The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman will begin printing sister paper Tribune-Herald in Waco, Texas, effective July 13.
The move will eliminate 43 jobs, according to the Tribune-Herald.
The American-Statesman recently beefed up its postpress operation and has sufficient press capacity to print the 35,000-subscriber Tribune-Herald.
The Tribune-Herald said it hopes to retain some of its existing commercial printing accounts even after it stops printing the daily paper.
Cox Newspapers owns both dailies.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
June 29, 2009 — Individuated news products take leap forward
WASHINGTON — The future — as well as the current — direction of individualized news came under the microscope last week as proponents gathered at The Washington Times to discuss the concept at the third annual Individuated News Conference.
The meeting, backed by MediaNews Group and The Times, examined ventures already under way, but also took a close look at the potential challenges faced by media organizations as they evaluate the delivery of hyper-customized news and information.
“It’s the media franchise of the future,” said Peter Vandevanter, MNG’s vice president of targeted products.
Vandevanter highlighted the contrast between last year’s conference, which was largely based on concepts, and this year’s meeting, which boasted five individuated products in the marketplace.
Among those products: MNG’s I-News; The Washington Times’ customized newsweekly; the Knight Foundation’s Printcasting; PersonalNews in Switzerland and Time Inc.’s mine magazine.
“By the end of [last year’s conference] we were debating whether the first individuated news products would be printed on a digital press, or on a home printer — and as I remember it, the group was divided about 50-50,” Vandevanter said. “This year we start with actual products to show and discuss — real market-tested products. And two of them are printed on toner-based digital presses, one on an inkjet press and one on a home printer. So we were all right last year.”
There are no “wrong answers” when it comes to individuated newspapers, Vandevanter said, because products can inhabit any platform, including e-readers, PDAs and PCs.
“Individuated news is platform-agnostic, let’s be clear about that,” he said. “As long as the platform is digital.”
The INC was co-sponsored by Acrisoft, Océ and News & Tech.
Visit http://www.newsandtech.com/NewsonDemand0709.pdf to see our special supplement covering the event. The supplement, News On Demand, will also be included in the July issue of News & Tech.
The meeting, backed by MediaNews Group and The Times, examined ventures already under way, but also took a close look at the potential challenges faced by media organizations as they evaluate the delivery of hyper-customized news and information.
“It’s the media franchise of the future,” said Peter Vandevanter, MNG’s vice president of targeted products.
Vandevanter highlighted the contrast between last year’s conference, which was largely based on concepts, and this year’s meeting, which boasted five individuated products in the marketplace.
Among those products: MNG’s I-News; The Washington Times’ customized newsweekly; the Knight Foundation’s Printcasting; PersonalNews in Switzerland and Time Inc.’s mine magazine.
“By the end of [last year’s conference] we were debating whether the first individuated news products would be printed on a digital press, or on a home printer — and as I remember it, the group was divided about 50-50,” Vandevanter said. “This year we start with actual products to show and discuss — real market-tested products. And two of them are printed on toner-based digital presses, one on an inkjet press and one on a home printer. So we were all right last year.”
There are no “wrong answers” when it comes to individuated newspapers, Vandevanter said, because products can inhabit any platform, including e-readers, PDAs and PCs.
“Individuated news is platform-agnostic, let’s be clear about that,” he said. “As long as the platform is digital.”
The INC was co-sponsored by Acrisoft, Océ and News & Tech.
Visit http://www.newsandtech.com/NewsonDemand0709.pdf to see our special supplement covering the event. The supplement, News On Demand, will also be included in the July issue of News & Tech.
Washington Times to launch national print edition
WASHINGTON – The Washington Times said it will launch a national edition this fall.
Executive Editor John Solomon said the paper is currently evaluating print sites, but said the national edition would likely run about 36 pages Monday through Friday.
Solomon said that he expects The Times will be able to compete successfully against other national papers such as USA Today and The New York Times because of The Times’ Washington perspective.
More details about The Times plans will be disclosed within the next few weeks, Solomon told News & Tech.
Executive Editor John Solomon said the paper is currently evaluating print sites, but said the national edition would likely run about 36 pages Monday through Friday.
Solomon said that he expects The Times will be able to compete successfully against other national papers such as USA Today and The New York Times because of The Times’ Washington perspective.
More details about The Times plans will be disclosed within the next few weeks, Solomon told News & Tech.
MediaNews first group to partner with Printcasting
WASHINGTON – Printcasting said its publishing software platform will be used by MediaNews Group to support the creation of niche products. MNG is the first publishing group to agree to use Printcasting’s platform, which was initially launched earlier this year at The Bakersfield Californian.
In addition, Printcasting said it established new city Web sites, in MNG markets Denver, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Boulder, Colo., to enable residents to create their own Printcasting publications.
Meantime, Printcasting founder Dan Pacheco said the initiative is also ready to roll out a mobile version of its publishing platform. Finally, Pacheco outlined a 60/30/10 revenue-sharing model in which a Printcasting publisher would keep 60 percent of ad revenues collected from companies marketing their services through niche publications. Content providers would receive 30 percent while Printcasting would collect the remainder.
The Knight Foundation-backed Printcasting allows anyone to be a publisher by tying online content to templates that can be printed or viewed on the Web and mobile devices.
In addition, Printcasting said it established new city Web sites, in MNG markets Denver, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Boulder, Colo., to enable residents to create their own Printcasting publications.
Meantime, Printcasting founder Dan Pacheco said the initiative is also ready to roll out a mobile version of its publishing platform. Finally, Pacheco outlined a 60/30/10 revenue-sharing model in which a Printcasting publisher would keep 60 percent of ad revenues collected from companies marketing their services through niche publications. Content providers would receive 30 percent while Printcasting would collect the remainder.
The Knight Foundation-backed Printcasting allows anyone to be a publisher by tying online content to templates that can be printed or viewed on the Web and mobile devices.
Ifra, WAN to merge operations
As News & Tech reported June 8, Ifra and the World Association of Newspapers have agreed to merge into a single organization, effective July 1.
The new group, called the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) will represent more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 Web sites and more than 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries.
The merged organization said it will retain current headquarters in Paris and Darmstadt, Germany, and WAN CEO Timothy Balding and Ifra CEO Reiner Mittelbach will retain their current positions through 2009. A permanent CEO will be hired next year.
WAN President Gavin O’Reilly, Group CEO of Dublin-based Independent News and Media, will serve as president of the new organization through 2010. He’ll be succeeded by Horst Pirker, president of Ifra and CEO of Styria Medien AG in Austria.
The new group, called the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) will represent more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 Web sites and more than 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries.
The merged organization said it will retain current headquarters in Paris and Darmstadt, Germany, and WAN CEO Timothy Balding and Ifra CEO Reiner Mittelbach will retain their current positions through 2009. A permanent CEO will be hired next year.
WAN President Gavin O’Reilly, Group CEO of Dublin-based Independent News and Media, will serve as president of the new organization through 2010. He’ll be succeeded by Horst Pirker, president of Ifra and CEO of Styria Medien AG in Austria.
N&O launches self-service obits
The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., launched self-service advertising for obituaries using Wave2's iPublish AdPortal.
The site allows funeral home directors to build their own obits anytime, using a credit card or account billing.
"The reception to self-service by the funeral directors was immediate,” said Gary Smith, vice president of classified advertising at The N&O. “We're now looking at other ad types like template-based real estate or retail ads, as well as self-service retail applications we can run on the same iPublish AdPortal system."
The N&O expects the system to pay for itself in the first year through production and makegood savings, Wave2 said.
Look for more information about how publishers are leveraging self-service advertising in the July issue of News & Tech.
The site allows funeral home directors to build their own obits anytime, using a credit card or account billing.
"The reception to self-service by the funeral directors was immediate,” said Gary Smith, vice president of classified advertising at The N&O. “We're now looking at other ad types like template-based real estate or retail ads, as well as self-service retail applications we can run on the same iPublish AdPortal system."
The N&O expects the system to pay for itself in the first year through production and makegood savings, Wave2 said.
Look for more information about how publishers are leveraging self-service advertising in the July issue of News & Tech.
Verve partners with 4 newspaper groups
Verve Wireless announced partnerships with MediaNews Group, A.H. Belo Corp. Hearst Corp., and Cox Newspapers to allow them to send their news and information to mobile users.
The pact will let readers of such properties as The Denver Post, The Dallas Morning News, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and Seattle Post-Intelligencer receive news on their phones, Verve said.
Verve also rolled out a platform enhancement that automatically creates a version of the publisher’s site for the new Safari browser on Apple iPhones, as well as provides mobile video delivery support across the other smart phone devices.
The iPhone module incorporates elements from the Associated Press’ Mobile News Network iPhone app.
The pact will let readers of such properties as The Denver Post, The Dallas Morning News, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and Seattle Post-Intelligencer receive news on their phones, Verve said.
Verve also rolled out a platform enhancement that automatically creates a version of the publisher’s site for the new Safari browser on Apple iPhones, as well as provides mobile video delivery support across the other smart phone devices.
The iPhone module incorporates elements from the Associated Press’ Mobile News Network iPhone app.
MinnPost.com launches new ad feature
Online news site MinnPost.com beefed up its advertising operations by launching Real-Time Ads, a service that lets advertisers update their ad messages with content from other sites such as Twitter.
“Very simply, our goal is to create a fast-paced marketplace, full of advertisers’ messages that are newly posted and thus up-to-date, so that readers will want to keep coming back to check out what’s happening,” said Joel Kramer, editor and CEO of MinnPost.com.
“Very simply, our goal is to create a fast-paced marketplace, full of advertisers’ messages that are newly posted and thus up-to-date, so that readers will want to keep coming back to check out what’s happening,” said Joel Kramer, editor and CEO of MinnPost.com.
Dallas Morning News launches online directory
The Dallas Morning News launched a business service directory based on search software from Local.com.
“Our service directory will connect consumers to the right businesses for the job,” said Fran Willis, The Morning News’ senior vice president for interactive and marketing. “At the same time, it will create opportunities for small- and medium-size businesses to reach customers effectively and affordably.”
“Our service directory will connect consumers to the right businesses for the job,” said Fran Willis, The Morning News’ senior vice president for interactive and marketing. “At the same time, it will create opportunities for small- and medium-size businesses to reach customers effectively and affordably.”
QIPC gets Chinese order
Q.I. Press Controls said it will supply automatic register control equipment to China’s Xinhua News Agency Printing.
QIPC will install a total of 36 IRS cameras on a Seiken 65 press operated by the agency. Xinhua also has QIPC equipment installed on four other presses at its print facility, which produces more than 30 newspapers.
The project will be completed this summer, QIPC said.
QIPC will install a total of 36 IRS cameras on a Seiken 65 press operated by the agency. Xinhua also has QIPC equipment installed on four other presses at its print facility, which produces more than 30 newspapers.
The project will be completed this summer, QIPC said.
2009 Web Offset award winners announced
The Web Offset Association handed out Print Awards to a number of newspaper printers, including The News Review in Roseburg, Ore., Tribune Publishing Co., Evergreen Printing Co. and Transcontinental Inc.
Other award recipients included Action Printing, Alliance Press Inc., Bartash Printing, Butler Color Press, Color Web Printers, Creel Printing, Dome Printing, Dynagraf Inc., Expedi Printing Inc., Gateway Packaging, Journal Graphics, Ripon Printers, Southeast Media, Star Press, Teldon Print Media, Western Web and Wright Graphics.
The 2009 contest was sponsored by Central Ink Corp., Flint Group, Goss International Corp., INX International Ink Co., Kodak, Manugraph DGM, Prime UV Systems and US Ink.
Other award recipients included Action Printing, Alliance Press Inc., Bartash Printing, Butler Color Press, Color Web Printers, Creel Printing, Dome Printing, Dynagraf Inc., Expedi Printing Inc., Gateway Packaging, Journal Graphics, Ripon Printers, Southeast Media, Star Press, Teldon Print Media, Western Web and Wright Graphics.
The 2009 contest was sponsored by Central Ink Corp., Flint Group, Goss International Corp., INX International Ink Co., Kodak, Manugraph DGM, Prime UV Systems and US Ink.
NYT pitching Globe, Telegram?
The New York Times reported that the company wants to sell both The Boston Globe and the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass., in a packaged deal.
New York Times Co. declined to comment on the report, which was based on a confidential letter from Goldman Sachs, the publisher’s investment bankers.
The letter set a July 8 deadline for initial bids.
New York Times Co. declined to comment on the report, which was based on a confidential letter from Goldman Sachs, the publisher’s investment bankers.
The letter set a July 8 deadline for initial bids.
Fuji greening up in Greenwood
Fujifilm Corp. today announced that its primary U.S. manufacturing complex, located in Greenwood, S.C., began using methane gas from a local community landfill to power approximately 40 percent of its operations. Company officials joined local government leaders and guests to celebrate the project’s completion at the Greenwood County Landfill. Fuji first announced that it would begin taking steps to reduce greenhouse emissions at its facilities worldwide in 2007 (see News & Tech, September 2007). In the United States, the company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by 2012.
In Brief
In Brief
The Denver Newspaper Agency named Kirk MacDonald vice president of sales, marketing and digital sales. He formerly served as president and CEO of the agency between 2000 and 2006.
Eastman Kodak Co. named Joel Seligman, the president of the University of Rochester, to the company's board of directors, effective July 1.
CGS Publishing Technologies International said Fujifilm Canada will begin selling CGS’ Oris software in Canada.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.fujigraphics.com
Quincy (Ill.) Newspapers Inc. deployed videoconferencing systems from LifeSize HD to reduce travel expenses.
www.lifesize.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is teaming up with software developer Kaesu to launch a set of small business applications. The companies’ CoolerAds Business Tools will allow local businesses to manage their print and online ad campaigns, the firms said.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
www.kaesu.com
WoodWing is integrating software from eZ Systems, a Norway-based developer, to enable customers to deliver content across multiple platforms. eZ’s eZ Publish stores content in generic XML. The software is now part of WoodWing’s Enterprise Content Publishing Platform through a plug-in extension, WoodWing said.
www.woodwing.com
PuzzleFlow Solutions USA released WebPairer 3.0. The app builds on PuzzleFlow Automator, which helps newspapers automate prepress operations to cut costs.
www.puzzleflow.us
Yahoo Inc. launched self-service advertising service My Display Ads, using software from Seattle-based AdReady. Advertisers can create and customize campaigns from more than 800 display templates and can also elect CPM or CPC-based pricing.
http://mydisplayads.yahoo.com
Protecmedia said German Media group Verlagsgruppe Rhein Main will install its Milenium Cross Media multichannel editorial software in January.
www.protecmedia.com
GateHouse Media launched Cape Cod Day, a daily newspaper serving the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts. The paper will be produced through the summer, with a 25,000-copy press run.
The Santa Barbara (Calif.) News-Press tapped CIPS Marketing Group to distribute its advertising TMC program, News-Press Direct.
Harland-Simon said it completed a press control expansion and reconfiguration project at Archant Print in the United Kingdom. The project included bringing all of the press units and folders under a single control point.
www.harlandsimon.com
The Denver Newspaper Agency named Kirk MacDonald vice president of sales, marketing and digital sales. He formerly served as president and CEO of the agency between 2000 and 2006.
Eastman Kodak Co. named Joel Seligman, the president of the University of Rochester, to the company's board of directors, effective July 1.
CGS Publishing Technologies International said Fujifilm Canada will begin selling CGS’ Oris software in Canada.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.fujigraphics.com
Quincy (Ill.) Newspapers Inc. deployed videoconferencing systems from LifeSize HD to reduce travel expenses.
www.lifesize.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is teaming up with software developer Kaesu to launch a set of small business applications. The companies’ CoolerAds Business Tools will allow local businesses to manage their print and online ad campaigns, the firms said.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
www.kaesu.com
WoodWing is integrating software from eZ Systems, a Norway-based developer, to enable customers to deliver content across multiple platforms. eZ’s eZ Publish stores content in generic XML. The software is now part of WoodWing’s Enterprise Content Publishing Platform through a plug-in extension, WoodWing said.
www.woodwing.com
PuzzleFlow Solutions USA released WebPairer 3.0. The app builds on PuzzleFlow Automator, which helps newspapers automate prepress operations to cut costs.
www.puzzleflow.us
Yahoo Inc. launched self-service advertising service My Display Ads, using software from Seattle-based AdReady. Advertisers can create and customize campaigns from more than 800 display templates and can also elect CPM or CPC-based pricing.
http://mydisplayads.yahoo.com
Protecmedia said German Media group Verlagsgruppe Rhein Main will install its Milenium Cross Media multichannel editorial software in January.
www.protecmedia.com
GateHouse Media launched Cape Cod Day, a daily newspaper serving the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts. The paper will be produced through the summer, with a 25,000-copy press run.
The Santa Barbara (Calif.) News-Press tapped CIPS Marketing Group to distribute its advertising TMC program, News-Press Direct.
Harland-Simon said it completed a press control expansion and reconfiguration project at Archant Print in the United Kingdom. The project included bringing all of the press units and folders under a single control point.
www.harlandsimon.com
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Catch breaking INC coverage on Twitter
Click here to catch up on all breaking news coming out of the third Individuated News Conference in Washington D.C. or follow News & Tech at www.twitter.com/newsandtech
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009 — Print/Graph Expo backer focusing on newspapers
The Graphic Arts Show Co., the organizer of the annual Graph Expo and quadrennial Print exhibitions, said it plans to have a newspaper pavilion at the 2010 event, as well as more newspaper production-specific educational seminars, in an effort to fill the gap left by the demise of Nexpo.
Ralph J. Nappi, GASC president, said he’s already been in contact with newspaper industry vendors and major publishers to elicit support, and he said he’s received positive response.
Our plan is to have a separate newspaper pavilion,” he told News & Tech. “We’re identifying the key players and we expect to have more information in the next few weeks.
“It’s not about one show or the other,” he said. “We’ve heard from many companies over the past several years that they would rather focus on attending a Graph Expo or Print because there is more potential for business. Certainly the press vendors are interested.
“We have received a positive indication from the marketplace that Graph Expo would be an ideal and natural venue to have a newspaper pavilion and we are ready to do that.”
For this year’s Print ’09 conference, slated for Sept. 11-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, GASC is scheduling a newspaper production segment in concert with News & Tech.
News & Tech will have more information about the session, which will take place Monday, Sept. 14, in the next few weeks.
Ralph J. Nappi, GASC president, said he’s already been in contact with newspaper industry vendors and major publishers to elicit support, and he said he’s received positive response.
Our plan is to have a separate newspaper pavilion,” he told News & Tech. “We’re identifying the key players and we expect to have more information in the next few weeks.
“It’s not about one show or the other,” he said. “We’ve heard from many companies over the past several years that they would rather focus on attending a Graph Expo or Print because there is more potential for business. Certainly the press vendors are interested.
“We have received a positive indication from the marketplace that Graph Expo would be an ideal and natural venue to have a newspaper pavilion and we are ready to do that.”
For this year’s Print ’09 conference, slated for Sept. 11-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, GASC is scheduling a newspaper production segment in concert with News & Tech.
News & Tech will have more information about the session, which will take place Monday, Sept. 14, in the next few weeks.
Cape Cod Times upgrading press
The Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Mass., is upgrading press and other control systems on two Goss International Corp. Metro presses with equipment and software from Harland Simon.
The project, to begin this fall, will include replacement of press controls, circumferential and sidelay motorization of four units and the installation of six Prima 6000 operator consoles, according to John Staiano, senior vice president of Harland Simon.
The control desks will be equipped with the vendor’s online proofing app as well as Prima Esprit and ColorWare software. The Esprit and ColorWare products calculate the best way to produce a particular job based on press capabilities and preferred printing methods.
The Times is the second Dow Jones Local Media Group paper to upgrade its press controls with Harland Simon.
Harland Simon said the upgrade will conclude later this year.
For more information about the upgrade, see the July issue of News & Tech.
The project, to begin this fall, will include replacement of press controls, circumferential and sidelay motorization of four units and the installation of six Prima 6000 operator consoles, according to John Staiano, senior vice president of Harland Simon.
The control desks will be equipped with the vendor’s online proofing app as well as Prima Esprit and ColorWare software. The Esprit and ColorWare products calculate the best way to produce a particular job based on press capabilities and preferred printing methods.
The Times is the second Dow Jones Local Media Group paper to upgrade its press controls with Harland Simon.
Harland Simon said the upgrade will conclude later this year.
For more information about the upgrade, see the July issue of News & Tech.
Yahoo adding 5 more pubs
Five newspapers signed on with the Yahoo Newspaper Consortium, bringing the number of publications working with the online search company to 814.
The new members — The Orange County (Calif.) Register, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., The San Diego Union-Tribune and North Jersey Media Group pubs The Record and The Herald News — will now begin using Yahoo’s HotJobs employment channel and advertising behavioral targeting platform on their Web sites.
“We look forward to taking full advantage of Yahoo's capacity to expand our online reach even further, and we're especially interested in the growth opportunities from Yahoo's behavioral targeting capabilities,” said Stephen A. Borg, president and publisher of North Jersey Media Group.
So far, 592 of Newspaper Consortium members use Yahoo HotJobs as their online recruitment platform while 288 newspaper sites use Yahoo’s contextual advertising and Web search services.
Yahoo also said that more than 160 newspapers have gone live with its APT ad management platform.
The new members — The Orange County (Calif.) Register, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., The San Diego Union-Tribune and North Jersey Media Group pubs The Record and The Herald News — will now begin using Yahoo’s HotJobs employment channel and advertising behavioral targeting platform on their Web sites.
“We look forward to taking full advantage of Yahoo's capacity to expand our online reach even further, and we're especially interested in the growth opportunities from Yahoo's behavioral targeting capabilities,” said Stephen A. Borg, president and publisher of North Jersey Media Group.
So far, 592 of Newspaper Consortium members use Yahoo HotJobs as their online recruitment platform while 288 newspaper sites use Yahoo’s contextual advertising and Web search services.
Yahoo also said that more than 160 newspapers have gone live with its APT ad management platform.
Naples Daily News previews building
The Naples (Fla.) Daily News last week showcased its new, 186,000-square-foot headquarters facility to a local marketing group, two months before the paper is expected to go on-edition with its WIFAG evolution 371 press.
E.W. Scripps budgeted $95 million for the building, which will house the paper’s editorial, administrative and production operations. Dario Designs Inc. designed the structure, based in North Naples.
E.W. Scripps budgeted $95 million for the building, which will house the paper’s editorial, administrative and production operations. Dario Designs Inc. designed the structure, based in North Naples.
Kodak intros faster print head, sets digital press release date
CHICAGO — Kodak last week unveiled the latest iteration of its Stream inkjet high-speed on-press variable printing system and also said its full-color digital press would be released next year.
The vendor, at a Print ’09 media preview here, said it is rebranding all of its Stream technology under the Kodak Prosper banner.
The first product under that moniker, the Prosper S10 Imprinting System, is the second generation of the variable printing system Kodak introduced in 2008 in a partnership with manroland.
The monochrome S10, available now, sports a resolution of 600 dpi and can be used at speeds in excess of 90,000 copies per hour. Kodak said it would introduce a spot color option later this year.
Meantime, Kodak moved up the release date of its full-color, continuous inkjet digital press. The machine, now called the Prosper Press, will be released in early 2010, Kodak said.
The vendor, at a Print ’09 media preview here, said it is rebranding all of its Stream technology under the Kodak Prosper banner.
The first product under that moniker, the Prosper S10 Imprinting System, is the second generation of the variable printing system Kodak introduced in 2008 in a partnership with manroland.
The monochrome S10, available now, sports a resolution of 600 dpi and can be used at speeds in excess of 90,000 copies per hour. Kodak said it would introduce a spot color option later this year.
Meantime, Kodak moved up the release date of its full-color, continuous inkjet digital press. The machine, now called the Prosper Press, will be released in early 2010, Kodak said.
Panamanian publisher goes Goss
Panamanian newspaper publisher Grupo Editorial El Siglo-La Estrella went on-edition with a 28-unit Community SSC press from Goss International Corp. The machine, configured as seven four-high towers and two folders, enables the publisher to print both El Siglo and La Estrella in full color.
“The investment in the press came about as part of a project to redesign El Siglo and La Estrella,” said Juan Luis Correa, general manager of the papers. “Not only have we gained increased color and enhanced print quality with the new press, but with the high speeds and reduced makereadies, we are also benefiting from many production improvements. We are very happy with the results so far.”
Goss also announced it’s designed a new version of its Universal press, the Universal XL, engineered as a doublewide, single-around machine. Italian commercial printer Union Printing will be the first customer to take delivery of the specially configured press, Goss said. Union’s machine will go on-edition this summer.
“The investment in the press came about as part of a project to redesign El Siglo and La Estrella,” said Juan Luis Correa, general manager of the papers. “Not only have we gained increased color and enhanced print quality with the new press, but with the high speeds and reduced makereadies, we are also benefiting from many production improvements. We are very happy with the results so far.”
Goss also announced it’s designed a new version of its Universal press, the Universal XL, engineered as a doublewide, single-around machine. Italian commercial printer Union Printing will be the first customer to take delivery of the specially configured press, Goss said. Union’s machine will go on-edition this summer.
Star Trib hopes to exit bankruptcy this fall
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune said it hopes to exit bankruptcy this fall after filing a reorganization plan that will place ownership of the paper under a group consisting of its key creditors.
The newspaper said the publisher would emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with $100 million in debt, down considerably from the more than $400 million in debt it faced prior to its bankruptcy filing last fall.
The Star Tribune's current owners, majority stakeholder Avista Capital Partners and the Chris Harte Family Trust, would be replaced by a group of first-lien creditors, the newspaper said.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 29 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.
The newspaper said the publisher would emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with $100 million in debt, down considerably from the more than $400 million in debt it faced prior to its bankruptcy filing last fall.
The Star Tribune's current owners, majority stakeholder Avista Capital Partners and the Chris Harte Family Trust, would be replaced by a group of first-lien creditors, the newspaper said.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 29 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.
Lightning strikes Portugal daily
Portugal daily Publico in Lisbon purchased Digital Technology International’s DTI Lightning software in order to allow the daily to stream news and information through multiple channels.
“This will replace the need to export XML data to a separate Web publishing system, and this will allow us to publish breaking news online more quickly, reduce the potential for error and minimize our costs,” said Luis Paulo Oliveira, Publico IT systems manager.
Publico has been a DTI customer for more than 10 years, using a mix of the vendor’s advertising, editorial and production software.
“This will replace the need to export XML data to a separate Web publishing system, and this will allow us to publish breaking news online more quickly, reduce the potential for error and minimize our costs,” said Luis Paulo Oliveira, Publico IT systems manager.
Publico has been a DTI customer for more than 10 years, using a mix of the vendor’s advertising, editorial and production software.
KBA completes Dallas move
KBA North America said it’s completed its move to a new 60,000-square-foot headquarters in Dallas. The new mailing address is P.O. Box 619006, Dallas, Texas, 75261. The physical delivery address is 2555 Regent Blvd., DFW Airport, Texas 75261. The phone numbers are 800.522.7521 or 469.532.8100. The building houses all sales, service and marketing operations supporting KBA’s web offset and sheetfed presses.
“We are pleased to be officially opening our new centrally located, state-of-the-art headquarters in Dallas,” said Holger Garbrecht, KBA North America president and chief executive officer.
“We are pleased to be officially opening our new centrally located, state-of-the-art headquarters in Dallas,” said Holger Garbrecht, KBA North America president and chief executive officer.
Prime UV sending system to Brehm
Prime UV said it’s manufacturing a Perfection UV drying system for PAGE Cooperative member Brehm Communications, which will use the system on its Manugraph DGM 430 press.
San Diego-based Brehm prints more than 60 newspapers, shoppers and niche publications in seven states.
Brehm joins other PAGE members, including Colorado Mountain News Media, Crow River Press, Eagle Web Press and Community Publishers, with Perfection drying systems on their coldset presses.
San Diego-based Brehm prints more than 60 newspapers, shoppers and niche publications in seven states.
Brehm joins other PAGE members, including Colorado Mountain News Media, Crow River Press, Eagle Web Press and Community Publishers, with Perfection drying systems on their coldset presses.
Atex sets management, marketing team
Atex said it’s created a global product management and marketing team that will oversee sales and support of its stable of products.
Team members include Peter Marsh, head of global product management; David Montgomery, chief architect; Lars Jiborn, global product manager, advertising; Anders Weiznitz, global product manager, Web content management; Gustaf Sahlman, global product manager, Atex digital news and advertising; Christer Norbert, global product manager, Atex OneView, Davide Garavaglia, global product manager, editorial content management and managed services; and Peter Joseph, global marketing and communications manager.
Team members include Peter Marsh, head of global product management; David Montgomery, chief architect; Lars Jiborn, global product manager, advertising; Anders Weiznitz, global product manager, Web content management; Gustaf Sahlman, global product manager, Atex digital news and advertising; Christer Norbert, global product manager, Atex OneView, Davide Garavaglia, global product manager, editorial content management and managed services; and Peter Joseph, global marketing and communications manager.
Tribune consolidates in Fla.
Production operations of the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel will now fall under the control of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale after Tribune Co. consolidated some management functions.
The move eliminated the job of Kelly Benson, who served as the Sentinel’s vice president of operations.
Under Benson’s oversight, the Sentinel streamlined operations and also served as Tribune’s test site for emerging technologies such as scented ink and the use of Chinese newsprint.
Benson can be reached at kellyfbenson@yahoo.com.
The move eliminated the job of Kelly Benson, who served as the Sentinel’s vice president of operations.
Under Benson’s oversight, the Sentinel streamlined operations and also served as Tribune’s test site for emerging technologies such as scented ink and the use of Chinese newsprint.
Benson can be reached at kellyfbenson@yahoo.com.
In Brief
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. named Steffen Weisser vice president of global operations and Peter Hultberg vice president of global sales and marketing.
Hearst Corp. named Beth Polish director of corporate innovation and senior vice president of Hearst Interactive Media.
Freedom Communications Inc. named Burl Osborne interim chief executive officer.
The San Francisco Chronicle told News & Tech that it will release an announcement about its new printing and distribution infrastructure later this week. Transcontinental Inc. built a $200 million facility in Fremont, Calif., to print the daily, but neither Hearst Corp. nor Transcontinental has publicly said when the plant will open for business. Web sites operated by unions representing Chronicle press operators said the new facility will begin producing the Chronicle July 1.
German publisher M. DuMont Schauberg went on-edition with its six-wide Cortina press from Koenig & Bauer AG.
Mediaspectrum Inc. released ContentWatch 2.0, an upgraded version of its Web-based content management software.
www.mediaspectrum.net
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail unveiled a procurement policy governing the purchase of newsprint and other paper stocks, requiring its suppliers to be environmentally responsible. The newspaper is the first major North American daily to develop an ancient forest-friendly policy, according to environmental publishing advocate Canopy.
The Associated Press said it wants to strike more lucrative licensing deals with Web sites to offset the loss of revenues from newspapers and broadcasters. Currently, AP’s four largest online deals are with Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL, AP said. In addition, the agency said it would reduce its fees by $45 million for newspapers and broadcasters in 2010.
Nstein Technologies Inc. said the Financial Times’ FT Search Inc. is using its Text Mining Engine app for the beta launch of its Newssift business insight tool.
www.nstein.com
MaineToday Media Inc. completed its purchase of the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Herald and two other daily papers in Maine from the Seattle Times Co. Richard L. Connor, who leads MaineToday, said he expects all the papers to be profitably by year-end. Connor also owns The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Italian newspaper publisher Societa Editrice Corriere del Ticino purchased an evolution 371 press from WIFAG, the press supplier said. The new press is configured as four four-high towers with one jaw folder. The machine, to go on-edition in June 2010, can produce up to 95,000, 128-page tabloid copies per hour, all in full color.
www.wifag.ch
Hearst Corp. named Beth Polish director of corporate innovation and senior vice president of Hearst Interactive Media.
Freedom Communications Inc. named Burl Osborne interim chief executive officer.
The San Francisco Chronicle told News & Tech that it will release an announcement about its new printing and distribution infrastructure later this week. Transcontinental Inc. built a $200 million facility in Fremont, Calif., to print the daily, but neither Hearst Corp. nor Transcontinental has publicly said when the plant will open for business. Web sites operated by unions representing Chronicle press operators said the new facility will begin producing the Chronicle July 1.
German publisher M. DuMont Schauberg went on-edition with its six-wide Cortina press from Koenig & Bauer AG.
Mediaspectrum Inc. released ContentWatch 2.0, an upgraded version of its Web-based content management software.
www.mediaspectrum.net
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail unveiled a procurement policy governing the purchase of newsprint and other paper stocks, requiring its suppliers to be environmentally responsible. The newspaper is the first major North American daily to develop an ancient forest-friendly policy, according to environmental publishing advocate Canopy.
The Associated Press said it wants to strike more lucrative licensing deals with Web sites to offset the loss of revenues from newspapers and broadcasters. Currently, AP’s four largest online deals are with Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL, AP said. In addition, the agency said it would reduce its fees by $45 million for newspapers and broadcasters in 2010.
Nstein Technologies Inc. said the Financial Times’ FT Search Inc. is using its Text Mining Engine app for the beta launch of its Newssift business insight tool.
www.nstein.com
MaineToday Media Inc. completed its purchase of the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Herald and two other daily papers in Maine from the Seattle Times Co. Richard L. Connor, who leads MaineToday, said he expects all the papers to be profitably by year-end. Connor also owns The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Italian newspaper publisher Societa Editrice Corriere del Ticino purchased an evolution 371 press from WIFAG, the press supplier said. The new press is configured as four four-high towers with one jaw folder. The machine, to go on-edition in June 2010, can produce up to 95,000, 128-page tabloid copies per hour, all in full color.
www.wifag.ch
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009 — Buffalo News to begin printing NYT
The Buffalo (N.Y.) News said it will begin printing national editions of The New York Times slated for distribution in the Buffalo, Rochester and Toronto regions beginning this fall.
At deadline, it was unclear what impact the agreement might have on an existing printing and distribution contract The Times signed with Transcontinental Inc. in 2005 that covers the same geographic area.
“Printing the New York Times at our press facility is good news for both our employees and the region,” said Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, senior vice president/marketing at The News. “It underscores our commitments to broaden our business model in these tough economic times and to remain a strong member of the local business community.”
Terms of the contract weren’t disclosed. The News upgraded one of its Koenig & Bauer AG Colora presses to produce The Times, installing a color couple to provide an additional four pages of color.
At deadline, it was unclear what impact the agreement might have on an existing printing and distribution contract The Times signed with Transcontinental Inc. in 2005 that covers the same geographic area.
“Printing the New York Times at our press facility is good news for both our employees and the region,” said Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, senior vice president/marketing at The News. “It underscores our commitments to broaden our business model in these tough economic times and to remain a strong member of the local business community.”
Terms of the contract weren’t disclosed. The News upgraded one of its Koenig & Bauer AG Colora presses to produce The Times, installing a color couple to provide an additional four pages of color.
Transcon ready to disclose Fremont plans
Transcontinental Inc., which is expected to begin printing the San Francisco Chronicle later this month in Fremont, Calif., disclosed it’s in discussions with other northern California newspapers that might want to move their production to the new plant.
According to a Canadian Press story posted last Friday, Transcontinental Chief Executive Officer and President Francois Olivier said the firm is talking to local publishers about printing their newspapers.
Transcontinental declined additional comment, but told News & Tech it expects to release information about the Fremont plant later this week.
The developments come as Transcontinental posted a loss of $144 million during the second quarter. The printer said it would cut its staff by another 250 workers as a result of the loss. Earlier this year Transcontinental cut its workforce by 1,500 and closed several plants.
According to a Canadian Press story posted last Friday, Transcontinental Chief Executive Officer and President Francois Olivier said the firm is talking to local publishers about printing their newspapers.
Transcontinental declined additional comment, but told News & Tech it expects to release information about the Fremont plant later this week.
The developments come as Transcontinental posted a loss of $144 million during the second quarter. The printer said it would cut its staff by another 250 workers as a result of the loss. Earlier this year Transcontinental cut its workforce by 1,500 and closed several plants.
Miami Herald debuts South Florida Blogs
The Miami Herald kicked off a blog aggregation site, South Florida Blogs, which corrals more than 250 local blogs.
“There’s a huge number of blogs on every conceivable topic in South Florida and while you may have a favorite one or two it’s difficult keeping track of all of them,” said Rick Hirsch, The Herald’s multimedia editor. “We thought that it would be useful to provide a window to people about what is being said in the South Florida blogosphere.”
Blogs are arranged in categories ranging from art and entertainment, business, health and specific interests like Cuba, nightlife and the environment.
The Herald worked with BlogNetNews for eight months to develop the site, find the most appropriate blogs and then categorize them.
News & Tech will have more information about The Herald’s plans in the July issue.
“There’s a huge number of blogs on every conceivable topic in South Florida and while you may have a favorite one or two it’s difficult keeping track of all of them,” said Rick Hirsch, The Herald’s multimedia editor. “We thought that it would be useful to provide a window to people about what is being said in the South Florida blogosphere.”
Blogs are arranged in categories ranging from art and entertainment, business, health and specific interests like Cuba, nightlife and the environment.
The Herald worked with BlogNetNews for eight months to develop the site, find the most appropriate blogs and then categorize them.
News & Tech will have more information about The Herald’s plans in the July issue.
USA Today to charge for e-edition
Newly minted USA Today Publisher David Hunke told reporters last week that the newspaper would introduce a subscription-based electronic edition beginning Aug. 3.
The e-edition would be sent by e-mail and priced below the printed edition of the paper, which now costs $1.
Hunke said he doesn’t have any plans to charge readers to access USA Today’s main Web site, according to The Associated Press.
Hunke, formerly president of Detroit Media Partnership, took over USA Today in April.
The e-edition would be sent by e-mail and priced below the printed edition of the paper, which now costs $1.
Hunke said he doesn’t have any plans to charge readers to access USA Today’s main Web site, according to The Associated Press.
Hunke, formerly president of Detroit Media Partnership, took over USA Today in April.
Pa. daily goes subscription route for ink optimization
The Erie (Pa.) Times-News deployed Presteligence’s Ink-Miser app through a subscription-based model that allows the daily to optimize a certain number of pages each month for a set service fee.
Although the Times-News hasn’t been able to determine concrete numbers yet, Rich Forsgren, director of technology for the daily’s parent, Times Publishing Co., said he’s confident the software will generate significant savings.
“We can’t justify it yet because we just started using it but I know we’ll save on ink,” he said. “And the quality of the images has improved.”
The Times-News can opt to continue with the subscription-based service or purchase the software if it so chooses, Forsgren said.
Ink-Miser runs on the paper’s Presteligence NewsXtreme workflow server and optimizes files with GCR using device-link profiles.
News & Tech will have more information about the Times-News’ deployment of Ink-Miser in the July issue.
Although the Times-News hasn’t been able to determine concrete numbers yet, Rich Forsgren, director of technology for the daily’s parent, Times Publishing Co., said he’s confident the software will generate significant savings.
“We can’t justify it yet because we just started using it but I know we’ll save on ink,” he said. “And the quality of the images has improved.”
The Times-News can opt to continue with the subscription-based service or purchase the software if it so chooses, Forsgren said.
Ink-Miser runs on the paper’s Presteligence NewsXtreme workflow server and optimizes files with GCR using device-link profiles.
News & Tech will have more information about the Times-News’ deployment of Ink-Miser in the July issue.
Freedom, McClatchy tap NewsWay
ProImage last month announced sales of NewsWay to Freedom Communications Inc.’s North Carolina unit and McClatchy Co.’s Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss.
Freedom ENC Communications Inc. will use a browser-based NewsWay app to consolidate production of The Daily News in Jacksonville, The Free Press in Kinston, and The Sun Journal in New Bern, together with commercial work at its Jacksonville plant.
Freedom already uses NewsWay at a number of its other properties, including those in California, Arizona, Florida and Texas.
The Sun Herald, meantime, will leverage NewsWay to manage workflow from prepress to two Agfa 3850 filmsetters, to automate imposition and increase workflow efficiencies. NewsWay will transfer output to computer-to-plate later this year when the daily converts to Screen platesetters.
Freedom ENC Communications Inc. will use a browser-based NewsWay app to consolidate production of The Daily News in Jacksonville, The Free Press in Kinston, and The Sun Journal in New Bern, together with commercial work at its Jacksonville plant.
Freedom already uses NewsWay at a number of its other properties, including those in California, Arizona, Florida and Texas.
The Sun Herald, meantime, will leverage NewsWay to manage workflow from prepress to two Agfa 3850 filmsetters, to automate imposition and increase workflow efficiencies. NewsWay will transfer output to computer-to-plate later this year when the daily converts to Screen platesetters.
MediaNews Group signs 14 onto Impact Engine
MediaNews Group placed 14 of its newspaper Web sites on Impact Engine’s online display advertising platform.
The move came after MNG’s Monterey County (Calif.) Herald recorded a 260 percent increase in spec ad production, the vendor said.
"Transitioning to the Yahoo APT serving system, we needed a certified partner that met the system’s specifications and guidelines," said Steve Bennett, advertising manager at the Herald. "Impact Engine’s Yahoo-certified ad creative ensured that deploying ads into the new APT platform was seamless."
The Yahoo Newspaper Consortium certified impact Engine as a third-party vendor in March 2008.
The move came after MNG’s Monterey County (Calif.) Herald recorded a 260 percent increase in spec ad production, the vendor said.
"Transitioning to the Yahoo APT serving system, we needed a certified partner that met the system’s specifications and guidelines," said Steve Bennett, advertising manager at the Herald. "Impact Engine’s Yahoo-certified ad creative ensured that deploying ads into the new APT platform was seamless."
The Yahoo Newspaper Consortium certified impact Engine as a third-party vendor in March 2008.
QIPC gets Dutch pact
Q.I. Press Controls said it received its first order from the Netherlands and its first manroland press project following the purchase of an mRC color and cutoff registration system by Drukkerij Vorsselmans in Zundert.
The systems will be installed across three towers of the publisher’s Regioman press in a project to be completed this summer.
The systems will be installed across three towers of the publisher’s Regioman press in a project to be completed this summer.
Press-Enterprise ramps up local search engine
The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif., rolled out a local search engine using software from Local.com.
“Online search is a key way in which our community gets information, and we are committed to providing visitors to our site with the best possible user experience, including direct access to local business information,” said Ginger Neal, The P-E’s vice president of multimedia and general manager of niche publications. “We are also committed to providing local advertisers with access to these searching consumers.”
“Online search is a key way in which our community gets information, and we are committed to providing visitors to our site with the best possible user experience, including direct access to local business information,” said Ginger Neal, The P-E’s vice president of multimedia and general manager of niche publications. “We are also committed to providing local advertisers with access to these searching consumers.”
N.H. daily streamlining ads with SCS
The (Manchester) New Hampshire Union Leader is live with Software Consulting Services SCS/Track software. The app was rolled out to 25 users including ad builders, creative service staff and sales staff.
Robin Wilson of the Union Leader said SCS/Track will streamline the daily’s ad production process.
“In this economy, we don’t have the manpower anymore to waste time looking for an ad,” she said.
The creative staff is using SCS/Track to create, modify, proof and archive all locally built ads, while the sales team is using it to track ads from order entry through publication, SCS said.
Robin Wilson of the Union Leader said SCS/Track will streamline the daily’s ad production process.
“In this economy, we don’t have the manpower anymore to waste time looking for an ad,” she said.
The creative staff is using SCS/Track to create, modify, proof and archive all locally built ads, while the sales team is using it to track ads from order entry through publication, SCS said.
Finnish pubs streamlining content with Saxotech
Ilkka-Yhtymä of Finland, which publishes daily newspapers Ilkka in Seinäjoki and Pohjalainen in Vaasa, and seven local and city newspapers, implemented Saxotech’s Mediaware Center platform to support editorial and content creation.
Some 150 users will access the software for planning, creation and production, Saxotech said.
"The new editorial system will be our main platform within planning, information handling, content production and publishing,” said Ari Monni, director of development and IT at Ilkka-Yhtymä OyJ.
Go-live is slated for October.
Some 150 users will access the software for planning, creation and production, Saxotech said.
"The new editorial system will be our main platform within planning, information handling, content production and publishing,” said Ari Monni, director of development and IT at Ilkka-Yhtymä OyJ.
Go-live is slated for October.
PAGE members opt for SES’ inkjet labeling
The Union in Grass Valley, Calif., West Hawaii Today in Kailua-Kona, and Quality Web Printing in Elkton, Ky., all purchased Specialty Equipment Services’ XiJet inkjet address labeling systems for online addressing. The machines have been integrated into the delivery of Muller 227 inserters for address labeling of both TMC and daily newspapers, SES said.
“The labeling head is sweet,” said Mike Finch of Quality Web Printing. “It’s saving us at least eight to 10 hours a week in labor.”
West Hawaii Today moved from hand inserting a small quarter-fold tabloid TMC and applying labels with Wing mail label applicators to running the product on the inserter and printing the label directly on the product, SES said.
“We’re saving $500 a week on average in inserting and labeling cost,” said John Shackelford, the paper’s circulation manager.
XiJet can be integrated into existing inserters, stitch-trim machines and mail bases.
All three printers are PAGE Cooperative members.
“The labeling head is sweet,” said Mike Finch of Quality Web Printing. “It’s saving us at least eight to 10 hours a week in labor.”
West Hawaii Today moved from hand inserting a small quarter-fold tabloid TMC and applying labels with Wing mail label applicators to running the product on the inserter and printing the label directly on the product, SES said.
“We’re saving $500 a week on average in inserting and labeling cost,” said John Shackelford, the paper’s circulation manager.
XiJet can be integrated into existing inserters, stitch-trim machines and mail bases.
All three printers are PAGE Cooperative members.
DTI announces sales
Digital Technology International announced recent go-lives and upgrades in Australia, North America, the Middle East and Europe.
Delo in Slovenia, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany, the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat, Hagadone Corp.’s Coeur D'Alene (Idaho) Press and Khaleej Times in Dubai have all rolled out version 7 of DTI ContentPublisher.
Fairfax Media in Melbourne, Australia; the Island Packet in Hilton Head, S.C.; the Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette, the Public Opinion in Chambersburg, Pa.; The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune and newspapers owned by Forum Communications in Fargo, N.D., went live with DTI Circulation, while The Boston Globe and Le Droit in Ottawa, Ontario, both upgraded their existing DTI Circulation apps.
The Calgary (Alberta) Sun; West Hawaii Today in Kailua-Kona, the (Hilo) Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo and Hastings (Neb.) Tribune are all live on DTI Advertising.
Finally, the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times is live on iServices Classified Web Order Entry and Southern Newspapers Inc. in Houston upgraded to Ad Management 3.5.
Delo in Slovenia, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany, the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat, Hagadone Corp.’s Coeur D'Alene (Idaho) Press and Khaleej Times in Dubai have all rolled out version 7 of DTI ContentPublisher.
Fairfax Media in Melbourne, Australia; the Island Packet in Hilton Head, S.C.; the Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette, the Public Opinion in Chambersburg, Pa.; The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune and newspapers owned by Forum Communications in Fargo, N.D., went live with DTI Circulation, while The Boston Globe and Le Droit in Ottawa, Ontario, both upgraded their existing DTI Circulation apps.
The Calgary (Alberta) Sun; West Hawaii Today in Kailua-Kona, the (Hilo) Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo and Hastings (Neb.) Tribune are all live on DTI Advertising.
Finally, the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times is live on iServices Classified Web Order Entry and Southern Newspapers Inc. in Houston upgraded to Ad Management 3.5.
Obituary: James Schurz
James M. “Jim” Schurz, a senior vice president and board member of Schurz Communications Inc., passed away last week in Williamsport, Md.
Mr. Schurz was 76. Schurz publishes 10 newspapers, including The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune, the Herald-Mail in Hagerstown, Md., and the Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind.
Mr. Schurz was 76. Schurz publishes 10 newspapers, including The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune, the Herald-Mail in Hagerstown, Md., and the Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind.
In Brief
The Providence (R.I.) Journal promoted Wayne D. Pelland to senior vice president of operations.
The Wall Street Journal named Almar Latour editor-in-chief, Asia; and Rebecca Blumenstein managing editor, WSJ.com.
The Delta Democrat Times in Greenville, Miss., purchased a Screen PlateRite News 2000S platesetter and Southern Lithoplates Viper 830 plates through SLP’s Strategic Alliance.
www.slp.com
Sears and AOL News launched Good News Now.
www.gnn.com
The Wall Street Journal named Almar Latour editor-in-chief, Asia; and Rebecca Blumenstein managing editor, WSJ.com.
The Delta Democrat Times in Greenville, Miss., purchased a Screen PlateRite News 2000S platesetter and Southern Lithoplates Viper 830 plates through SLP’s Strategic Alliance.
www.slp.com
Sears and AOL News launched Good News Now.
www.gnn.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8, 2009 — Online payment model proposed
A former newspaper editor and Silicon Valley entrepreneur is proposing that newspapers create a cooperative payment and authentication venture through which they can charge for online content.
Alan Mutter, a northern California consultant who worked at the San Francisco Chronicle and Chicago Sun-Times before serving as an executive at a cable television provider, said his proposal, dubbed ViewPass, would enable readers to easily pay for and access content from multiple newspaper Web sites.
“ViewPass would be a single, ubiquitous brand to enable consumers to access valuable content on the Web sites and mobile platforms of all participating publishers,” Mutter wrote on his blog.
“It would be deployed as a widely recognized and widely accepted brand in a manner similar to the way Visa cards were established by the banking industry as a ready substitute for cash.”
The mechanism would also support payments for individual articles, subscriptions or bundles of content, Mutter said.
Mutter and partner Ridgely Evers presented the ViewPass concept before a group of newspaper publishers at a May 28 meeting quietly convened by the Newspaper Association of America to discuss how the industry can monetize Web content.
Mutter said ViewPass would enable readers to register once, and that the system would remember them as they moved among participating Web sites. More importantly, the software would build a profile of individual users, thus enabling “superior ad targeting,” he wrote.
News & Tech will have more information about ViewPass and other ways the industry might be able to monetize their online content in the July issue.
Alan Mutter, a northern California consultant who worked at the San Francisco Chronicle and Chicago Sun-Times before serving as an executive at a cable television provider, said his proposal, dubbed ViewPass, would enable readers to easily pay for and access content from multiple newspaper Web sites.
“ViewPass would be a single, ubiquitous brand to enable consumers to access valuable content on the Web sites and mobile platforms of all participating publishers,” Mutter wrote on his blog.
“It would be deployed as a widely recognized and widely accepted brand in a manner similar to the way Visa cards were established by the banking industry as a ready substitute for cash.”
The mechanism would also support payments for individual articles, subscriptions or bundles of content, Mutter said.
Mutter and partner Ridgely Evers presented the ViewPass concept before a group of newspaper publishers at a May 28 meeting quietly convened by the Newspaper Association of America to discuss how the industry can monetize Web content.
Mutter said ViewPass would enable readers to register once, and that the system would remember them as they moved among participating Web sites. More importantly, the software would build a profile of individual users, thus enabling “superior ad targeting,” he wrote.
News & Tech will have more information about ViewPass and other ways the industry might be able to monetize their online content in the July issue.
QuadTech files suit against QIPC in U.S.
QuadTech filed suit in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania alleging that Q.I. Press Controls infringes on QuadTech’s patent covering register control technology.
The complaint alleges that QIPC’s mRC register control product violates a QuadTech U.S. patent dating back to 1992.
The action follows last year’s ruling by a German court that held that QIPC had infringed on QTI’s patents governing the design of markless register controls (see News & Tech, March 2009).
The U.S. case alleges that QIPC’s mRC technology is infringing on QuadTech’s patents in both the mark and markless modes.
QuadTech said it would move aggressively to protect its intellectual property, according to President Karl Fritchen.
“We will evaluate any infringements on a case-by-case basis and act accordingly to protect our rights and the innovative products we bring to the marketplace,” he said. “We are extremely pleased that the German courts ruled twice in our favor against Q.I. Press Controls and look for a similar outcome in the United States.”
QIPC couldn’t be reached for comment before Dateline’s deadline.
The complaint alleges that QIPC’s mRC register control product violates a QuadTech U.S. patent dating back to 1992.
The action follows last year’s ruling by a German court that held that QIPC had infringed on QTI’s patents governing the design of markless register controls (see News & Tech, March 2009).
The U.S. case alleges that QIPC’s mRC technology is infringing on QuadTech’s patents in both the mark and markless modes.
QuadTech said it would move aggressively to protect its intellectual property, according to President Karl Fritchen.
“We will evaluate any infringements on a case-by-case basis and act accordingly to protect our rights and the innovative products we bring to the marketplace,” he said. “We are extremely pleased that the German courts ruled twice in our favor against Q.I. Press Controls and look for a similar outcome in the United States.”
QIPC couldn’t be reached for comment before Dateline’s deadline.
Oregonian live on NewsWay
The (Portland) Oregonian is live with ProImage NewsWay, Mike Melick, director of IT told News & Tech. The publisher is using the app to streamline a number of functions previously managed with disparate systems.
“This was part of an overall workflow project,” Melick said. “We looked at all of our workflow pieces to see where we could improve efficiencies. Now we have a common workflow for all products.”
The Oregonian is one of a handful of major dailies still imaging film, and Melick said the paper has no plans to convert to computer-to-plate. The publisher purchased NewsWay late last year and began rolling it out in December 2008 (See News & Tech, November 2008).
News & Tech will have more information about The Oregonian’s NewsWay deployment in the July issue.
“This was part of an overall workflow project,” Melick said. “We looked at all of our workflow pieces to see where we could improve efficiencies. Now we have a common workflow for all products.”
The Oregonian is one of a handful of major dailies still imaging film, and Melick said the paper has no plans to convert to computer-to-plate. The publisher purchased NewsWay late last year and began rolling it out in December 2008 (See News & Tech, November 2008).
News & Tech will have more information about The Oregonian’s NewsWay deployment in the July issue.
Tenn. paper taps Acutech for lockups; to adopt new flexo plates
The Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press tapped Acutech LLC to install mechanical lockups on its manroland Flexoman press as it prepares to be the first U.S. newspaper to use plates from Japanese supplier Toyobo.
Acutech will install a total of 232 703F mechanical locks in a project to be completed later this summer, according to Frank Anthony, the
Times Free Press’ vice president of production. Acutech is also providing an Acuvision optical punch bender to improve press registration.
The upgrade comes as the Times Free Press narrows its web width from 50 inches to 46 inches and begins to use plates supplied by Toyobo. Anthony said the new steel plates, which measure only .0165 thick, will reduce its annual plate purchasing costs by $100,000.
The emergence of Toyobo’s plates, distributed in the United States by Anderson and Vreeland, means that MacDermid, long the industry’s sole supplier of flexo plates, will have some competition, Anthony said.
“This is really key,” he said. “Now there will an additional vendor that is making plates at lesser cost.”
News & Tech will have more information about the Times Free Press’ upgrade in the July issue.
Acutech will install a total of 232 703F mechanical locks in a project to be completed later this summer, according to Frank Anthony, the
Times Free Press’ vice president of production. Acutech is also providing an Acuvision optical punch bender to improve press registration.
The upgrade comes as the Times Free Press narrows its web width from 50 inches to 46 inches and begins to use plates supplied by Toyobo. Anthony said the new steel plates, which measure only .0165 thick, will reduce its annual plate purchasing costs by $100,000.
The emergence of Toyobo’s plates, distributed in the United States by Anderson and Vreeland, means that MacDermid, long the industry’s sole supplier of flexo plates, will have some competition, Anthony said.
“This is really key,” he said. “Now there will an additional vendor that is making plates at lesser cost.”
News & Tech will have more information about the Times Free Press’ upgrade in the July issue.
Ifra, WAN mulling merger
Ifra and the World Association of Newspapers will merge into a single organization called WAN-Ifra, News & Tech has learned.
The WAN board has already approved the combination while Ifra’s board is scheduled to vote on the proposal June 25, sources told News & Tech.
Under terms of the merger, WAN would maintain its offices in Paris while Ifra would remain in Darmstadt, Germany. Editorial and other operations would be administered in Paris while research, consulting and training will continue to be overseen by the Darmstadt facility.
WAN Chief Operating Officer Timothy Balding and Ifra CEO Reiner Mittelbach are expected to remain in their current posts through 2009, but the new organization will seek a permanent CEO next year.
The proposal to merge the two international newspaper groups comes as Ifra split its operations into two legal halves in order to satisfy German tax laws and EU regulations governing research grants.
This is the second time WAN and Ifra have talked merger. An earlier effort, in 2005, was called off for unspecified reasons.
The WAN board has already approved the combination while Ifra’s board is scheduled to vote on the proposal June 25, sources told News & Tech.
Under terms of the merger, WAN would maintain its offices in Paris while Ifra would remain in Darmstadt, Germany. Editorial and other operations would be administered in Paris while research, consulting and training will continue to be overseen by the Darmstadt facility.
WAN Chief Operating Officer Timothy Balding and Ifra CEO Reiner Mittelbach are expected to remain in their current posts through 2009, but the new organization will seek a permanent CEO next year.
The proposal to merge the two international newspaper groups comes as Ifra split its operations into two legal halves in order to satisfy German tax laws and EU regulations governing research grants.
This is the second time WAN and Ifra have talked merger. An earlier effort, in 2005, was called off for unspecified reasons.
Times-Shamrock launches hosted Web CMS model in Scranton
The Scranton (Pa.) Times-Tribune went live with Atex’s Polopoly Web content management platform last month, becoming the first of Times-Shamrock’s seven daily and 11 weekly Web sites to roll out the app.
Times-Shamrock’s deployment marks the first hosted version of Polopoly to be delivered by Atex in North America, the vendor said.
The Web CMS will integrate with Times-Shamrock’s Unisys Hermes editorial hub, which the publisher deployed in 2004.
“What we’ve especially gained with Polopoly is a way to seamlessly publish Web content from our existing print workflow, while adding customized control for each platform,” said Jeff Sonderman, Times-Tribune’s metro editor and Internet content director.
Meantime, Atex said La Stampa of Turin, Italy, incorporated text mining into existing Atex CMS and DAM apps. Text mining allows La Stampa’s editorial teams to organize the large quantities of information coming into the newsdesk, Atex said.
Times-Shamrock’s deployment marks the first hosted version of Polopoly to be delivered by Atex in North America, the vendor said.
The Web CMS will integrate with Times-Shamrock’s Unisys Hermes editorial hub, which the publisher deployed in 2004.
“What we’ve especially gained with Polopoly is a way to seamlessly publish Web content from our existing print workflow, while adding customized control for each platform,” said Jeff Sonderman, Times-Tribune’s metro editor and Internet content director.
Meantime, Atex said La Stampa of Turin, Italy, incorporated text mining into existing Atex CMS and DAM apps. Text mining allows La Stampa’s editorial teams to organize the large quantities of information coming into the newsdesk, Atex said.
Moody’s: Newspapers have to reduce print-centered strategy
A report issued last week by Moody’s Investors Service says that the newspaper industry has to reduce the fixed costs associated with print-centered distribution or risk financial failure.
The ratings agency said the newspaper industry devotes only 14 percent of its cash operating costs to content creation while 70 percent supports the current print distribution model and other corporate functions. This “imbalance,” Moody’s said, “limits the industry’s flexibility to overcome competitive threats.”
“This disconnect is a legacy of the industry’s vertical integration beyond content creation and into the production and distribution of newspapers,” said Moody’s Senior Analyst John Puchalla.
Puchalla said he expects publishers will reverse some of the current disparity by outsourcing print production and distribution. “Although newspapers may lose some of their in-house control over press time, they would also release resources to beef up investment in content and technology.”
The analyst said the industry’s move to reduce print frequency may also serve to help publishers cut costs while preserving their newspapers’ value.
“Newspaper companies’ credit ratings have moved considerably lower over the last few years, but additional downward pressure remains," Puchalla said.
“If newspapers can't monetize the content in new digital channels at the same level as with print, or cut structural costs enough to keep up with the changing competitive environment, the prospect of additional recapitalizations or shutdowns will grow, adding further pressure to ratings, he added.
The full report titled, "Newspaper Industry Costs: Out of Balance," is
available at www.moodys.com.
The ratings agency said the newspaper industry devotes only 14 percent of its cash operating costs to content creation while 70 percent supports the current print distribution model and other corporate functions. This “imbalance,” Moody’s said, “limits the industry’s flexibility to overcome competitive threats.”
“This disconnect is a legacy of the industry’s vertical integration beyond content creation and into the production and distribution of newspapers,” said Moody’s Senior Analyst John Puchalla.
Puchalla said he expects publishers will reverse some of the current disparity by outsourcing print production and distribution. “Although newspapers may lose some of their in-house control over press time, they would also release resources to beef up investment in content and technology.”
The analyst said the industry’s move to reduce print frequency may also serve to help publishers cut costs while preserving their newspapers’ value.
“Newspaper companies’ credit ratings have moved considerably lower over the last few years, but additional downward pressure remains," Puchalla said.
“If newspapers can't monetize the content in new digital channels at the same level as with print, or cut structural costs enough to keep up with the changing competitive environment, the prospect of additional recapitalizations or shutdowns will grow, adding further pressure to ratings, he added.
The full report titled, "Newspaper Industry Costs: Out of Balance," is
available at www.moodys.com.
Media General taps Polkadots for ink optimization
Media General said it reduced expenditures for colored inks by more than 22 percent after deploying Polkadots Software’s Ink-it ink-savings app across 11 of its newspaper print sites.
“We spent $20,000 less than we were planning to spend on one site alone to install this across all 11 sites,” Jim Lillagore, regional production director at MG’s North Carolina Community publishing unit told News & Tech.
Ink-it is installed remotely by Polkadots and runs transparently on the publisher’s Harlequin RIP.
“Within 45 minutes everything was configured and running,” Lillagore said.
News & Tech will have more information about MG’s deployment of Polkadots software in the July issue.
“We spent $20,000 less than we were planning to spend on one site alone to install this across all 11 sites,” Jim Lillagore, regional production director at MG’s North Carolina Community publishing unit told News & Tech.
Ink-it is installed remotely by Polkadots and runs transparently on the publisher’s Harlequin RIP.
“Within 45 minutes everything was configured and running,” Lillagore said.
News & Tech will have more information about MG’s deployment of Polkadots software in the July issue.
Scripps closer to selling Rocky’s archives
E.W. Scripps. Co. is finalizing agreements with two Colorado institutions to handle the remaining intellectual and physical property from the defunct Rocky Mountain News.
Scripps, which closed the paper Feb. 27, is close to a deal with the Denver Public Library to assume ownership of the paper’s archives. Material in the deal includes all digital and paper clipping files, biographical and general files, microfilm reels, digital and photo files, books, correspondence and marketing materials.
A similar agreement is being negotiated between Scripps and the Colorado Historical Society, which will assume ownership of signs, photographs, special editions, artwork and other information that documents the history of the Rocky.
Scripps, which closed the paper Feb. 27, is close to a deal with the Denver Public Library to assume ownership of the paper’s archives. Material in the deal includes all digital and paper clipping files, biographical and general files, microfilm reels, digital and photo files, books, correspondence and marketing materials.
A similar agreement is being negotiated between Scripps and the Colorado Historical Society, which will assume ownership of signs, photographs, special editions, artwork and other information that documents the history of the Rocky.
News & Tech Buyer’s Guide coming in August
News & Tech will publish the newspaper industry’s only Buyer’s Guide in the August issue. This is the issue newspapers refer to year round to find the equipment and services they need. Don’t be left out! To fill out the form, click here. Listings are free. Deadline is July 6.
Solna chalks up biggest-ever order
Solna Offset AB sold a D390 singlewide press to Nanfang Daily Media Group in Guangzhou, China, marking the vendor’s largest-ever order.
The 70,000-copy-per-hour press will be configured as 20 four-high towers and 10 folders, Solna said.
It will go into production in summer 2010.
The sale was negotiated through Ekpac Graphics Ltd., Solna’s Chinese sales representative.
The 70,000-copy-per-hour press will be configured as 20 four-high towers and 10 folders, Solna said.
It will go into production in summer 2010.
The sale was negotiated through Ekpac Graphics Ltd., Solna’s Chinese sales representative.
Fla. Times-Union to print St. Augustine daily
The St. Augustine (Fla.) Record will shut its printing plant and transfer production to sister newspaper (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union Aug. 1, the Morris Communications-owned papers said.
Morris said the move was made to reduce costs.
Meantime, Sun Media in Toronto said it would shift production of The Tribune in Welland, Ontario, to its Islington, Ontario, plant.
Morris said the move was made to reduce costs.
Meantime, Sun Media in Toronto said it would shift production of The Tribune in Welland, Ontario, to its Islington, Ontario, plant.
German printer orders Colora
German printing and publishing house Miller ordered a doublewide Colora press from Koenig & Bauer AG. The press will go on-edition next spring, KBA said.
The 75,000-copy-per-hour Berliner press will have a maximum web width of 49.5 inches, and include two KBA Pastomat C reelstands with KBA Patras M reel handling, two towers of H-type units for 4-over-4, a superstructure with two formers and a KF 3 jaw folder. The two turner bars will be engineered to accommodate 7/8 and 3/8 web leads for the production of half-covers and flying pages. The press will also boast a raft of automation modules, including ink pumping, two EAE control desks and color register control, to enhance productivity and print quality, KBA said.
The 75,000-copy-per-hour Berliner press will have a maximum web width of 49.5 inches, and include two KBA Pastomat C reelstands with KBA Patras M reel handling, two towers of H-type units for 4-over-4, a superstructure with two formers and a KF 3 jaw folder. The two turner bars will be engineered to accommodate 7/8 and 3/8 web leads for the production of half-covers and flying pages. The press will also boast a raft of automation modules, including ink pumping, two EAE control desks and color register control, to enhance productivity and print quality, KBA said.
R.I. paper charging more for Web than print
The Newport (R.I.) Daily News began charging more than twice as much for Web access as it does for its print edition, according to a story posted by the Nieman Journalism Lab.
The paper is charging readers $345 a year to access its Web content, as opposed to $145 for its printed edition. The goal, according to Publisher Albert K. Sherman Jr., is to persuade readers to continue to pick up the printed product.
Nieman said it’s too early to determine if the experiment will work, but that two weeks after the e-edition became available, the paper’s Web site attracted 1,500 visitors a day. That dropped to 500 when free registration was required.
The paper is charging readers $345 a year to access its Web content, as opposed to $145 for its printed edition. The goal, according to Publisher Albert K. Sherman Jr., is to persuade readers to continue to pick up the printed product.
Nieman said it’s too early to determine if the experiment will work, but that two weeks after the e-edition became available, the paper’s Web site attracted 1,500 visitors a day. That dropped to 500 when free registration was required.
PPI Open Days taking place June 15-16
PPI Media will host ppi Open Days in Hamburg, Germany, at the Hotel Hamburg on June 15-16. Chief Operating Officer Norbert Ohl will discuss process automation and diversification as tools to help newspapers compete with the Internet, and national and international speakers will reveal what some of these solutions might look like.
Scheduled speakers include Erik Hofmann, deputy technical director of Freie Presse Chemnitz, who will give a presentation on automating the printing workflow with manroland Automatic Plate Loading and printnet OM, while Laura Koot, managing editor and art director of The National in Abu Dhabi, will speak on launching a new newspaper project in a short amount of time.
Scheduled speakers include Erik Hofmann, deputy technical director of Freie Presse Chemnitz, who will give a presentation on automating the printing workflow with manroland Automatic Plate Loading and printnet OM, while Laura Koot, managing editor and art director of The National in Abu Dhabi, will speak on launching a new newspaper project in a short amount of time.
Goss sells Magnum press to Chinese paper
Hunan Daily Group in China purchased a Magnum 8 press from Goss International Corp. to anchor a new printing plant. The 12-unit press will be configured with three four-high towers, a 2:3:3 jaw folder with upper former, and three automatic splicers.
“We compared other competitive presses in the same range and found that the new-generation Magnum 8 model offers the best value and performance,” said Deputy General Manager Liu Shulin. ”Its new automation features will bring us lower waste and competitive color printing quality.”
“We compared other competitive presses in the same range and found that the new-generation Magnum 8 model offers the best value and performance,” said Deputy General Manager Liu Shulin. ”Its new automation features will bring us lower waste and competitive color printing quality.”
Obituary: Pat Noonan Jr.
Pat Noonan Jr., who once served as vice president of circulation, administration and technology at Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. before becoming treasurer of Philadelphia Newspapers LLC, the company that bought the dailies from Knight Ridder, passed away last week. He was 53.
In Brief
ABB named Boris Falk head of sales at the firm’s Center of Excellence Printing in Switzerland.
Goss International Corp. said Ragy Isaac, the firm’s quality director, won certification from the IdeAlliance as a G7 Expert. G7 is an industry methodology governing how proofing and press systems are calibrated to ensure print quality and consistency.
www.abb.com
San Diego News Network named former San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun journalist Chris Jennewein president.
Chicago Tribune Media Group named Susan Jacobs vice president of retail advertising.
Inergize Digital added support for Google mapping technology to its Web content management system software.
www.inergizedigital.com
Le Temps of Geneva, Switzerland, extended its online news portal, with EdiosMedia. The publisher uses Méthode to produce its print edition and will use Méthode Portal Server for its online edition, Eidos said.
www.eidosmedia.com
PageSuite began publishing the free online editions of Associated Newspapers’ Metro U.K., Metro Ireland, London Lite and 7Days.
The free digital editions give the titles greater reach outside their traditional distribution areas, PageSuite said, and also allow readers who have missed printed editions to catch up on the day’s news.
www.pagesuite.co.uk
El Siglo de Torréon of Mexico installed Protecmedia’s Milenium Cross Media platform to integrate its newsroom, advertising and production operations, Protecmedia said. The paper will also use the app to share resources with three other papers — El Siglo de Durango, La I de Saltillo and La I de Laguna.
www.protecmedia.com
IFRA is offering tutorials for potential participants in its next round of International Newspaper Color Quality Club events (INCQC 2010–2012). Tutorials are scheduled for June in Darmstadt, Germany; July in Hyderabad, India; October in Darmstadt and Vienna; and in November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Additional tutorials may be scheduled upon request.
www.colorqualityclub.org
www.ifra.com
The Wall Street Journal launched a new culture blog, Speakeasy, that’s aimed at enhancing the site’s art and entertainment coverage. Meantime, three newspapers, the Flint (Mich.) Journal, the Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore., and Newsday in Melville, N.Y., will begin including Sunday Journal pages in their Sunday editions. Finally, Dow Jones said Hyatt Hotels & Resorts selected The Journal as the complimentary newspaper to be delivered to a majority of its Gold Passport members.
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. announced an agreement with Tolerans to represent Tolerans’ in-line stitching products in the United States and Canada. Baldwin also said it will supply spraybar dampening and blanket cleaning systems to two Japanese newspapers, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nichinichi Shimbun.
www.baldwintech.com
Adobe Systems Inc. released a free preview of Adobe BrowserLab, a new hosted service that enables Web designers to view and test their sites on a variety of browsers and operating systems.
www.adobe.com
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said it has commissioned a shaftless DiamondSpace press at The Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan. The conversion project retained existing RTPs.
www.mhi.com
Roxen Internet Software of Sweden opened a U.S. office in Chicago. Shaw Newspapers last year became the first U.S. newspaper publisher to deploy Roxen’s Editorial Portal.
www.roxen.com
The Associated Press said that its Mobile news widget is preloaded or available for download on the new Nokia N97 smart phone, which began shipping last week.
www.ap.org
Celsius Technology Group introduced Celsius Technology Platform. a hosted content management system that includes Celsius Publisher, Story and Pipeline applications. The system allows readers to add elements to an existing story. including photos and videos.
www.celsiustechnologygroup.com
Goss International Corp. said Ragy Isaac, the firm’s quality director, won certification from the IdeAlliance as a G7 Expert. G7 is an industry methodology governing how proofing and press systems are calibrated to ensure print quality and consistency.
www.abb.com
San Diego News Network named former San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun journalist Chris Jennewein president.
Chicago Tribune Media Group named Susan Jacobs vice president of retail advertising.
Inergize Digital added support for Google mapping technology to its Web content management system software.
www.inergizedigital.com
Le Temps of Geneva, Switzerland, extended its online news portal, with EdiosMedia. The publisher uses Méthode to produce its print edition and will use Méthode Portal Server for its online edition, Eidos said.
www.eidosmedia.com
PageSuite began publishing the free online editions of Associated Newspapers’ Metro U.K., Metro Ireland, London Lite and 7Days.
The free digital editions give the titles greater reach outside their traditional distribution areas, PageSuite said, and also allow readers who have missed printed editions to catch up on the day’s news.
www.pagesuite.co.uk
El Siglo de Torréon of Mexico installed Protecmedia’s Milenium Cross Media platform to integrate its newsroom, advertising and production operations, Protecmedia said. The paper will also use the app to share resources with three other papers — El Siglo de Durango, La I de Saltillo and La I de Laguna.
www.protecmedia.com
IFRA is offering tutorials for potential participants in its next round of International Newspaper Color Quality Club events (INCQC 2010–2012). Tutorials are scheduled for June in Darmstadt, Germany; July in Hyderabad, India; October in Darmstadt and Vienna; and in November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Additional tutorials may be scheduled upon request.
www.colorqualityclub.org
www.ifra.com
The Wall Street Journal launched a new culture blog, Speakeasy, that’s aimed at enhancing the site’s art and entertainment coverage. Meantime, three newspapers, the Flint (Mich.) Journal, the Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore., and Newsday in Melville, N.Y., will begin including Sunday Journal pages in their Sunday editions. Finally, Dow Jones said Hyatt Hotels & Resorts selected The Journal as the complimentary newspaper to be delivered to a majority of its Gold Passport members.
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. announced an agreement with Tolerans to represent Tolerans’ in-line stitching products in the United States and Canada. Baldwin also said it will supply spraybar dampening and blanket cleaning systems to two Japanese newspapers, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nichinichi Shimbun.
www.baldwintech.com
Adobe Systems Inc. released a free preview of Adobe BrowserLab, a new hosted service that enables Web designers to view and test their sites on a variety of browsers and operating systems.
www.adobe.com
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said it has commissioned a shaftless DiamondSpace press at The Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan. The conversion project retained existing RTPs.
www.mhi.com
Roxen Internet Software of Sweden opened a U.S. office in Chicago. Shaw Newspapers last year became the first U.S. newspaper publisher to deploy Roxen’s Editorial Portal.
www.roxen.com
The Associated Press said that its Mobile news widget is preloaded or available for download on the new Nokia N97 smart phone, which began shipping last week.
www.ap.org
Celsius Technology Group introduced Celsius Technology Platform. a hosted content management system that includes Celsius Publisher, Story and Pipeline applications. The system allows readers to add elements to an existing story. including photos and videos.
www.celsiustechnologygroup.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009 — Tribune launches ‘super blog’
Tribune Co. last week unveiled a Chicago-based blog aggregation site as it attempts to lure more readers to its online offerings.
The beta version of ChicagoNow features blogs from more than 30 local personalities and subject matter experts.
By year-end it hopes to increase that number to more than 80.
In a video introducing the project, the Tribune said ChicagoNow can be described as a site where “The Huffington Post meets Facebook for Chicago.”
The Tribune has been working on developing the site since late last year. The new site will offer a slate of advertising options, and it will also be home to the Chicago Tribune’s relaunched RedEye Web site.
News & Tech will have more information about Tribune’s plans in the July issue.
The beta version of ChicagoNow features blogs from more than 30 local personalities and subject matter experts.
By year-end it hopes to increase that number to more than 80.
In a video introducing the project, the Tribune said ChicagoNow can be described as a site where “The Huffington Post meets Facebook for Chicago.”
The Tribune has been working on developing the site since late last year. The new site will offer a slate of advertising options, and it will also be home to the Chicago Tribune’s relaunched RedEye Web site.
News & Tech will have more information about Tribune’s plans in the July issue.
NAA: Ad sales drop almost 30% in Q1
Print ad sales for the first quarter of 2009 fell almost 30 percent, the worst drop in modern history.
According to the Newspaper Association of America, newspapers posted $5.9 billion in print ad revenues, down 29.7 percent from the year-ago quarter. Online sales, meantime, fell 13.4 percent, to $696 million. Taken together, newspapers sold a total of $6.6 billion in overall advertising, a decrease of 28 percent.
In 2008, newspapers sold more than $9.2 billion in print and online advertising during the first three months of the year.
As expected, classified ad revenues continued their swift decline, falling during the first three months of 2009 by 42 percent, to $1.4 billion.
By segment, automotive classifieds fell 43 percent, to $322 million; and real estate fell 45 percent to $336 million. Recruitment classifieds declined a whopping 67 percent, to $205 million.
According to the Newspaper Association of America, newspapers posted $5.9 billion in print ad revenues, down 29.7 percent from the year-ago quarter. Online sales, meantime, fell 13.4 percent, to $696 million. Taken together, newspapers sold a total of $6.6 billion in overall advertising, a decrease of 28 percent.
In 2008, newspapers sold more than $9.2 billion in print and online advertising during the first three months of the year.
As expected, classified ad revenues continued their swift decline, falling during the first three months of 2009 by 42 percent, to $1.4 billion.
By segment, automotive classifieds fell 43 percent, to $322 million; and real estate fell 45 percent to $336 million. Recruitment classifieds declined a whopping 67 percent, to $205 million.
Free Lance-Star picks QIPC for register, color control
The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., said it would equip its new press with automatic register and cutoff control systems from Q.I. Press Controls.
QIPC will install its mRC registration system on the newspaper’s Goss International Corp. FPS press, which is slated to go into production next year.
The triplewide FPS press is configured with four towers and two folders. Eight cameras on the towers will monitor color register while 18 additional mRC cameras will sit on the folders to control cutoff.
The Free Lance-Star is the third newspaper to buy the mRC system, following The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Transcontinental Inc., which is using it in its soon-to-be-opened Fremont, Calif., facility.
QIPC will install its mRC registration system on the newspaper’s Goss International Corp. FPS press, which is slated to go into production next year.
The triplewide FPS press is configured with four towers and two folders. Eight cameras on the towers will monitor color register while 18 additional mRC cameras will sit on the folders to control cutoff.
The Free Lance-Star is the third newspaper to buy the mRC system, following The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Transcontinental Inc., which is using it in its soon-to-be-opened Fremont, Calif., facility.
Lee reporting ink savings with Kodak app
Lee Enterprises is reporting ink savings of 20 percent to 25 percent since implementing Kodak’s Ink Optimizing Service software at 12 of its daily newspapers, Kodak said.
Kodak’s Ink Optimizing Service, which Lee first tested at the Billings (Mont.) Gazette, provides customers with an ICC DeviceLink profile that plugs into Kodak’s Prinergy workflow app.
Based on the that profile, separated image files go through a gray component replacement process that reduces ink usage by replacing CMY inks with less-expensive black ink, while limiting the Total Area Coverage to a predefined level.
“Ink savings have met our expectations and we also see enhancements to the quality of photos,” said Brian Kardell, vice president of production and chief information officer at Lee.
In addition to the Gazette, Lee rolled out the service to the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune; the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal; the Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune; the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal; the Times in Munster, Ind.; the Times News in Twin Falls, Idaho; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; the Missoulian in Missoula, Mont.; the Quad City Times in Davenport, Iowa; the Pantagraph in Bloomington, Ill.; and the North County Times in Escondido, Calif.
Kodak’s Ink Optimizing Service, which Lee first tested at the Billings (Mont.) Gazette, provides customers with an ICC DeviceLink profile that plugs into Kodak’s Prinergy workflow app.
Based on the that profile, separated image files go through a gray component replacement process that reduces ink usage by replacing CMY inks with less-expensive black ink, while limiting the Total Area Coverage to a predefined level.
“Ink savings have met our expectations and we also see enhancements to the quality of photos,” said Brian Kardell, vice president of production and chief information officer at Lee.
In addition to the Gazette, Lee rolled out the service to the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune; the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal; the Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune; the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal; the Times in Munster, Ind.; the Times News in Twin Falls, Idaho; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; the Missoulian in Missoula, Mont.; the Quad City Times in Davenport, Iowa; the Pantagraph in Bloomington, Ill.; and the North County Times in Escondido, Calif.
New Zealand news agency picks DTI
The New Zealand Press Association purchased Digital Technology International’s ContentPublisher software, DTI said, marking the vendor’s first customer sale in New Zealand.
ContentPublisher will allow NZPA to automate news editing and delivery processes to its news and image Web sites and commercial customers, and will provide NZPA with a single multimedia app to exploit the Internet for developing new products and expanding its multimedia news operations.
"Our 24/7 integrated newsroom requires comprehensive, easy-to-use tools to deliver multimedia content and wire feeds — including breaking news, weather, sports, financial information and entertainment — to a demanding audience, fast," said Simon Randall, NZPA’s manager of commercial services. “It will also enable us to create new products and services.”
NZPA publishes information every 24 hours from its news staff, overseas wire services and other sources including the New Zealand Stock Exchange.
ContentPublisher will allow NZPA to automate news editing and delivery processes to its news and image Web sites and commercial customers, and will provide NZPA with a single multimedia app to exploit the Internet for developing new products and expanding its multimedia news operations.
"Our 24/7 integrated newsroom requires comprehensive, easy-to-use tools to deliver multimedia content and wire feeds — including breaking news, weather, sports, financial information and entertainment — to a demanding audience, fast," said Simon Randall, NZPA’s manager of commercial services. “It will also enable us to create new products and services.”
NZPA publishes information every 24 hours from its news staff, overseas wire services and other sources including the New Zealand Stock Exchange.
Finnish daily buys KBA Cortina
Finnish publisher Keski-Pohjanmaan Kirjapaino purchased a waterless Cortina press from Koenig & Bauer AG.
The 4-by-1 machine, to go into production next year, will be configured as four towers and two folders and sport a 22-inch cutoff. It’s capable of printing 150,000 32-page, full-color tabloids per hour. The machine will also be equipped with KBA’s PlateTronic automatic plate changers, RollerTronic automatic roller locks and NipTronic bearers.
Copies can be stitched, glued, perforated or scored after the quarterfold, KBA said.
KBA said the press is the 17th Cortina it’s sold since introducing the waterless machine in 2002.
The 4-by-1 machine, to go into production next year, will be configured as four towers and two folders and sport a 22-inch cutoff. It’s capable of printing 150,000 32-page, full-color tabloids per hour. The machine will also be equipped with KBA’s PlateTronic automatic plate changers, RollerTronic automatic roller locks and NipTronic bearers.
Copies can be stitched, glued, perforated or scored after the quarterfold, KBA said.
KBA said the press is the 17th Cortina it’s sold since introducing the waterless machine in 2002.
Hyperlocal news site to expand
City search Web site HelloMetro.com said it is expanding its HyperLocal news operation to more than 1,100 Web sites in the United States and Canada.
Louisville, Ky.-based HelloMetro said three online newspapers launched last week, in Louisville; Nashville, Tenn.; and Seattle. Each paper contains articles from local HelloMetro reporters. The information will be compiled into PDF newspapers and available to readers, HelloMetro said.
Ultimately, the company said it expects to produce 1,100 PDF newspapers each day.
Louisville, Ky.-based HelloMetro said three online newspapers launched last week, in Louisville; Nashville, Tenn.; and Seattle. Each paper contains articles from local HelloMetro reporters. The information will be compiled into PDF newspapers and available to readers, HelloMetro said.
Ultimately, the company said it expects to produce 1,100 PDF newspapers each day.
Goss’ Sutis to retire
Goss International Corp. President Richard Sutis will retire July 31, the company said. Sutis, who has worked for Goss and its predecessor companies for 44 years, will retain his positions as vice chairman of the board of directors of Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems and will also retain his seat on the board of Goss Graphics Systems Japan Corp.
WAN: World newspaper circ up
Despite the global financial crisis, newspaper circulation grew 1.3 percent worldwide in 2008, according to statistics compiled by the World Association of Newspapers.
WAN said global newspaper circulation is close to 540 million. When free dailies are added, circulation in 2008 rose at an even faster pace, by 1.62 percent.
Regionally, newspaper circulation grew almost 7 percent in Africa; 2 percent in South America and almost 3 percent in Asia. Circ fell almost 4 percent in North America, 2.5 percent in Australia and 1.8 percent in Europe.
“The simple fact is that, as a global industry, our printed audience continues to grow,” said Gavin O’Reilly, WAN president and CEO of Independent News and Media.
Predicting the death of newspapers “seems to have reached the level of a new sport,” he said.
“That this doom and gloom about our industry has largely gone unanswered is, to me, the most bizarre case of willful self-mutilation ever in the annals of industry,” he said. “And it continues apace, with commentators failing to look beyond their simple rhetoric and merely joining the chorus that the future is online, online, online, almost to the exclusion of everything else. This is a mistake. This oversimplifies a rather complex issue.”
WAN said global newspaper circulation is close to 540 million. When free dailies are added, circulation in 2008 rose at an even faster pace, by 1.62 percent.
Regionally, newspaper circulation grew almost 7 percent in Africa; 2 percent in South America and almost 3 percent in Asia. Circ fell almost 4 percent in North America, 2.5 percent in Australia and 1.8 percent in Europe.
“The simple fact is that, as a global industry, our printed audience continues to grow,” said Gavin O’Reilly, WAN president and CEO of Independent News and Media.
Predicting the death of newspapers “seems to have reached the level of a new sport,” he said.
“That this doom and gloom about our industry has largely gone unanswered is, to me, the most bizarre case of willful self-mutilation ever in the annals of industry,” he said. “And it continues apace, with commentators failing to look beyond their simple rhetoric and merely joining the chorus that the future is online, online, online, almost to the exclusion of everything else. This is a mistake. This oversimplifies a rather complex issue.”
Shaw concludes Roxen rollout
Shaw Newspapers concluded its deployment of Roxen Internet Software’s editorial software.
The Midwestern newspaper publisher has moved more than 40 newspapers and 20 Web sites to Web-based Roxen Editorial Portal since June 2008, Roxen said.
“We knew that moving to a Web-based platform would be faster and smoother, but we couldn’t imagine we’d be finished with all our publications by now,” said Tom Shaw, chief executive officer, Shaw Newspapers. “
Shaw is Roxen’s first U.S. newspaper customer.
The Midwestern newspaper publisher has moved more than 40 newspapers and 20 Web sites to Web-based Roxen Editorial Portal since June 2008, Roxen said.
“We knew that moving to a Web-based platform would be faster and smoother, but we couldn’t imagine we’d be finished with all our publications by now,” said Tom Shaw, chief executive officer, Shaw Newspapers. “
Shaw is Roxen’s first U.S. newspaper customer.
New search tool for e-editions
U.K. software developer PageSuite said it’s beefed up its software with the ability to allow users to search for stories and advertisements within e-editions.
According to the vendor, readers can use the tool to search text for keywords and phrases in much the same way they search for stories on companion Web sites.
In addition to its U.K. clients, which include Express Newspapers, PageSuite has a number of U.S. clients, including The Examiner newspapers in Washington and San Francisco, Shaw Suburban Media and Stars & Stripes.
In the U.K., PageSuite powers the e-editions of all Johnston Press, Newsquest and Archant newspapers and some Trinity Mirror titles.
According to the vendor, readers can use the tool to search text for keywords and phrases in much the same way they search for stories on companion Web sites.
In addition to its U.K. clients, which include Express Newspapers, PageSuite has a number of U.S. clients, including The Examiner newspapers in Washington and San Francisco, Shaw Suburban Media and Stars & Stripes.
In the U.K., PageSuite powers the e-editions of all Johnston Press, Newsquest and Archant newspapers and some Trinity Mirror titles.
Inergize rolls out SMS support
Newspaper software vendor Inergize Digital added SMS text support to its Web Content Management System software.
Papers, including those published by Inergize client E.W. Scripps, can use SMS to send breaking news, weather alerts and other information to mobile devices. The software also supports mobile marketing and advertising through the Common Short Code messaging protocol.
Papers, including those published by Inergize client E.W. Scripps, can use SMS to send breaking news, weather alerts and other information to mobile devices. The software also supports mobile marketing and advertising through the Common Short Code messaging protocol.
AP intros upgrade of MNN iPhone app
One year after the software’s introduction, The Associated Press rolled out an upgraded version of its Mobile News Network Apple iPhone app, offering users several new features aimed at letting them customize content.
Version 2.0 includes a front-page feature that enables users to choose what news categories they want to see and lets them select region-specific news. The app also provides beefed-up weather forecasts.
AP also increased content slotted for health and science, and added industry-related press releases.
Version 2.0 includes a front-page feature that enables users to choose what news categories they want to see and lets them select region-specific news. The app also provides beefed-up weather forecasts.
AP also increased content slotted for health and science, and added industry-related press releases.
FKI Logistex bought by Cincy firm
FKI Logistex, which has supplied material handling systems to a number of U.S. newspapers including The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., agreed to be purchased by Cincinnati-based Intelligrated, the firms said last week.
No financial terms were disclosed.
Under terms of the definitive agreement, Intelligrated will acquire the FKI Logistex operations in North and South America from Melrose plc, a U.K.-based investment group.
The company said it will continue to support Alvey palletizers and other products now in operation.
No financial terms were disclosed.
Under terms of the definitive agreement, Intelligrated will acquire the FKI Logistex operations in North and South America from Melrose plc, a U.K.-based investment group.
The company said it will continue to support Alvey palletizers and other products now in operation.
Cox sells 2 Texas papers
Cox Newspapers sold two Texas papers, The Lufkin Daily News and The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches, to privately held Southern Newspapers.
No financial details were disclosed.
Southern publishes a number of Texas dailies, including the Galveston County Daily News and the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
Cox last year put the majority of its newspapers on the sale block, saying it would retain ownership of only three papers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and Dayton (Ohio) Daily News.
No financial details were disclosed.
Southern publishes a number of Texas dailies, including the Galveston County Daily News and the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
Cox last year put the majority of its newspapers on the sale block, saying it would retain ownership of only three papers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and Dayton (Ohio) Daily News.
Gannett consolidating edit in La.
Gannett Co. Inc. is consolidating headline writing, copy-editing and pagination of five Louisiana newspapers at The News-Star in Monroe, La., beginning July 13.
According to Leslie Hurst, vice president of Gannett’s South group, the Monroe hub will initially serve the News-Star, the Advertiser in Lafayette and the Daily World in Opelousas. The Times in Shreveport and the Town Talk in Alexandria will be moved to the centralized operation in September.
All of the papers, as well as other publications and special sections produced at each site, will be served by the new Content Production Center, Hurst said in a memo issued last week.
According to Leslie Hurst, vice president of Gannett’s South group, the Monroe hub will initially serve the News-Star, the Advertiser in Lafayette and the Daily World in Opelousas. The Times in Shreveport and the Town Talk in Alexandria will be moved to the centralized operation in September.
All of the papers, as well as other publications and special sections produced at each site, will be served by the new Content Production Center, Hurst said in a memo issued last week.
Boston.com increases hyperlocal reach
Boston.com expanded its hyperlocal community program Your Town to six more Massachusetts communities, Hingham, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Norwell and Scituate.
Each Your Town site provides town news and information and gives readers access to local resources and Web sites. Each site also includes event listings, as well as community, school, recreation, civic and local business information.
Each Your Town site provides town news and information and gives readers access to local resources and Web sites. Each site also includes event listings, as well as community, school, recreation, civic and local business information.
In Brief
Roy Yokouchi, who served as president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ U.S. press operations, retired, the company said.
PPI Media US Inc. named Gary Schwartzkopf its senior sales consultant. Prior to joining ppi, Schwartzkopf was strategic account manager for Southern Lithoplate and also spent more than eight years at Agfa where he was district sales manager.
Pitman Co. named Anthony P. Crupi Sr. chief executive officer.
Canto released Cumulus 8, the latest upgrade of its digital asset management app.
www.canto.com
Taiwanese e-paper display module manufacturer Prime View International acquired E Ink Corp. for $215 million. PVI, which in 2005 acquired the e-paper business of Philips Electronics, had previously partnered with E Ink to provide displays underpinning e-readers including the Sony Reader, the Amazon Kindle 2 and the forthcoming Kindle DX.
www.eink.com
The production facility formerly used to produce The Patriot-Ledger in Quincy, Mass., is being torn down to make way for a big-box retail store, the paper reported. The Patriot-Ledger closed the plant in 2007 and transferred production to The Boston Globe.
Three Finnish regional daily newspapers, Karjalainen, Keskisuomalainen and Savon Sanomat, completed redesigns and newsroom workflow reorganizations, tapping Anygraaf’s All Media Publishing apps to aid in the processes, the vendor said.
www.anygraaf.com
Swedish newspaper printer Mittmedia AB expects an ROI of fewer than three years on the LithoSpray 88 spray dampening and filtration equipment it installed from Baldwin Technology Co., according to the vendor. Baldwin installed the equipment on an 11-unit, four-high tower at the printer’s facility in Ornskoldsvik in December.
www.baldwintech.com
Amazon’s Kindle DX electronic reader will begin shipping to customers June 10, the vendor said, at a pre-order price of $489. The Kindle DX, Amazon’s net-gen reading device, has a 9.7-inch e-paper display, built-in PDF reader with auto-rotate capabilities and enough storage for up to 3,500 books.
www.amazon.com/kindle
PPI Media US Inc. named Gary Schwartzkopf its senior sales consultant. Prior to joining ppi, Schwartzkopf was strategic account manager for Southern Lithoplate and also spent more than eight years at Agfa where he was district sales manager.
Pitman Co. named Anthony P. Crupi Sr. chief executive officer.
Canto released Cumulus 8, the latest upgrade of its digital asset management app.
www.canto.com
Taiwanese e-paper display module manufacturer Prime View International acquired E Ink Corp. for $215 million. PVI, which in 2005 acquired the e-paper business of Philips Electronics, had previously partnered with E Ink to provide displays underpinning e-readers including the Sony Reader, the Amazon Kindle 2 and the forthcoming Kindle DX.
www.eink.com
The production facility formerly used to produce The Patriot-Ledger in Quincy, Mass., is being torn down to make way for a big-box retail store, the paper reported. The Patriot-Ledger closed the plant in 2007 and transferred production to The Boston Globe.
Three Finnish regional daily newspapers, Karjalainen, Keskisuomalainen and Savon Sanomat, completed redesigns and newsroom workflow reorganizations, tapping Anygraaf’s All Media Publishing apps to aid in the processes, the vendor said.
www.anygraaf.com
Swedish newspaper printer Mittmedia AB expects an ROI of fewer than three years on the LithoSpray 88 spray dampening and filtration equipment it installed from Baldwin Technology Co., according to the vendor. Baldwin installed the equipment on an 11-unit, four-high tower at the printer’s facility in Ornskoldsvik in December.
www.baldwintech.com
Amazon’s Kindle DX electronic reader will begin shipping to customers June 10, the vendor said, at a pre-order price of $489. The Kindle DX, Amazon’s net-gen reading device, has a 9.7-inch e-paper display, built-in PDF reader with auto-rotate capabilities and enough storage for up to 3,500 books.
www.amazon.com/kindle
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