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.

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.

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

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.”

Harbor Paper Announces Partnership with A.T. Clayton

http://kxro.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/harbor-paper-to-resume-full-scale-operations/

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. 

http://www.harborpaper.com/

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

http://www.lecta.com/home.htm

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.”

Hearst Hosts Sustainability Event for Media Exec.s

http://www.pubexec.com/article/hearst-corporation-host-sustainability-base-camp-media-executives/1

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

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195944/alpha-media-putting-maxim-up-for-sale.html?print#axzz2NvCurhtc

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

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130318/MEDIABUSINESS06/130319982/-brecher-named-cmo-at-fairchild-fashion-media

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.

NYT Reorganizes into 3 Groups

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-15/new-york-times-reorganizes-staff-to-promote-online-operations.html

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.

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.

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.

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."

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

http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/03/14/v-print/2556287/target-to-expand-cooking-and-kitchenware.html

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.

Tunku Varadarajan Leaves Newsweek Global

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/tunku-varadarajan-leaves-newsweek-global-147956

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.