HINWIL, Switzerland — Ferag last week took the wraps off an economically priced quarterfold system aimed at newspapers that want to diversify their postpress operations.
The StreamFold, available in January, is engineered as either a stand-alone system or integrated into any Ferag system via the vendor’s UTR conveyor technology. The compact, portable unit is rated at 60,000 copies per hour and will be priced at approximately $250,000.
According to Ferag CEO Juerg Moeckli, StreamFold uses the firm’s patented W-fold technology. Dusseldorf, Germany, newspaper Rheinische Post is the first paper to purchase the system.
“This new technology allows both newspapers and commercial printers to achieve new revenue streams,” said Joe Colletti, president and CEO of Ferag Americas Inc. “In today’s difficult economic times, adding a quarterfolder system to a new or existing press can be cost-prohibitive. Now, customers are able to process this work is a timely and efficient manner.”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sturm: No ‘bailout’ needed for newspapers
John F. Sturm, president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America, told lawmakers at a hearing last week that while the industry does not seek a financial bailout, there are steps Congress could take to help publishers.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
Manroland, Heidelberg merger getting closer?
Reports continue to circulate in the German media that Heidelberg and manroland will combine their operations, perhaps in the next two weeks.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Shanghai Electric completes Goss investment
Goss International said Shanghai Electric (Group) Corp. completed its investment in the press and postpress vendor, in the process becoming Goss’ second-largest shareholder.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
MNG ready to charge fees
MediaNews Group CEO William Dean Singleton said the publisher will begin charging readers a fee to access certain online content beginning next year, a Salt Lake City television station reported.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
Journal Sentinel to print STMG papers
The Sun-Times Media Group transferred production of its Chicago-area suburban publications to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following the closure of its Northfield, Ill., printing plant.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
American-Statesman switches to SLP plates
The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman converted to Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 thermal plates. The newspaper in 2007 switched to digital platemaking with thermal platesetters from Kodak. The daily is now converting a third platemaking line to CTP.
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
New Yorkers taste London media via Newsworld
Copies of the Evening Standard were on the streets of New York City last week as Newsworld Corp. produced the newspaper in conjunction with its partner, AlphaGraphics, as part of Visit London’s “Only in London” campaign.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Baldwin, technotrans end patent dispute
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. said its German unit settled its nine-year patent dispute with technotrans.
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Pubs reap savings with ProImage ink optimization
ProImage said more newspapers invested in its OnColor Eco ink optimization software, including The Albuquerque (N.M) Publishing Co., which publishes the Albuquerque Journal, and Paso Del Norte Publishing Inc. in El Paso, Texas, which publishes El Diario.
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
Star Tribune emerges from bankruptcy
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune said it will leave bankruptcy protection today, eight months after it filed for shelter from its creditors.
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
Miami Herald, Record Searchlight narrow postpress
The Miami Herald and the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., retrofit their postpress systems with modification systems from Muller Martini Mailroom Systems Inc.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
iRex to make U.S. debut
E-reader vendor iRex Technologies will make its e-reader available in the United States late next month at a price of $399.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
KBA sells Commander to German pub
Parzeller Druck und Mediendiensteistungen in Fulda, Germany, said it will go on-edition with a Commander satellite press from Koenig & Bauer AG next summer. The doublewide, 32-page press will give the publisher full-color production.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In Brief
The Los Angeles Times named Sean Gallagher managing editor, online.
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sept. 21, 2009 — Trib to offer self-service app to other publishers
Tribune Co. outlined a plan to sell self-service advertising software to other newspaper publishers in a bid to help the industry attract a greater variety of advertisers.
The software, based on Mediaspectrum Inc.’s Ad Sales app, is already in use across the majority of Tribune’s properties, said Mike Sacks, Tribune’s vice president of operations.
“Moving toward a self-service model is critical to our industry’s future,” he said. “Already, Tribune has reduced its expenses and generated significant new revenue since implementing this portal.”
All of the publisher’s papers are using at least some part of the software, known within Tribune as Display Ad Self Service, or DASS.
Sacks said Tribune has already held discussions with a number of prospective customers interested in the software.
He said Tribune is still evaluating pricing. Newspapers will have the option to either administer the app on-site or have Mediaspectrum host it for them.
“What we’re adding is the ability for papers to get this set up and hit the ground running,” Sack said. “We’re not just providing the tools. It’s also the functionality and the versatility this software provides.”
Look for the full story in the October issue of News & Tech.
The software, based on Mediaspectrum Inc.’s Ad Sales app, is already in use across the majority of Tribune’s properties, said Mike Sacks, Tribune’s vice president of operations.
“Moving toward a self-service model is critical to our industry’s future,” he said. “Already, Tribune has reduced its expenses and generated significant new revenue since implementing this portal.”
All of the publisher’s papers are using at least some part of the software, known within Tribune as Display Ad Self Service, or DASS.
Sacks said Tribune has already held discussions with a number of prospective customers interested in the software.
He said Tribune is still evaluating pricing. Newspapers will have the option to either administer the app on-site or have Mediaspectrum host it for them.
“What we’re adding is the ability for papers to get this set up and hit the ground running,” Sack said. “We’re not just providing the tools. It’s also the functionality and the versatility this software provides.”
Look for the full story in the October issue of News & Tech.
Gannett combines production of La. dailies
The Town Talk in Alexandria, La., will be printed at The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La., beginning next month.
Gannett Co. Inc. owns both papers.
The Town Talk said approximately 40 positions will be eliminated as a result of the move. News and sales operations will remain in Alexandria, the paper said.
Gannett has closed more than 20 production facilities since the publisher in the last 18 months began to take steps to consolidate printing operations.
Gannett Co. Inc. owns both papers.
The Town Talk said approximately 40 positions will be eliminated as a result of the move. News and sales operations will remain in Alexandria, the paper said.
Gannett has closed more than 20 production facilities since the publisher in the last 18 months began to take steps to consolidate printing operations.
WSJ to charge for mobile reader content
The Wall Street Journal announced last week that it will charge smart device readers a separate fee to access content, beginning Oct. 24.
The Journal will charge mobile-only subscribers $2 per week, while consumers who subscribe to the print or mobile device versions will be charged $1 per week.
Subscribers who pay for print and online access can get the mobile
version for free.
The paper’s Mobile Reader app is currently available to Apple iPhone Touch and BlackBerry smart phone devices. The software will remain free to download, and will continue to contain both free and subscription content, The Journal said.
“There is much value in being constantly and fully briefed, and our WSJ Mobile Reader offers that important service,” said Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Co. and managing editor of The Journal. “Dow Jones journalism is delivered not daily — but minute-by-minute on a mobile device.”
The Journal will charge mobile-only subscribers $2 per week, while consumers who subscribe to the print or mobile device versions will be charged $1 per week.
Subscribers who pay for print and online access can get the mobile
version for free.
The paper’s Mobile Reader app is currently available to Apple iPhone Touch and BlackBerry smart phone devices. The software will remain free to download, and will continue to contain both free and subscription content, The Journal said.
“There is much value in being constantly and fully briefed, and our WSJ Mobile Reader offers that important service,” said Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Co. and managing editor of The Journal. “Dow Jones journalism is delivered not daily — but minute-by-minute on a mobile device.”
Sun-Times bidder sets Sept. 29 deadline
The Chicago financier who said he wants to buy the Sun-Times Media Group Inc. set a deadline of Sept. 29 for workers to agree to concessions and workplace rule modifications.
James Tyree offered $25 million — $5 million of that in cash — to buy the beleaguered publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
But as part of his offer, he asked unions representing STMG workers to make permanent a 15-percent reduction in wages and make other changes to their union contract. In a series of votes last week, however, union members overwhelmingly rejected Tyree’s request.
Without concessions, Tyree said he could not purchase STMG, which publishes the Chicago Sun-Times and several dozen other Chicago-area newspapers. STMG executives have stated that if workers can’t strike an agreement with Tyree, the company could go out of business.
James Tyree offered $25 million — $5 million of that in cash — to buy the beleaguered publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
But as part of his offer, he asked unions representing STMG workers to make permanent a 15-percent reduction in wages and make other changes to their union contract. In a series of votes last week, however, union members overwhelmingly rejected Tyree’s request.
Without concessions, Tyree said he could not purchase STMG, which publishes the Chicago Sun-Times and several dozen other Chicago-area newspapers. STMG executives have stated that if workers can’t strike an agreement with Tyree, the company could go out of business.
McClatchy launching Sunday Select
McClatchy Co. said it will introduce Sunday Select, a preprint advertising program, to four of its markets, beginning in November. The program matches national retailers with shoppers who agree to receive their advertising information.
The inserts are wrapped in a broadsheet editorial package called “Yes! Your Essential Shopper” and delivered only to those households that request it.
“We’re offering advertisers a wonderful opportunity to expand their footprint and influence in some of the best markets in the country and reach the most active shoppers living in those markets,” said Steve Bernard, McClatchy’s vice president of advertising.
The Sunday Select program will debut in Sacramento, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Columbia, S.C.; on Nov. 15 and could expand to other McClatchy markets in 2010, the company said.
Sunday Select was developed by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2007 and introduced to several Gannett markets over the past two years. MediaNews Group and Tribune Co. will also launch the Sunday Select program in some markets this year.
The inserts are wrapped in a broadsheet editorial package called “Yes! Your Essential Shopper” and delivered only to those households that request it.
“We’re offering advertisers a wonderful opportunity to expand their footprint and influence in some of the best markets in the country and reach the most active shoppers living in those markets,” said Steve Bernard, McClatchy’s vice president of advertising.
The Sunday Select program will debut in Sacramento, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Columbia, S.C.; on Nov. 15 and could expand to other McClatchy markets in 2010, the company said.
Sunday Select was developed by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2007 and introduced to several Gannett markets over the past two years. MediaNews Group and Tribune Co. will also launch the Sunday Select program in some markets this year.
Va. daily slims down
The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Va., trimmed its web width to 44 inches as part of parent Media General’s move to convert all of its papers to the narrower format.
The change is being implemented to reduce the paper’s annual newsprint bill, said McGregor McCane, managing editor.
“While the newspaper has a more trim format, we’re keeping popular, regular features,” he said.
The Daily Progress is printed at the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, which took over production of the daily last summer.
Masthead International oversaw the web-width reduction of the Times-Dispatch’s presses.
The change is being implemented to reduce the paper’s annual newsprint bill, said McGregor McCane, managing editor.
“While the newspaper has a more trim format, we’re keeping popular, regular features,” he said.
The Daily Progress is printed at the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, which took over production of the daily last summer.
Masthead International oversaw the web-width reduction of the Times-Dispatch’s presses.
Ky. printer signs Atex OEM deal
Publishers Press, a Kentucky-based printing company and content distributor, signed an OEM agreement to distribute Atex’s Polopoly Web content management and its text mining software to its 500 customers and 1,200 titles.
“We do business with small- to mid-sized publishers and so we are vitally linked to the success or failure of those publishers,” said Michael Simon, executive vice president at Publishers Press. “We want to help them invest in their future, so it has become incumbent upon us to provide the digital publishing services that will help them succeed.”
Atex is hosting the software, which will be available to customers via their Web browsers.
“We do business with small- to mid-sized publishers and so we are vitally linked to the success or failure of those publishers,” said Michael Simon, executive vice president at Publishers Press. “We want to help them invest in their future, so it has become incumbent upon us to provide the digital publishing services that will help them succeed.”
Atex is hosting the software, which will be available to customers via their Web browsers.
Texas paper misses first day
The Sept. 12 issue of the San Angelo (Texas) Standard-Times was never delivered to subscribers after a truck carrying copies from the Abilene Reporter-News, where the Standard-Times is printed, overturned on the way to San Angelo.
E.W. Scripps Co. owns both papers. The publisher transferred production of the Standard-Times to the Reporter-News earlier this year.
The Standard-Times made its e-edition available to readers at no cost for the day. The paper said it was the first time in its 125-year history that a daily edition failed to be delivered to its subscribers.
San Angelo is about 80 miles from Abilene.
E.W. Scripps Co. owns both papers. The publisher transferred production of the Standard-Times to the Reporter-News earlier this year.
The Standard-Times made its e-edition available to readers at no cost for the day. The paper said it was the first time in its 125-year history that a daily edition failed to be delivered to its subscribers.
San Angelo is about 80 miles from Abilene.
Survey: print pubs focusing on mobile market
A survey from the Audit Bureau of Circulations said that print publishers are sharpening their focus on the mobile market as an opportunity to grow their businesses.
The results, in “Going Mobile, How Publishers are Preparing for the Burgeoning Digital Market,” said that 80 percent of newspaper and magazine publishers believe people will rely more heavily on their mobile devices as a means to obtain their news and information.
Nearly 70 percent, meantime, said that mobile marketing is receiving more attention at their own publications.
Regardless of mobile’s anticipated rise, ABC publisher members do not plan to abandon their print publications in favor of a digital-only product in the near term, the survey said.
The results, in “Going Mobile, How Publishers are Preparing for the Burgeoning Digital Market,” said that 80 percent of newspaper and magazine publishers believe people will rely more heavily on their mobile devices as a means to obtain their news and information.
Nearly 70 percent, meantime, said that mobile marketing is receiving more attention at their own publications.
Regardless of mobile’s anticipated rise, ABC publisher members do not plan to abandon their print publications in favor of a digital-only product in the near term, the survey said.
In Brief
QuadTech Inc. said it sold a Register Guidance System and Ribbon Control System to Central Ontario Web Ltd., a Barrie, Ontario, newspaper and commercial printer.
www.quadtechworld.com
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network launched The News Hub, a live, daily online news broadcast featuring reporting and analysis from The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch.com and AllThingsD.com. The 8-minute segments air weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.
All of Canwest’s 10 major metro daily newspapers and cananda.com went live with mobile-optimized news Web sites designed to work with a variety of mobile devices including the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Storm smart phones.
Caspio Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. plans to deploy its Bridge database platform groupwide.
www.caspio.com
South African media company Avusa Media Ltd. went live with its first publication on the Escenic Content Engine platform.
www.escenic.com
Inc. Magazine named Elauwit’s media division, which publishes The Sun and Telegram newspapers and Business Trends on the East Coast, the fastest-growing newspaper publisher in the nation .
Evergreen Printing Co. prints the group’s papers.
www.egpp.com
OneVision Software AG opened a subsidiary in Singapore.
www.onevision.com
Cityfeet said its commercial real estate sales information will now be carried across the online editions of Gannett Co. Inc.’s 83 daily newspapers.
Cityfeet has 225 distribution partners across the United States, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
www.cityfeet.com
Printers' Service partnered with Tresu Royse Inc. to sell coating systems for printing presses throughout the United States. The alliance combines Tresu’s knowledge of coating systems and applications with Prisco's own coatings, expertise, and extensive distribution network, the companies said.
www.prisco.com
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is poised to exit bankruptcy next week now that a federal bankruptcy judge has approved a reorganization plan that includes new owners and reduced debt.
Affinity Express Inc. said it will offer Virtual Paper Inc.’s publishing software to its newspaper clients. VPI’s app converts documents into online content that can be easily searched by Google and other search engines.
www.quadtechworld.com
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network launched The News Hub, a live, daily online news broadcast featuring reporting and analysis from The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch.com and AllThingsD.com. The 8-minute segments air weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.
All of Canwest’s 10 major metro daily newspapers and cananda.com went live with mobile-optimized news Web sites designed to work with a variety of mobile devices including the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Storm smart phones.
Caspio Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. plans to deploy its Bridge database platform groupwide.
www.caspio.com
South African media company Avusa Media Ltd. went live with its first publication on the Escenic Content Engine platform.
www.escenic.com
Inc. Magazine named Elauwit’s media division, which publishes The Sun and Telegram newspapers and Business Trends on the East Coast, the fastest-growing newspaper publisher in the nation .
Evergreen Printing Co. prints the group’s papers.
www.egpp.com
OneVision Software AG opened a subsidiary in Singapore.
www.onevision.com
Cityfeet said its commercial real estate sales information will now be carried across the online editions of Gannett Co. Inc.’s 83 daily newspapers.
Cityfeet has 225 distribution partners across the United States, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
www.cityfeet.com
Printers' Service partnered with Tresu Royse Inc. to sell coating systems for printing presses throughout the United States. The alliance combines Tresu’s knowledge of coating systems and applications with Prisco's own coatings, expertise, and extensive distribution network, the companies said.
www.prisco.com
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is poised to exit bankruptcy next week now that a federal bankruptcy judge has approved a reorganization plan that includes new owners and reduced debt.
Affinity Express Inc. said it will offer Virtual Paper Inc.’s publishing software to its newspaper clients. VPI’s app converts documents into online content that can be easily searched by Google and other search engines.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept. 14, 2009 -- Panel: Technology key to newspaper industry success
CHICAGO —The implementation of innovative technology platforms will help newspapers retain their vitality, according to a panel of newspaper executives appearing at a Print 09 newspaper seminar today.
The seminar, sponsored by News & Tech and moderated by Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, featured Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
"Technology and automation can really help us grow our business and to build closer relationships with customers," Lynch said, detailing the Tribune's efforts to anchor its production around computer-integrated manufacturing and the launch of new digital platforms like the Chicago Now blog.
Lynch also talked about the Tribune's recently released Display Ad Self Serve portal, which allows advertisers to book ads across the paper’s various publications online. The portal, underpinned by software from Mediaspectrum, "gives us the chance to remain competitive," Lynch said.
Ryan underscored the important roles newspapers continue to play in their local communities, adding that the publisher's deployment of prepress and customer service technology helped streamline and standardize operations across its various newspapers. He also detailed some of the plans supporting Gannett's forthcoming consolidation of ad production operations in two sites, in Des Moines and Indianapolis, and the efficiencies that initiative will bring.
May, meantime, listed the steps The Morning News has taken to expand its printing business, attracting commercial clients that range from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times to newspapers printed by local colleges and high schools. He said commercial printing is now generating as much as 15 percent of the paper's top-line revenues, from less than 2 percent just three years ago.
Finally, Jenkins discussed the debut of The Free Lance-Star's 90,000-square-foot production plant, anchored by a Goss International FPS heatset/coldset press. The publisher is rebranding the production arm of the company as Print Innovators as it moves to attract additional printing customers, Jenkins said. Simply, he said, "It's print, or be printed."
Some 200 people attended the 90-minute session. Graphic Arts Show Co., which sponsors Print 09 and Graph Expo, said it intends to make newspaper production a core part of future shows, with events and activities specifically tailored to the newspaper industry, beginning with the 2010 Graph Expo show.
In other Print 09 developments:
•Océ unveiled a program designed to allow direct marketers to bring quick-response codes into print applications. Océ showed applications using COPI’s CodeZ QR subroutine for personalized interaction. Web-enabled phones with specific reader software can scan QR codes and launch a Web browser to a specific URL containing information, thereby driving increased print revenue, Océ said.
CodeZ QR generates one-to-one or personalized QR codes, called QRPurlZ.
“This immediate response, print-to-Web approach is the nest step in the evolution of personal communications,” said Sheryl Patteck, vice president of marketing services, production printing systems division for Océ North America. “Personalized URLs alone are not response ready. The time and effort to enter a personal URL from a cell phone or a PC significantly increase the likelihood they won’t even try.”
Attendees to Print 09 were able to see full-color Océ CS130T Tandem printers printing CodeZ QR symbols embedded in ads in personalized editions of Chicago Where magazine.
•Nela rolled out Nela Plate Inspector. The plate inspection tool uses an overhead scanning system to automatically detect plate defects as small as 0.1 mm at speeds of up to 450 plates per hour.
•IMC America said it is distributing a postpress collator that can be used to gather inserts for polybagging. The system, called the XYZ, is manufactured by Quebec-based Feuiltault Solution Systems and is capable of processing as much as 30,000 copies per hour, IMC said. It uses a single sucker to pull down a circular or insert and move it in a linear fashion along the raceway. It relies on mechanical components that ensure fewer misfeeds due to doubles or misses, the firm said.
•CC1 rolled out a new smart camera, equipped with digital signal processing, which eliminates the need for a host computer to reside in the pressroom. The new camera can be installed on any existing press equipped with CC1's eXaminer registration technology.
•Burgess Industries Inc. said it added remote monitoring capabilities to its plate bending equipment. Software will monitor the performance of the equipment on-site and send alerts to users' mobile phones in the event any problems are detected.
•Chromaticity said it’s merged with FineEye Color Solutions, a company with which the color management vendor partnered earlier this year to market FineEye’s ICESaver application. The combined entity will be called FineEye Color Solutions and will be headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“The merger with FineEye is the logical conclusion to Chromaticity’s long-term strategy to become a manufacturer,” said Peder Nelson, who serves as president of the new entity.
Meantime, FineEye rolled out 20/20, color separation software that the firm said will provide a 20 percent increase in gamut while reducing ink consumption by 20 percent. The software is integrated into a user's existing PDF workflow.
•AVT/GMI introduced the new ColorQuick/Clarios automated closed-loop color control app, and Microcolor/Mercury remote ink control app for commercial presses.
•Absolute and BEK Technology combined forces to market the Ink Tracker fountain filling system. The system tracks across a press' fountain and applies ink where required. Software also tracks ink consumption to enable operators to monitor the system's performance.
•EPG introduced enhancements to its KeyColor color measurement system, including ColorInSpec, which reads an entire color bar on every impression and can identify and trend print defects. EPG also showed its Adelphi presetting and Adelphi scanner interface technology for enhanced closed-loop color-control.
Look for more coverage of Print 09 in the October issue of News & Tech.
Sun-Times gets bidder
Sun-Times Media Group Inc. said a group led by Chicago investor James Tyree would be the lead bidder for its assets at a bankruptcy auction.
Tyree’s group, STMG Holdings LLC, bid $5 million in cash for bankrupt STMG. Tyree also offered to assume the publisher’s liabilities, estimated to total $20 million.
STMG Holdings is STMG’s so-called “stalking horse” bidder, which means it has certain protections, including break-up fees, if it does not win.
Resolution of the bid depends on the results of an auction if another bidder emerges and U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
STMG filed for bankruptcy protection in March. Its largest media property is the Chicago Sun-Times.
Free Press getting EZSert
Ferag said the London (Ontario) Free Press signed an order to install two 20:1 EZSert inserting systems. The Sum Media Corp. paper will also install four Ferag MultiStack stackers and a PKT bundle distribution system.
“We are very pleased to introduce the new EZSert system into the North American market,” said Joe Coletti, president and CEO of Ferag.
Installation at the Free Press is scheduled to commence in January.
Idaho daily picks QuadTech
The (Nampa) Idaho Press-Tribune installed QuadTech Inc.’s Ribbon Control System. The closed-loop print-to-cut or print-to-fold system is designed to help publishers save on makeready time, decrease waste and obtain consistent quality, QTI said.
The Press-Tribune also installed QTI’s ICON integrated platform, Register Guidance System and Register Motorization System 2000 on its new DGM 440 presses with 4-high towers.
“It became clear that the benefits of QuadTech’s technology greatly outweighed the costs,” said Roger Stowell, the Press-Tribune’s production director. “The system quickly registers color and holds precise to the targets throughout the press run.”
Google, others chiming in on micropayments
A number of organizations, including Google, Microsoft and IBM began floating micropayment plans in response to the Newspaper Association of America’s request for proposals on ways to easily charge for online news.
Google’s proposal described an online system for collecting small payments — in the range of pennies — for access to individual articles or newspaper subscriptions. The system would be brought to users via Google Checkout.
“While we believe that advertising will likely remain the main source of revenue for most news content, a paid model can serve as an important source of additional revenue,” Google wrote in its proposal. “In addition, a successful paid content model can enhance advertising opportunities, rather than replace them.”
Look for more developments on micropayments in an upcoming issue of News & Tech.
Puerto Rican printer gets Goss M-800
Goss International Corp. said Advanced Graphics Printing of Puerto Rico installed an M-800 press to improve print quality, expand capacity and provide higher pagination capabilities. The press, capable of 70,000 iph, is intended to address current and future production requirements, according to Joel Acevedo, senior vice president and general manager at AGP.
“The M-800 press has doubled our pagination capacity to 64 pages – a first in Puerto Rico,” he said. “Before, if a customer wanted a 48-page product, for example, we would have to print 32 pages then change the plates and print a further 16 in a separate print run before combining the two sections in the bindery. Printing 64-page products in a single run is much more attractive.”
The eight-unit press at AGP was installed in a stacked configuration and is equipped with Contiweb CS splicers, Ecocool dryers and a JF-70 collect folder. Goss also supplied Omnicon controls and its Goss Web Center digital workflow modules.
AGP is affiliated with Grupo Ferré-Rangel, the holding company that produces Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper El Nuevo Dia, as well as Prima Hora on Goss presses.
Meantime, Goss launched a new enhancement for existing heatset dryers, and Quad/Graphics ordered six more after testing the first one in the United States. The Ecochill enhancement uses Goss’ Ecocool dryer technology to eliminate condensation on chill rollers, preventing smearing and ink picking and allowing web presses to be run at higher speeds, Goss said. The enhancement is available as a retrofit on all Goss Ecotherm and Ecoweb dryers as well as some dryers manufactured by other suppliers.
Finally, Goss said it sole a Sunday 2000 press to the Church of Scientology, which will be installed in early 2010.
Innotech sells PCS to Hindu
Innotech said it installed a Panorama Centerfold System at The Hindu in Chennai, India. The system, Innotech’s first in the Indian market, was placed on the daily’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries DiamondSpirit press.
Innotech modified the PCS to mesh with the press. The system will allow The Hindu to produce three- and four-page-wide center spreads inside the newspaper. Two more presses will be equipped with PCS systems next month, Innotech said.
Latin American publisher opts for DTI circ app
Corporación La Prensa S.A., of Panama purchased Digital Technology International’s DTICirculation to the newsgroup’s two publications, La Prensa and Mi Diario.
DTICirculation will manage the publisher’s circulation, distribution, marketing and reporting software to help improve efficiencies at Corporación La Prensa, DTI said.
“We were confronting high return rates on some sales points and running out of stock in others,” said Carlos Rabat, general manager, Corporación La Prensa. “We needed a program that would effectively evaluate production and distribution volumes, with a user-friendly interface. We are expecting a reduction in return rates while increasing circulation through better allocation amongst sales points.”
DotLine to unveil new CTP at IfraExpo
DotLine GmbH said it will unveil a new computer-to-plate unit, the DotLine Vmax, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The new unit has a power spectrum from 50 single plates per hour up to unique 400 single plates per hour, the vendor said.
The VMax is available as semi-automatic or fully automatic device, and can expose plates formats from 300-by-490 millimeters up to 640-by-930 mm.
The fully automatic unit has a modular loading device and allows a straight, left or right orientated plate flow so that it is easy to integrate and flexible, DotLine said.
HP partners with RR Donnelley for digital press options
Hewlett-Packard and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. finalized plans on a collaboration to develop digital printing solutions for inkjet-based digital presses.
"With the introduction of the Inkjet Web Press at Drupa last year, we broke new ground in the analog-to-digital transformation of the graphics industry," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of HP’s Imaging and Printing Group.
“We are taking this transformation one step further by collaborating with the world’s largest print service provider to bring greater value to our customers.”
Under the proposed arrangement, RR Donnelley’s Research and Development Center is expected to collaborate with the Inkjet High-speed Production Solutions unit of HP to develop new digital printing technologies. Products will be sold under the HP brand.
The companies said they initially plan to focus on the development of a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) printing solution.
In Brief
Richard Cowles joined ColorQuick LLC as a business development analyst.
KBA North America named Mark Hischar, president and CEO. He will officially begin his new post Oct. 1, 2009.
German regional newspaper publisher Nordwest Zeitung said it will roll out Methode software from EidosMedia to support its print and online operations.
The Beacon-News in Aurora, Ill., introduced its new tabloid format today. The Sun-Times Media Group paper is the second newspaper in as many weeks to convert to a tab, with the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind., announcing its conversion effective Oct. 5.
McClatchy Co. said that all 30 of its daily newspapers joined AP Mobile. The Associated Press’ AP Mobile is a multimedia news portal that provides anytime access to international, national and local news.
Quark Inc. said will make all of its software available for purchase through DistributorX Inc. The agreement replaces a distribution agreement Quark formerly had with ThePowerXChange.com, Quark said.
Commercial printer Consolidated Graphics Inc. purchased two Xeikon 5000plus 1,200 dpi digital color presses. The presses are in addition to the Xeikon 6000s that CGI has already been using to produce high-quality dust jackets for photo books.
Mediaspectrum Inc. said its platform is now available as an Internet-delivered service accessible to users via a Web browser.
Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. and Choice Software, a system integrator for the printing industry, announced that CPS Printing in Carlsbad, Calif., a commercial print enterprise, implemented an integrated production workflow that automatically transfers data between their online logistics solution, cor-Port (powered by Pageflex Storefront), and their MIS platform. The bi-directional integration was developed by Choice Software using their ChoiceICE connector product, which eliminates manual data entry by digitally transferring order, job, and shipping information between the two systems.
Protecmedia said it will unveil SHIPO, software based on geomarketing, designed to manage everything connected to the circulation of a newspaper, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The app allows close control of delivery routes and sales outlets, obtaining data that, once cross-referenced, generates valuable results publishers can use to optimize performance, Protecmedia said.
Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, and Screen (USA) entered a joint marketing program. Through the program, Screen will be able to offer the Xeikon digital color solutions to its US-based clients for book publishing and transactional/TransPromo applications and Xeikon will be able to offer the Truepress jet 520.
KBA North America named Mark Hischar, president and CEO. He will officially begin his new post Oct. 1, 2009.
German regional newspaper publisher Nordwest Zeitung said it will roll out Methode software from EidosMedia to support its print and online operations.
The Beacon-News in Aurora, Ill., introduced its new tabloid format today. The Sun-Times Media Group paper is the second newspaper in as many weeks to convert to a tab, with the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind., announcing its conversion effective Oct. 5.
McClatchy Co. said that all 30 of its daily newspapers joined AP Mobile. The Associated Press’ AP Mobile is a multimedia news portal that provides anytime access to international, national and local news.
Quark Inc. said will make all of its software available for purchase through DistributorX Inc. The agreement replaces a distribution agreement Quark formerly had with ThePowerXChange.com, Quark said.
Commercial printer Consolidated Graphics Inc. purchased two Xeikon 5000plus 1,200 dpi digital color presses. The presses are in addition to the Xeikon 6000s that CGI has already been using to produce high-quality dust jackets for photo books.
Mediaspectrum Inc. said its platform is now available as an Internet-delivered service accessible to users via a Web browser.
Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. and Choice Software, a system integrator for the printing industry, announced that CPS Printing in Carlsbad, Calif., a commercial print enterprise, implemented an integrated production workflow that automatically transfers data between their online logistics solution, cor-Port (powered by Pageflex Storefront), and their MIS platform. The bi-directional integration was developed by Choice Software using their ChoiceICE connector product, which eliminates manual data entry by digitally transferring order, job, and shipping information between the two systems.
Protecmedia said it will unveil SHIPO, software based on geomarketing, designed to manage everything connected to the circulation of a newspaper, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The app allows close control of delivery routes and sales outlets, obtaining data that, once cross-referenced, generates valuable results publishers can use to optimize performance, Protecmedia said.
Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, and Screen (USA) entered a joint marketing program. Through the program, Screen will be able to offer the Xeikon digital color solutions to its US-based clients for book publishing and transactional/TransPromo applications and Xeikon will be able to offer the Truepress jet 520.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Sept. 11, 2009 -- KBA names North American president
KBA North America today named Mark Hischar president and CEO, effective Oct. 1.
Prior to joining KBA North America, Hischar was the president, CEO, and board member of W+D Machinery Co., an Overland Park, Kan., wholly-owned subsidiary of a German manufacturer of envelope manufacturing machines. He also served as president and CEO of Royse Manufacturing Co. and held an executive post at Matthews International Corp., a prepress and printing plate vendor.
"I am honored to begin my new post at KBA North America at a time when the company is poised to enter a new growth phase," Hischar said in a statement. "I look forward to leading the company ahead as a top-performing customer-oriented manufacturer in both sheetfed and webfed presses."
Hischar succeeds Holger Garbrecht.
Prior to joining KBA North America, Hischar was the president, CEO, and board member of W+D Machinery Co., an Overland Park, Kan., wholly-owned subsidiary of a German manufacturer of envelope manufacturing machines. He also served as president and CEO of Royse Manufacturing Co. and held an executive post at Matthews International Corp., a prepress and printing plate vendor.
"I am honored to begin my new post at KBA North America at a time when the company is poised to enter a new growth phase," Hischar said in a statement. "I look forward to leading the company ahead as a top-performing customer-oriented manufacturer in both sheetfed and webfed presses."
Hischar succeeds Holger Garbrecht.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sept. 8, 2009 — Gannett consolidating ad production at 2 sites
Gannett Co. Inc. will consolidate ad production of its 83 U.S. Community Publishing newspapers at two new ad production centers to be located at the Des Moines (Iowa) Register and Indianapolis Star.
The transition, to begin this fall, will concentrate the bulk of U.S. Community Publishing’s ad production and prepress activities at the two newspapers. The full rollout will be completed in 2011.
Gannett will use DPS Inc.’s AdTracker enterprise edition software to underpin the centers. Sixty Gannett papers already use the software, according to Scott Waschitz, DPS’ vice president of development and client services.
Documents posted on the Gannettoid.com Web site said undisclosed staff reductions will occur as a result of the consolidation, but both The Register and The Star reported they expect to add employees once the new centers are fully operational.
The creation of the ad production centers mirrors what Gannett did in 2007 when it opened two regional toning centers — also based in Des Moines and Indianapolis — to process images groupwide.
The transition, to begin this fall, will concentrate the bulk of U.S. Community Publishing’s ad production and prepress activities at the two newspapers. The full rollout will be completed in 2011.
Gannett will use DPS Inc.’s AdTracker enterprise edition software to underpin the centers. Sixty Gannett papers already use the software, according to Scott Waschitz, DPS’ vice president of development and client services.
Documents posted on the Gannettoid.com Web site said undisclosed staff reductions will occur as a result of the consolidation, but both The Register and The Star reported they expect to add employees once the new centers are fully operational.
The creation of the ad production centers mirrors what Gannett did in 2007 when it opened two regional toning centers — also based in Des Moines and Indianapolis — to process images groupwide.
Sun-Times closing 2nd Chicago-area plant
The Sun-Times Media Group Inc. will shutter its suburban Chicago printing plant used to print its Pioneer Press publications.
Journal Communications, which prints the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said it’s in discussions with STMG to take over the printing, but that no deal had yet been signed.
The Pioneer plant, in suburban Northfield, employs about 70 workers. The plant is scheduled to close before the year-end. Earlier this year, STMG also shuttered a plant it formerly operated in west suburban Chicago.
The shutdown of the plant won’t affect STMG’s downtown Chicago production facility, which produces the flagship Chicago Sun-Times and other papers.
The consolidation comes as STMG negotiates with bidders interested in purchasing the struggling publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
Published reports said that a local group, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc., is the leading suitor.
Journal Communications, which prints the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said it’s in discussions with STMG to take over the printing, but that no deal had yet been signed.
The Pioneer plant, in suburban Northfield, employs about 70 workers. The plant is scheduled to close before the year-end. Earlier this year, STMG also shuttered a plant it formerly operated in west suburban Chicago.
The shutdown of the plant won’t affect STMG’s downtown Chicago production facility, which produces the flagship Chicago Sun-Times and other papers.
The consolidation comes as STMG negotiates with bidders interested in purchasing the struggling publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
Published reports said that a local group, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc., is the leading suitor.
Californian Web sites not going away
The death of The Bakersfield Californian’s online social media initiatives may have been greatly exaggerated.
Last week the AIM Group reported that the newspaper is considering shutting down its social networking sites including Bakotopia, Bakersfield Voice and other online projects.
But Logan Molen, the paper’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the online initiatives are not shutting down.
“The stories suggested the two sites were in danger of closure when in fact it’s the print versions of those two brands that are under review,” he said in a blog.
He further wrote that it’s true the paper is evaluating the ROI of the print editions and that in deep recessions “any smart business would evaluate whether it makes sense to continue funding money-losing products, no matter the reputation.”
Dan Pacheco, senior manager of digital products at The Californian, said any steps the paper might take will have no bearing on the daily’s Printcasting initiative. “We’re focusing more than ever on promoting and integrating Printcasting in the Californian’s sites,” he said.
Last week the AIM Group reported that the newspaper is considering shutting down its social networking sites including Bakotopia, Bakersfield Voice and other online projects.
But Logan Molen, the paper’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the online initiatives are not shutting down.
“The stories suggested the two sites were in danger of closure when in fact it’s the print versions of those two brands that are under review,” he said in a blog.
He further wrote that it’s true the paper is evaluating the ROI of the print editions and that in deep recessions “any smart business would evaluate whether it makes sense to continue funding money-losing products, no matter the reputation.”
Dan Pacheco, senior manager of digital products at The Californian, said any steps the paper might take will have no bearing on the daily’s Printcasting initiative. “We’re focusing more than ever on promoting and integrating Printcasting in the Californian’s sites,” he said.
KBA to market TPH presses in global pact
Koenig & Bauer AG and The Printers House have agreed to sell each other’s presses in selected markets.
Under terms of the agreement between the two press vendors, TPH will sell KBA’s presses on the Indian subcontinent while KBA sells TPH’s 2-by-1 Orient presses in the rest of the world.
TPH manufactures four different Orient models, with speeds ranging from 16,000 to 50,000 copies per hour. In addition to India, TPH has presses placed in China, Russia and the Middle East.
In the United States, TPH has one machine installed, a 30,000-copy-an-hour Orient Super press that was purchased in 2007 by Waccamaw Publishers Inc., which publishes three weekly newspapers in Horry County, S.C.
Christoph Müller, KBA’s executive vice president for web press sales, said the alliance will complement KBA’s product line. “We have complete trust in TPH, its products and people and expect it to be a significant alliance for newspaper and commercial web offset printers worldwide.”
Under terms of the agreement between the two press vendors, TPH will sell KBA’s presses on the Indian subcontinent while KBA sells TPH’s 2-by-1 Orient presses in the rest of the world.
TPH manufactures four different Orient models, with speeds ranging from 16,000 to 50,000 copies per hour. In addition to India, TPH has presses placed in China, Russia and the Middle East.
In the United States, TPH has one machine installed, a 30,000-copy-an-hour Orient Super press that was purchased in 2007 by Waccamaw Publishers Inc., which publishes three weekly newspapers in Horry County, S.C.
Christoph Müller, KBA’s executive vice president for web press sales, said the alliance will complement KBA’s product line. “We have complete trust in TPH, its products and people and expect it to be a significant alliance for newspaper and commercial web offset printers worldwide.”
Irish Times to be printed in New York
The Irish Times became the latest daily newspaper to be printed digitally in New York by Newsworld Corp. The title is being produced at Newsworld’s partner, AlphaGraphics, which also prints the London Daily Mail at its New Jersey facility for New York distribution (see News & Tech, March 2009).
Like the Daily Mail, the Times is printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet520 digital press.
The Irish Times is published six days a week, with paginations and run lengths varying from day to day, Newsworld said. Copies are distributed across New York City as well as to Washington and Boston.
“Where we have previously flown in copies of the newspaper, we are very excited that the technology and service is available,” said Ingrid Jones, international distribution manager for the Irish Times. “Our job now is to build on the existing circulation figures for New York and develop the paper for the relevant audience and readership, something we can do with the benefits and opportunities provided by digital production.”
Like the Daily Mail, the Times is printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet520 digital press.
The Irish Times is published six days a week, with paginations and run lengths varying from day to day, Newsworld said. Copies are distributed across New York City as well as to Washington and Boston.
“Where we have previously flown in copies of the newspaper, we are very excited that the technology and service is available,” said Ingrid Jones, international distribution manager for the Irish Times. “Our job now is to build on the existing circulation figures for New York and develop the paper for the relevant audience and readership, something we can do with the benefits and opportunities provided by digital production.”
Miracom begins SLS-1000 retrofit, sales program
Miracom Computer Corp. said it has begun selling, installing and servicing used and rebuilt SLS-1000 inserters.
“We have waited to announce this new venture until we were confident that we could deliver the parts and installation services quickly and efficiently," said Bill Harley, director of marketing at Miracom. "We now have a warehouse full of components, including several dozen hoppers, six of which have already been rebuilt, painted and are ready to ship." Miracom is offering rebuilt hoppers for sale, or as part of a hopper rebuild swap-out program.
Harley said the Daily News Sun in Sun City, Ariz., was the company’s first client. Miracom expanded the paper’s existing 6:1 SLS-1000 to an 8:2, using rebuilt hoppers, a second jacket hopper, installation services and a MiraSert control upgrade.
Harley said the addition of the SLS-1000 retrofit service will mesh with Miracom’s inserter control software business.
"We will be announcing a new online SLS parts ordering Web site in the near future but anyone interested in SLS-1000 parts or expansion services can call us for availability and pricing now," he said.
“We have waited to announce this new venture until we were confident that we could deliver the parts and installation services quickly and efficiently," said Bill Harley, director of marketing at Miracom. "We now have a warehouse full of components, including several dozen hoppers, six of which have already been rebuilt, painted and are ready to ship." Miracom is offering rebuilt hoppers for sale, or as part of a hopper rebuild swap-out program.
Harley said the Daily News Sun in Sun City, Ariz., was the company’s first client. Miracom expanded the paper’s existing 6:1 SLS-1000 to an 8:2, using rebuilt hoppers, a second jacket hopper, installation services and a MiraSert control upgrade.
Harley said the addition of the SLS-1000 retrofit service will mesh with Miracom’s inserter control software business.
"We will be announcing a new online SLS parts ordering Web site in the near future but anyone interested in SLS-1000 parts or expansion services can call us for availability and pricing now," he said.
Ark. papers ask for merger
Two northwest Arkansas newspaper publishers have asked permission from the U.S. Department of Justice to combine their operations.
Stephens Media LLC and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. in Little Rock said they would create a company that would be jointly owned and that would produce a single print publication for the area.
Approval is contingent upon Stephens placing The Morning News for sale. The paper, distributed in Rogers and Springdale, competes with those owned by DCI.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, Walter Hussman, CEO of the company that owns the Little Rock daily, said the merger won’t take place if someone buys The Morning News. “We suspect that won’t happen,” Hussman said.
If the merger does take place, both companies would have an equal financial interest in the new entity, called Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
Stephens Media now publishes The Morning News and several other weekly publications in northwest Arkansas while DGI owns the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Benton County Daily Record and an edition of the Democrat-Gazette zoned for 12 counties in the area.
Under terms of the proposed merger, Stephens would be responsible for editorial control while DGI would control advertising, business, production and circulation, as well as editorial functions of the zoned Democrat-Gazette.
The Democrat-Gazette said it would focus on regional coverage while the other newspapers cover local news in each city. The Morning News distribution in Springdale and Rogers would be wrapped around a daily Democrat-Gazette.
Stephens Media LLC and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. in Little Rock said they would create a company that would be jointly owned and that would produce a single print publication for the area.
Approval is contingent upon Stephens placing The Morning News for sale. The paper, distributed in Rogers and Springdale, competes with those owned by DCI.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, Walter Hussman, CEO of the company that owns the Little Rock daily, said the merger won’t take place if someone buys The Morning News. “We suspect that won’t happen,” Hussman said.
If the merger does take place, both companies would have an equal financial interest in the new entity, called Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
Stephens Media now publishes The Morning News and several other weekly publications in northwest Arkansas while DGI owns the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Benton County Daily Record and an edition of the Democrat-Gazette zoned for 12 counties in the area.
Under terms of the proposed merger, Stephens would be responsible for editorial control while DGI would control advertising, business, production and circulation, as well as editorial functions of the zoned Democrat-Gazette.
The Democrat-Gazette said it would focus on regional coverage while the other newspapers cover local news in each city. The Morning News distribution in Springdale and Rogers would be wrapped around a daily Democrat-Gazette.
Ind. paper converting to tab
The Post-Tribune in northwest Indiana is converting from broadsheet to tabloid, effective Oct. 5.
The paper, owned by Sun-Times News Group, will adopt the same format of STNG’s flagship Chicago Sun-Times. The Sun-Times prints The Post-Tribune in its downtown Chicago production facility.
The paper, owned by Sun-Times News Group, will adopt the same format of STNG’s flagship Chicago Sun-Times. The Sun-Times prints The Post-Tribune in its downtown Chicago production facility.
Seattle P-I teams with Zillow
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer announced the launch of a co-branded real estate site with Zillow.com.
Seattlepi.com now includes Zillow's search functionality, whereby users can enter any home address, neighborhood or locality and find home value estimates, recently-sold homes, homes for sale, open house listings and local market data. Visitors to the co-branded site can also access all of Zillow's real estate community content via Zillow Advice, and mortgage rates and information from Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.
Seattlepi.com now includes Zillow's search functionality, whereby users can enter any home address, neighborhood or locality and find home value estimates, recently-sold homes, homes for sale, open house listings and local market data. Visitors to the co-branded site can also access all of Zillow's real estate community content via Zillow Advice, and mortgage rates and information from Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.
Ore. publisher picks MediaSpan’s online platform
East Oregonian Publishing Co. is rolling out content management and advertising software from MediaSpan Online Services to support its eight community newspapers, one northwest agricultural newspaper and 14 Web sites.
“This partnership is about the high expectations we have for online media,” said Laura Sellers, EOPC’s director of audience development. “As a family-owned group of newspapers, we are deeply involved in serving our customers — readers and advertisers alike — by providing robust, nimble, digital media.”
Among the goals of the new platform is to allow the publisher to better respond to new information and events, and to launch new online initiatives more quickly and independently, MediaSpan said.
“This partnership is about the high expectations we have for online media,” said Laura Sellers, EOPC’s director of audience development. “As a family-owned group of newspapers, we are deeply involved in serving our customers — readers and advertisers alike — by providing robust, nimble, digital media.”
Among the goals of the new platform is to allow the publisher to better respond to new information and events, and to launch new online initiatives more quickly and independently, MediaSpan said.
Post-Gazette launches members-only site
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette launched PG+, a members-only Web site sporting interactive features and exclusive content.
PG+ will not replace post-gazette.com, but offers subscribers exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes insights into the news of the day, the publisher said.
PG+ members also have access to special Post-Gazette events, along with information about deals and discounts at sports, retail and entertainment venues.
Annual memberships are $36 and monthly memberships are $3.99.
PG+ will not replace post-gazette.com, but offers subscribers exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes insights into the news of the day, the publisher said.
PG+ members also have access to special Post-Gazette events, along with information about deals and discounts at sports, retail and entertainment venues.
Annual memberships are $36 and monthly memberships are $3.99.
NYT, WSJ planning S.F. editions
Both The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are planning to introduce editions targeting the San Francisco Bay in an attempt to win readers and advertisers.
The Times, which broke the story, said that neither Dow Jones nor NYT officials would discuss specifics, but that the editions could be launched later this year.
The Times, which broke the story, said that neither Dow Jones nor NYT officials would discuss specifics, but that the editions could be launched later this year.
In Brief
AFL Web Printing named Arthur L. Salayda business development manager.
Chromaticity named John Sweeney vice president of business development.
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it will begin delivering and distributing the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., later this month. The agreement covers both home delivery and single-copy distribution of the 80,000-circulation Dow Jones Local Media Group daily.
www.pcfcorp.com
alfaQuest Technologies released its new Ink Optimizer Module for the PrintExpress workflow management app. Integration eliminates the need for pre-processing files for optimization before submitting them to the RIP, alfaQuest said. Ink Optimizer accepts PostScript or PDF files.
www.alfaquest.com
Washingtonpost.com developed a new commenting interface, dubbed WebCom, which arranges comments in a design that’s based on which ones spark the most interest and most discussion from readers.
www.washingtonpost.com
GMG established a Japanese subsidiary, GMG Japan. The unit, headed by Kazutami Ando, will be responsible for organizing the distribution of GMG's software, logistics and technical support.
www.gmgamericas.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is providing advertisers and newspaper media professionals with access to its Multi-Media Mashup, a city-focused audience analysis tool that measures major U.S. newspapers.
Multi-Media Mashup aggregates information like print circulation and Web visitor figures into a single view on a Google map and provides up-to-date information for advertisers and agencies seeking a source of DMA information in the top 200 markets.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
Digital Technology International’s newly formed group DTICOnnect will hold its first meeting this year on Sept. 15-16, via a virtual conference.
Objectives of the new group include sharing and exchanging information pertaining to the use of DTI applications and , as a user-group, focusing on best practices, new ideas and industry needs.
www.dtint.com
Callas Software released pdfAutoOptimizer 2. Based on Acrobat's PDF engine, the app automates transparency flattening and overall file optimization while maintaining raster and vector element integrity.
www.callassoftware.com
Dynagram released DynaStrip 6.0. The upgrade focuses on features to make imposition creation and editing more productive, the vendor said.
www.dynagram.com
Wilen Direct, a Florida-based affiliate of the Wilen Group, purchased a Kodak Prosper S10 Imprinting System to deliver targeted marketing materials. Wilen is the first U.S. customer to purchase the high-speed inkjet system. Kodak also appointed FasTechnology Group LLC as a reseller of its Versamark D-series printing systems in North America.
The New York Post unveiled a redesigned Web site, featuring a cleaner look and exclusive content.
www.nypost.com
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail said it’s gone live with content management and mobile software from Escenic and Mobiletech, respectively.
Serendipity Software released Veripress, a stand-alone soft proofing app.
www.serendipity-software.com.au
WoodWing Software said it will hold a free live webinar on its newly released BrandStation Web-to-print app at the end of September. More information about WoodWing Webinars, the schedule and the registration form can be found at www.woodwing.com/en/Webinars.
Chromaticity named John Sweeney vice president of business development.
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it will begin delivering and distributing the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., later this month. The agreement covers both home delivery and single-copy distribution of the 80,000-circulation Dow Jones Local Media Group daily.
www.pcfcorp.com
alfaQuest Technologies released its new Ink Optimizer Module for the PrintExpress workflow management app. Integration eliminates the need for pre-processing files for optimization before submitting them to the RIP, alfaQuest said. Ink Optimizer accepts PostScript or PDF files.
www.alfaquest.com
Washingtonpost.com developed a new commenting interface, dubbed WebCom, which arranges comments in a design that’s based on which ones spark the most interest and most discussion from readers.
www.washingtonpost.com
GMG established a Japanese subsidiary, GMG Japan. The unit, headed by Kazutami Ando, will be responsible for organizing the distribution of GMG's software, logistics and technical support.
www.gmgamericas.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is providing advertisers and newspaper media professionals with access to its Multi-Media Mashup, a city-focused audience analysis tool that measures major U.S. newspapers.
Multi-Media Mashup aggregates information like print circulation and Web visitor figures into a single view on a Google map and provides up-to-date information for advertisers and agencies seeking a source of DMA information in the top 200 markets.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
Digital Technology International’s newly formed group DTICOnnect will hold its first meeting this year on Sept. 15-16, via a virtual conference.
Objectives of the new group include sharing and exchanging information pertaining to the use of DTI applications and , as a user-group, focusing on best practices, new ideas and industry needs.
www.dtint.com
Callas Software released pdfAutoOptimizer 2. Based on Acrobat's PDF engine, the app automates transparency flattening and overall file optimization while maintaining raster and vector element integrity.
www.callassoftware.com
Dynagram released DynaStrip 6.0. The upgrade focuses on features to make imposition creation and editing more productive, the vendor said.
www.dynagram.com
Wilen Direct, a Florida-based affiliate of the Wilen Group, purchased a Kodak Prosper S10 Imprinting System to deliver targeted marketing materials. Wilen is the first U.S. customer to purchase the high-speed inkjet system. Kodak also appointed FasTechnology Group LLC as a reseller of its Versamark D-series printing systems in North America.
The New York Post unveiled a redesigned Web site, featuring a cleaner look and exclusive content.
www.nypost.com
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail said it’s gone live with content management and mobile software from Escenic and Mobiletech, respectively.
Serendipity Software released Veripress, a stand-alone soft proofing app.
www.serendipity-software.com.au
WoodWing Software said it will hold a free live webinar on its newly released BrandStation Web-to-print app at the end of September. More information about WoodWing Webinars, the schedule and the registration form can be found at www.woodwing.com/en/Webinars.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Aug. 31, 2009 — TKS, Goss agree to settle dispute
Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho Ltd. and Goss International said they’ve agreed to settle their long-running trade dispute and will take steps to end pending litigation and legislative initiatives in both Japan and the United States.
The vendors said terms of the agreement will not be made public, but that both firms acknowledged that resolution “was in the best interest of their companies,” according to a TKS press release.
The settlement ends a nine-year legal battle that began when Goss sued Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, manroland, Koenig & Bauer AG and TKS, alleging that the firms sold presses in the United States at below-market rates.
In 2002, Goss reached a settlement with Mitsubishi and the German press vendors, but the deal didn’t include TKS.
One year later, the U.S. District Court in northern Iowa found TKS violated the later-repealed Antidumping Act of 1916 and fined the press vendor $10 million, an amount tripled under antitrust law.
TKS appealed, but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2006, rejected the vendor’s petition. The U.S. Supreme Court let the judgment stand after it declined a TKS motion to mediate.
The settlement will also end U.S. legislative and administrative steps, including the U.S. Department of Commerce's sunset review.
Look for more information about the resolution of this dispute in the October issue of News & Tech.
The vendors said terms of the agreement will not be made public, but that both firms acknowledged that resolution “was in the best interest of their companies,” according to a TKS press release.
The settlement ends a nine-year legal battle that began when Goss sued Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, manroland, Koenig & Bauer AG and TKS, alleging that the firms sold presses in the United States at below-market rates.
In 2002, Goss reached a settlement with Mitsubishi and the German press vendors, but the deal didn’t include TKS.
One year later, the U.S. District Court in northern Iowa found TKS violated the later-repealed Antidumping Act of 1916 and fined the press vendor $10 million, an amount tripled under antitrust law.
TKS appealed, but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2006, rejected the vendor’s petition. The U.S. Supreme Court let the judgment stand after it declined a TKS motion to mediate.
The settlement will also end U.S. legislative and administrative steps, including the U.S. Department of Commerce's sunset review.
Look for more information about the resolution of this dispute in the October issue of News & Tech.
Dow Jones unit consolidates ad production
Dow Jones Local Media Group is consolidating the ad production of all of its local newspapers at The Standard-Times in New Bedford, Mass., the publisher said last week.
The decision covers all of DJLMG’s community papers, which include The Record in Stockton, Calif., the Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald, the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Mass., and the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y.
Some 40 jobs will be created at The Standard-Times, although an undisclosed number of workers will lose their posts at the other newspapers.
The Times-Standard said DJLMG executives decided to consolidate, rather than outsource, ad production because they wanted better control over how ads were created.
Kevin Wright, advertising services manager at the Cape Cod Times, will oversee the new unit.
The decision covers all of DJLMG’s community papers, which include The Record in Stockton, Calif., the Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald, the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Mass., and the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y.
Some 40 jobs will be created at The Standard-Times, although an undisclosed number of workers will lose their posts at the other newspapers.
The Times-Standard said DJLMG executives decided to consolidate, rather than outsource, ad production because they wanted better control over how ads were created.
Kevin Wright, advertising services manager at the Cape Cod Times, will oversee the new unit.
4 papers piloting neighborhood news initiative
The Seattle Times, the Miami Herald, the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and the Ashville (N.C.) Citizen-Times are among five news organizations participating in a project to determine how papers can more effectively work with grassroots journalism programs.
The one-year initiative is orchestrated by American University’s interactive journalism institute and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The dailies, along with online news site TucsonCitizen.com, have agreed to work with at least five hyperlocal news sites or producers in their communities to lay out a foundation supporting local news coverage and distribution.
The newspapers and local news sites will also examine ways to attract advertising support.
“In these days where anyone can publish local information, we hope that a guided partnership between local newspapers and local bloggers or citizen journalists can increase the amount of local information available in a community and raise its quality. We see this as a win/win for the community,“ said Gary Kebbel, Knight’s journalism program director.
The one-year initiative is orchestrated by American University’s interactive journalism institute and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The dailies, along with online news site TucsonCitizen.com, have agreed to work with at least five hyperlocal news sites or producers in their communities to lay out a foundation supporting local news coverage and distribution.
The newspapers and local news sites will also examine ways to attract advertising support.
“In these days where anyone can publish local information, we hope that a guided partnership between local newspapers and local bloggers or citizen journalists can increase the amount of local information available in a community and raise its quality. We see this as a win/win for the community,“ said Gary Kebbel, Knight’s journalism program director.
Q2 ad sales down 29%
Newspaper ad sales continued to plummet during the second quarter of the year, according to statistics released last week by the Newspaper Association of America.
The NAA said papers posted print and online ad revenues of $6.8 billion during the three-month period, a 29 percent decline from 2008 figures.
Online ad revenues fell by 16 percent, to $653 million — a disquieting development as publishers had earlier hoped online advertising would help offset the downturn in print advertising.
Classified ad revenues fell more than 40 percent, to $1.5 billion, with employment advertising taking the biggest hit, down more than 66 percent from comparable 2008 figures. Automotive classified advertising fell 42.7 percent while real estate advertising dropped 45.7 percent.
For the first half of 2009, newspaper print and online ad revenue totaled $13.5 billion, down significantly from the $18.8 billion in total ad revenues the newspaper industry attracted during the first six months of 2008.
The NAA said papers posted print and online ad revenues of $6.8 billion during the three-month period, a 29 percent decline from 2008 figures.
Online ad revenues fell by 16 percent, to $653 million — a disquieting development as publishers had earlier hoped online advertising would help offset the downturn in print advertising.
Classified ad revenues fell more than 40 percent, to $1.5 billion, with employment advertising taking the biggest hit, down more than 66 percent from comparable 2008 figures. Automotive classified advertising fell 42.7 percent while real estate advertising dropped 45.7 percent.
For the first half of 2009, newspaper print and online ad revenue totaled $13.5 billion, down significantly from the $18.8 billion in total ad revenues the newspaper industry attracted during the first six months of 2008.
Print 09 sets Newspaper Day
The Graphic Arts Show Co. designated Monday, Sept. 14, as Newspaper Day at the upcoming Print 09 trade show.
Topping the list of the day’s free events is a special session tailored to newspaper production and operations executives. The 90-minute session, moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will feature Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing at Gannett Co. Inc.; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune; and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
The session will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago.
Additionally, GASC is sponsoring a lunch, for qualified newspaper executives, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. To register for the session and the lunch, send an e-mail to mwert@gasc.org.
To obtain a free pass to tour the exhibit floor, click here
Topping the list of the day’s free events is a special session tailored to newspaper production and operations executives. The 90-minute session, moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will feature Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing at Gannett Co. Inc.; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune; and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
The session will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago.
Additionally, GASC is sponsoring a lunch, for qualified newspaper executives, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. To register for the session and the lunch, send an e-mail to mwert@gasc.org.
To obtain a free pass to tour the exhibit floor, click here
E.W. Scripps reorganizes newspaper unit
E.W. Scripps Co. promoted Frank Wolfe to vice president of operations as part of the publisher’s move to reorganize its newspaper division.
Wolfe, who formerly served as Scripps’ director of operations, will oversee all of the publisher’s production and circulation activities.
He will retain his base in suburban Denver.
Under the reorganization, Scripps divided its newspaper holdings into two groups. The larger dailies — the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News, Treasure Coast Newspapers in south Florida, the Ventura County (Calif.) Star and Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times — will become regional media organizations.
The Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press, the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail, the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash., and dailies in Abilene, Wichita Falls and San Angelo, Texas, will be called mid-sized media organizations.
Scripps also named Bruce Hartmann, the publisher of the News-Sentinel, to a newly created position overseeing advertising and circulation revenue.
Finally, Scripps promoted Rusty Coats to vice president for content and marketing; and Jim York to vice president of information technology. Robin Davis, vice president of finance and administration; and Mary Minser, vice president of human resources, had their duties expanded.
Wolfe, who formerly served as Scripps’ director of operations, will oversee all of the publisher’s production and circulation activities.
He will retain his base in suburban Denver.
Under the reorganization, Scripps divided its newspaper holdings into two groups. The larger dailies — the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News, Treasure Coast Newspapers in south Florida, the Ventura County (Calif.) Star and Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times — will become regional media organizations.
The Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press, the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail, the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash., and dailies in Abilene, Wichita Falls and San Angelo, Texas, will be called mid-sized media organizations.
Scripps also named Bruce Hartmann, the publisher of the News-Sentinel, to a newly created position overseeing advertising and circulation revenue.
Finally, Scripps promoted Rusty Coats to vice president for content and marketing; and Jim York to vice president of information technology. Robin Davis, vice president of finance and administration; and Mary Minser, vice president of human resources, had their duties expanded.
Report: Freedom to declare bankruptcy
The publisher of The Orange County (Calif.) Register will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal.
Freedom Communications Inc., which is majority owned by the Hoiles family, operates more than 30 daily newspapers, including the Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a number of papers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas.
The Journal said the firm has reached agreements with lenders to reorganize its debts.
Those lenders include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., SunTrust Banks and Union Bank of California, The Journal reported.
Meantime, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is close to naming a new board of directors that will take over control of the paper when it emerges from bankruptcy next month. The board includes former Wall Street Journal publisher L. Gordon Crovitz as well as local business executives Michael Sweeney and William Farley.
Freedom Communications Inc., which is majority owned by the Hoiles family, operates more than 30 daily newspapers, including the Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a number of papers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas.
The Journal said the firm has reached agreements with lenders to reorganize its debts.
Those lenders include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., SunTrust Banks and Union Bank of California, The Journal reported.
Meantime, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is close to naming a new board of directors that will take over control of the paper when it emerges from bankruptcy next month. The board includes former Wall Street Journal publisher L. Gordon Crovitz as well as local business executives Michael Sweeney and William Farley.
Rima sells stackers to Buffalo News, others
Rima-System said it placed an RS-36 indexing compensating stacker at The Buffalo (N.Y.) News to help process commercial and semi-commercial work. The system, which was installed earlier this summer, allows The News to produce brick-like bundles of inserts and other work without the need for labor-intensive re-jogging.
Additionally, Rima said it installed an RS-36 stacker at Fisher Printing in Bridgeview, Ill., which is being used in conjunction with a Rima RS-820 rotary trimmer. It also placed two RS-36 stackers at Quad Graphics in West Allis, Wis. The stackers went into operation last month.
Additionally, Rima said it installed an RS-36 stacker at Fisher Printing in Bridgeview, Ill., which is being used in conjunction with a Rima RS-820 rotary trimmer. It also placed two RS-36 stackers at Quad Graphics in West Allis, Wis. The stackers went into operation last month.
Goss sets M-600 cylinder replacement program
Goss International unveiled a cylinder replacement program for M-600 web presses. The initiative includes pricing incentives and steps users can take to update aging lock-ups, Goss said.
The 16-page machine was introduced in 1992, and there are currently more than 2,000 printing units in operation worldwide.
The program will run through the rest of the year.
The 16-page machine was introduced in 1992, and there are currently more than 2,000 printing units in operation worldwide.
The program will run through the rest of the year.
Swedish pub taps Atex
Swedish publisher Promedia went live on Atex’s AdBase. Promedia produces 15 newspapers and AdBase will allow the publisher to integrate all advertising elements, from ad sales and booking to production, pagination and billing, Atex said. The centralized AdBase app will serve 200 users and replace the disparate databases previously spread out across Promedia’s publications.
Fairfax considering charging for online content
Dow Jones Newswires last week reported that Fairfax Media is considering joining News Corp. in its strategy to charge for online content.
“That opportunity to perhaps integrate our content would be one of a whole range of things that we’re looking at,” said Brian McCarthy, CEO of Fairfax.
Dow Jones reported that McCarthy went on to say, however, that this is not the only strategy Fairfax is considering.
“That opportunity to perhaps integrate our content would be one of a whole range of things that we’re looking at,” said Brian McCarthy, CEO of Fairfax.
Dow Jones reported that McCarthy went on to say, however, that this is not the only strategy Fairfax is considering.
Newsday taps PaperG
Newsday said it will deploy PaperG’s ad unit Flyerboard across its Web site’s neighborhood sections. The deal follows Hearst Newspapers’ decision earlier this month to use Flyerboard across its Web sites.
Flyerboard, an online advertising format geared toward local businesses, is a virtual bulletin board on which businesses can post flyers to advertise their services and events.
“We were looking for a solution that would provide our local businesses the ability to easily and effectively promote and target their messages online,” said Andrea Rothchild, Newsday’s vice president of classified advertising. Newsday will offer different Flyerboards for each region of Long Island, so that any businesses can reach nearby local residents.
Flyerboard, an online advertising format geared toward local businesses, is a virtual bulletin board on which businesses can post flyers to advertise their services and events.
“We were looking for a solution that would provide our local businesses the ability to easily and effectively promote and target their messages online,” said Andrea Rothchild, Newsday’s vice president of classified advertising. Newsday will offer different Flyerboards for each region of Long Island, so that any businesses can reach nearby local residents.
PCF expands delivery of WSJ, makes other pacts
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it expanded its home delivery relationship with Dow Jones & Co. and was awarded home delivery responsibilities for The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s in San Francisco and Marin County, Calif. PCF also absorbed additional home delivery responsibilities for The Journal in Jacksonville, Fla.
Meantime, PCF was awarded exclusive home delivery of The Hour in Norwalk, Conn., and assumed home delivery responsibilities for The Trentonian in Trenton, N.J., and for The Jewish Press, a privately owned weekly publication in New York.
Meantime, PCF was awarded exclusive home delivery of The Hour in Norwalk, Conn., and assumed home delivery responsibilities for The Trentonian in Trenton, N.J., and for The Jewish Press, a privately owned weekly publication in New York.
Correction
The story in the Aug. 24 Dateline about USA Today’s e-Edition should have reported that USA today had gained 800 — and not 40,000 — e-Edition subscribers since the paper launched the digital edition Aug. 3. The 40,000 figure cited by USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford referred to the number of e-mail notifications USA Today sent out to the first segment of existing subscribers inviting them to read the e-Edition.
In Brief
The New York Times Co.’s Regional Media Group named Dan E. Shorter vice president of digital media, effective Sept. 8.
MSN UK said it will use NewspaperDirect Inc.’s PressDisplay.com digital edition software to distribute newspaper and magazine content to its users. MSN UK is the United Kingdom’s largest commercial portal and has around 16 million unique customers.
www.newspaperdirect.com
WoodWing released Content Station 6.3, the latest version of its content management and publishing app.
www.woodwing.com
Pressmart said its eEditions digital edition software now supports Kindle and Sony e-reader devices.
www.pressmart.com
Advance Internet Inc. said it would begin offering automotive sales lead software from ResponseLogix Inc. to auto dealers under terms of a reseller agreement. Advance Internet operates Web sites for Advance Publications newspapers in Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
www.advanceinternet.com
www.responselogix.com
The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo., and other papers published by the Prairie Mountain Publishing Co. are now fully owned by MediaNews Group following the formal dissolution of the partnership between MediaNews and E.W. Scripps Co. Scripps said it would exit the partnership when it closed the Rocky Mountain News earlier this year.
Markzware released an upgrade to FlightCheck Professional for Macintosh. Markzware is offering $100 off this latest version of FlightCheck Professional v6.5, which Markzware said offers full support for the Adobe CS4 Creative Suite and QuarkXPress 8.
www.markzware.com
Alwan Color Expertise said it’s opened its Print Standardizer to popular automatic scanning technologies including X-Rite IntelliTrax, ATS, Komori DCS II and Heidelberg’s Image Control.
www.alwancolor.com
MSN UK said it will use NewspaperDirect Inc.’s PressDisplay.com digital edition software to distribute newspaper and magazine content to its users. MSN UK is the United Kingdom’s largest commercial portal and has around 16 million unique customers.
www.newspaperdirect.com
WoodWing released Content Station 6.3, the latest version of its content management and publishing app.
www.woodwing.com
Pressmart said its eEditions digital edition software now supports Kindle and Sony e-reader devices.
www.pressmart.com
Advance Internet Inc. said it would begin offering automotive sales lead software from ResponseLogix Inc. to auto dealers under terms of a reseller agreement. Advance Internet operates Web sites for Advance Publications newspapers in Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
www.advanceinternet.com
www.responselogix.com
The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo., and other papers published by the Prairie Mountain Publishing Co. are now fully owned by MediaNews Group following the formal dissolution of the partnership between MediaNews and E.W. Scripps Co. Scripps said it would exit the partnership when it closed the Rocky Mountain News earlier this year.
Markzware released an upgrade to FlightCheck Professional for Macintosh. Markzware is offering $100 off this latest version of FlightCheck Professional v6.5, which Markzware said offers full support for the Adobe CS4 Creative Suite and QuarkXPress 8.
www.markzware.com
Alwan Color Expertise said it’s opened its Print Standardizer to popular automatic scanning technologies including X-Rite IntelliTrax, ATS, Komori DCS II and Heidelberg’s Image Control.
www.alwancolor.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Aug. 24, 2009 — Miss. paper goes digital
The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., partnered with Southern Lithoplate’s Strategic Alliance to upgrade its analog plate making operation and convert to Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 plates. The Sun Herald also installed a Screen PlateRite News 2000S platesetter, replacing a previously installed analog plate system.
The publisher will manage its workflow with ProImage’s NewsWay.
“We converted over to the Southern Lithoplate CTP system using Viper 830 lithoplates, Newsway workflow and the Screen 2000 all at the same time,” said Gary Raskett, vice president of operations and circulation. “This was one of the smoothest transitions we have ever seen. We did not experience the slightest hiccup.”
The publisher also installed ProImage’s OnColor Eco ink optimization app.
Ink preset data is sent by NewsWay to The Sun Herald’s Goss MPSCII press control system.
The publisher will manage its workflow with ProImage’s NewsWay.
“We converted over to the Southern Lithoplate CTP system using Viper 830 lithoplates, Newsway workflow and the Screen 2000 all at the same time,” said Gary Raskett, vice president of operations and circulation. “This was one of the smoothest transitions we have ever seen. We did not experience the slightest hiccup.”
The publisher also installed ProImage’s OnColor Eco ink optimization app.
Ink preset data is sent by NewsWay to The Sun Herald’s Goss MPSCII press control system.
Corrected: USAT gains 800 subs to e-edition
VAIL, Colo. — USA Today has snapped up more than 800 subscribers to its e-edition, fewer than three weeks after its Aug. 3 launch.
“Our subscribers love it,” USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford told newspaper executives attending the 2009 Roundtable on Strategic Marketing here. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive.”
The e-edition, based on Olive Software’s digital conversion software, includes a Saturday-Sunday supplement, called Today Extra. Subscribers receive the digital edition each morning by 5:30. The e-editions are provided as a complement to existing home and business subscribers, and people can subscribe to just the digital edition, if desired. Currently, USA Today is charging $9.95 for four weeks of the e-edition.
Ford said readers are attracted to the e-edition because of convenience, lower costs and enhanced features such as interactive puzzles.
The e-edition continues to gain traction, she said, with 7,000 people sampling the version in the last week. “Almost every country has had some interaction with the e-edition,” she said.
Some 50 execs attended the three-day conference, sponsored by SmartFocus Astech.
Editor's note: This corrects an earlier posting that stated that USA Today had gained 40,000 new subscribers to its digital edition.
“Our subscribers love it,” USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford told newspaper executives attending the 2009 Roundtable on Strategic Marketing here. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive.”
The e-edition, based on Olive Software’s digital conversion software, includes a Saturday-Sunday supplement, called Today Extra. Subscribers receive the digital edition each morning by 5:30. The e-editions are provided as a complement to existing home and business subscribers, and people can subscribe to just the digital edition, if desired. Currently, USA Today is charging $9.95 for four weeks of the e-edition.
Ford said readers are attracted to the e-edition because of convenience, lower costs and enhanced features such as interactive puzzles.
The e-edition continues to gain traction, she said, with 7,000 people sampling the version in the last week. “Almost every country has had some interaction with the e-edition,” she said.
Some 50 execs attended the three-day conference, sponsored by SmartFocus Astech.
Editor's note: This corrects an earlier posting that stated that USA Today had gained 40,000 new subscribers to its digital edition.
MDGM sells presses in S.A., Africa
Manugraph DGM Inc. said it sold presses to publishers in Brazil and Africa as the vendor continues to expand its international footprint.
In Brazil, MDGM sold a 12-unit Cityline Express press to Jornal a Gazeta in Cuiba; a 4-unit Cityline Express to Tribuna do Norte in Apucarana; and a 4-unit Cityline press to Diario do Nordeste in Forteleza.
It also sold a 20-unit, two-folder Hiline Express to Mwananchi Communications Ltd. in Tanzania.
See the September issue of News & Tech for an interview with Manugraph Managing Director Pradeep Shah, who discusses plans the company has to roll out the firm’s first doublewide press. The machine, the Smartline, will be available in India next year.
In Brazil, MDGM sold a 12-unit Cityline Express press to Jornal a Gazeta in Cuiba; a 4-unit Cityline Express to Tribuna do Norte in Apucarana; and a 4-unit Cityline press to Diario do Nordeste in Forteleza.
It also sold a 20-unit, two-folder Hiline Express to Mwananchi Communications Ltd. in Tanzania.
See the September issue of News & Tech for an interview with Manugraph Managing Director Pradeep Shah, who discusses plans the company has to roll out the firm’s first doublewide press. The machine, the Smartline, will be available in India next year.
Trib Co. rolling out DSI circ apps in L.A.
The Los Angeles Times is installing Data Sciences Inc.’s DSI/WebCirc and DSI/e-Solicitor circulation apps in a deployment that will determine if publisher Tribune Co. will roll out the software groupwide.
“DSI Circulation Software was a cost-effective solution to meet our current and future circulation needs for customer service, home delivery, distribution, single-copy sales and insert management,” said Paul Mitnick, the Times’ senior vice president of business applications.
The apps are Oracle- and Windows-based and were first introduced by DSI in 1996.
“DSI Circulation Software was a cost-effective solution to meet our current and future circulation needs for customer service, home delivery, distribution, single-copy sales and insert management,” said Paul Mitnick, the Times’ senior vice president of business applications.
The apps are Oracle- and Windows-based and were first introduced by DSI in 1996.
Harland Simon tapped to upgrade Trinity Mirror
Harland Simon said it will upgrade press control systems at Trinity Mirror Printing in Newcastle Upon Tyne in a press expansion project undertaken in conjunction with Printing Press Services International.
The press control system governing Trinity Mirror’s Goss International Colorliner presses will be switched out to the latest version of PressNet, which will take place before the PPSI-managed press extension. Harland Simon also said it will integrate the new printing units into the existing pressline and upgrade the Prima software to accommodate the additional impositions.
Harland Simon is also going to provide desk screens and integrate PressNet with the press’ QuadTech register control software, enabling operators to control both register and press operation from a single screen.
The project is slated for completion this fall, Harland Simon said.
The press control system governing Trinity Mirror’s Goss International Colorliner presses will be switched out to the latest version of PressNet, which will take place before the PPSI-managed press extension. Harland Simon also said it will integrate the new printing units into the existing pressline and upgrade the Prima software to accommodate the additional impositions.
Harland Simon is also going to provide desk screens and integrate PressNet with the press’ QuadTech register control software, enabling operators to control both register and press operation from a single screen.
The project is slated for completion this fall, Harland Simon said.
WaPo shelves hyperlocal initiative
The Washington Post folded LoudounExtra.com, its hyperlocal Web site. The paper launched the site two years ago, joining dozens of other papers seeking to grow their overall audiences by offering local coverage of community events. LoudounExtra.com served the northern Virginia community about 25 miles north of Washington, D.C. It combined Post reporters with community journalists who contributed local news and information.
The paper said the high costs associated with assigning reporters dedicated to the site contributed to the decision to shut it down.
Loudoun news will now be available through washingtonpost.com, editors said in a note to subscribers. The paper also said it will soon launch a new home page.
When LoudounExtra was first launched, the paper said it planned to roll out similar sites engineered for other areas surrounding the District. Those plans are now on hold.
The paper said the high costs associated with assigning reporters dedicated to the site contributed to the decision to shut it down.
Loudoun news will now be available through washingtonpost.com, editors said in a note to subscribers. The paper also said it will soon launch a new home page.
When LoudounExtra was first launched, the paper said it planned to roll out similar sites engineered for other areas surrounding the District. Those plans are now on hold.
Report: manroland sheetfed biz might have buyer
A German printing trade publication is reporting that Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. might be interested in acquiring manroland’s sheetfed business.
The magazine, Deutscher Drucker, said that SEG and Allianz Capital Partners, which owns a majority of manroland, are attempting to iron out details.
German consulting group Zicon Consulting said any deal between SEG and Allianz could pave the way for a merger between Heidelberg and manroland (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). According to Zicon, the disposal of manroland’s sheetfed business was viewed as a sticking point.
SEG’s Shanghai Electric Co. already builds presses through agreements it has with Goss International and a Japanese firm, Akiyama.
The magazine, Deutscher Drucker, said that SEG and Allianz Capital Partners, which owns a majority of manroland, are attempting to iron out details.
German consulting group Zicon Consulting said any deal between SEG and Allianz could pave the way for a merger between Heidelberg and manroland (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). According to Zicon, the disposal of manroland’s sheetfed business was viewed as a sticking point.
SEG’s Shanghai Electric Co. already builds presses through agreements it has with Goss International and a Japanese firm, Akiyama.
Freedom consolidates production of regional pubs
Freedom ENC Communications Inc. completed consolidation for the production of its North Carolina dailies The Daily Press in Jacksonville, The Free Press in Kinston and The Sun Journal in New Bern together with commercial work, at its Jacksonville, N.C. plant. The publisher installed ProImage’s browser-based NewsWay app to manage the multiple workflows involved.
“NewsWay has proven to be extremely flexible, and the technical support we’ve received has been superior,” said Jeff Ashe, COO, Freedom ENC Communications.
NewsWay generates edition plans for all papers, builds editions from PDF page files, monitors throughput and tracks and notifies users of events. The app provides integration and workflow management from an Advanced Publishing Technology editorial system to the load balancing of RIPs and Screen computer-to-plate machines and will also be managing the transmission of TIFF data to Peretta ink setting equipment, ProImage said.
Other Freedom properties using NewsWay include the Orange County (Calif.) Register, the Daily Press in Victorville, Calif., the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif., the Sun in Yuma, Ariz., the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz., the News-Herald in Panama City, Fla., the Lima (Ohio) News and the Odessa (Texas) American.
“NewsWay has proven to be extremely flexible, and the technical support we’ve received has been superior,” said Jeff Ashe, COO, Freedom ENC Communications.
NewsWay generates edition plans for all papers, builds editions from PDF page files, monitors throughput and tracks and notifies users of events. The app provides integration and workflow management from an Advanced Publishing Technology editorial system to the load balancing of RIPs and Screen computer-to-plate machines and will also be managing the transmission of TIFF data to Peretta ink setting equipment, ProImage said.
Other Freedom properties using NewsWay include the Orange County (Calif.) Register, the Daily Press in Victorville, Calif., the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif., the Sun in Yuma, Ariz., the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz., the News-Herald in Panama City, Fla., the Lima (Ohio) News and the Odessa (Texas) American.
Dow Jones closing Riverside plan
Dow Jones and Co. said it will close its Riverside, Calif., print site, with production of The Wall Street Journal and other products reportedly to be transferred to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times didn’t return calls seeking comment.
The Riverside facility produced more than 135,000 copies per day of The Journal, and it also printed Barron's and other newspapers slated for Southern California distribution.
The site's closure brings to six the number of plants News Corp. has shuttered since it acquired Dow Jones in late 2007. In addition to Riverside, DJ targeted for closure plants in Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Des Moines, Iowa.
The Times didn’t return calls seeking comment.
The Riverside facility produced more than 135,000 copies per day of The Journal, and it also printed Barron's and other newspapers slated for Southern California distribution.
The site's closure brings to six the number of plants News Corp. has shuttered since it acquired Dow Jones in late 2007. In addition to Riverside, DJ targeted for closure plants in Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Des Moines, Iowa.
Gannett set to roll out self-serve obits
Gannett Co. Inc. is rolling out self-service obituary software, with The Indianapolis Star slated to be the first paper to offer the capability beginning next month.
According to Annette Gould, Gannett's manager of advertising technology, the publisher will use software from Wave2 Media Solutions to support the service. Funeral directors and other users can submit information to a dedicated Web site, from which it will be formatted and placed in the paper's host CMS. Some 20 Gannett papers will begin offering self-service obituary capabilities this year.
According to Annette Gould, Gannett's manager of advertising technology, the publisher will use software from Wave2 Media Solutions to support the service. Funeral directors and other users can submit information to a dedicated Web site, from which it will be formatted and placed in the paper's host CMS. Some 20 Gannett papers will begin offering self-service obituary capabilities this year.
Torstar sets insert Web site
Two firms, including Toronto Star owner Metroland Media Group, said they will launch a Web site that features newspaper insert content.
The site, Zip2Save.com, will launch Oct. 1.
Metroland is teaming up with LocalPoint Media to operate the site, which is based on Metroland's existing Flyerland.ca Canadian newspaper insert Web initiative. Twenty U.S. publishers are participating in the site, including GateHouse Media, Sun-Times Media Group and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.
The site, Zip2Save.com, will launch Oct. 1.
Metroland is teaming up with LocalPoint Media to operate the site, which is based on Metroland's existing Flyerland.ca Canadian newspaper insert Web initiative. Twenty U.S. publishers are participating in the site, including GateHouse Media, Sun-Times Media Group and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.
Nela moves, acquires German newspaper vendor
Nela purchased and moved into its new U.S. headquarters, a 60,000-square-foot building in western Wisconsin. The company, which just celebrated its ninth anniversary in the United States, said the move solidifies its long-term commitment to the North and South American markets.
The new address is 610 Whitetail Blvd., River Falls, WI 54022. The new phone/fax number is 715.425.1900, and the new technical support number is 715.425.1944.
Meantime, Nela said it acquired major parts of German printing manufacturing company 2B Prazisionstechnik GmbH. While Nela is active in the newspaper and commercial segments of the printing industry, 2B is mainly active in the newspaper sector with a focus in middle and southern Europe, as well as some Asian countries.
The new address is 610 Whitetail Blvd., River Falls, WI 54022. The new phone/fax number is 715.425.1900, and the new technical support number is 715.425.1944.
Meantime, Nela said it acquired major parts of German printing manufacturing company 2B Prazisionstechnik GmbH. While Nela is active in the newspaper and commercial segments of the printing industry, 2B is mainly active in the newspaper sector with a focus in middle and southern Europe, as well as some Asian countries.
Aussie edit outsourcer sets up shop
Pagemasters, an Australian firm that provides editorial outsourcing services to newspapers, said it teamed up with The Canadian Press to provide design, copy-editing and headline-writing services to North American newspapers.
Pagemasters already provides similar services to a number of newspapers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Daily Telegraph.
Pagemasters, a unit of Australian Associated Press, currently produces more than 10,000 editorial pages per month in four production centers.
“We will be heavily involved with The Canadian Press in setting up editorial production centers in North America, working closely with newspaper publishers as they grapple with the radical changes sweeping the industry,” said AAP CEO Clive Marshall, in a statement.
Pagemasters already provides similar services to a number of newspapers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Daily Telegraph.
Pagemasters, a unit of Australian Associated Press, currently produces more than 10,000 editorial pages per month in four production centers.
“We will be heavily involved with The Canadian Press in setting up editorial production centers in North America, working closely with newspaper publishers as they grapple with the radical changes sweeping the industry,” said AAP CEO Clive Marshall, in a statement.
Clarification
The article, “Tribune notches color register savings,” in the Aug. 17, 2009, Dateline should have reported that Tribune Publishing Co. in Columbia, Mo., was able to cut its paper waste — and not its newsprint consumption — by 25 percent after employing a color registration system from Imaging Technologies Inc. Information supplied by ITI said the paper had cut its waste by 30 percent.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Aug. 18, 2009 — Dow Jones closing Riverside plant
Dow Jones and Co. said it will close its Riverside, Calif., printing plant, making it the sixth production site it's shuttered in the past 18 months.
The facility will close by Sept. 1. Dow Jones didn't say where printing and production will move, but it's likely the Los Angeles Times will get the contract, according to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside.
The Riverside facility produces more than 135,000 copies of The Wall Street Journal each day. It also prints Barron's and other News Corp. products.
Since News Corp. acquired Dow Jones in late 2007, the publisher closed print sites it operated in Denver, Chicago, Orlando, Fla., Des Moines, Iowa, and Dallas, transferring production to the Denver Newspaper Agency, Chicago Tribune, Ledger in Lakeland, Fla., The Des Moines Register and The Dallas Morning News, respectively.
The facility will close by Sept. 1. Dow Jones didn't say where printing and production will move, but it's likely the Los Angeles Times will get the contract, according to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside.
The Riverside facility produces more than 135,000 copies of The Wall Street Journal each day. It also prints Barron's and other News Corp. products.
Since News Corp. acquired Dow Jones in late 2007, the publisher closed print sites it operated in Denver, Chicago, Orlando, Fla., Des Moines, Iowa, and Dallas, transferring production to the Denver Newspaper Agency, Chicago Tribune, Ledger in Lakeland, Fla., The Des Moines Register and The Dallas Morning News, respectively.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Aug. 17, 2009 — CNHI moving 21 papers to CTP
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. will deploy computer-to-plate systems to 21 of its newspapers across 16 locations, using equipment from Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging and ECRM Imaging Systems.
Each site will image Konica Minolta’s Replica HSV photopolymer violet plates on ECRM’s Newsmatic 60 SSR automated violet platesetters. Each site will also employ PuzzleFlow Solutions’ workflow software and automation products and violet plate processors from Heights.
The newspapers are: The Cullman (Ala.) Times; the Thomasville, (Ga.) Times-Enterprise; the Americus (Ga.) Times Recorder; the Effingham (Ill.) Daily News; Mt. Vernon (Ill.) Register News; the Commercial News in Danville, Ill.; the Washington (Ind.) Times Herald; the Ottumwa (Iowa) Daily Courier; the Independent in Ashland, Ky.; the Meridian (Miss.) Star; the Cumberland (Md.) Times News; the Joplin (Mo.) Globe; the Edmond (Okla.) Sun; the Duncan (Okla.) Banner; the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix; the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.; the Palestine (Texas) Herald-Press; the Orange (Texas) Leader; the Port Arthur, (Texas) News; the Register Herald in Beckley, W.Va.; and the Times West Virginian in Fairmont, W.Va.
“We believe these systems will greatly improve the efficiency of production at each of these newspapers,” said CNHI Chief Operating Officer Keith Blevins. “Most importantly, these systems will help each newspaper deliver the top-notch publications their advertisers and communities expect and deserve.”
Each site will image Konica Minolta’s Replica HSV photopolymer violet plates on ECRM’s Newsmatic 60 SSR automated violet platesetters. Each site will also employ PuzzleFlow Solutions’ workflow software and automation products and violet plate processors from Heights.
The newspapers are: The Cullman (Ala.) Times; the Thomasville, (Ga.) Times-Enterprise; the Americus (Ga.) Times Recorder; the Effingham (Ill.) Daily News; Mt. Vernon (Ill.) Register News; the Commercial News in Danville, Ill.; the Washington (Ind.) Times Herald; the Ottumwa (Iowa) Daily Courier; the Independent in Ashland, Ky.; the Meridian (Miss.) Star; the Cumberland (Md.) Times News; the Joplin (Mo.) Globe; the Edmond (Okla.) Sun; the Duncan (Okla.) Banner; the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix; the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.; the Palestine (Texas) Herald-Press; the Orange (Texas) Leader; the Port Arthur, (Texas) News; the Register Herald in Beckley, W.Va.; and the Times West Virginian in Fairmont, W.Va.
“We believe these systems will greatly improve the efficiency of production at each of these newspapers,” said CNHI Chief Operating Officer Keith Blevins. “Most importantly, these systems will help each newspaper deliver the top-notch publications their advertisers and communities expect and deserve.”
No decision on outsourcing Memphis CA’s printing
Talks between The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., and Journal Publishing Co. in Tupelo, Miss., are continuing past the Aug. 15 deadline set by JPC to determine whether it will take over production of the Tennessee daily (see Dateline, July 27, 2009).
An agreement between E.W. Scripps and JPC is “not real close,” according to comments attributed to Commercial Appeal attorney Richard Lowe by the Memphis Newspaper Guild.
The Guild said that one of the big differences between The Commercial Appeal and JPC is the length of contract. While JPC, which prints The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and other papers, wants a longer-term agreement, The Commercial Appeal is apparently reluctant, the Guild said.
Lowe told the Guild that it’s unclear when the two sides might reach a decision.
JPC would have to invest millions in a new plant, including press and postpress equipment, to produce The Commercial Appeal. The privately owned publisher currently operates a singlewide Goss International Urbanite press.
Commercial Appeal Vice President of Operations Steve Tomb told News & Tech that he couldn’t comment on negotiations. JPC didn’t return calls asking for comment.
Scripps has been studying what to do with The Commercial Appeal’s 30-year-old Goss Metro presses for years. In 2008, the newspaper reduced the web width of the four machines from 50 inches to 46 inches. It’s also evaluating ways to reduce the press’ 23 9/16-inch cutoff, examining modification services from Goss and Pressline Services Inc. All of these options remain under consideration, a Scripps exec told News & Tech.
An agreement between E.W. Scripps and JPC is “not real close,” according to comments attributed to Commercial Appeal attorney Richard Lowe by the Memphis Newspaper Guild.
The Guild said that one of the big differences between The Commercial Appeal and JPC is the length of contract. While JPC, which prints The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and other papers, wants a longer-term agreement, The Commercial Appeal is apparently reluctant, the Guild said.
Lowe told the Guild that it’s unclear when the two sides might reach a decision.
JPC would have to invest millions in a new plant, including press and postpress equipment, to produce The Commercial Appeal. The privately owned publisher currently operates a singlewide Goss International Urbanite press.
Commercial Appeal Vice President of Operations Steve Tomb told News & Tech that he couldn’t comment on negotiations. JPC didn’t return calls asking for comment.
Scripps has been studying what to do with The Commercial Appeal’s 30-year-old Goss Metro presses for years. In 2008, the newspaper reduced the web width of the four machines from 50 inches to 46 inches. It’s also evaluating ways to reduce the press’ 23 9/16-inch cutoff, examining modification services from Goss and Pressline Services Inc. All of these options remain under consideration, a Scripps exec told News & Tech.
Printcasting offering ad, print support
Printcasting, the user-generated publishing platform that launched in Bakersfield, Calif., earlier this year, said it will begin placing ads and covering printing costs of selected Printcasts in order to further kick-start the concept.
Beginning Aug. 19, Printcasting said it will place $10 ads in 50 Printcasts at its expense. It will also increase its normal revenue sharing formula — now 60 percent — to 70 percent, enabling publishers to keep $7 of the total. The other $3 is slated to content providers.
Additionally, Printcasting said it would select 20 publishers and cover the printing costs for their first edition, with a limit of up to 200 copies or $200 per edition. The publishers will be selected Sept. 30.
For more information, click http://www.printcasting.com/content/hey-publishers-let-us-cover-your-printing-costs
Beginning Aug. 19, Printcasting said it will place $10 ads in 50 Printcasts at its expense. It will also increase its normal revenue sharing formula — now 60 percent — to 70 percent, enabling publishers to keep $7 of the total. The other $3 is slated to content providers.
Additionally, Printcasting said it would select 20 publishers and cover the printing costs for their first edition, with a limit of up to 200 copies or $200 per edition. The publishers will be selected Sept. 30.
For more information, click http://www.printcasting.com/content/hey-publishers-let-us-cover-your-printing-costs
Goss sells Newsliner to Chinese publisher
Chinese newspaper publisher Xi’an Daily News Co. purchased a 4-by-2 Newsliner press from Goss International.
The press, configured as two four-high towers and one 2:3:3 jaw folder, will enable Xi’an to increase its color capacity to 16 broadsheet pages in straight run and 32 pages collect.
The press, configured as two four-high towers and one 2:3:3 jaw folder, will enable Xi’an to increase its color capacity to 16 broadsheet pages in straight run and 32 pages collect.
Journal Register emerges from bankruptcy
Journal Register Co. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six months after making its initial filing.
A federal bankruptcy judge OK’d the move, allowing Journal Register to obtain more than $200 million in exit financing from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, The AP reported.
A federal bankruptcy judge OK’d the move, allowing Journal Register to obtain more than $200 million in exit financing from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, The AP reported.
Valassis dumps L.A. Times in favor of mail
Valassis said it will send its RedPlum package of coupons and ad circulars to Los Angeles-area customers via direct mail, forgoing the Los Angeles Times.
The shift will take place next Monday. Valassis said it would continue to distribute its coupons through Los Angeles Newspaper Group newspapers, which include the (Los Angeles) Daily News and other L.A. suburban dailies.
The shift will take place next Monday. Valassis said it would continue to distribute its coupons through Los Angeles Newspaper Group newspapers, which include the (Los Angeles) Daily News and other L.A. suburban dailies.
Aftenposten selects Integration X
Aftenposten of Norway signed a deal to implement Integration X’s AdPoint production suite to manage its ad production and material handling.
Meantime, Integration X announced that it will release version 5 of AdPoint in the fall. AdPoint offers Web-based tracking, production and proofing for print and online ads. Version 5 will introduce new features as well as a new Java-based user interface, and is based on a modular structure in which a user’s entire ad production environment is available in a single Web browser window, Integration X said.
Meantime, Integration X announced that it will release version 5 of AdPoint in the fall. AdPoint offers Web-based tracking, production and proofing for print and online ads. Version 5 will introduce new features as well as a new Java-based user interface, and is based on a modular structure in which a user’s entire ad production environment is available in a single Web browser window, Integration X said.
Tribune notches color register savings
Tribune Publishing Co. in Columbia, Mo., said it was able to cut its consumption of newsprint by 30 percent since employing a color register system from Imaging Technologies Inc.
TPC last fall installed a 24-camera system across its Goss International Universal 45 press (see News and Tech, October 2008).
“The waste reduction is a direct result of having to pay less attention to register by virtue of the automated register system,” said Jack Waters, TPC’s general manager.
“The overall savings and improvements to the environmental footprint of our operations including the paper, inks, energy savings (machine run time) are significant. Crew time optimization is made possible as well.”
TPC last fall installed a 24-camera system across its Goss International Universal 45 press (see News and Tech, October 2008).
“The waste reduction is a direct result of having to pay less attention to register by virtue of the automated register system,” said Jack Waters, TPC’s general manager.
“The overall savings and improvements to the environmental footprint of our operations including the paper, inks, energy savings (machine run time) are significant. Crew time optimization is made possible as well.”
Saxotech making hosting easier
Saxotech said it would make its Mediaware Center software available to media companies through a hosted model with special pricing and payment terms.
Under the Saxotech Stimulus Program, qualified media companies can sign up to use the app for as little as 12 months, and payment terms will be structured to provide users with additional savings before the first payment is owed, Saxotech said.
“We understand in today’s economic environment that media companies are under tremendous pressure to find additional efficiencies and to only invest in areas where they can realize a quick return on their investment,” said Anders Christiansen, president and CEO of Saxotech. “Through the Saxotech Stimulus Program, media companies can take advantage of the many benefits of the Managed Hosted Mediaware Center while also generating an immediate return on their investment.”
Under the Saxotech Stimulus Program, qualified media companies can sign up to use the app for as little as 12 months, and payment terms will be structured to provide users with additional savings before the first payment is owed, Saxotech said.
“We understand in today’s economic environment that media companies are under tremendous pressure to find additional efficiencies and to only invest in areas where they can realize a quick return on their investment,” said Anders Christiansen, president and CEO of Saxotech. “Through the Saxotech Stimulus Program, media companies can take advantage of the many benefits of the Managed Hosted Mediaware Center while also generating an immediate return on their investment.”
Ohio daily launches pay Web site
The Lima (Ohio) News last week made portions of its Web site available only to paid subscribers.
“This rewards our loyal customers by giving them something for free that a casual user does not get,” said James Shine, publisher of The News. “At the same time, people wishing to receive their news only through our Web site have the opportunity to do so for a very reasonable cost.”
Subscription packages range from 75 cents a day to $4.95 per month; seven-day subscribers to the print edition of The News can access all of the site’s news and information free of additional charge.
“This rewards our loyal customers by giving them something for free that a casual user does not get,” said James Shine, publisher of The News. “At the same time, people wishing to receive their news only through our Web site have the opportunity to do so for a very reasonable cost.”
Subscription packages range from 75 cents a day to $4.95 per month; seven-day subscribers to the print edition of The News can access all of the site’s news and information free of additional charge.
Latimes.com launches new look
The Los Angeles Times launched a redesigned Web site incorporating additional multimedia and social networking features.
“The new latimes.com is representative of the changes we’ve made to create an around-the-clock, integrated newsroom armed with the tools that ensure immediacy, feed the Web, mobile devices and social media, and supplements our print edition,” said Times Editor Russ Stanton.
The new site includes multimedia editorial features and more than 40 blogs, including LA Now, dedicated to local breaking news. The Times also bulked up its entertainment coverage.
“The new latimes.com is representative of the changes we’ve made to create an around-the-clock, integrated newsroom armed with the tools that ensure immediacy, feed the Web, mobile devices and social media, and supplements our print edition,” said Times Editor Russ Stanton.
The new site includes multimedia editorial features and more than 40 blogs, including LA Now, dedicated to local breaking news. The Times also bulked up its entertainment coverage.
Obituaries:
Günther Eckert, KBA
Günther Eckert, senior engineer at Koenig & Bauer AG died Aug. 11 in a drowning accident while on vacation in Denmark. His daughter also drowned trying to rescue him, KBA said. Mr. Eckert was involved with a number of KBA press installations in the United States.
Ken Fleming, Tulsa World
Ken Fleming, who directed production operations at the Tulsa (Okla.) World for nearly three decades, died last week at his home in Florida. He was 75.
During his tenure with the World, Mr. Fleming oversaw two new press installations at the paper.
Fleming is survived by his wife, Gail; his brother, Gene; sons Randy and Ben; daughter Susan Major; nine grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Tulsa’s Sharp Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33047, or to Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma, 9433 E. 51st St., Suite J, Tulsa, OK 74129.
Günther Eckert, KBA
Günther Eckert, senior engineer at Koenig & Bauer AG died Aug. 11 in a drowning accident while on vacation in Denmark. His daughter also drowned trying to rescue him, KBA said. Mr. Eckert was involved with a number of KBA press installations in the United States.
Ken Fleming, Tulsa World
Ken Fleming, who directed production operations at the Tulsa (Okla.) World for nearly three decades, died last week at his home in Florida. He was 75.
During his tenure with the World, Mr. Fleming oversaw two new press installations at the paper.
Fleming is survived by his wife, Gail; his brother, Gene; sons Randy and Ben; daughter Susan Major; nine grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Tulsa’s Sharp Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33047, or to Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma, 9433 E. 51st St., Suite J, Tulsa, OK 74129.
In Brief
Media General’s Richmond (Va.) Media Group named Rick Thornton to head Richmond.com.
Cablevision Systems named Tad Smith president of its newly created Local Media group, which includes Newsday in Long Island, N.Y., and News 12 Networks.
Goss International named John Gallagher director of business development of the vendor’s Lifetime Support program in North and South America.
The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa, went live with Digital Technology International’s DTI Circulation 3.5 and iServices Subscriber, all deployed through DTI’s Cloud platform.
www.dtint.com
Plastic Logic said it will work with Olive Software to provide services to customers under its Publishers Program. The Plastic Logic Reader will be introduced early next year.
www.plasticlogic.com
www.olivesoftware.com
ProImage said it will debut its FanOut Server at Publish Asia & Ifra India Expo, to be held in Chennai, India, Sept. 23-25. FanOut Server addresses the problem of paper stretch on web presses.
www.proimage.com
Printing Industries of America awarded InterTech technology awards to CGS Publishing Technologies International for its Oris Press Matcher color management software and to Kodak for its Dimensional Printing System and its Prinergy Digital workflow software.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.graphics.kodak.com
WoodWing Asia Pacific named Shanghai Digesoft Technology Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and Beijing a Gold Authorized Partner.
www.woodwing.com
Goss International opened a direct sales and support office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The office oversees commercial and newspaper press and postpress sales, marketing and after-market services.
www.gossinternational.com
The (Nashville) Tennessean this week began printing the regional edition of The New York Times. The Gannett Co. Inc.-owned paper produces more than 20 commercial publications on its three presses.
AdLizard has completed its move into new offices. The new address is 35211 NE 127th Ave., La Center, WA 98629. Telephone and fax numbers are 360.263.5811 and 360.252.6517, respectively.
www.adlizard.com
PPI Media said it will host a number of conferences in September and November in Chicago, New York and London, which will address the possibilities associated with marketing cross-media ad space. Demos will center on ppi’s AdInvent app.
www.ppimedia.de
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will said it would leave its downtown location and move to new offices in northeast Atlanta. The move will begin next spring, the newspaper reported.
Cablevision Systems named Tad Smith president of its newly created Local Media group, which includes Newsday in Long Island, N.Y., and News 12 Networks.
Goss International named John Gallagher director of business development of the vendor’s Lifetime Support program in North and South America.
The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa, went live with Digital Technology International’s DTI Circulation 3.5 and iServices Subscriber, all deployed through DTI’s Cloud platform.
www.dtint.com
Plastic Logic said it will work with Olive Software to provide services to customers under its Publishers Program. The Plastic Logic Reader will be introduced early next year.
www.plasticlogic.com
www.olivesoftware.com
ProImage said it will debut its FanOut Server at Publish Asia & Ifra India Expo, to be held in Chennai, India, Sept. 23-25. FanOut Server addresses the problem of paper stretch on web presses.
www.proimage.com
Printing Industries of America awarded InterTech technology awards to CGS Publishing Technologies International for its Oris Press Matcher color management software and to Kodak for its Dimensional Printing System and its Prinergy Digital workflow software.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.graphics.kodak.com
WoodWing Asia Pacific named Shanghai Digesoft Technology Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and Beijing a Gold Authorized Partner.
www.woodwing.com
Goss International opened a direct sales and support office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The office oversees commercial and newspaper press and postpress sales, marketing and after-market services.
www.gossinternational.com
The (Nashville) Tennessean this week began printing the regional edition of The New York Times. The Gannett Co. Inc.-owned paper produces more than 20 commercial publications on its three presses.
AdLizard has completed its move into new offices. The new address is 35211 NE 127th Ave., La Center, WA 98629. Telephone and fax numbers are 360.263.5811 and 360.252.6517, respectively.
www.adlizard.com
PPI Media said it will host a number of conferences in September and November in Chicago, New York and London, which will address the possibilities associated with marketing cross-media ad space. Demos will center on ppi’s AdInvent app.
www.ppimedia.de
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will said it would leave its downtown location and move to new offices in northeast Atlanta. The move will begin next spring, the newspaper reported.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Aug. 10, 2009 — Times of Shreveport getting its Berliner press
Eighteen months after outlining plans for an upgraded Berliner press, The Times in Shreveport, La., received the green light to install the machine.
The Times in late 2007 said it would install a reconditioned 1991 Berliner press obtained by reseller Graphic Web Systems to anchor the upgrade (see News & Tech, January 2008).
The WIFAG OF 790 press will be used to replace The Times’ almost 50-year-old letterpress.
Gannett Co. Inc. delayed the $15 million project as it dealt with building issues, the recession and industry downturn.
But a memo from Times President and Publisher Pete Zanmiller, issued last week, said the press upgrade had been approved and that work would begin immediately.
“Now that we have finally been given approval the difficult work begins as we move to the next generation of our printed product,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to the entire operation working on this opportunity.”
The shafted WIFAG press is configured as four towers and two folders, with an 18.5-inch cutoff and 44-inch web width. The press was formerly used by a Swiss printer, which decommissioned it last year.
The Times will be the third U.S. newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, following the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., and the Reading (Pa.) Eagle.
Look for more on The Times’ Berliner install in the September issue.
The Times in late 2007 said it would install a reconditioned 1991 Berliner press obtained by reseller Graphic Web Systems to anchor the upgrade (see News & Tech, January 2008).
The WIFAG OF 790 press will be used to replace The Times’ almost 50-year-old letterpress.
Gannett Co. Inc. delayed the $15 million project as it dealt with building issues, the recession and industry downturn.
But a memo from Times President and Publisher Pete Zanmiller, issued last week, said the press upgrade had been approved and that work would begin immediately.
“Now that we have finally been given approval the difficult work begins as we move to the next generation of our printed product,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to the entire operation working on this opportunity.”
The shafted WIFAG press is configured as four towers and two folders, with an 18.5-inch cutoff and 44-inch web width. The press was formerly used by a Swiss printer, which decommissioned it last year.
The Times will be the third U.S. newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, following the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., and the Reading (Pa.) Eagle.
Look for more on The Times’ Berliner install in the September issue.
Online payment schemes moving forward
The Financial Times and News Corp. each outlined plans to begin charging readers to access to their online content as publishers continue to seek ways to attract new revenues.
According to The Independent in the United Kingdom, The Financial Times is evaluating a “pay-per-article” system, perhaps based on Apple Inc.’s iTunes. The paper said that FT is examining a model in which a non-subscribing reader would pay a small fee for articles that otherwise would only be available to subscribers. The FT already has more than 117,000 subscribers who pay an annual fee for access.
The Independent said the FT hopes to have the system in place next year.
News Corp., meantime, wants to introduce charges to all of its Web sites by next summer.
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch expects the fees to offset expenses associated with operating his stable of newspapers, which include in the United States the New York Post and the Dow Jones Local Media Group dailies.
“Quality journalism is not cheap,” he said during an earnings conference call. “The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news Web sites.”
To that end, The Guardian in the United Kingdom reported that The (London) Sunday Times will be the first News Corp. paper to experiment with charging readers to access content, beginning this fall.
According to the paper, The Times will launch a fee-based Sundaytimes.co.uk, Web site at the end of November.
The Guardian said the publisher hasn’t yet decided which mechanism or technology it will use to charge readers.
According to The Independent in the United Kingdom, The Financial Times is evaluating a “pay-per-article” system, perhaps based on Apple Inc.’s iTunes. The paper said that FT is examining a model in which a non-subscribing reader would pay a small fee for articles that otherwise would only be available to subscribers. The FT already has more than 117,000 subscribers who pay an annual fee for access.
The Independent said the FT hopes to have the system in place next year.
News Corp., meantime, wants to introduce charges to all of its Web sites by next summer.
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch expects the fees to offset expenses associated with operating his stable of newspapers, which include in the United States the New York Post and the Dow Jones Local Media Group dailies.
“Quality journalism is not cheap,” he said during an earnings conference call. “The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news Web sites.”
To that end, The Guardian in the United Kingdom reported that The (London) Sunday Times will be the first News Corp. paper to experiment with charging readers to access content, beginning this fall.
According to the paper, The Times will launch a fee-based Sundaytimes.co.uk, Web site at the end of November.
The Guardian said the publisher hasn’t yet decided which mechanism or technology it will use to charge readers.
Bakersfield daily going tab
The Bakersfield Californian said it will re-launch its weekday newspaper as a tabloid-sized product starting Aug. 17.
The paper’s Saturday and Sunday editions will retain its current broadsheet format, but will receive a fresh look that mirrors the weekday Californian.
The paper will include color on every page, a cleaner layout and an improved obituary page.
“Through months of research, we have carefully considered what we believe will make for a richer and more enjoyable experience for our readers, improving upon our content and packaging,” said Richard Beene, president and CEO of The Californian.
The paper is printed on TKS (USA) presses and is produced by Brad Moseley Inc. under a contractual agreement.
News & Tech will have more information about the conversion in the September issue.
The paper’s Saturday and Sunday editions will retain its current broadsheet format, but will receive a fresh look that mirrors the weekday Californian.
The paper will include color on every page, a cleaner layout and an improved obituary page.
“Through months of research, we have carefully considered what we believe will make for a richer and more enjoyable experience for our readers, improving upon our content and packaging,” said Richard Beene, president and CEO of The Californian.
The paper is printed on TKS (USA) presses and is produced by Brad Moseley Inc. under a contractual agreement.
News & Tech will have more information about the conversion in the September issue.
Jenkins to join News & Tech Print 09 panel
John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., will be part of a special newspaper-focused panel that will be held during Print 09.
Jenkins will talk about the Free Lance-Star’s new production facility, which will feature the first U.S. installation of Goss International’s FPS press. The triplewide machine, with both heatset and coldset production capabilities, will go on-edition next year.
Jenkins will be joined by Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett Co. Inc., Bill May, vice president of production, The Dallas Morning News and Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality, at the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the role technology is playing in their operations.
The 90-minute seminar, to be moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will take place Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago. No additional registration is needed to attend the session. To get more information about Print 09 registration information, click here.
Jenkins will talk about the Free Lance-Star’s new production facility, which will feature the first U.S. installation of Goss International’s FPS press. The triplewide machine, with both heatset and coldset production capabilities, will go on-edition next year.
Jenkins will be joined by Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett Co. Inc., Bill May, vice president of production, The Dallas Morning News and Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality, at the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the role technology is playing in their operations.
The 90-minute seminar, to be moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will take place Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago. No additional registration is needed to attend the session. To get more information about Print 09 registration information, click here.
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