Paperclips Blog | Clearwater Paper Results

07.02.2012
'FT' rolls out ad campaign in U.S.

The Financial Times has rolled out a print and digital ad campaign in the U.S. The budget was not disclosed, but the newspaper said it will be a multimillion-dollar program.

The campaign, from agency DDB London, includes ads placed in print and online editions of Bloomberg Businessweek, CNN Money, The Economist, Fast Company, Fortune and New Scientist throughout the summer.

Campaign creative focuses on the American flag. One ad features an image thousands of red, white and blue cars forming the flag to emphasize U.S. manufacturing power. Another depicts an oil-drilling rig against rock strata, again represented by the American flag, to portray the country's energy challenges.

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07.02.2012
Your E-Book Is Reading You

It takes the average reader just seven hours to read the final book in Suzanne Collins's "Hunger Games" trilogy on the Kobo e-reader—about 57 pages an hour. Nearly 18,000 Kindle readers have highlighted the same line from the second book in the series: "Because sometimes things happen to people and they're not equipped to deal with them." And on Barnes & Noble's Nook, the first thing that most readers do upon finishing the first "Hunger Games" book is to download the next one.

In the past, publishers and authors had no way of knowing what happens when a reader sits down with a book. Does the reader quit after three pages, or finish it in a single sitting? Do most readers skip over the introduction, or read it closely, underlining passages and scrawling notes in the margins? Now, e-books are providing a glimpse into the story behind the sales figures, revealing not only how many people buy particular books, but how intensely they read them.

For centuries, reading has largely been a solitary and private act, an intimate exchange between the reader and the words on the page. But the rise of digital books has prompted a profound shift in the way we read, transforming the activity into something measurable and quasi-public.

The major new players in e-book publishing—Amazon, Apple and Google—can easily track how far readers are getting in books, how long they spend reading them and which search terms they use to find books. Book apps for tablets like the iPad, Kindle Fire and Nook record how many times readers open the app and how much time they spend reading. Retailers and some publishers are beginning to sift through the data, gaining unprecedented insight into how people engage with books.

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06.29.2012
The Cloquet Mill Rises Above The Flood

All pulp and paper operations are now back up and running at Cloquet. Our entire Cloquet team rallied to get us fully back to business without any serious injury or environmental impact. Their quick response to record breaking flood levels allowed us to avoid any permanent damage to the mill infrastructure. Even most WIP and finished goods inventory was protected from water damage – with shipping activity out of the mill starting last Saturday.

Meanwhile, as Cloquet continues to work on flood clean-up, our customer service and supply chain teams remain in full gear, contacting you with any delays, rescheduling deliveries, and fulfilling orders from inventory. As a result of this teamwork, most customer orders have been unaffected by the regional flood. For those of you who have experienced a delay, we do thank you for your patience and understanding. We continue to work hard to minimize any further service disruptions.

We stand ready to meet your needs, with full inventories and flexible machine schedules at both Somerset and Cloquet. McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo are fully stocked and readily available – as is our dedicated sales team. Please call your Sappi sales representative with any questions on how we can serve you better, and to place your orders.

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06.29.2012
Verso Paper Corp. Announces Grant Program to Increase Certified Forest Acreage near Its Paper Mills

Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE:VRS) today launched the Verso Forest Certification Grant Program, an initiative aimed at increasing certified fiber and certified acreage on lands near the company's four paper mills. The program will provide start-up funding to encourage and assist landowners, consulting foresters and other stakeholders in developing innovative new projects that will help expand and maintain certification in Verso's wood procurement zones.

"Verso's Forest Certification Grant Program helps us meet two important sustainability commitments," says Verso Senior Vice President for Manufacturing and Energy Lyle Fellows. "By encouraging expanded forest certification, we're advancing responsible management practices that keep U.S. forests vibrant and healthy. We're also helping to increase the available supply of certified fiber which, in turn, allows us to keep our pledge to provide paper products that help our customers meet their own sustainability objectives," he says.

"Verso already uses a high percentage of fiber that's certified to credible forest management certification standards — about 70 percent, but the availability of certified fiber in the United States remains limited with only about 28 percent of privately owned U.S. land certified," explains Verso Senior Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Product Development Mike Weinhold. "With customer demand for certified paper products increasing significantly, it's vital that we do all we can to make sure the supply of certified fiber keeps pace."

The Forest Certification Grant Program builds on Verso's track record of successful forest certification expansion initiatives. In 2011, the company completed a two-year group certification project in partnership with several of its customers and other stakeholders that resulted in an additional 1.4 million certified acres in Maine. In 2009 and 2010, a Verso grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands resulted in 160,000 additional certified acres across six Northeast states. Verso regularly encourages certification through collaboration with state forestry associations and certification organizations, and through its relationships with private landowners.

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06.29.2012
RockTenn Publishes First Corporate Sustainability Report

RockTenn today released its inaugural Corporate Sustainability Report, which affirms the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and outlines its 2020 sustainability goals.

“RockTenn has been producing paper-based packaging from recycled materials since our founding in 1936,” said Jim Rubright, Chairman and CEO of RockTenn. “Our core business activities were founded on recycling products that create economic value by reusing materials otherwise bound for waste streams.

“Our belief is that our operations can be more than consistent with an environmentally sustainable planet. We can be part of the solution and have a net positive impact on the environment,” Rubright continued. “These formal sustainability goals are further evidence of our ongoing commitment to our environment, our people and our performance.”

RockTenn’s 2020 Sustainability Goals
Reduce energy use by 10 percent
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent
Reduce water use by 12 percent
Reduce solid waste by 15 percent
Achieve chain-of-custody certifications for 100 percent of facilities
Improve employee safety by 30 percent

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06.29.2012
USPS posts $2.1 billion loss for May

Despite steadying mail volume and revenue, the U.S. Postal Service reported a net loss of $2.1 million for the month of May, the eighth month of its fiscal year. The Postal Service has lost $10.1 billion year-to-date.

Total mail volume increased in May by 1.1% over the year-earlier period, to 13.1 billion pieces, with monthly revenue up 3.1%, to $5.3 billion. One other bright spot was shipping services, which saw volume double, to 274.8 million pieces, and a 40% boost in revenue, to $1.1 billion for the month.

Standard mail, used most often for commercial mailings, experienced a slight increase in volume. However, first-class mail continued to fall both in volume and revenue. Also, the Postal Service was obliged to pay $1.7 billion to prefund retiree health benefits and workers compensation for the month. Operating expenses rose 13.4%, driven by higher worker compensation costs and benefits.

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06.29.2012
American Media, Inc. Magazines on Google Play

Today, with the launch of magazines on Google Play, American Media, Inc. (AMI) is making 11 of its most popular titles available for purchase and reading on Android smartphones and tablets. Readers can buy single issues or subscribe to save on their favorite magazines, and enjoy digital magazines in full-color with interactive features, multimedia, reflowable text and a clickable table of contents.
In the Google Play store, you can browse and buy from a wide selection of magazines including AMI’s health, wellness, beauty, lifestyle and celebrity titles such as SHAPE, Men’s Fitness, OK!, Star, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Soap Opera Digest and Country Weekly. We’re making single issues of those titles available for 99-cents for a limited time to celebrate the launch of our magazines on Google Play.

“We’re very excited to offer our dedicated readers an easy and interactive way to enjoy our publications,” said David J. Pecker, AMI’s Chairman, President and CEO. “In the fast paced and ever evolving world of media it is paramount for AMI to provide our audience with the most innovative, easily accessible and up-to-date information platform as possible.”

Readers can buy new issues or back issues, subscribe and get free 14-day trial, and customize their reading experiences on their Android tablets or phones.

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06.29.2012
Premium Guitar Brand Fender Partners With FuturePlus

Market-leading guitar manufacturer Fender has selected FuturePlus, the award-winning customer publishing division of Future Publishing, to produce its new bi-annual magazine.

A match made in musical heaven, FuturePlus is working closely with Fender to produce the first issue of the glossy magazine that Fender fans everywhere will want to read, keep and collect.

At 92 pages long, the magazine is a tribute to the legacy of the iconic Fender brand and takes an insightful look at some of the stories and stars that lay behind the guitars.

Simply known as Fender Magazine, the publication is edited by former Metal Hammer editor Jamie Hibbard, who brings with him a raft of musical expertise. Inside the magazine, readers will find beautiful product shots and previews of the latest Fender kit, as well as engaging feature-length articles including an in-depth look at Kurt Cobain’s love affair with Fender guitars.
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06.29.2012
Media M&A Continues Growth in First Half 2012

A first-half 2012 media M&A report was released today by investment bankers The Jordan, Edmiston Group Inc. and sales activity and values jumped significantly over the same period last year. Overall, the number of deals was up 52 percent to 652 while value rose 49 percent to $32 billion for the period. Marketing services-related transactions continue to drive the market.

This growth in M&A comes in the midst of very challenging macro economic issues, JEGI points out. Unemployment is still high in the U.S., Europe is challenged and big IPOs are lackluster. Nevertheless, market forces are proceeding at a rapid pace with digital engagement, social media and, especially, mobile having a huge impact on media. Consequently, companies are scrambling to get up to speed to build out and/or acquire marketing services operations to keep up with the consumer transition to digital and mobile.

All of this is to say the Marketing Services category has once again led the way in both number of transactions and overall value, according to JEGI. By itself, Marketing and Interactive Services accounted for 40 percent of the first-half transactions and 27 percent of the value. Combine that with three other related categories—B-to-B and B-to-C Online Media and Technology and Mobile Media and Technology—and you have 79 percent of the deals and 75 percent of the value.

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06.29.2012
NewPoint Media Acquires Six Media Brands and Printing Facility from Network Communications

NewPoint Media Group, LLC, a new company formed by two senior managers at Network Communications Inc., has acquired six of NCI’s major real estate brands as well as that company’s printing facilities.

The new company, with NCI executives Scott Dixon and Stuart Christian as CEO and president, respectively, partnered with the private-equity firm Lion Equity Partners in the transaction. NCI is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Included in the deal are the Real Estate Book, Mature Living Choices, Senior Living Choices, New Home Finder, New Homes & Ideas, and New Homes Journal brands, along with NCI’s publication printing division and facilities.

NCI, controlled by Beachpoint Partners, retains the assets associated with Apartment Finder, Unique Homes, ByDesign Publishing, along with home design titles and Digital Sherpa division.

NCI and NewPoint will continue to have an ongoing business relationship. NCI will provide distribution services to NewPoint while NewPoint provides printing services to NCI.

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06.29.2012
Domtar unveils 2020 sustainabilty indicator framework

Domtar Corporation today released its 2011 Sustainable Growth Report, unveiling 35 key performance indicators that will shape the company's sustainability efforts out to 2020. This sustainability framework builds on years of industry leadership in forestry certification, mill-level environmental performance and longstanding ENGO collaborations.

This year also marks the first time Domtar is issuing a level-checked "B" Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report, as well as the first time that outside perspective from sustainability experts in the private sector and civil society is being featured.

"The release of a key performance indicator framework is an important milestone in our long-term sustainability strategy," noted John D. Williams, Domtar President and Chief Executive Officer. "By addressing sustainability in a systematic way we are making this company more resilient, better able to seize opportunities for innovation and growth, as well as more open to constructive input from our shareholders, customers, suppliers, and environmental partners. All of this supports our evolution from papermaker to fiber innovator that positions us for success over the long term."

For more information please visit the Sustainability section of www.domtar.com

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06.29.2012
BC Court approves Catalyst Paper reorganization plan

Catalyst Paper Corporation received approval today for its reorganization plan from the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The company’s second amended plan under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the Amended Plan) received 99 per cent support from creditors at meetings held earlier this week.

Court approval of the reorganization plan comes only five months following Catalyst Paper’s entry into creditor protection on January 31, 2012. A confirmation hearing under the Chapter 15 process of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the US Court) is expected to occur in mid-July. Approval from both courts is required before the company can complete its reorganization.

“Today’s court order is a major milestone in our drive to emerge from creditor protection efficiently and quickly,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin J. Clarke. “We said from the outset that our objective was to put our company on stronger financial footing for the future and we are proceeding at a rapid pace to do just that. We’re in discussion now with lenders to secure the necessary exit financing and expect to complete the reorganization process in the near term.”

The Court also authorized and directed Catalyst to take all actions necessary to implement the Amended Plan and Catalyst is working towards implementation. Implementation of the Amended Plan is subject to a number of conditions, including the company obtaining an order of the US Court recognizing that the Sanction Order is in full force and effect in the United States and that Catalyst Paper shall have entered into agreements with respect to a new ABL Facility and, if necessary, Exit Facility, satisfactory to the Majority Initial Supporting Noteholders, in consultation with the Initial Supporting Unsecured Noteholders.
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06.29.2012
Top Bonnier Titles Now Available on Google Play

Bonnier Corp.'s most popular brands, including Popular Science, Saveur, Parenting and Islands, are now available for purchase with the launch of magazines on Google Play. Google Play is a digital entertainment destination where you can find, enjoy and share your favorite music, movies, books, apps … and now magazines.

The agreement between Bonnier and Google allows readers using their Android smartphones and tablets to purchase single issues or subscribe to more than 35 Bonnier brands.

To celebrate the launch of its top magazines on Google Play, readers can purchase an issue of some of their favorite Bonnier titles for only 99 cents. Titles available for this limited-time offer include: Popular Science, Saveur, Parenting, Islands, Popular Photography, Flying, Sport Fishing, TransWorld SKATEboarding, TransWorld Ride BMX, TransWorld Surf and TransWorld Motocross.

"This new partnership with Google expands our commitment to giving our customers access to our brands anytime, any place and anywhere. We're thrilled that they now can enjoy their favorite Bonnier magazines on Google Play on Android smartphones and tablets," said Terry Snow, CEO of Bonnier Crop.

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06.29.2012
AAA Fuel Gage & Exchange Rates

AAA’s Fuel Gage Report as of 6/29/12
National Unleaded Regular:
Current Average - $3.353/gallon
Month Ago Average - $3.626/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.543/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.114/gallon on 7/17/08
Diesel:
Current Average - $3.670/gallon
Month Ago Average - $3.934/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.911/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.845/gallon on 7/17/08

Current Exchange Rates as of 6/28/12
American Dollar to Canadian Dollar = 0.972895 (120 day high - 1.01905 on April 26, 2012; low 0.961252 on June 5, 2012)
American Dollar to Chinese Yuan = 0.157272 (120 day high – 0.159363 on May 2, 2012; low 0.156858 on June 8, 2012)
American Dollar to Euro = 1.2418 (120 day high - 1.3454 on February 28, 2012; low 1.2322 on June 1, 2012)
American Dollar to Japanese Yen = 0.0125943 (120 day high – 0.0131387 on February 2, 2012; low 0.0119026 on March 21, 2012)
American Dollar to Mexican Peso = 0.0733891 (120 day high – 0.0793808 on March 14, 2012; low 0.0691788 on June 1, 2012)

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06.29.2012
Oil Rises From Nine-Month Low on Supply, Europe Measures

Oil rebounded from the lowest close in almost nine months in New York on speculation that European measures aimed at fighting the region’s debt crisis will spur demand for fuel.

Crude increased as much as 3.2 percent, trimming the biggest quarterly decline since the final three months of 2008. Oil gained after euro-area leaders agreed to relax conditions on emergency loans for Spanish banks and possible help for Italy. Prices may advance after the European Union’s ban on the purchase, transport, financing and insurance of Iranian crude starts on July 1, a Bloomberg survey showed. Norway’s first industrywide energy strike since 2004 is in its sixth day.

“Eased liquidity is good for the oil price and that is the key influence right now,” Torbjoern Kjus, an oil analyst at DnB ASA (DNB), said by phone from Oslo. Tightening sanctions on Iran are a “wildcard,” he said.

Oil for August delivery increased as much as $2.48 to $80.17 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $80.15 at 11:50 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday plunged $2.52, or 3.1 percent, to $77.69, the lowest close since Oct. 4.

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06.29.2012
American Greetings Announces First Quarter Earnings

American Greetings Corporation today announced its results for the first fiscal quarter ended May 25, 2012.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company reported total revenue of $393.1 million, pre-tax income of $10.4 million and net income of $7.3 million or 20 cents per share (all per-share amounts assume dilution). Revenue was reduced by $1.4 million as a result of scan-based trading conversions that occurred during the quarter. The pre-tax income impact of the scan-based trading conversions was $1.0 million (after-tax $0.6 million, reducing earnings per share by about 2 cents). The Company also incurred pre-tax costs of $2.1 million (after-tax $1.3 million, reducing earnings per share by about 4 cents) associated with the termination of a contract within the Company's intellectual property licensing group.

Also during the first quarter, on May 9, 2012, the Company announced the acquisition for approximately $56.6 million of the senior secured debt of Clinton Cards PLC ("Clinton Cards"), one of the largest specialty retailers of greeting cards in the United Kingdom ("U.K."). Subsequently, Clinton Cards was placed into administration, a procedure similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, which gives the company, under the control of its administrators, an opportunity to restructure its business.

The Company subsequently announced, on June 7, 2012, the acquisition of assets of Clinton Cards, including approximately 400 stores and related overhead as well as the Clinton Cards and related brands. The impacts of this transaction will be reflected in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company reported total revenue of $403.7 million, pre-tax income of $50.8 million, and net income of $32.6 million or 78 cents per share. Revenue was reduced by $1.9 million as a result of scan-based trading conversions that occurred during the quarter.

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06.29.2012
Meredith Joins Google Play To Expand Digital Edition Offerings

Meredith Corporation today announced that it is offering digital editions of its most popular magazines, including such well-known titles as Family Circle, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, Ladies' Home Journal, Midwest Living and MORE, as magazines on Google Play.

On Google Play, consumers will be able to purchase a wide selection of magazines covering a variety of lifestyle interests — including fashion, food, travel, health, family and home decor — on Android smartphones and tablets. Single issues of Meredith titles will be available for just 99 cents for a limited time during the launch.

On Google Play, consumers can buy new or back issues of magazines and customize their reading experiences on their Android tablets or phones. Purchased magazines will be stored and accessible using cloud technology, enabling consumers to keep their favorite titles organized and easily browsed in a digital carousel. They will then be able to access these titles using the Google Play Magazines app for Android devices.

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06.28.2012
News Corporation Announces Intent to Pursue Separation of Businesses to Enhance Strategic Alignment and Increase Operational Flexibility

News Corporation today announced that it intends to pursue the separation of its publishing and media and entertainment businesses into two distinct publicly traded companies. Upon closing of such a transaction, shareholders would hold interests in a world-class publishing company, consisting of the largest collection of best-in-class publishing assets and a new digital education group, and an unmatched global media and entertainment company, each of which would benefit from enhanced strategic alignment and increased operational flexibility with respect to an unparalleled portfolio of assets, brands and franchises.

News Corporation's Board authorized management to explore this separation after a Board meeting yesterday.

The proposed transaction would create global category leaders in both publishing and entertainment: a publishing company, which would be comprised of News Corporation's newspapers and information businesses in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, the Company's leading book publishing brands, its integrated marketing services company, its digital education group, as well as its other assets in Australia; and a global media and entertainment company, which would encompass News Corporation's broadcast and worldwide cable networks, leading film and television production studios, television stations and highly successful pay-TV businesses in Europe and India.

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06.28.2012
Google Opens Android Mag Newsstand, Brands Rush In

Magazines have embraced the iPad but generally dissed the Google Android OS. Google wants to change that will the opening of Magazines on Google Play. With scores of titles across many of the major publishing houses on tap for this launch, the section lets the user buy a magazine on the Web and view it on any Android device. The cloud-based approach gives this newsstand certain advantages over the Apple Newsstand, in that users should be able to pick up a magazine where they left off across devices.

The downside of course is that there aren’t many credible Android tablets on the market to appreciate the facsimile books at scale. From what we could tell in the early going, most of the titles are unenhanced facsimile editions of print that offer tap and pinch zooming and a reading mode that extracts texts. The design appears optimized for smartphones, which constitute almost all of the Android OS’s massive base. The catalog does include an “Interactive” icon on many titles that appears to designate editions that offer more than straight ports of print content.

Publishers were ready to participate. Bonnier is leveraging the new digital store’s pricing flexibility to offer 99-cent trials on some titles for a library of 35 they say will be available. Rodale too will be offering select recent issues of its books in Google Play for 99-cents. Hearst announced all 20 titles for the platform and Meredith says most of its portfolio will be here. Conde Nast’s Wired is here as is Newsweek, Entrepreneur, Game Informer, Forbes, Atlantic and Maxim. A number of titles were leveraging the 99-issue offer.

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06.28.2012
Hearst Magazines to Offer All 20 of its Titles on Google Play

With today’s launch of magazines on Google Play, Hearst Magazines, one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, announces that all 20 of its popular magazine brands are now available for purchase and reading on Android smartphones and tablets. Readers can buy single issues or annual subscriptions to Hearst titles such as Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, the newly launched HGTV Magazine and Marie Claire, and enjoy digital magazines in full-color with a clickable table of contents.

Hearst will offer single copies of select titles—Esquire, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful and Seventeen—at $0.99 for a limited time to celebrate the launch of its magazines on Google Play. Four Hearst magazines—ELLE DECOR, Harper’s Bazaar, House Beautiful and Popular Mechanics—will have interactive editions on Google Play, fully optimized for the tablet experience, with enhanced features such as video, tap-to-view large images and scrolling text. ELLE DECOR, Harper’s Bazaar and House Beautiful will make their interactive debuts on Google Play.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Google on the launch of magazines on Google Play and that we’ll have every one of our titles available, several of which will offer interactive features that really bring the pages to life,” said Chris Wilkes, VP of the Hearst App Lab. “This development dovetails with our philosophy at Hearst to make our magazines available to consumers on every tablet and digital newsstand platform.”

Readers can buy new issues, back issues and subscriptions to customize their reading experiences on their Android tablets or phones. Purchased magazines will be stored and accessible in-the-cloud, meaning you can keep your magazine stacks organized and easily browsed in a digital carousel, then pick up and flip through them wherever you are using the Google Play Magazines mobile app for Android devices.

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06.28.2012
Freedom Communications Announces Sale of Florida, North Carolina Properties Has Closed

Freedom Communications announced today that the sale of all of its newspaper properties in Florida and North Carolina to Halifax Media Group has closed.

The properties involved in the transaction include Holmes County Times-Advertiser, Bonifay, FL; Times-News, Burlington, NC; Havelock News, Havelock, NC; The Daily News, Jacksonville, NC; Free Press, Kinston, NC; The Star, Port St. Joe, FL; The Walton Sun, Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Washington County News, Chipley, FL; The Crestview News Bulletin, Crestview, FL; The Destin Log, Destin, FL; Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL; The Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, NC; Jones Post, Kinston, NC; Santa Rosa Press Gazette and Santa Rosa Free Press, Milton, FL; Sun Journal and The Shopper, New Bern, NC; The News Herald, Panama City, FL; The Star, Shelby, NC; The Times, Apalachicola, FL and The Topsail Advertiser, Surf City, NC.

"Providing value for our shareholders was a major goal of this transaction and the others weâ€™ve undertaken," said Mark McEachen, Freedom Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "At the same time we wanted to make sure current employees would transition to the new owner and that the new owner shared our view of the importance of community journalism."

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06.28.2012
Oil Declines on Speculation EU Outlook Will Worsen

Oil declined in London for the first time in five days amid speculation that the European Union’s economy will fail to grow, as the region’s leaders gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit.

Brent crude fell as much as 1.2 percent as the EU continued to battle the financial crisis that claimed Cyprus this week as its fifth victim. The euro reversed an advance against the dollar and European equities declined as Germany reported that unemployment in the euro region’s biggest economy rose for a fourth month this year. The U.K. remains in recession after reporting today a 0.3 percent decline in gross domestic product in the last quarter.

“The oil price is a reflection of the market’s expectation that there will be no growth in Europe for the next few years,” said Michael Hewson, analyst at London-based CMC Markets UK Plc who predicts Brent may fall as low as $76 a barrel in the next six months. “Although Iran could provide potential for prices to move higher in the short term, the overall outlook is down, based on the lack of economic growth.”

Brent oil for August settlement fell as much as $1.09 to $92.41 a barrel and was at $92.82 at 10:58 a.m. on the London- based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

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06.28.2012
Bertelsmann strengthens its presence in South America

The international media company Bertelsmann is accelerating its expansion in the world’s growth regions: Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann AG, officially opened the Group’s new Corporate Center in the Brazilian city of São Paulo yesterday evening. The Corporate Center will be the contact point for the expansion of Bertelsmann's operations in South America. Earlier this year, in February, the media company had opened a new Corporate Center in India, and Bertelsmann has had one in China since 2006.

Bertelsmann’s Chairman & CEO Thomas Rabe stated: “Our new office in Brazil will strengthen Bertelsmann’s international network. It is crucial to have a central anchor in the three most important future markets for us – China, India and Brazil. The new Corporate Center will help to further develop our existing activities in this region and expand them into new businesses – for example, in the fields of education and digital media.”

Bertelsmann has already been active in South America for some time through its divisions. RTL Group’s production arm Fremantle Media currently sells a variety of popular formats here such as “Idol” and “The Apprentice.” The book-publishing subsidiary Random House Mondadori has operations in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay. Gruner + Jahr owns three Motor-Presse offshoots in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, and G y J Televisia in Mexico. Arvato operates across South America in fields including distribution services, service centers and print. In total, Bertelsmann employs approximately 3,000 people in South America.

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06.28.2012
Amcor Announces the Purchase of Wayne Richardson Sales

Amcor announces today the purchase of Wayne Richardson Sales. With sales of approximately $50 million and over 2,700 customers the business is one of the largest independently owned packaging distributors in Australia with a network of eight distribution centres across Australia.

The business is a distributor of a broad range of industrial packaging and packaging consumables to small and medium size customers.

The purchase multiple was approximately 6.5 times fiscal year 2012 EBITDA and the acquisition is expected to deliver returns in excess of 20% by year three.

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06.27.2012
Japan's Hokuetsu to take 20 pct stake in Daio Paper

Japan's Hokuetsu Kishu Paper Co Ltd said on Tuesday it will raise its stake scandal-hit rival Daio Paper Corp's to 19.6 percent from 2.86 percent to join forces to weather dwindling paper demand.

Hokuetsu, Japan's No.5 paper products maker, said it plans to buy shares held by Daio's founding family as well as other shareholders. The share purchase will raise Hokuetsu's stake in terms of voting rights to 22.12 percent, making it the top shareholder in Japan's No.4 paper maker.

Daio has been struggling to cut ties with its founding family after it discovered that former Chairman Mototaka Ikawa had gambled away billions of yen he borrowed from Daio Paper group companies.

Hokuetsu and Daio would together make Japan's third-biggest paper manufacturing group by sales, after Oji Paper Co and Nippon Paper Group Inc.

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06.27.2012
Smurfit Kappa Group plc announces the publication of its fifth annual Sustainable Development Report for 2011

The report details Smurfit Kappa’s vision and its ongoing activities in the important area of sustainability. The report demonstrates the Group’s commitment to the supply of sustainable paper-based packaging solutions and outlines its approach to sustainability in the key areas of Environment, Society and Business.

Gary McGann, Group Chief Executive Officer commented: “We are pleased to announce the publication of our Sustainable Development Report for 2011. Once again, Smurfit Kappa has successfully shown that sustainability is entirely compatible with delivering profitable growth. At a time when economic conditions are challenging, we see sustainability as a key differentiating factor in the market. In particular, we continue to make progress on our Chain of Custody target for 2015, which will guarantee that all the paper and packaging we produce originates from reliable sources. Smurfit Kappa is committed to achieving all of its sustainability objectives in order to continue to build a sustainable and responsible business which serves our customers and builds value for all stakeholders.”

He added:“Our 38,000 employees have the experience and expertise necessary to meet and exceed our customers’ needs in a sustainable manner. Our employees are passionate about the very real contribution their efforts can make to customer success and to a sustainable product life cycle. We would like to express our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”

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06.27.2012
Intertape Polymer Group Announces Plant Closure and Transfer of Production

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. today announced its intention to close its Richmond, Kentucky facility and transfer the shrink film production business from the Company's Truro, Nova Scotia facility to its Tremonton, Utah plant. The Company believes this will allow it to further optimize its manufacturing footprint and generate significant annual savings. All dollar amounts are US denominated unless otherwise indicated.

The Richmond facility, which manufactures tape products, will be closed in part due to productivity improvements in other production facilities. The majority of production will be transferred to Intertape's Carbondale, Illinois facility. The shrink film business in Truro will be transferred to Tremonton which will create one center of manufacturing excellence in North America for this business. Woven fabric products will continue to be produced at Truro. These changes are expected to be completed in late 2012 and early 2013.

"Considering competitive pressures, market conditions and the volatility of input costs, we are continuously reviewing and analyzing all aspects of our operations. With this plant closure and transfer of production, we expect a positive contribution to Adjusted EBITDA of more than $5 million in 2013 and approximately $6 million in each subsequent year. The process will be seamless to customers and we do not anticipate any significant impact on our revenues," said Intertape's President and CEO, Greg Yull.

As a result of these initiatives and other smaller aspects of our manufacturing rationalization plan, a charge of $14-$16 million is expected to be recorded in the second quarter of 2012 primarily related to property, plant and equipment, and severance. Approximately $1.5 million of this charge relates to cash items and the remainder is non-cash. Additional costs of approximately $3.5 million will also be incurred and paid throughout the second half of 2012 and in early 2013. This initiative will require approximately $5.5 million in capital expenditures, with total Company 2012 capital expenditures expected to be $20-23 million.

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06.27.2012
ACMA Wants Hard-wired Rate Increase Dropped From H.R. 2309

The American Catalog Mailers Association wants its members with ties to Republican congressional districts to contact their elected officials and voice their displeasure regarding the annual rate increase for catalogs contained in H.R. 2309.

The American Catalog Mailers Association wants to have a portion of a postal reform bill pending in the House of Representatives that would allow a hard-wired annual rate increase for mail the postal regulator deems to be underwater eliminated.

This underwater class, according to the ACMA, is presumed to be standard mail flats – the category affecting most catalog mailerss – and would be assessed by a new congressionally-appointed authority that would oversee the U.S. Postal Service.

H.R. 2309, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), would create a Postal Service Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority that would approve changes in rates and classifications, new products and services, and other matters before the Postal Regulatory Commission.

The ACMA wants its members with ties to Republican congressional districts to contact their elected officials and voice their displeasure regarding the annual rate increase for catalogs contained in the House postal reform bill.

Paul Miller, vice president and deputy director of the ACMA, said the annual hard-wired postal rate increase for standard mail flats translates to 2% in addition to the CPI-capped rate increase. Miller said that means if a rate increase for standard mail flats was accomplished through legislation, it could only be undone by Congress passing subsequent legislation.

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06.27.2012
Zinio Exploring Strategic Options

One of the oldest names in the digital magazine space and among the top grossing distributors of content into the app ecosystem is exploring a sale or other strategic option. Zinio, owned principally by Fiji Water founder and hotel owner David Gilmour has enlisted investment bank Montgomery & Co. to look for a buyer, according to a report in CNNMoney.com.

The report contends the company is looking for a price of $50 to $100 million.

Zinio's global executive vp and cmo Jeanniey Mullen issued a statement to minonline confirming that the company was working with Montgomery & Co on strategic options, although it did not say specifically the company was for sale. According to Zinio, "Committed to growing the company, we have retained Montgomery & Co to facilitate capital raising strategies and discussions. While the company has been engaged in similar discussions in the past, Zinio has never had a stronger vision, strategy and roadmap to engage the right set of potential partners."

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06.27.2012
Magazine Reach Declines As Devices Soar

Magazines looking to ride the growth engine of media consumption may do well to pick devices over the Internet itself. According to the latest cross-media usage research from TVB Media Corporation, overall daily reach of magazines in the U.S. declined to 24.8% among adults in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 28.6% in the same period two years ago.

While the TVB study is aimed at highlighting TV over all media, it includes a comprehensive portfolio of emerging platforms. While Internet reach increased from 67.5% to 73.1% in the two year span, mobile reach for media content soared from 14.3% to 27.8%, surpassing magazines on any given day. The tablet, which didn’t really exist as a media force two years ago and was not measured, is already reaching 11.7% of Americans surveyed.

Magazines continue to have a fractional share of media time spent, only .2 hours per day compared to .3 for tablets, .4 for newspapers, and .7 for mobile phones. The Internet gathers 3 hours of our media time each day, but TV still rules with 5.2 hours. Broken down by gender, however, women spend .3 hours per day with magazines compared to only .18 hours by men.

Nevertheless, magazines are still the fourth most influential medium when it comes to purchase decisions, behind TV, newspapers, and Internet. Perhaps even more importantly, 6.8% of respondents said that they were most likely to learn about products from magazines, compared to 8.7% citing Internet, 8% citing newspapers and 39.8% citing TV.

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06.27.2012
Hearst Digital Media Launches Private Audience Exchange Powered by Pubmatic

Hearst Digital Media, a unit of Hearst Magazines that represents a portfolio of 25+ digital brands including Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Seventeen and Good Housekeeping, today announced the launch of the Hearst Audience Exchange, powered by PubMatic. The exchange is being launched in partnership with Core Audience (formerly known as Red Aril), Hearst’s fully owned and operated data management platform (DMP). With the inclusion of the DMP, the Hearst Audience Exchange will add value by managing audience data assets, which will help advertisers make more informed purchasing decisions.

“Our primary focus in the design of the Hearst Audience Exchange was to increase the value of our audience through greater targeting and segmentation,” said Kristine Welker, chief revenue officer of Hearst Digital Media. “The private exchange will allow us to deliver on the growing complexities around digital media buying within the protected environment of our quality brands and premium content.”

The Hearst Audience Exchange will satisfy client needs for both programmatic buying, which is the process of executing media buys through digital technology platforms like ad exchanges, and more targeted brand display advertising. With the new platform Hearst Digital Media will be able to utilize audience data so that the ROI around branded display efforts is far more effective.
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06.27.2012
Ennis Reports Results for the First Quarter Ended May 31, 2012

Ennis, Inc., today reported financial results for the first quarter ended May 31, 2012.

Financial Overview
Our consolidated net sales were $142.5 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2012 compared to $143.3 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2011. Print sales for the current quarter were $87.3 million, compared to $67.1 million for the same quarter last year, or an increase of 30.1%. Apparel sales for the current quarter were $55.2 million, compared to $76.1 million for the same quarter last year, or a decrease of 27.5%. Overall our gross profit margins ("margins") decreased from 27.7% to 19.8% for the quarters ended May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012, respectively. Our print margin decreased slightly from 28.8% to 27.9%, due to the lower margins of our recent acquisitions. Our apparel margin, which continues to be impacted by the higher yarn costs flowing through its cost of sales, decreased from 26.8% to 7.0% for the quarter. As a result, our net earnings decreased from $11.4 million, or 8.0% of sales, for the quarter ended May 31, 2011 to $3.9 million, or 2.7% of sales, for the quarter ended May 31, 2012. Diluted EPS decreased from $0.44 per share to $0.15 per share for the quarters ended May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012, respectively.

During the quarter, the Company generated $10.0 million in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) compared to $21.9 million for the comparable quarter last year.

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06.27.2012
Best Buy Launches Best Buy Mobile Brand and Format in Five Star Stores in China

Best Buy today announced it is expanding the Best Buy Mobile brand and store-within-a-store (SWAS) concept into select Five Star stores in China. In total, the Best Buy Mobile SWAS format will launch in 14 Five Star locations throughout Nanjing this summer.

The expansion of Best Buy Mobile into the Chinese market is the first evolution of Global Connect, a partnership that was formed in November 2011 between Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse. It also supports Best Buy's commitment to international growth, which is highlighted by the continued success and expansion of the Five Star brand.

"The launch of Best Buy Mobile in China is a true global effort, bringing together the best of Five Star, Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse to create a new shopping experience for consumers in China," said Shari Ballard, President, International for Best Buy. "Access to connectivity solutions has never been more important for human beings around the world. I'm thrilled to see our Global Connect efforts coming to life for customers in our Five Star stores."

This launch follows a similar model that led to the development of Best Buy Mobile in the United States in 2006. Just as Carphone Warehouse did with Best Buy five years ago, the Global Connect team is working closely with its Five Star partners to develop a mobile sales strategy that is designed for the Chinese market.

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06.26.2012
Cataloguers push back against postal legislation

The American Catalog Mailers Association is criticizing a postal reform bill that, if passed, would legislate rate increases, bypassing the typical process of rate approval via the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Among its many provisions, HR 2309—sponsored by Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Dennis Ross (R-Fla.)—would establish a Postal Service Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority that would “approve changes in rates and classifications, new products and services, and other matters before PRC.”

“[The bill] would represent a break in more than 40 years of public policy, during which time Congress has never set postal rates,” said Hamilton Davison, ACMA's president-executive director. The ACMA is urging its members to lobby Republican congressmen before the bill is taken up for debate in the House next month. Democrats, in the minority, already oppose the bill, and “Conservatives, tea party and rural Republicans are most helpful right now” as swing votes who may act to modify it, Davison told BtoB.

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06.26.2012
New Two Sides Campaign Targets UK Consumers

"No Wonder You Love Paper". Two Sides joins with UK newspaper and magazine publishers to promote the attractiveness and sustainability of print media

The campaign features the attractiveness and sustainability of magazines and newspapers. Research by Two Sides has revealed consumers are surprised to learn that:
•Almost 70% of paper across Europe is collected and recycled. In fact it’s one of the most recycled materials of all.
• Forests in Europe, which provide wood for making into paper and many other widely used materials, are 30% larger than in 1950. In fact they’re increasing by 1.5 million football pitches every year!

Martyn Eustace, Director of Two Sides, comments, “This is a really important campaign which is urgently needed to correct consumer misunderstandings. Our research tells us that magazine and newspaper readers are unaware of the industry’s great record on recycling and that European forests, where the majority of raw material is sourced, are actually growing in size. 80% of UK consumers prefer reading from paper than reading off a screen (*) and we want to let them know the facts about the industry’s record on important environmental issues”.

Barry McIlheney, CEO of the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) states: “We live in a multi-media world and readers now look for a choice of media channels. Print is still vital for magazine publishers and offers a unique reading experience that will live on. We want to make sure that, in choosing a printed magazine, readers fully understand that print media also offers a natural reading experience and can be a sustainable way to read”.

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06.26.2012
Thomson-Shore Announces International Book Printing Agreement with Clays

Thomson-Shore, a book manufacturer specializing in short- to medium-run digital and offset book printing, binding and publishing services, has signed a partnership agreement with U.K.-based Clays Ltd. The global print initiative gives each printer access to each other’s market, creating value and market opportunity for customers of both Thomson-Shore and Clays.

Under the agreement, Thomson-Shore will print books for Clays’ customers seeking distribution in the United States. Clays, the UK’s leading print group producing over 170 million books annually, in turn will print Thomson-Shore customers’ books for distribution anywhere outside of North America. Both companies will also share marketing and sales resources to promote this new initiative.

“Thomson-Shore customers have come to expect that we’ll deliver unparalleled quality, service and innovation,” said Kevin Spall, CEO, Thomson-Shore. “Our agreement with Clays is a result of our recognition that this leading global brand shares our commitment to excellence. We are thrilled with the opportunity to offer Thomson-Shore customers a way to produce quality books for distribution in the U.K. and other areas of Europe, ultimately helping them sell more, more efficiently.”

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06.26.2012
Paper, Print and the Environment

Print on paper isn't depleting our forests, overwhelming our landfills, or causing global warming. In fact, just the opposite is true—and companies calling for less print or a no-print day, such as Toshiba's recently abandoned campaign, don't take into account that paper, and print on paper, is a renewable and recyclable resource.

Here are the facts:

Trees and Paper
•Replenished: Wood, which comes from trees, is the primary material used to make paper. Trees are continually replenished—like wheat and corn, unlike plastic—to ensure that our forests are sustainable.
•Primarily Made in the USA: About 90% of paper and paperboard consumed in the United States is produced in the United States.
•High Supplier: 91% of the wood harvested in the United States comes from privately owned forests. State and tribal 6% and federal supply 2%.
•More Forests Today: Forest growth in the United States exceeds harvest by 37%. There is now 28% more standing timber volume in the U.S. than in 1952.
•A Small User of Forest Resources: Just 11% of the world's forests are used for paper.
•Largely Made from "Waste": Overall, 33% of papermaking material comes from recycled paper; 33% comes from wood chips and scrap from sawmills; and 33% comes from virgin trees.

Recycling/Landfills
•Recycling: 66.8% of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2010—by volume, more than glass, plastic and aluminum combined.
•Landfill: 16.2% of discards into the landfill are paper and paperboard, of which 41% is paperboard containers and packaging and 59% is all other paper. Plastics, by comparison, comprise 17.3% of discards.

Many think that by foregoing print and paper, they are saving trees and making a sound environmental choice. In fact, print and paper give private landowners a financial incentive to grow trees rather than selling off their land for other uses, such as development.

As Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-Founder, Greenpeace/Chair & Chief Scientist, Greenspirit Strategies Inc. said: "To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less. Using wood sends a signal to the marketplace to grow more trees and to produce more wood. That means we can then use less concrete, steel and plastic -- heavy carbon emitters through their production. Trees are the only abundant, biodegradable and renewable global resource."

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06.26.2012
Media General Completes Sale of Newspapers to Berkshire Hathaway

Media General, Inc. today completed the previously announced sale of 63 daily and weekly newspapers to World Media Enterprises, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., for $142 million in cash, subject to adjustment for working capital and other items. After transaction fees and the repayment of funds drawn on the revolving credit facility, Media General will use the net proceeds from the newspaper sale to offer to repay on a pro rata basis existing senior secured notes at par and a term loan with no prepayment penalty.

Media General is also in discussions with prospective buyers for its Tampa, Florida, print properties and associated websites.

“Selling our newspapers represents a monumental change for us – we’ve been in the newspaper business for more than 160 years. However, our model has been shifting more toward Broadcast and Digital in recent years,” said Marshall N. Morton, president and chief executive officer of Media General. Broadcast television accounted for 77 percent of total Platform Cash Flow for the full year 2011 and for 87 percent in the first quarter of this Political year.

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06.26.2012
Penton Buys U.K.-Based Highline

Penton announced today that it has acquired Highline LP, a company based outside of London that provides data and sales information for the business and commercial aviation markets.

The two companies have been partners for about sixteen years, with Highline providing its data for Penton's AC-U-KWIK brand, a directory of airports, fixed-base operators (FBOs) and the various suppliers that support the aviation market—fuel suppliers, maintenance, catering and so on.

Highline, which employs about five people, also runs airportdata.aero, an information and data product that more specifically serves the commercial and cargo markets, and the deal will tie this product more closely to Penton's two commercial/cargo brands Air Transport World and SpeedNews.

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06.26.2012
EURO-GRAPH Monthly Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total European Shipments of Graphic Papers for May were down 4.9% vs. May '11 and are down 4.3% ytd. Total European shipments of Newsprint were down 4.0% vs. May '11 and are down 4.9% ytd. Total European shipments of SC-Magazine grades were down 2.9% vs. May '11 and are down 1.8% ytd. Total European shipments of Coated Mechanical Reels were down 8.4% vs. May '11 and are down 5.3% ytd. Total European shipments of Uncoated Mechanical (Improved & Others) were down 7.0% and are down 5.9% ytd. Total European shipments of Coated Woodfree were down 3.5% vs. May '11 and are down 4.0% ytd. Total European shipments of Uncoated Woodfree were down 4.3% vs. May '11 and are down 3.7% ytd.
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06.26.2012
Creditors approve Catalyst Paper restructuring plan

Catalyst Paper Corporation is pleased to announce that the company has received the necessary creditor approval for its second amended plan of arrangement under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada. Approval of more than 99 per cent of secured and unsecured creditors was received in votes cast in person and by proxy at meetings held today in Richmond, BC.

The sanction hearing under the CCAA process is scheduled to occur on June 28, 2012 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and pending the BC Court approval, the confirmation hearing under the Chapter 15 process of the US Court in Delaware is expected to take place in mid-July.

“We have received support from a majority of stakeholders since we began the reorganization process and today’s vote of support by creditors for the second amended plan of arrangement sets out a clear path forward,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin J. Clarke. “With the cooperation of employees, vendors, customers, pensioners and investors, Catalyst has been able to make progress through a very complicated situation at an unprecedented swift pace.”

“The plan which received creditor approval today puts Catalyst on a stronger financial base to compete and adapt as the marketplace for our products continues to change,” Mr. Clarke said. “We’re now turning our attention to securing our exit financing and satisfying the remaining conditions of the plan with a target timeline to emerge from creditor protection in the near term.”

In a related proceeding, Catalyst received BC Court approval to extend the period of CCAA protection to September 30, 2012.
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06.26.2012
Oil Drops a Second Day as Europe Crisis Threatens Demand

Oil was little changed in New York after a storm avoided the Gulf of Mexico’s energy-producing area and amid speculation European leaders will fail to stem its debt crisis that threatens to curb fuel demand.

Futures traded below $80 a barrel for a fourth day, near an eight-month low, after Tropical Storm Debby was forecast to bypass the western Gulf and oil companies began returning workers to platforms. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel hardened her resistance to sharing euro-area debt, while HSBC Holdings Plc cut its growth forecast for China, the world’s second-biggest crude user. A government report tomorrow may show U.S. gasoline stockpiles rose for the third time in four weeks.

“Market sentiment remains negative, focusing on slow demand and ample supply,” said Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt. “The supply risk that supported oil is fading as production resumes in the Gulf of Mexico. The looming European Union embargo on Iranian oil may support Brent as it is also affecting oil flows to other nations.”

Oil for August delivery fell as much as 50 cents to $78.71 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $79.32 as of 11:40 a.m. in London.

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06.26.2012
RockTenn Acquires Mid South Packaging from Coridel Capital Partners to Expand Corrugated Businesses

RockTenn today announced that it has closed on its acquisition of the assets of Mid South Packaging LLC, a specialty corrugated packaging manufacturer with operations in Cullman, Alabama, and Olive Branch, Mississippi, from Coridel Capital Partners.

“The acquisition of Mid South, a company well-known for its profitable business model and efficient, well-run operations, is in keeping with our announced strategy to seek acquisitions that increase our integration level,” said James A. Rubright, RockTenn’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Adding Mid South’s unique customers to RockTenn’s already diversified customer base further strengthens our market reach.”

“It has been a privilege to partner with the Mid South management team as they built a robust company, making significant operational improvements, growing revenues and delivering record earnings year after year during our investment period. This transaction demonstrates the significant value that has been created,” said Tyler Kwon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coridel. “I am confident that under the leadership of the RockTenn organization, Mid South will continue its tradition of excellence and innovation.”

Mid South is comprised of three main segments: AutoLogic™, which supplies specialized packaging to the automotive parts industry; the ComboPAC™ Food Group, which supplies bulk boxes to the poultry and meat industries; and the Retail Design Group, which provides high-end corrugated packaging and retail displays to consumer packaged goods companies.

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06.26.2012
Buckeye Specialty Line Running; Fluff Line Restart Targeted for July 4

Buckeye Technologies Inc. today announced it is targeting the restart of its fluff pulp line for July 4. The specialty pulp line has been up and safely running at target rates since early Saturday morning, June 23. The specialty pulp line mix will not be fully optimized until the fluff line is back in operation. Among other things, the July 4 timeline depends on procurement of materials and the amount of work required to repair and replace drums and other damaged equipment. Both production lines were idled on Sunday evening, June 17, due to a significant failure of a steam drum on the fluff pulp line. There were no injuries associated with this incident.

We expect our property damage and business interruption insurance will cover most of the losses in excess of our $2 million deductible. Net of insurance recovery, we estimate the total net earnings impact of this event to be in the range of 5 to 10 cents per share. We expect Q4 FY 2012 (April-June 2012) earnings to be reduced by 8 to 11 cents per share as a result of this event. The net impact on first half FY 2013 earnings (July-December 2012) should be small as we expect to recognize the bulk of the insurance benefits during this period. We also anticipate the lost production volume due to the outage will reduce sales revenue by about $20 million primarily in the July to December 2012 period.

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06.26.2012
News Corp. Mulls Splitting in Two

News Corp. is considering splitting into two companies, separating its publishing assets from its entertainment businesses, say people familiar with the situation.

The split would carve off News Corp.'s film and television businesses, including 20th Century Fox film studio, Fox broadcast network and Fox News channel from its newspapers, book publishing assets and education businesses. News Corp.'s publishing assets include The Wall Street Journal, the Times of London and the Australian newspaper, as well as HarperCollins book publishing. If a separation occurs, the publishing company would be far smaller than the entertainment company.

A final decision on the split hasn't been made. News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch has previously opposed such a move, which has been discussed internally for several years, say people familiar with the situation. Mr. Murdoch has recently warmed to the idea, said one person familiar with the situation.

The idea under consideration isn't expected to change the Murdoch family's effective control of any of the businesses, exercised through the family's roughly 40% voting stake in News Corp. The idea is similar to the split of Viacom Inc. VIAB -2.22%into two companies in 2006, when CBS was carved off as a separate company. In that break up, Viacom's controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone ended up with control of both companies.

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06.25.2012
Buckeye to Restart Specialty Paper Machine at Florida Mill

Buckeye Technologies Inc. today announced that it has made the repairs on the #1 specialty pulp machine that was damaged on June 17, due to the significant failure of a steam drum on the #2 fluff pulp machine. Structural damage to the paper machine building has been addressed and the specialty machine will begin start up today. Both paper machines have been idled since Sunday evening June 17, when the incident occurred.

There were no injuries to any personnel and there wasn’t a fire. A team at the plant, including contractor resources and structural engineers, continue the investigation to determine the root cause of the drum failure. All drums are being inspected prior to the startup based on the early findings of the comprehensive failure analysis.

With the paper machine building secure, workers have begun the plans and repairs for the #2 paper machine where Buckeye produces all of their fluff pulp. Because the drum failure was on this machine, most of the damage was limited to one area of the paper machine. While it is too early in the repairs and planning to provide a firm timeline, we will provide an estimate early next week. The timeline depends on procurement of materials and the amount of work to repair and replace drums, pedestals and sole plates.

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06.25.2012
Tetra Pak launches new volume and printing capabilities to drive greater efficiency, impact and value for Tetra Fino® Aseptic

Tetra Pak today announces that new volume options and advanced photographic printing techniques are now available on its Tetra Fino Aseptic packaging range. The combination brings improved efficiency, stronger product differentiation and greater brand impact to manufacturers seeking highly cost effective packaging solutions.

Tetra Pak’s OptiSize volume concept for Tetra Fino Aseptic allows customers to produce cartons tailored precisely to 70ml and 220ml portions — with more size options to follow — thus reducing packaging materials waste. The Eco Flexo printing process brings photographic printing to Tetra Fino Aseptic packages for the first time, providing greater opportunities for product differentiation and brand impact.

"Tetra Fino Aspetic is well known as a simple and cost effective package that enables producers to deliver safe, nutritious beverages to consumers looking for value as well as quality," said Tetra Pak’s Hemant Krashak, Product Director. "With today’s announcement of OptiSize and Eco Flexo, producers can drive even greater efficiency and value while providing stand out branding which will have an impact on store shelves."
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06.25.2012
RR Donnelley Introduces Series of ProteusJet(SM) Multiweb Digital Print Platform Applications for Direct Marketers

R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today introduced a series of applications for its new ProteusJet Multiweb platform. ProteusJet enables sophisticated credit, telecom and cable, retail and insurance marketers to manage one-to-one communications to maximize revenues. The integrated piezoelectric 4-color inkjet technology and fully automated mail assembly lines create mailings targeted to the individual needs and interests of millions with precision, speed and familiarity.

"Our clients succeed when content connects to deliver the right message precisely and in an impactful way," said Mary Lee Schneider, RR Donnelley's Chief Technology Officer. "The ProteusJet Multiweb platform harnesses complex business rules developed by our clients to dictate text and color graphics instantaneously. The production lines allow direct marketers to mount campaigns with versatility and with production efficiencies unattainable in traditional direct mail manufacturing. The downstream dividend of enhanced postal savings is a further testament to the cost efficiencies that are vital to direct marketers."

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06.25.2012
Atlantic ‘Augments’ Ideas Issue With Mobile AR Content

On the heels of our asking late last week whether Augmented Reality – or ‘AR’ – is this year’s version of the recent QR mania among publishers, The Atlantic adds to the trend with an AR-enhanced annual Ideas issue. The new issue of the monthly will use image recognition technology to give smartphone app user an enhanced version of many pages in the issue.

Aim the app at the cover story by Anne-Marie Slaughter on “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” and you get as a superimposed overlay a video interview with the author. Other pop-up videos will feature New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Elmore Leonard and a photo gallery of Olympic torchbearers. Also enhanced will be an ad from the sponsor of the AR project Prudential.

The Atlantic is using an AR technology from longtime solutions provider in the space Metaio. The reader must download that company’s Junaoi app in order to activate the content when aiming its camera view on an enhanced page. A red “Extras” icon will signal the reader to the presence of additional material. Augmented Reality is another form of 2D mobile activation of print pages. In this case the image recognition of the page can be used as a trigger for a full screen mobile event like a video. In other iterations AR can actually superimpose visual experiences onto the camera view of the printed page.

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06.25.2012
Data Collection Up 400% at Publisher Sites

Like it or not, the audience and brand equity that major media companies have been building for years online is being shared with many other parties. According to data management platform Krux, the volume of data collection going on at a typical Web page has increased 400% in the year since the company last surveyed the issue. Last year the company observed an average of 10 collection events on the average page, while this year it has escalated to 50.

The accelerated expansion of demands-side ad platforms, ad exchanges and RTB engines online has created new incentives for all of these entities to collect and share data from the premium publishers on which some of them serve advertising. That audience data can in turn be used to target advertising to that publisher’s audience elsewhere on the Web or even in lower-priced ad inventory that run on the ad networks a publishers uses on site. This growing problem of “data leakage” often hands over to third parties data that it used to create products that are directly competitive with the publisher.

And much of the problem is outside of the publisher’s direct control because the cookies being dropped and tracked by third parties is being shared with an even wider group of partners. More than half (54%) of the data collection at publisher sites now is coming from parties over whom the publisher has no direct control or relationship, up dramatically from 31% last year.

The problem comes from third parties, 78% of whom serve as “ushers” who bring in other data entities. The explosion of business models and players in this game was shown in the sheer number of companies Krux is now finding at publishers sites. This year there were more than 300 data collection parties observed, double the 167 seen last year. While overall data collection is up 5X the amount of third party data collection at sites is up 10X from just a year ago.

Krux, which sells publisher products aimed at controlling data collection, says that data leakage amounts to revenue leakage. The data sharing practice allows for highly valued audiences to become commoditized and sold much more cheaply on exchange and network inventory that traditional media demand for their contextual placements.

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