In "Battle at the End of Eden," a
globe-trotting tale that marks the first time original Atlantic reporting is
being published exclusively as an ebook, author Amanda R. Martinez takes
readers inside the fight to preserve the most delicate places on Earth.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Getting Attention with Once Forbidden Words
Cindi Leive, editor in chief of Glamour, was
searching for the best way to draw readers’ attention to an article in the
November 2011 issue about how women could better organize their closets and
bank accounts. “12 ways to get your act together” didn’t have much punch. “12
ways to get your stuff together” also fell flat. So she decided to substitute
“act” with a word unprintable here and waited for the angry letters to pour in.
They never came.
The long-running debate in women’s magazines —
how frank can they be? — seems to have shifted, as editors throughout the
industry are sprinkling more curse words on their covers and weaving expletives
into the headlines and the copy between the photos of celebrities with flawless
skin.
Metrocorp Acquires Slice Communications
Another media owner just entered the agency
sector. Metrocorp, parent company of Philadelphia
and Boston magazines, confirmed it
has purchased a majority interest in Slice Communications, a social media and
public relations shop based in Philadelphia.
The deal is the latest example of a media company buying into the agency
business.Both Hearst and Meredith have invested in well-known shops. In 2010, Hearst bought digital shop iCrossing for more than $300 million. That same year, Meredith purchased mobile specialist The Hyperfactory. Terms of the Slice acquisition were not disclosed.
December Retail Spending Up
Retailers lured reluctant shoppers with
late-December specials after Hurricane Sandy, the presidential election and the
school shooting in Newtown, Conn., tempered earlier holiday spending.
December same-store sales for the more than
20 companies tracked by Swampscott, Mass.-based Retail Metrics rose 4.8%,
excluding drugstores, beating the estimate for a 3.4% gain, the firm said in a
report today. That follows a 1.6% gain in November
84% of Americans Go Online Daily
84% of Americans Go Online Daily; Increase Thanks to Smartphones: In 2011, 78% of U.S. adults went online daily. In 2012, this number jumped to 84% -- thanks to the increasing adoption of smartphones.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Catalyst Paper Accepts Bid for Snowflake
Catalyst Paper accepts bid for Snowflake mill assets:
Catalyst Paper announced that it has accepted, subject to US Court approval, a binding bid from an acquisition vehicle organized by Hackman Capital and its affiliates to purchase the assets of the closed Snowflake facility and the shares of Apache Railway for US$13,460,000 and other non-monetary consideration. The buyer intends to continue to operate the Apache Railway as a going concern, and the transaction is supported by the Town of Snowflake and various local interests.
Catalyst Paper announced that it has accepted, subject to US Court approval, a binding bid from an acquisition vehicle organized by Hackman Capital and its affiliates to purchase the assets of the closed Snowflake facility and the shares of Apache Railway for US$13,460,000 and other non-monetary consideration. The buyer intends to continue to operate the Apache Railway as a going concern, and the transaction is supported by the Town of Snowflake and various local interests.
NewPage Raises Pulp Prices
NewPage
announced to customers that its northern bleached hardwood kraft (NBHK) and
southern bleached hardwood kraft (SBHK) market pulp prices would increase
$30/tonne in North America, effective with all new orders entered January 1 and
later.
NewPage
told domestic customers its NBHK price would increase to $785/tonne in North
America. The Ohio-based firm also slated SBHK at $785/tonne. Both increases
would be $30/tonne, sources said.
U.S. Biodiesel Tax Credit Revived Through 2013
The $1 a gallon tax credit for biodiesel will run through 2013 at a cost of
more than $2 billion under a provision of the mammoth legislation passed by
Congress to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff."
In reviving the credit, lawmakers made the extension retroactive to its
expiration at the end of 2011. It now is set to expire at the end of this year.The credit was one of an eclectic mix of handouts, takebacks and special-interest tax breaks included by Congress in the last-minute deal to avoid the automatic spending cuts and tax increases that otherwise would have kicked in for 2013.
IP Becomes Majority Shareholder of Olmuksa
International Paper Becomes Majority Shareholder of Turkish Packaging Company Olmuksa:
International Paper today announced it has completed the acquisition of the shares of its joint venture partner Sabanci Holding in the Turkish corrugated packaging company Olmuksa, for a purchase price of $56 million.
International Paper today announced it has completed the acquisition of the shares of its joint venture partner Sabanci Holding in the Turkish corrugated packaging company Olmuksa, for a purchase price of $56 million.
Graphic Packaging to Buy Consumer Packaging Companies
Graphic Packaging to acquire two consumer packaging companies
Graphic Packaging Holding Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, recently announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisitions of Contego Packaging Holdings, Ltd., a leading food and consumer products packaging company based in the United Kingdom, and A&R Carton Holding B.V., which is A&R's European beer and beverage packaging business.
Graphic Packaging Holding Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, recently announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisitions of Contego Packaging Holdings, Ltd., a leading food and consumer products packaging company based in the United Kingdom, and A&R Carton Holding B.V., which is A&R's European beer and beverage packaging business.
Yankee Publishing Buys McLean Communications
Yankee Publishing Acquires McLean Communications:
In the New Year, regional media company Yankee Publishing, Inc. welcomes some new additions—the company has acquired the entire portfolio of McLean Communications, which include five regional New Hampshire titles—its first such acquisition in 25 years.
In the New Year, regional media company Yankee Publishing, Inc. welcomes some new additions—the company has acquired the entire portfolio of McLean Communications, which include five regional New Hampshire titles—its first such acquisition in 25 years.
Saturday Evening Post Looking for Turnaround
Saturday Evening Post Looking for Dramatic Turnaround: The Saturday Evening Post, famous for its Norman Rockwell covers and at one point 6 million subscribers, is attempting a turnaround—a redesign and move of its editorial staff to Philadelphia. Its new look, which targets baby boomers, debuted in the January/February issue.
The goal: to double the number of subscribers in five years, to 750,000 and to charge more for subscriptions, which now cost $9.95 a year.
The goal: to double the number of subscribers in five years, to 750,000 and to charge more for subscriptions, which now cost $9.95 a year.
2012 Peaks and Pitfalls of Marketing
The Peaks and Pitfalls of Marketing in 2012:
New Years is a time of reflection; a time to toast the wins and learn from the losses of the year that passed. Now that the champagne glasses are empty and the marketing agendas are full, here's a look back at some of the triumphs and tribulations Direct Marketing News covered in 2012.
New Years is a time of reflection; a time to toast the wins and learn from the losses of the year that passed. Now that the champagne glasses are empty and the marketing agendas are full, here's a look back at some of the triumphs and tribulations Direct Marketing News covered in 2012.
eMarketer Revises 2012 Ad Growth
eMarketer restates estimate for 2012 global ad growth at 5.4%:
Global ad spending reached an estimated $519.0 billion last year, up 5.4% over 2011, according to revised figures from eMarketer.
Global ad spending reached an estimated $519.0 billion last year, up 5.4% over 2011, according to revised figures from eMarketer.
Walsworth Publishing Buys The Ovid Bell Press
Walsworth Publishing Makes Its Acquisition of The Ovid Bell Press Official: Walsworth Publishing announced today it has acquired The Ovid Bell Press in Fulton, MO. Both companies will continue to operate as they do currently. John Bell will remain as CEO of The Ovid Bell Press.
USPS: Standard Mail Price Increase Plans
USPS Warns of ‘Risky’ Approach to Flats Pricing Policy:
But USPS suggested the pricing strategy was “risky” in its latest annual regulatory compliance report, out on Friday.
The US Postal Service has said it will adopt above-inflation rate increases for its loss-making Standard Mail Flats service each year up to 2016.
The move is prompted by the Postal Regulatory Commission’s 2010 order that rates should rise towards full cost coverage, so that other mail services do not subsidise the shipping of items like catalogues.But USPS suggested the pricing strategy was “risky” in its latest annual regulatory compliance report, out on Friday.
USPS Still Searching for Creative Agency
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/postal-services-creative-search-continues-146244
Media piece down, creative piece to go.
The
United States Postal Service, in a piecemeal do-over of its advertising review,
has shifted its media responsibilities to UM, after 10 years at fellow
Interpublic Group shop Campbell Ewald. The creative piece has yet to be
assigned.Media piece down, creative piece to go.
Currently, Campbell Ewald is the lead creative shop, handling traditional advertising and direct marketing, while Draftfcb handles promotions and retail marketing.
Interview with Vox Media CEO
Newspaper Expands, Defying Trends
New and expanded sections to cover business, automobiles and food. A nearly
five-fold increase in community news pages and more investigative reporting.
Even daily color comics.
It feels like a throwback to an earlier era at the Orange County Register,
where a first-time newspaper owner is defying conventional wisdom by spending
heavily to expand the printed edition and playing down digital formats.Aaron Kushner added about 75 journalists and, with 25 more coming, will have expanded the newsroom by half since his investment group bought the nation’s 20th-largest newspaper by circulation in July.
Changes also include thicker pages with triple the number of colors to produce razor-sharp photos and graphics. By the end of March, the newspaper will have 40 percent more space than under previous owners, Freedom Communications Inc.
Infographic: Marketers' 2013 Wish List
Infographic: Marketers' 2013 Wish List: Direct Marketing News asked readers to share their wish list for the New Year. Respondents want more staff, more influence over customer service, and more analytics; they're also looking for less brouhaha over Big Data and social media.
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