp producer to slate a softwood increase
in the USA.
Lecta Second to Raise Coated Woodfree Price
Lecta, the second largest
European coated woodfree paper-manufacturing group, made up of Condat, Cartiere
del Garda and Torraspapel, wishes to inform its customers that the company will
implement a price increase of 5 to 6% on its CWF paper deliveries effective 14
January 2013.
Three Mills Raise NBSK Price
Stora
Enso today began informing its clients that it will increase its northern
bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp prices to $840/tonne in the European
market, effective Jan. 1.
Metsä Fibre will announce a new
price of Botnia Nordic Pine (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) in Europe,
effective January 1, 2013 until further notice.
The new price is 840 USD, CIF
Metsä Fibre's usual European ports.
Mercer
International is in the process of advising customers that it will raise its
price for northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp to $840/tonne from
January 1.
Neenah Buys Southworth Specialty Brand
Southworth Co. has sold its
venerable brand of business paper to Neenah Paper of Wisconsin in a move that
will see the company close its 120,000-square-foot converting facility in
Agawam and lay off 66 people sometime in 2013.
The company will maintain several other of its product lines, and will continue to operate its paper mill in Turners Falls.
"We are going to keep the paper machine going in Turners Falls," said David C. Southworth, company president and the fifth generation of his family to run the private company.
The company will maintain several other of its product lines, and will continue to operate its paper mill in Turners Falls.
"We are going to keep the paper machine going in Turners Falls," said David C. Southworth, company president and the fifth generation of his family to run the private company.
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