Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho Ltd. and Goss International said they’ve agreed to settle their long-running trade dispute and will take steps to end pending litigation and legislative initiatives in both Japan and the United States.
The vendors said terms of the agreement will not be made public, but that both firms acknowledged that resolution “was in the best interest of their companies,” according to a TKS press release.
The settlement ends a nine-year legal battle that began when Goss sued Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, manroland, Koenig & Bauer AG and TKS, alleging that the firms sold presses in the United States at below-market rates.
In 2002, Goss reached a settlement with Mitsubishi and the German press vendors, but the deal didn’t include TKS.
One year later, the U.S. District Court in northern Iowa found TKS violated the later-repealed Antidumping Act of 1916 and fined the press vendor $10 million, an amount tripled under antitrust law.
TKS appealed, but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2006, rejected the vendor’s petition. The U.S. Supreme Court let the judgment stand after it declined a TKS motion to mediate.
The settlement will also end U.S. legislative and administrative steps, including the U.S. Department of Commerce's sunset review.
Look for more information about the resolution of this dispute in the October issue of News & Tech.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Dow Jones unit consolidates ad production
Dow Jones Local Media Group is consolidating the ad production of all of its local newspapers at The Standard-Times in New Bedford, Mass., the publisher said last week.
The decision covers all of DJLMG’s community papers, which include The Record in Stockton, Calif., the Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald, the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Mass., and the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y.
Some 40 jobs will be created at The Standard-Times, although an undisclosed number of workers will lose their posts at the other newspapers.
The Times-Standard said DJLMG executives decided to consolidate, rather than outsource, ad production because they wanted better control over how ads were created.
Kevin Wright, advertising services manager at the Cape Cod Times, will oversee the new unit.
The decision covers all of DJLMG’s community papers, which include The Record in Stockton, Calif., the Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald, the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Mass., and the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y.
Some 40 jobs will be created at The Standard-Times, although an undisclosed number of workers will lose their posts at the other newspapers.
The Times-Standard said DJLMG executives decided to consolidate, rather than outsource, ad production because they wanted better control over how ads were created.
Kevin Wright, advertising services manager at the Cape Cod Times, will oversee the new unit.
4 papers piloting neighborhood news initiative
The Seattle Times, the Miami Herald, the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and the Ashville (N.C.) Citizen-Times are among five news organizations participating in a project to determine how papers can more effectively work with grassroots journalism programs.
The one-year initiative is orchestrated by American University’s interactive journalism institute and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The dailies, along with online news site TucsonCitizen.com, have agreed to work with at least five hyperlocal news sites or producers in their communities to lay out a foundation supporting local news coverage and distribution.
The newspapers and local news sites will also examine ways to attract advertising support.
“In these days where anyone can publish local information, we hope that a guided partnership between local newspapers and local bloggers or citizen journalists can increase the amount of local information available in a community and raise its quality. We see this as a win/win for the community,“ said Gary Kebbel, Knight’s journalism program director.
The one-year initiative is orchestrated by American University’s interactive journalism institute and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The dailies, along with online news site TucsonCitizen.com, have agreed to work with at least five hyperlocal news sites or producers in their communities to lay out a foundation supporting local news coverage and distribution.
The newspapers and local news sites will also examine ways to attract advertising support.
“In these days where anyone can publish local information, we hope that a guided partnership between local newspapers and local bloggers or citizen journalists can increase the amount of local information available in a community and raise its quality. We see this as a win/win for the community,“ said Gary Kebbel, Knight’s journalism program director.
Q2 ad sales down 29%
Newspaper ad sales continued to plummet during the second quarter of the year, according to statistics released last week by the Newspaper Association of America.
The NAA said papers posted print and online ad revenues of $6.8 billion during the three-month period, a 29 percent decline from 2008 figures.
Online ad revenues fell by 16 percent, to $653 million — a disquieting development as publishers had earlier hoped online advertising would help offset the downturn in print advertising.
Classified ad revenues fell more than 40 percent, to $1.5 billion, with employment advertising taking the biggest hit, down more than 66 percent from comparable 2008 figures. Automotive classified advertising fell 42.7 percent while real estate advertising dropped 45.7 percent.
For the first half of 2009, newspaper print and online ad revenue totaled $13.5 billion, down significantly from the $18.8 billion in total ad revenues the newspaper industry attracted during the first six months of 2008.
The NAA said papers posted print and online ad revenues of $6.8 billion during the three-month period, a 29 percent decline from 2008 figures.
Online ad revenues fell by 16 percent, to $653 million — a disquieting development as publishers had earlier hoped online advertising would help offset the downturn in print advertising.
Classified ad revenues fell more than 40 percent, to $1.5 billion, with employment advertising taking the biggest hit, down more than 66 percent from comparable 2008 figures. Automotive classified advertising fell 42.7 percent while real estate advertising dropped 45.7 percent.
For the first half of 2009, newspaper print and online ad revenue totaled $13.5 billion, down significantly from the $18.8 billion in total ad revenues the newspaper industry attracted during the first six months of 2008.
Print 09 sets Newspaper Day
The Graphic Arts Show Co. designated Monday, Sept. 14, as Newspaper Day at the upcoming Print 09 trade show.
Topping the list of the day’s free events is a special session tailored to newspaper production and operations executives. The 90-minute session, moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will feature Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing at Gannett Co. Inc.; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune; and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
The session will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago.
Additionally, GASC is sponsoring a lunch, for qualified newspaper executives, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. To register for the session and the lunch, send an e-mail to mwert@gasc.org.
To obtain a free pass to tour the exhibit floor, click here
Topping the list of the day’s free events is a special session tailored to newspaper production and operations executives. The 90-minute session, moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will feature Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing at Gannett Co. Inc.; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune; and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
The session will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago.
Additionally, GASC is sponsoring a lunch, for qualified newspaper executives, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. To register for the session and the lunch, send an e-mail to mwert@gasc.org.
To obtain a free pass to tour the exhibit floor, click here
E.W. Scripps reorganizes newspaper unit
E.W. Scripps Co. promoted Frank Wolfe to vice president of operations as part of the publisher’s move to reorganize its newspaper division.
Wolfe, who formerly served as Scripps’ director of operations, will oversee all of the publisher’s production and circulation activities.
He will retain his base in suburban Denver.
Under the reorganization, Scripps divided its newspaper holdings into two groups. The larger dailies — the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News, Treasure Coast Newspapers in south Florida, the Ventura County (Calif.) Star and Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times — will become regional media organizations.
The Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press, the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail, the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash., and dailies in Abilene, Wichita Falls and San Angelo, Texas, will be called mid-sized media organizations.
Scripps also named Bruce Hartmann, the publisher of the News-Sentinel, to a newly created position overseeing advertising and circulation revenue.
Finally, Scripps promoted Rusty Coats to vice president for content and marketing; and Jim York to vice president of information technology. Robin Davis, vice president of finance and administration; and Mary Minser, vice president of human resources, had their duties expanded.
Wolfe, who formerly served as Scripps’ director of operations, will oversee all of the publisher’s production and circulation activities.
He will retain his base in suburban Denver.
Under the reorganization, Scripps divided its newspaper holdings into two groups. The larger dailies — the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News, Treasure Coast Newspapers in south Florida, the Ventura County (Calif.) Star and Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times — will become regional media organizations.
The Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press, the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail, the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash., and dailies in Abilene, Wichita Falls and San Angelo, Texas, will be called mid-sized media organizations.
Scripps also named Bruce Hartmann, the publisher of the News-Sentinel, to a newly created position overseeing advertising and circulation revenue.
Finally, Scripps promoted Rusty Coats to vice president for content and marketing; and Jim York to vice president of information technology. Robin Davis, vice president of finance and administration; and Mary Minser, vice president of human resources, had their duties expanded.
Report: Freedom to declare bankruptcy
The publisher of The Orange County (Calif.) Register will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal.
Freedom Communications Inc., which is majority owned by the Hoiles family, operates more than 30 daily newspapers, including the Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a number of papers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas.
The Journal said the firm has reached agreements with lenders to reorganize its debts.
Those lenders include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., SunTrust Banks and Union Bank of California, The Journal reported.
Meantime, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is close to naming a new board of directors that will take over control of the paper when it emerges from bankruptcy next month. The board includes former Wall Street Journal publisher L. Gordon Crovitz as well as local business executives Michael Sweeney and William Farley.
Freedom Communications Inc., which is majority owned by the Hoiles family, operates more than 30 daily newspapers, including the Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a number of papers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas.
The Journal said the firm has reached agreements with lenders to reorganize its debts.
Those lenders include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., SunTrust Banks and Union Bank of California, The Journal reported.
Meantime, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is close to naming a new board of directors that will take over control of the paper when it emerges from bankruptcy next month. The board includes former Wall Street Journal publisher L. Gordon Crovitz as well as local business executives Michael Sweeney and William Farley.
Rima sells stackers to Buffalo News, others
Rima-System said it placed an RS-36 indexing compensating stacker at The Buffalo (N.Y.) News to help process commercial and semi-commercial work. The system, which was installed earlier this summer, allows The News to produce brick-like bundles of inserts and other work without the need for labor-intensive re-jogging.
Additionally, Rima said it installed an RS-36 stacker at Fisher Printing in Bridgeview, Ill., which is being used in conjunction with a Rima RS-820 rotary trimmer. It also placed two RS-36 stackers at Quad Graphics in West Allis, Wis. The stackers went into operation last month.
Additionally, Rima said it installed an RS-36 stacker at Fisher Printing in Bridgeview, Ill., which is being used in conjunction with a Rima RS-820 rotary trimmer. It also placed two RS-36 stackers at Quad Graphics in West Allis, Wis. The stackers went into operation last month.
Goss sets M-600 cylinder replacement program
Goss International unveiled a cylinder replacement program for M-600 web presses. The initiative includes pricing incentives and steps users can take to update aging lock-ups, Goss said.
The 16-page machine was introduced in 1992, and there are currently more than 2,000 printing units in operation worldwide.
The program will run through the rest of the year.
The 16-page machine was introduced in 1992, and there are currently more than 2,000 printing units in operation worldwide.
The program will run through the rest of the year.
Swedish pub taps Atex
Swedish publisher Promedia went live on Atex’s AdBase. Promedia produces 15 newspapers and AdBase will allow the publisher to integrate all advertising elements, from ad sales and booking to production, pagination and billing, Atex said. The centralized AdBase app will serve 200 users and replace the disparate databases previously spread out across Promedia’s publications.
Fairfax considering charging for online content
Dow Jones Newswires last week reported that Fairfax Media is considering joining News Corp. in its strategy to charge for online content.
“That opportunity to perhaps integrate our content would be one of a whole range of things that we’re looking at,” said Brian McCarthy, CEO of Fairfax.
Dow Jones reported that McCarthy went on to say, however, that this is not the only strategy Fairfax is considering.
“That opportunity to perhaps integrate our content would be one of a whole range of things that we’re looking at,” said Brian McCarthy, CEO of Fairfax.
Dow Jones reported that McCarthy went on to say, however, that this is not the only strategy Fairfax is considering.
Newsday taps PaperG
Newsday said it will deploy PaperG’s ad unit Flyerboard across its Web site’s neighborhood sections. The deal follows Hearst Newspapers’ decision earlier this month to use Flyerboard across its Web sites.
Flyerboard, an online advertising format geared toward local businesses, is a virtual bulletin board on which businesses can post flyers to advertise their services and events.
“We were looking for a solution that would provide our local businesses the ability to easily and effectively promote and target their messages online,” said Andrea Rothchild, Newsday’s vice president of classified advertising. Newsday will offer different Flyerboards for each region of Long Island, so that any businesses can reach nearby local residents.
Flyerboard, an online advertising format geared toward local businesses, is a virtual bulletin board on which businesses can post flyers to advertise their services and events.
“We were looking for a solution that would provide our local businesses the ability to easily and effectively promote and target their messages online,” said Andrea Rothchild, Newsday’s vice president of classified advertising. Newsday will offer different Flyerboards for each region of Long Island, so that any businesses can reach nearby local residents.
PCF expands delivery of WSJ, makes other pacts
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it expanded its home delivery relationship with Dow Jones & Co. and was awarded home delivery responsibilities for The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s in San Francisco and Marin County, Calif. PCF also absorbed additional home delivery responsibilities for The Journal in Jacksonville, Fla.
Meantime, PCF was awarded exclusive home delivery of The Hour in Norwalk, Conn., and assumed home delivery responsibilities for The Trentonian in Trenton, N.J., and for The Jewish Press, a privately owned weekly publication in New York.
Meantime, PCF was awarded exclusive home delivery of The Hour in Norwalk, Conn., and assumed home delivery responsibilities for The Trentonian in Trenton, N.J., and for The Jewish Press, a privately owned weekly publication in New York.
Correction
The story in the Aug. 24 Dateline about USA Today’s e-Edition should have reported that USA today had gained 800 — and not 40,000 — e-Edition subscribers since the paper launched the digital edition Aug. 3. The 40,000 figure cited by USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford referred to the number of e-mail notifications USA Today sent out to the first segment of existing subscribers inviting them to read the e-Edition.
In Brief
The New York Times Co.’s Regional Media Group named Dan E. Shorter vice president of digital media, effective Sept. 8.
MSN UK said it will use NewspaperDirect Inc.’s PressDisplay.com digital edition software to distribute newspaper and magazine content to its users. MSN UK is the United Kingdom’s largest commercial portal and has around 16 million unique customers.
www.newspaperdirect.com
WoodWing released Content Station 6.3, the latest version of its content management and publishing app.
www.woodwing.com
Pressmart said its eEditions digital edition software now supports Kindle and Sony e-reader devices.
www.pressmart.com
Advance Internet Inc. said it would begin offering automotive sales lead software from ResponseLogix Inc. to auto dealers under terms of a reseller agreement. Advance Internet operates Web sites for Advance Publications newspapers in Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
www.advanceinternet.com
www.responselogix.com
The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo., and other papers published by the Prairie Mountain Publishing Co. are now fully owned by MediaNews Group following the formal dissolution of the partnership between MediaNews and E.W. Scripps Co. Scripps said it would exit the partnership when it closed the Rocky Mountain News earlier this year.
Markzware released an upgrade to FlightCheck Professional for Macintosh. Markzware is offering $100 off this latest version of FlightCheck Professional v6.5, which Markzware said offers full support for the Adobe CS4 Creative Suite and QuarkXPress 8.
www.markzware.com
Alwan Color Expertise said it’s opened its Print Standardizer to popular automatic scanning technologies including X-Rite IntelliTrax, ATS, Komori DCS II and Heidelberg’s Image Control.
www.alwancolor.com
MSN UK said it will use NewspaperDirect Inc.’s PressDisplay.com digital edition software to distribute newspaper and magazine content to its users. MSN UK is the United Kingdom’s largest commercial portal and has around 16 million unique customers.
www.newspaperdirect.com
WoodWing released Content Station 6.3, the latest version of its content management and publishing app.
www.woodwing.com
Pressmart said its eEditions digital edition software now supports Kindle and Sony e-reader devices.
www.pressmart.com
Advance Internet Inc. said it would begin offering automotive sales lead software from ResponseLogix Inc. to auto dealers under terms of a reseller agreement. Advance Internet operates Web sites for Advance Publications newspapers in Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
www.advanceinternet.com
www.responselogix.com
The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo., and other papers published by the Prairie Mountain Publishing Co. are now fully owned by MediaNews Group following the formal dissolution of the partnership between MediaNews and E.W. Scripps Co. Scripps said it would exit the partnership when it closed the Rocky Mountain News earlier this year.
Markzware released an upgrade to FlightCheck Professional for Macintosh. Markzware is offering $100 off this latest version of FlightCheck Professional v6.5, which Markzware said offers full support for the Adobe CS4 Creative Suite and QuarkXPress 8.
www.markzware.com
Alwan Color Expertise said it’s opened its Print Standardizer to popular automatic scanning technologies including X-Rite IntelliTrax, ATS, Komori DCS II and Heidelberg’s Image Control.
www.alwancolor.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Aug. 24, 2009 — Miss. paper goes digital
The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., partnered with Southern Lithoplate’s Strategic Alliance to upgrade its analog plate making operation and convert to Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 plates. The Sun Herald also installed a Screen PlateRite News 2000S platesetter, replacing a previously installed analog plate system.
The publisher will manage its workflow with ProImage’s NewsWay.
“We converted over to the Southern Lithoplate CTP system using Viper 830 lithoplates, Newsway workflow and the Screen 2000 all at the same time,” said Gary Raskett, vice president of operations and circulation. “This was one of the smoothest transitions we have ever seen. We did not experience the slightest hiccup.”
The publisher also installed ProImage’s OnColor Eco ink optimization app.
Ink preset data is sent by NewsWay to The Sun Herald’s Goss MPSCII press control system.
The publisher will manage its workflow with ProImage’s NewsWay.
“We converted over to the Southern Lithoplate CTP system using Viper 830 lithoplates, Newsway workflow and the Screen 2000 all at the same time,” said Gary Raskett, vice president of operations and circulation. “This was one of the smoothest transitions we have ever seen. We did not experience the slightest hiccup.”
The publisher also installed ProImage’s OnColor Eco ink optimization app.
Ink preset data is sent by NewsWay to The Sun Herald’s Goss MPSCII press control system.
Corrected: USAT gains 800 subs to e-edition
VAIL, Colo. — USA Today has snapped up more than 800 subscribers to its e-edition, fewer than three weeks after its Aug. 3 launch.
“Our subscribers love it,” USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford told newspaper executives attending the 2009 Roundtable on Strategic Marketing here. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive.”
The e-edition, based on Olive Software’s digital conversion software, includes a Saturday-Sunday supplement, called Today Extra. Subscribers receive the digital edition each morning by 5:30. The e-editions are provided as a complement to existing home and business subscribers, and people can subscribe to just the digital edition, if desired. Currently, USA Today is charging $9.95 for four weeks of the e-edition.
Ford said readers are attracted to the e-edition because of convenience, lower costs and enhanced features such as interactive puzzles.
The e-edition continues to gain traction, she said, with 7,000 people sampling the version in the last week. “Almost every country has had some interaction with the e-edition,” she said.
Some 50 execs attended the three-day conference, sponsored by SmartFocus Astech.
Editor's note: This corrects an earlier posting that stated that USA Today had gained 40,000 new subscribers to its digital edition.
“Our subscribers love it,” USA Today Retention Manager Linda Ford told newspaper executives attending the 2009 Roundtable on Strategic Marketing here. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive.”
The e-edition, based on Olive Software’s digital conversion software, includes a Saturday-Sunday supplement, called Today Extra. Subscribers receive the digital edition each morning by 5:30. The e-editions are provided as a complement to existing home and business subscribers, and people can subscribe to just the digital edition, if desired. Currently, USA Today is charging $9.95 for four weeks of the e-edition.
Ford said readers are attracted to the e-edition because of convenience, lower costs and enhanced features such as interactive puzzles.
The e-edition continues to gain traction, she said, with 7,000 people sampling the version in the last week. “Almost every country has had some interaction with the e-edition,” she said.
Some 50 execs attended the three-day conference, sponsored by SmartFocus Astech.
Editor's note: This corrects an earlier posting that stated that USA Today had gained 40,000 new subscribers to its digital edition.
MDGM sells presses in S.A., Africa
Manugraph DGM Inc. said it sold presses to publishers in Brazil and Africa as the vendor continues to expand its international footprint.
In Brazil, MDGM sold a 12-unit Cityline Express press to Jornal a Gazeta in Cuiba; a 4-unit Cityline Express to Tribuna do Norte in Apucarana; and a 4-unit Cityline press to Diario do Nordeste in Forteleza.
It also sold a 20-unit, two-folder Hiline Express to Mwananchi Communications Ltd. in Tanzania.
See the September issue of News & Tech for an interview with Manugraph Managing Director Pradeep Shah, who discusses plans the company has to roll out the firm’s first doublewide press. The machine, the Smartline, will be available in India next year.
In Brazil, MDGM sold a 12-unit Cityline Express press to Jornal a Gazeta in Cuiba; a 4-unit Cityline Express to Tribuna do Norte in Apucarana; and a 4-unit Cityline press to Diario do Nordeste in Forteleza.
It also sold a 20-unit, two-folder Hiline Express to Mwananchi Communications Ltd. in Tanzania.
See the September issue of News & Tech for an interview with Manugraph Managing Director Pradeep Shah, who discusses plans the company has to roll out the firm’s first doublewide press. The machine, the Smartline, will be available in India next year.
Trib Co. rolling out DSI circ apps in L.A.
The Los Angeles Times is installing Data Sciences Inc.’s DSI/WebCirc and DSI/e-Solicitor circulation apps in a deployment that will determine if publisher Tribune Co. will roll out the software groupwide.
“DSI Circulation Software was a cost-effective solution to meet our current and future circulation needs for customer service, home delivery, distribution, single-copy sales and insert management,” said Paul Mitnick, the Times’ senior vice president of business applications.
The apps are Oracle- and Windows-based and were first introduced by DSI in 1996.
“DSI Circulation Software was a cost-effective solution to meet our current and future circulation needs for customer service, home delivery, distribution, single-copy sales and insert management,” said Paul Mitnick, the Times’ senior vice president of business applications.
The apps are Oracle- and Windows-based and were first introduced by DSI in 1996.
Harland Simon tapped to upgrade Trinity Mirror
Harland Simon said it will upgrade press control systems at Trinity Mirror Printing in Newcastle Upon Tyne in a press expansion project undertaken in conjunction with Printing Press Services International.
The press control system governing Trinity Mirror’s Goss International Colorliner presses will be switched out to the latest version of PressNet, which will take place before the PPSI-managed press extension. Harland Simon also said it will integrate the new printing units into the existing pressline and upgrade the Prima software to accommodate the additional impositions.
Harland Simon is also going to provide desk screens and integrate PressNet with the press’ QuadTech register control software, enabling operators to control both register and press operation from a single screen.
The project is slated for completion this fall, Harland Simon said.
The press control system governing Trinity Mirror’s Goss International Colorliner presses will be switched out to the latest version of PressNet, which will take place before the PPSI-managed press extension. Harland Simon also said it will integrate the new printing units into the existing pressline and upgrade the Prima software to accommodate the additional impositions.
Harland Simon is also going to provide desk screens and integrate PressNet with the press’ QuadTech register control software, enabling operators to control both register and press operation from a single screen.
The project is slated for completion this fall, Harland Simon said.
WaPo shelves hyperlocal initiative
The Washington Post folded LoudounExtra.com, its hyperlocal Web site. The paper launched the site two years ago, joining dozens of other papers seeking to grow their overall audiences by offering local coverage of community events. LoudounExtra.com served the northern Virginia community about 25 miles north of Washington, D.C. It combined Post reporters with community journalists who contributed local news and information.
The paper said the high costs associated with assigning reporters dedicated to the site contributed to the decision to shut it down.
Loudoun news will now be available through washingtonpost.com, editors said in a note to subscribers. The paper also said it will soon launch a new home page.
When LoudounExtra was first launched, the paper said it planned to roll out similar sites engineered for other areas surrounding the District. Those plans are now on hold.
The paper said the high costs associated with assigning reporters dedicated to the site contributed to the decision to shut it down.
Loudoun news will now be available through washingtonpost.com, editors said in a note to subscribers. The paper also said it will soon launch a new home page.
When LoudounExtra was first launched, the paper said it planned to roll out similar sites engineered for other areas surrounding the District. Those plans are now on hold.
Report: manroland sheetfed biz might have buyer
A German printing trade publication is reporting that Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. might be interested in acquiring manroland’s sheetfed business.
The magazine, Deutscher Drucker, said that SEG and Allianz Capital Partners, which owns a majority of manroland, are attempting to iron out details.
German consulting group Zicon Consulting said any deal between SEG and Allianz could pave the way for a merger between Heidelberg and manroland (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). According to Zicon, the disposal of manroland’s sheetfed business was viewed as a sticking point.
SEG’s Shanghai Electric Co. already builds presses through agreements it has with Goss International and a Japanese firm, Akiyama.
The magazine, Deutscher Drucker, said that SEG and Allianz Capital Partners, which owns a majority of manroland, are attempting to iron out details.
German consulting group Zicon Consulting said any deal between SEG and Allianz could pave the way for a merger between Heidelberg and manroland (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). According to Zicon, the disposal of manroland’s sheetfed business was viewed as a sticking point.
SEG’s Shanghai Electric Co. already builds presses through agreements it has with Goss International and a Japanese firm, Akiyama.
Freedom consolidates production of regional pubs
Freedom ENC Communications Inc. completed consolidation for the production of its North Carolina dailies The Daily Press in Jacksonville, The Free Press in Kinston and The Sun Journal in New Bern together with commercial work, at its Jacksonville, N.C. plant. The publisher installed ProImage’s browser-based NewsWay app to manage the multiple workflows involved.
“NewsWay has proven to be extremely flexible, and the technical support we’ve received has been superior,” said Jeff Ashe, COO, Freedom ENC Communications.
NewsWay generates edition plans for all papers, builds editions from PDF page files, monitors throughput and tracks and notifies users of events. The app provides integration and workflow management from an Advanced Publishing Technology editorial system to the load balancing of RIPs and Screen computer-to-plate machines and will also be managing the transmission of TIFF data to Peretta ink setting equipment, ProImage said.
Other Freedom properties using NewsWay include the Orange County (Calif.) Register, the Daily Press in Victorville, Calif., the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif., the Sun in Yuma, Ariz., the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz., the News-Herald in Panama City, Fla., the Lima (Ohio) News and the Odessa (Texas) American.
“NewsWay has proven to be extremely flexible, and the technical support we’ve received has been superior,” said Jeff Ashe, COO, Freedom ENC Communications.
NewsWay generates edition plans for all papers, builds editions from PDF page files, monitors throughput and tracks and notifies users of events. The app provides integration and workflow management from an Advanced Publishing Technology editorial system to the load balancing of RIPs and Screen computer-to-plate machines and will also be managing the transmission of TIFF data to Peretta ink setting equipment, ProImage said.
Other Freedom properties using NewsWay include the Orange County (Calif.) Register, the Daily Press in Victorville, Calif., the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif., the Sun in Yuma, Ariz., the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz., the News-Herald in Panama City, Fla., the Lima (Ohio) News and the Odessa (Texas) American.
Dow Jones closing Riverside plan
Dow Jones and Co. said it will close its Riverside, Calif., print site, with production of The Wall Street Journal and other products reportedly to be transferred to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times didn’t return calls seeking comment.
The Riverside facility produced more than 135,000 copies per day of The Journal, and it also printed Barron's and other newspapers slated for Southern California distribution.
The site's closure brings to six the number of plants News Corp. has shuttered since it acquired Dow Jones in late 2007. In addition to Riverside, DJ targeted for closure plants in Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Des Moines, Iowa.
The Times didn’t return calls seeking comment.
The Riverside facility produced more than 135,000 copies per day of The Journal, and it also printed Barron's and other newspapers slated for Southern California distribution.
The site's closure brings to six the number of plants News Corp. has shuttered since it acquired Dow Jones in late 2007. In addition to Riverside, DJ targeted for closure plants in Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Des Moines, Iowa.
Gannett set to roll out self-serve obits
Gannett Co. Inc. is rolling out self-service obituary software, with The Indianapolis Star slated to be the first paper to offer the capability beginning next month.
According to Annette Gould, Gannett's manager of advertising technology, the publisher will use software from Wave2 Media Solutions to support the service. Funeral directors and other users can submit information to a dedicated Web site, from which it will be formatted and placed in the paper's host CMS. Some 20 Gannett papers will begin offering self-service obituary capabilities this year.
According to Annette Gould, Gannett's manager of advertising technology, the publisher will use software from Wave2 Media Solutions to support the service. Funeral directors and other users can submit information to a dedicated Web site, from which it will be formatted and placed in the paper's host CMS. Some 20 Gannett papers will begin offering self-service obituary capabilities this year.
Torstar sets insert Web site
Two firms, including Toronto Star owner Metroland Media Group, said they will launch a Web site that features newspaper insert content.
The site, Zip2Save.com, will launch Oct. 1.
Metroland is teaming up with LocalPoint Media to operate the site, which is based on Metroland's existing Flyerland.ca Canadian newspaper insert Web initiative. Twenty U.S. publishers are participating in the site, including GateHouse Media, Sun-Times Media Group and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.
The site, Zip2Save.com, will launch Oct. 1.
Metroland is teaming up with LocalPoint Media to operate the site, which is based on Metroland's existing Flyerland.ca Canadian newspaper insert Web initiative. Twenty U.S. publishers are participating in the site, including GateHouse Media, Sun-Times Media Group and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.
Nela moves, acquires German newspaper vendor
Nela purchased and moved into its new U.S. headquarters, a 60,000-square-foot building in western Wisconsin. The company, which just celebrated its ninth anniversary in the United States, said the move solidifies its long-term commitment to the North and South American markets.
The new address is 610 Whitetail Blvd., River Falls, WI 54022. The new phone/fax number is 715.425.1900, and the new technical support number is 715.425.1944.
Meantime, Nela said it acquired major parts of German printing manufacturing company 2B Prazisionstechnik GmbH. While Nela is active in the newspaper and commercial segments of the printing industry, 2B is mainly active in the newspaper sector with a focus in middle and southern Europe, as well as some Asian countries.
The new address is 610 Whitetail Blvd., River Falls, WI 54022. The new phone/fax number is 715.425.1900, and the new technical support number is 715.425.1944.
Meantime, Nela said it acquired major parts of German printing manufacturing company 2B Prazisionstechnik GmbH. While Nela is active in the newspaper and commercial segments of the printing industry, 2B is mainly active in the newspaper sector with a focus in middle and southern Europe, as well as some Asian countries.
Aussie edit outsourcer sets up shop
Pagemasters, an Australian firm that provides editorial outsourcing services to newspapers, said it teamed up with The Canadian Press to provide design, copy-editing and headline-writing services to North American newspapers.
Pagemasters already provides similar services to a number of newspapers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Daily Telegraph.
Pagemasters, a unit of Australian Associated Press, currently produces more than 10,000 editorial pages per month in four production centers.
“We will be heavily involved with The Canadian Press in setting up editorial production centers in North America, working closely with newspaper publishers as they grapple with the radical changes sweeping the industry,” said AAP CEO Clive Marshall, in a statement.
Pagemasters already provides similar services to a number of newspapers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Daily Telegraph.
Pagemasters, a unit of Australian Associated Press, currently produces more than 10,000 editorial pages per month in four production centers.
“We will be heavily involved with The Canadian Press in setting up editorial production centers in North America, working closely with newspaper publishers as they grapple with the radical changes sweeping the industry,” said AAP CEO Clive Marshall, in a statement.
Clarification
The article, “Tribune notches color register savings,” in the Aug. 17, 2009, Dateline should have reported that Tribune Publishing Co. in Columbia, Mo., was able to cut its paper waste — and not its newsprint consumption — by 25 percent after employing a color registration system from Imaging Technologies Inc. Information supplied by ITI said the paper had cut its waste by 30 percent.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Aug. 18, 2009 — Dow Jones closing Riverside plant
Dow Jones and Co. said it will close its Riverside, Calif., printing plant, making it the sixth production site it's shuttered in the past 18 months.
The facility will close by Sept. 1. Dow Jones didn't say where printing and production will move, but it's likely the Los Angeles Times will get the contract, according to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside.
The Riverside facility produces more than 135,000 copies of The Wall Street Journal each day. It also prints Barron's and other News Corp. products.
Since News Corp. acquired Dow Jones in late 2007, the publisher closed print sites it operated in Denver, Chicago, Orlando, Fla., Des Moines, Iowa, and Dallas, transferring production to the Denver Newspaper Agency, Chicago Tribune, Ledger in Lakeland, Fla., The Des Moines Register and The Dallas Morning News, respectively.
The facility will close by Sept. 1. Dow Jones didn't say where printing and production will move, but it's likely the Los Angeles Times will get the contract, according to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside.
The Riverside facility produces more than 135,000 copies of The Wall Street Journal each day. It also prints Barron's and other News Corp. products.
Since News Corp. acquired Dow Jones in late 2007, the publisher closed print sites it operated in Denver, Chicago, Orlando, Fla., Des Moines, Iowa, and Dallas, transferring production to the Denver Newspaper Agency, Chicago Tribune, Ledger in Lakeland, Fla., The Des Moines Register and The Dallas Morning News, respectively.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Aug. 17, 2009 — CNHI moving 21 papers to CTP
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. will deploy computer-to-plate systems to 21 of its newspapers across 16 locations, using equipment from Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging and ECRM Imaging Systems.
Each site will image Konica Minolta’s Replica HSV photopolymer violet plates on ECRM’s Newsmatic 60 SSR automated violet platesetters. Each site will also employ PuzzleFlow Solutions’ workflow software and automation products and violet plate processors from Heights.
The newspapers are: The Cullman (Ala.) Times; the Thomasville, (Ga.) Times-Enterprise; the Americus (Ga.) Times Recorder; the Effingham (Ill.) Daily News; Mt. Vernon (Ill.) Register News; the Commercial News in Danville, Ill.; the Washington (Ind.) Times Herald; the Ottumwa (Iowa) Daily Courier; the Independent in Ashland, Ky.; the Meridian (Miss.) Star; the Cumberland (Md.) Times News; the Joplin (Mo.) Globe; the Edmond (Okla.) Sun; the Duncan (Okla.) Banner; the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix; the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.; the Palestine (Texas) Herald-Press; the Orange (Texas) Leader; the Port Arthur, (Texas) News; the Register Herald in Beckley, W.Va.; and the Times West Virginian in Fairmont, W.Va.
“We believe these systems will greatly improve the efficiency of production at each of these newspapers,” said CNHI Chief Operating Officer Keith Blevins. “Most importantly, these systems will help each newspaper deliver the top-notch publications their advertisers and communities expect and deserve.”
Each site will image Konica Minolta’s Replica HSV photopolymer violet plates on ECRM’s Newsmatic 60 SSR automated violet platesetters. Each site will also employ PuzzleFlow Solutions’ workflow software and automation products and violet plate processors from Heights.
The newspapers are: The Cullman (Ala.) Times; the Thomasville, (Ga.) Times-Enterprise; the Americus (Ga.) Times Recorder; the Effingham (Ill.) Daily News; Mt. Vernon (Ill.) Register News; the Commercial News in Danville, Ill.; the Washington (Ind.) Times Herald; the Ottumwa (Iowa) Daily Courier; the Independent in Ashland, Ky.; the Meridian (Miss.) Star; the Cumberland (Md.) Times News; the Joplin (Mo.) Globe; the Edmond (Okla.) Sun; the Duncan (Okla.) Banner; the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix; the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.; the Palestine (Texas) Herald-Press; the Orange (Texas) Leader; the Port Arthur, (Texas) News; the Register Herald in Beckley, W.Va.; and the Times West Virginian in Fairmont, W.Va.
“We believe these systems will greatly improve the efficiency of production at each of these newspapers,” said CNHI Chief Operating Officer Keith Blevins. “Most importantly, these systems will help each newspaper deliver the top-notch publications their advertisers and communities expect and deserve.”
No decision on outsourcing Memphis CA’s printing
Talks between The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., and Journal Publishing Co. in Tupelo, Miss., are continuing past the Aug. 15 deadline set by JPC to determine whether it will take over production of the Tennessee daily (see Dateline, July 27, 2009).
An agreement between E.W. Scripps and JPC is “not real close,” according to comments attributed to Commercial Appeal attorney Richard Lowe by the Memphis Newspaper Guild.
The Guild said that one of the big differences between The Commercial Appeal and JPC is the length of contract. While JPC, which prints The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and other papers, wants a longer-term agreement, The Commercial Appeal is apparently reluctant, the Guild said.
Lowe told the Guild that it’s unclear when the two sides might reach a decision.
JPC would have to invest millions in a new plant, including press and postpress equipment, to produce The Commercial Appeal. The privately owned publisher currently operates a singlewide Goss International Urbanite press.
Commercial Appeal Vice President of Operations Steve Tomb told News & Tech that he couldn’t comment on negotiations. JPC didn’t return calls asking for comment.
Scripps has been studying what to do with The Commercial Appeal’s 30-year-old Goss Metro presses for years. In 2008, the newspaper reduced the web width of the four machines from 50 inches to 46 inches. It’s also evaluating ways to reduce the press’ 23 9/16-inch cutoff, examining modification services from Goss and Pressline Services Inc. All of these options remain under consideration, a Scripps exec told News & Tech.
An agreement between E.W. Scripps and JPC is “not real close,” according to comments attributed to Commercial Appeal attorney Richard Lowe by the Memphis Newspaper Guild.
The Guild said that one of the big differences between The Commercial Appeal and JPC is the length of contract. While JPC, which prints The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and other papers, wants a longer-term agreement, The Commercial Appeal is apparently reluctant, the Guild said.
Lowe told the Guild that it’s unclear when the two sides might reach a decision.
JPC would have to invest millions in a new plant, including press and postpress equipment, to produce The Commercial Appeal. The privately owned publisher currently operates a singlewide Goss International Urbanite press.
Commercial Appeal Vice President of Operations Steve Tomb told News & Tech that he couldn’t comment on negotiations. JPC didn’t return calls asking for comment.
Scripps has been studying what to do with The Commercial Appeal’s 30-year-old Goss Metro presses for years. In 2008, the newspaper reduced the web width of the four machines from 50 inches to 46 inches. It’s also evaluating ways to reduce the press’ 23 9/16-inch cutoff, examining modification services from Goss and Pressline Services Inc. All of these options remain under consideration, a Scripps exec told News & Tech.
Printcasting offering ad, print support
Printcasting, the user-generated publishing platform that launched in Bakersfield, Calif., earlier this year, said it will begin placing ads and covering printing costs of selected Printcasts in order to further kick-start the concept.
Beginning Aug. 19, Printcasting said it will place $10 ads in 50 Printcasts at its expense. It will also increase its normal revenue sharing formula — now 60 percent — to 70 percent, enabling publishers to keep $7 of the total. The other $3 is slated to content providers.
Additionally, Printcasting said it would select 20 publishers and cover the printing costs for their first edition, with a limit of up to 200 copies or $200 per edition. The publishers will be selected Sept. 30.
For more information, click http://www.printcasting.com/content/hey-publishers-let-us-cover-your-printing-costs
Beginning Aug. 19, Printcasting said it will place $10 ads in 50 Printcasts at its expense. It will also increase its normal revenue sharing formula — now 60 percent — to 70 percent, enabling publishers to keep $7 of the total. The other $3 is slated to content providers.
Additionally, Printcasting said it would select 20 publishers and cover the printing costs for their first edition, with a limit of up to 200 copies or $200 per edition. The publishers will be selected Sept. 30.
For more information, click http://www.printcasting.com/content/hey-publishers-let-us-cover-your-printing-costs
Goss sells Newsliner to Chinese publisher
Chinese newspaper publisher Xi’an Daily News Co. purchased a 4-by-2 Newsliner press from Goss International.
The press, configured as two four-high towers and one 2:3:3 jaw folder, will enable Xi’an to increase its color capacity to 16 broadsheet pages in straight run and 32 pages collect.
The press, configured as two four-high towers and one 2:3:3 jaw folder, will enable Xi’an to increase its color capacity to 16 broadsheet pages in straight run and 32 pages collect.
Journal Register emerges from bankruptcy
Journal Register Co. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six months after making its initial filing.
A federal bankruptcy judge OK’d the move, allowing Journal Register to obtain more than $200 million in exit financing from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, The AP reported.
A federal bankruptcy judge OK’d the move, allowing Journal Register to obtain more than $200 million in exit financing from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, The AP reported.
Valassis dumps L.A. Times in favor of mail
Valassis said it will send its RedPlum package of coupons and ad circulars to Los Angeles-area customers via direct mail, forgoing the Los Angeles Times.
The shift will take place next Monday. Valassis said it would continue to distribute its coupons through Los Angeles Newspaper Group newspapers, which include the (Los Angeles) Daily News and other L.A. suburban dailies.
The shift will take place next Monday. Valassis said it would continue to distribute its coupons through Los Angeles Newspaper Group newspapers, which include the (Los Angeles) Daily News and other L.A. suburban dailies.
Aftenposten selects Integration X
Aftenposten of Norway signed a deal to implement Integration X’s AdPoint production suite to manage its ad production and material handling.
Meantime, Integration X announced that it will release version 5 of AdPoint in the fall. AdPoint offers Web-based tracking, production and proofing for print and online ads. Version 5 will introduce new features as well as a new Java-based user interface, and is based on a modular structure in which a user’s entire ad production environment is available in a single Web browser window, Integration X said.
Meantime, Integration X announced that it will release version 5 of AdPoint in the fall. AdPoint offers Web-based tracking, production and proofing for print and online ads. Version 5 will introduce new features as well as a new Java-based user interface, and is based on a modular structure in which a user’s entire ad production environment is available in a single Web browser window, Integration X said.
Tribune notches color register savings
Tribune Publishing Co. in Columbia, Mo., said it was able to cut its consumption of newsprint by 30 percent since employing a color register system from Imaging Technologies Inc.
TPC last fall installed a 24-camera system across its Goss International Universal 45 press (see News and Tech, October 2008).
“The waste reduction is a direct result of having to pay less attention to register by virtue of the automated register system,” said Jack Waters, TPC’s general manager.
“The overall savings and improvements to the environmental footprint of our operations including the paper, inks, energy savings (machine run time) are significant. Crew time optimization is made possible as well.”
TPC last fall installed a 24-camera system across its Goss International Universal 45 press (see News and Tech, October 2008).
“The waste reduction is a direct result of having to pay less attention to register by virtue of the automated register system,” said Jack Waters, TPC’s general manager.
“The overall savings and improvements to the environmental footprint of our operations including the paper, inks, energy savings (machine run time) are significant. Crew time optimization is made possible as well.”
Saxotech making hosting easier
Saxotech said it would make its Mediaware Center software available to media companies through a hosted model with special pricing and payment terms.
Under the Saxotech Stimulus Program, qualified media companies can sign up to use the app for as little as 12 months, and payment terms will be structured to provide users with additional savings before the first payment is owed, Saxotech said.
“We understand in today’s economic environment that media companies are under tremendous pressure to find additional efficiencies and to only invest in areas where they can realize a quick return on their investment,” said Anders Christiansen, president and CEO of Saxotech. “Through the Saxotech Stimulus Program, media companies can take advantage of the many benefits of the Managed Hosted Mediaware Center while also generating an immediate return on their investment.”
Under the Saxotech Stimulus Program, qualified media companies can sign up to use the app for as little as 12 months, and payment terms will be structured to provide users with additional savings before the first payment is owed, Saxotech said.
“We understand in today’s economic environment that media companies are under tremendous pressure to find additional efficiencies and to only invest in areas where they can realize a quick return on their investment,” said Anders Christiansen, president and CEO of Saxotech. “Through the Saxotech Stimulus Program, media companies can take advantage of the many benefits of the Managed Hosted Mediaware Center while also generating an immediate return on their investment.”
Ohio daily launches pay Web site
The Lima (Ohio) News last week made portions of its Web site available only to paid subscribers.
“This rewards our loyal customers by giving them something for free that a casual user does not get,” said James Shine, publisher of The News. “At the same time, people wishing to receive their news only through our Web site have the opportunity to do so for a very reasonable cost.”
Subscription packages range from 75 cents a day to $4.95 per month; seven-day subscribers to the print edition of The News can access all of the site’s news and information free of additional charge.
“This rewards our loyal customers by giving them something for free that a casual user does not get,” said James Shine, publisher of The News. “At the same time, people wishing to receive their news only through our Web site have the opportunity to do so for a very reasonable cost.”
Subscription packages range from 75 cents a day to $4.95 per month; seven-day subscribers to the print edition of The News can access all of the site’s news and information free of additional charge.
Latimes.com launches new look
The Los Angeles Times launched a redesigned Web site incorporating additional multimedia and social networking features.
“The new latimes.com is representative of the changes we’ve made to create an around-the-clock, integrated newsroom armed with the tools that ensure immediacy, feed the Web, mobile devices and social media, and supplements our print edition,” said Times Editor Russ Stanton.
The new site includes multimedia editorial features and more than 40 blogs, including LA Now, dedicated to local breaking news. The Times also bulked up its entertainment coverage.
“The new latimes.com is representative of the changes we’ve made to create an around-the-clock, integrated newsroom armed with the tools that ensure immediacy, feed the Web, mobile devices and social media, and supplements our print edition,” said Times Editor Russ Stanton.
The new site includes multimedia editorial features and more than 40 blogs, including LA Now, dedicated to local breaking news. The Times also bulked up its entertainment coverage.
Obituaries:
Günther Eckert, KBA
Günther Eckert, senior engineer at Koenig & Bauer AG died Aug. 11 in a drowning accident while on vacation in Denmark. His daughter also drowned trying to rescue him, KBA said. Mr. Eckert was involved with a number of KBA press installations in the United States.
Ken Fleming, Tulsa World
Ken Fleming, who directed production operations at the Tulsa (Okla.) World for nearly three decades, died last week at his home in Florida. He was 75.
During his tenure with the World, Mr. Fleming oversaw two new press installations at the paper.
Fleming is survived by his wife, Gail; his brother, Gene; sons Randy and Ben; daughter Susan Major; nine grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Tulsa’s Sharp Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33047, or to Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma, 9433 E. 51st St., Suite J, Tulsa, OK 74129.
Günther Eckert, KBA
Günther Eckert, senior engineer at Koenig & Bauer AG died Aug. 11 in a drowning accident while on vacation in Denmark. His daughter also drowned trying to rescue him, KBA said. Mr. Eckert was involved with a number of KBA press installations in the United States.
Ken Fleming, Tulsa World
Ken Fleming, who directed production operations at the Tulsa (Okla.) World for nearly three decades, died last week at his home in Florida. He was 75.
During his tenure with the World, Mr. Fleming oversaw two new press installations at the paper.
Fleming is survived by his wife, Gail; his brother, Gene; sons Randy and Ben; daughter Susan Major; nine grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Tulsa’s Sharp Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33047, or to Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma, 9433 E. 51st St., Suite J, Tulsa, OK 74129.
In Brief
Media General’s Richmond (Va.) Media Group named Rick Thornton to head Richmond.com.
Cablevision Systems named Tad Smith president of its newly created Local Media group, which includes Newsday in Long Island, N.Y., and News 12 Networks.
Goss International named John Gallagher director of business development of the vendor’s Lifetime Support program in North and South America.
The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa, went live with Digital Technology International’s DTI Circulation 3.5 and iServices Subscriber, all deployed through DTI’s Cloud platform.
www.dtint.com
Plastic Logic said it will work with Olive Software to provide services to customers under its Publishers Program. The Plastic Logic Reader will be introduced early next year.
www.plasticlogic.com
www.olivesoftware.com
ProImage said it will debut its FanOut Server at Publish Asia & Ifra India Expo, to be held in Chennai, India, Sept. 23-25. FanOut Server addresses the problem of paper stretch on web presses.
www.proimage.com
Printing Industries of America awarded InterTech technology awards to CGS Publishing Technologies International for its Oris Press Matcher color management software and to Kodak for its Dimensional Printing System and its Prinergy Digital workflow software.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.graphics.kodak.com
WoodWing Asia Pacific named Shanghai Digesoft Technology Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and Beijing a Gold Authorized Partner.
www.woodwing.com
Goss International opened a direct sales and support office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The office oversees commercial and newspaper press and postpress sales, marketing and after-market services.
www.gossinternational.com
The (Nashville) Tennessean this week began printing the regional edition of The New York Times. The Gannett Co. Inc.-owned paper produces more than 20 commercial publications on its three presses.
AdLizard has completed its move into new offices. The new address is 35211 NE 127th Ave., La Center, WA 98629. Telephone and fax numbers are 360.263.5811 and 360.252.6517, respectively.
www.adlizard.com
PPI Media said it will host a number of conferences in September and November in Chicago, New York and London, which will address the possibilities associated with marketing cross-media ad space. Demos will center on ppi’s AdInvent app.
www.ppimedia.de
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will said it would leave its downtown location and move to new offices in northeast Atlanta. The move will begin next spring, the newspaper reported.
Cablevision Systems named Tad Smith president of its newly created Local Media group, which includes Newsday in Long Island, N.Y., and News 12 Networks.
Goss International named John Gallagher director of business development of the vendor’s Lifetime Support program in North and South America.
The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa, went live with Digital Technology International’s DTI Circulation 3.5 and iServices Subscriber, all deployed through DTI’s Cloud platform.
www.dtint.com
Plastic Logic said it will work with Olive Software to provide services to customers under its Publishers Program. The Plastic Logic Reader will be introduced early next year.
www.plasticlogic.com
www.olivesoftware.com
ProImage said it will debut its FanOut Server at Publish Asia & Ifra India Expo, to be held in Chennai, India, Sept. 23-25. FanOut Server addresses the problem of paper stretch on web presses.
www.proimage.com
Printing Industries of America awarded InterTech technology awards to CGS Publishing Technologies International for its Oris Press Matcher color management software and to Kodak for its Dimensional Printing System and its Prinergy Digital workflow software.
www.cgs-oris.com
www.graphics.kodak.com
WoodWing Asia Pacific named Shanghai Digesoft Technology Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and Beijing a Gold Authorized Partner.
www.woodwing.com
Goss International opened a direct sales and support office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The office oversees commercial and newspaper press and postpress sales, marketing and after-market services.
www.gossinternational.com
The (Nashville) Tennessean this week began printing the regional edition of The New York Times. The Gannett Co. Inc.-owned paper produces more than 20 commercial publications on its three presses.
AdLizard has completed its move into new offices. The new address is 35211 NE 127th Ave., La Center, WA 98629. Telephone and fax numbers are 360.263.5811 and 360.252.6517, respectively.
www.adlizard.com
PPI Media said it will host a number of conferences in September and November in Chicago, New York and London, which will address the possibilities associated with marketing cross-media ad space. Demos will center on ppi’s AdInvent app.
www.ppimedia.de
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will said it would leave its downtown location and move to new offices in northeast Atlanta. The move will begin next spring, the newspaper reported.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Aug. 10, 2009 — Times of Shreveport getting its Berliner press
Eighteen months after outlining plans for an upgraded Berliner press, The Times in Shreveport, La., received the green light to install the machine.
The Times in late 2007 said it would install a reconditioned 1991 Berliner press obtained by reseller Graphic Web Systems to anchor the upgrade (see News & Tech, January 2008).
The WIFAG OF 790 press will be used to replace The Times’ almost 50-year-old letterpress.
Gannett Co. Inc. delayed the $15 million project as it dealt with building issues, the recession and industry downturn.
But a memo from Times President and Publisher Pete Zanmiller, issued last week, said the press upgrade had been approved and that work would begin immediately.
“Now that we have finally been given approval the difficult work begins as we move to the next generation of our printed product,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to the entire operation working on this opportunity.”
The shafted WIFAG press is configured as four towers and two folders, with an 18.5-inch cutoff and 44-inch web width. The press was formerly used by a Swiss printer, which decommissioned it last year.
The Times will be the third U.S. newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, following the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., and the Reading (Pa.) Eagle.
Look for more on The Times’ Berliner install in the September issue.
The Times in late 2007 said it would install a reconditioned 1991 Berliner press obtained by reseller Graphic Web Systems to anchor the upgrade (see News & Tech, January 2008).
The WIFAG OF 790 press will be used to replace The Times’ almost 50-year-old letterpress.
Gannett Co. Inc. delayed the $15 million project as it dealt with building issues, the recession and industry downturn.
But a memo from Times President and Publisher Pete Zanmiller, issued last week, said the press upgrade had been approved and that work would begin immediately.
“Now that we have finally been given approval the difficult work begins as we move to the next generation of our printed product,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to the entire operation working on this opportunity.”
The shafted WIFAG press is configured as four towers and two folders, with an 18.5-inch cutoff and 44-inch web width. The press was formerly used by a Swiss printer, which decommissioned it last year.
The Times will be the third U.S. newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, following the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., and the Reading (Pa.) Eagle.
Look for more on The Times’ Berliner install in the September issue.
Online payment schemes moving forward
The Financial Times and News Corp. each outlined plans to begin charging readers to access to their online content as publishers continue to seek ways to attract new revenues.
According to The Independent in the United Kingdom, The Financial Times is evaluating a “pay-per-article” system, perhaps based on Apple Inc.’s iTunes. The paper said that FT is examining a model in which a non-subscribing reader would pay a small fee for articles that otherwise would only be available to subscribers. The FT already has more than 117,000 subscribers who pay an annual fee for access.
The Independent said the FT hopes to have the system in place next year.
News Corp., meantime, wants to introduce charges to all of its Web sites by next summer.
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch expects the fees to offset expenses associated with operating his stable of newspapers, which include in the United States the New York Post and the Dow Jones Local Media Group dailies.
“Quality journalism is not cheap,” he said during an earnings conference call. “The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news Web sites.”
To that end, The Guardian in the United Kingdom reported that The (London) Sunday Times will be the first News Corp. paper to experiment with charging readers to access content, beginning this fall.
According to the paper, The Times will launch a fee-based Sundaytimes.co.uk, Web site at the end of November.
The Guardian said the publisher hasn’t yet decided which mechanism or technology it will use to charge readers.
According to The Independent in the United Kingdom, The Financial Times is evaluating a “pay-per-article” system, perhaps based on Apple Inc.’s iTunes. The paper said that FT is examining a model in which a non-subscribing reader would pay a small fee for articles that otherwise would only be available to subscribers. The FT already has more than 117,000 subscribers who pay an annual fee for access.
The Independent said the FT hopes to have the system in place next year.
News Corp., meantime, wants to introduce charges to all of its Web sites by next summer.
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch expects the fees to offset expenses associated with operating his stable of newspapers, which include in the United States the New York Post and the Dow Jones Local Media Group dailies.
“Quality journalism is not cheap,” he said during an earnings conference call. “The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news Web sites.”
To that end, The Guardian in the United Kingdom reported that The (London) Sunday Times will be the first News Corp. paper to experiment with charging readers to access content, beginning this fall.
According to the paper, The Times will launch a fee-based Sundaytimes.co.uk, Web site at the end of November.
The Guardian said the publisher hasn’t yet decided which mechanism or technology it will use to charge readers.
Bakersfield daily going tab
The Bakersfield Californian said it will re-launch its weekday newspaper as a tabloid-sized product starting Aug. 17.
The paper’s Saturday and Sunday editions will retain its current broadsheet format, but will receive a fresh look that mirrors the weekday Californian.
The paper will include color on every page, a cleaner layout and an improved obituary page.
“Through months of research, we have carefully considered what we believe will make for a richer and more enjoyable experience for our readers, improving upon our content and packaging,” said Richard Beene, president and CEO of The Californian.
The paper is printed on TKS (USA) presses and is produced by Brad Moseley Inc. under a contractual agreement.
News & Tech will have more information about the conversion in the September issue.
The paper’s Saturday and Sunday editions will retain its current broadsheet format, but will receive a fresh look that mirrors the weekday Californian.
The paper will include color on every page, a cleaner layout and an improved obituary page.
“Through months of research, we have carefully considered what we believe will make for a richer and more enjoyable experience for our readers, improving upon our content and packaging,” said Richard Beene, president and CEO of The Californian.
The paper is printed on TKS (USA) presses and is produced by Brad Moseley Inc. under a contractual agreement.
News & Tech will have more information about the conversion in the September issue.
Jenkins to join News & Tech Print 09 panel
John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., will be part of a special newspaper-focused panel that will be held during Print 09.
Jenkins will talk about the Free Lance-Star’s new production facility, which will feature the first U.S. installation of Goss International’s FPS press. The triplewide machine, with both heatset and coldset production capabilities, will go on-edition next year.
Jenkins will be joined by Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett Co. Inc., Bill May, vice president of production, The Dallas Morning News and Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality, at the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the role technology is playing in their operations.
The 90-minute seminar, to be moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will take place Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago. No additional registration is needed to attend the session. To get more information about Print 09 registration information, click here.
Jenkins will talk about the Free Lance-Star’s new production facility, which will feature the first U.S. installation of Goss International’s FPS press. The triplewide machine, with both heatset and coldset production capabilities, will go on-edition next year.
Jenkins will be joined by Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett Co. Inc., Bill May, vice president of production, The Dallas Morning News and Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality, at the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the role technology is playing in their operations.
The 90-minute seminar, to be moderated by News & Tech Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, will take place Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago. No additional registration is needed to attend the session. To get more information about Print 09 registration information, click here.
Minn. paper reduces print days to 2
The Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle is reducing its five-day-a-week print schedule to biweekly, beginning Sept. 2.
The newspaper said printed editions will be distributed Wednesdays and Saturdays. It will continue to post breaking news and information on its Web site.
"Economics and the readers' desire for local-only information are the predominant reasons for this decision," Publisher Steve Messick said. "We will deliver more local news to subscribers — but twice a week in larger newspapers instead of in five smaller papers. This change will allow our staff to concentrate only on the local market."
The newspaper said printed editions will be distributed Wednesdays and Saturdays. It will continue to post breaking news and information on its Web site.
"Economics and the readers' desire for local-only information are the predominant reasons for this decision," Publisher Steve Messick said. "We will deliver more local news to subscribers — but twice a week in larger newspapers instead of in five smaller papers. This change will allow our staff to concentrate only on the local market."
Transcontinental Mexico to get Sunday press
Goss International will place its first Sunday 3000 press in Mexico following a deal between the press vendor and Transcontinental Inc.
Transcontinental will install the press at its Mexico City plant and use it to produce magazines, catalogs and retail inserts, Goss said.
“We are continuing to invest in our network of facilities to give our customers the most innovative printing technologies available,” said Roberto Sierra, Transcontinental Mexico Group’s senior vice president.
Goss will supply a Contiweb FD paster, Ecocool dryer and PFF-3 pinless former folder with the new Sunday 3000/32 system at the Xochimilco plant.
The four-unit press features a 72-inch web width and will print 32 magazine pages per impression, Goss said.
Transcontinental will install the press at its Mexico City plant and use it to produce magazines, catalogs and retail inserts, Goss said.
“We are continuing to invest in our network of facilities to give our customers the most innovative printing technologies available,” said Roberto Sierra, Transcontinental Mexico Group’s senior vice president.
Goss will supply a Contiweb FD paster, Ecocool dryer and PFF-3 pinless former folder with the new Sunday 3000/32 system at the Xochimilco plant.
The four-unit press features a 72-inch web width and will print 32 magazine pages per impression, Goss said.
World-Herald launches Saxotech app
The Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald deployed Saxotech’s Mediaware Center to allow its writers and editors to publish content in both print and digital form.
“We are looking forward to an excellent partnership going forward as we tackle the product innovations, creations and modifications needed to compete in our ever-changing news and advertising marketplace,” said Larry King, vice president of news and content at the World-Herald.
Saxotech is also providing managed Web hosting for the publisher’s Web site, www.omaha.com as well as new products enabled by Mediaware Center.
“We are looking forward to an excellent partnership going forward as we tackle the product innovations, creations and modifications needed to compete in our ever-changing news and advertising marketplace,” said Larry King, vice president of news and content at the World-Herald.
Saxotech is also providing managed Web hosting for the publisher’s Web site, www.omaha.com as well as new products enabled by Mediaware Center.
Gabriels puts real estate at FrontDoor of major pubs
FrontDoor.com, a real estate portal powered by Gabriels Technology and owned by HGTV, signed a deal to share real estate listings with 250 newspaper Web sites, including properties belonging to Cox Newspapers, Freedom Communications, Journal Register Co. and Southern Newspaper Group.
FrontDoor.com is also sharing listings with national papers, including The Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune and The Denver Post. The deal will make FrontDoor's 4 million national real estate listings available to these publishers’ Web sites.
The first phase of the partnerships, introducing interactive real estate listings with search and browsing functions, will eventually be followed by the introduction of more multimedia content, including articles and videos from real estate experts, Gabriels said. This may include repurposed or custom-created content from HGTV, a Scripps Networks property which uses its cable shows to promote the site and vice versa. FrontDoor already has similar deals to provide real estate listings to 60 local TV station affiliate Web sites, including WSB-TV in Atlanta and KMGH in Denver.
FrontDoor.com is also sharing listings with national papers, including The Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune and The Denver Post. The deal will make FrontDoor's 4 million national real estate listings available to these publishers’ Web sites.
The first phase of the partnerships, introducing interactive real estate listings with search and browsing functions, will eventually be followed by the introduction of more multimedia content, including articles and videos from real estate experts, Gabriels said. This may include repurposed or custom-created content from HGTV, a Scripps Networks property which uses its cable shows to promote the site and vice versa. FrontDoor already has similar deals to provide real estate listings to 60 local TV station affiliate Web sites, including WSB-TV in Atlanta and KMGH in Denver.
Register-Guard snares awards
The Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association recognized The Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore., with six first-place awards in its 2009 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards include a Best Web site win for The Register-Guard, which is produced using Digital Technology International’s ContentPublisher and Lightning apps. The Register-Guard was judged in the division that included the state's largest newspapers.
API, ITZ to study online revenue initiatives
The American Press Institute is partnering with ITZ Publishing and Belden Interactive, operating as ITZBelden, to monitor media companies’ online revenue initiatives, including pay for content.
API will work with ITZBelden to produce surveys of local media enterprises’ ongoing and new revenue initiatives and provide publishers with data as they look at new sources of revenue generation, API said.
API will e-mail the surveys to news industry executives and elicit their participation.
“Media industry leaders need good information to guide them as they determine new business models,” said Drew Davis, API president and executive director. “These studies will enable them to see and evaluate the initiatives being implemented, the relative success of each and the impact on the whole.”
An overview of results from the first ITZBelden survey will be presented at API’s Newsmedia Economic Action Plan Conference, Sept.13-15, 2009, at the Institute’s headquarters in Reston, Va. The conference is an invitation-only event.
API will work with ITZBelden to produce surveys of local media enterprises’ ongoing and new revenue initiatives and provide publishers with data as they look at new sources of revenue generation, API said.
API will e-mail the surveys to news industry executives and elicit their participation.
“Media industry leaders need good information to guide them as they determine new business models,” said Drew Davis, API president and executive director. “These studies will enable them to see and evaluate the initiatives being implemented, the relative success of each and the impact on the whole.”
An overview of results from the first ITZBelden survey will be presented at API’s Newsmedia Economic Action Plan Conference, Sept.13-15, 2009, at the Institute’s headquarters in Reston, Va. The conference is an invitation-only event.
PageSuite launches digital newspaper portal
PageSuite launched its Mydigital newspaper portal at www.mydigitalnewspaper.com. The site allows users to search and read digital newspapers from the U.K. and North America, including Metro and Daily Express, and the San Francisco and Washington Examiner.
“We have all our top titles on,” said Ben Edwards, marketing manager for PageSuite. “Our search tool will find key terms or phrases in any newspaper… (and) can also be segmented by country, publication, date and even the type of title, as we have a range of supplements, daily, weekly, monthly, free and paid for newspapers.”
“We have all our top titles on,” said Ben Edwards, marketing manager for PageSuite. “Our search tool will find key terms or phrases in any newspaper… (and) can also be segmented by country, publication, date and even the type of title, as we have a range of supplements, daily, weekly, monthly, free and paid for newspapers.”
Borrell forecasts bottom for newspaper ad sales
Newspaper advertising revenues will bottom out this year and then begin to grow by single-digit amounts over the next several years, according to a research report issued by Borrell Associates.
The company said newspapers will take in $35.9 billion in ad revenues in 2009, following four years of sharp declines.
The company then projects sales to grow modestly through 2014, hitting $39 billion.
In 2005, the newspaper industry sold almost $58 billion in ads.
Meantime, Veronis Suhler Stevenson said in its most recent communications industry forecast that total communications ad spending will top $1 trillion by 2014. For more information, or to obtain the full report, visit www.vss.com/forecast09.
The company said newspapers will take in $35.9 billion in ad revenues in 2009, following four years of sharp declines.
The company then projects sales to grow modestly through 2014, hitting $39 billion.
In 2005, the newspaper industry sold almost $58 billion in ads.
Meantime, Veronis Suhler Stevenson said in its most recent communications industry forecast that total communications ad spending will top $1 trillion by 2014. For more information, or to obtain the full report, visit www.vss.com/forecast09.
Heidelberg secures financing
Press vendor Heidelberg said it has secured a $2 billion credit line from a group of banks and German government entities. The company, which reportedly is in merger discussions with manroland, said it now has enough financing to assure its liquidity for “the next few years.”
The financing will cover the company’s operations through mid-2012, Heidelberg said.
In a statement, Heidelberg Chief Financial Officer Dirk Kaliebe said the new financing “will enable the company to bridge the period until the difficulties in securing loans within the financial system ease.”
The financing will cover the company’s operations through mid-2012, Heidelberg said.
In a statement, Heidelberg Chief Financial Officer Dirk Kaliebe said the new financing “will enable the company to bridge the period until the difficulties in securing loans within the financial system ease.”
Inland sets Webinars
The Inland Press Association is holding three Webinars this week, covering topics ranging from sales compensation to retailing trends.
Cost for the seminars is $75 for members and $125 for non-members, per log-in.
This week’s schedule:
•Aug. 11, The Sales Compensation Dilemma, presented by Larry Maynard, president, NGM Partners.
•Aug. 13, Driving Productivity Through Employee Engagement, presented by Mark Ernst, president, Ernst Enterprises.
•Aug. 14, Understanding Retailing Trends, presented by Bill Hague, senior vice president, Frank N. Magid Associates.
The Webinars begin at 10:30 a.m. CST and last 90 minutes.
To register for these seminars, click here
Cost for the seminars is $75 for members and $125 for non-members, per log-in.
This week’s schedule:
•Aug. 11, The Sales Compensation Dilemma, presented by Larry Maynard, president, NGM Partners.
•Aug. 13, Driving Productivity Through Employee Engagement, presented by Mark Ernst, president, Ernst Enterprises.
•Aug. 14, Understanding Retailing Trends, presented by Bill Hague, senior vice president, Frank N. Magid Associates.
The Webinars begin at 10:30 a.m. CST and last 90 minutes.
To register for these seminars, click here
Obituary: Craig McMullin
Craig McMullin, executive director of the Association of Free Community Papers and a former Denver Post executive, died last week in a motorcycle accident in St. George, Utah. He was 52.
Mr. McMullin joined the association in 1999 after serving as president and chief operating officer of Midwest Newspapers. He also served as chief financial officer of The Denver Post.
Mr. McMullin joined the association in 1999 after serving as president and chief operating officer of Midwest Newspapers. He also served as chief financial officer of The Denver Post.
In Brief
Roxen Internet Software named Urban Jönér senior vice president, North America.
A.H. Belo Corp. said Executive Vice President Donald F. (Skip) Cass Jr. will leave the company at year-end to pursue other opportunities. Cass oversaw Belo’s technology platform, Web initiatives and business development activities.
Ferag said it will install UTR conveyors and six MultiStack stackers at Finnish newspaper Turn Sanomat. The systems will go into production next year.
www.ferag.com
Quark Inc. released an upgrade to its Dynamic Publishing Solution, encompassing the release of QuarkXPress 8.1, Quark Publishing System 8.1, QuarkCopyDesk 8.1 and QuarkXpress Server 8.1.
www.quark.com
MediaSpan released a new version of its IQue content management system, featuring a redesigned Web client.
www.mediaspan.com
Global Graphics Software beefed up spot color processing, trapping and transparency performance of its Harlequin RIP. Harlequin Plus Server RIP (v.8.1) is designed to bring increased productivity and efficiency to prepress departments, digital print and workflow operations, Global Graphics said.
www.harlequin.com
Roxen Internet Software said it received preferred supplier status by the PAGE Cooperative.
www.roxen.com
Muller Martini said it acquired patents for variable sleeve offset press technology from Drent Goebel. A new Muller Martini VSOP series, for flexible package and cardboard printing, will be launched by the end of 2009, the vendor said.
www.mullermartinims.com
The Austin American-Statesman launched an iPhone app that will enable readers to access the paper’s content on their smart phones.
Fujifilm Europe launched the Brillia HD Pro-T2, the latest version of its processless Pro-T printing plate. Improvements to the second-generation plate include better on-press performance and imaging latitude, Fuji said.
www.fujifilmgs.com
A.H. Belo Corp. said Executive Vice President Donald F. (Skip) Cass Jr. will leave the company at year-end to pursue other opportunities. Cass oversaw Belo’s technology platform, Web initiatives and business development activities.
Ferag said it will install UTR conveyors and six MultiStack stackers at Finnish newspaper Turn Sanomat. The systems will go into production next year.
www.ferag.com
Quark Inc. released an upgrade to its Dynamic Publishing Solution, encompassing the release of QuarkXPress 8.1, Quark Publishing System 8.1, QuarkCopyDesk 8.1 and QuarkXpress Server 8.1.
www.quark.com
MediaSpan released a new version of its IQue content management system, featuring a redesigned Web client.
www.mediaspan.com
Global Graphics Software beefed up spot color processing, trapping and transparency performance of its Harlequin RIP. Harlequin Plus Server RIP (v.8.1) is designed to bring increased productivity and efficiency to prepress departments, digital print and workflow operations, Global Graphics said.
www.harlequin.com
Roxen Internet Software said it received preferred supplier status by the PAGE Cooperative.
www.roxen.com
Muller Martini said it acquired patents for variable sleeve offset press technology from Drent Goebel. A new Muller Martini VSOP series, for flexible package and cardboard printing, will be launched by the end of 2009, the vendor said.
www.mullermartinims.com
The Austin American-Statesman launched an iPhone app that will enable readers to access the paper’s content on their smart phones.
Fujifilm Europe launched the Brillia HD Pro-T2, the latest version of its processless Pro-T printing plate. Improvements to the second-generation plate include better on-press performance and imaging latitude, Fuji said.
www.fujifilmgs.com
Monday, August 3, 2009
Aug. 3, 2009 — Web Press files for Chapter 11 reorganization
Web Press Corp. last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in the wake of slowing sales and high costs attributed to the development of a new commercial press.
The Kent, Wash., vendor also reshuffled its executive suite, naming Bernie Molinksi president, succeeding Ricky L. Guinn, who was named director of operations. Mark Ricca remains Web Press’ chairman and CEO.
Molinksi told News & Tech that the company expects to issue a new business plan within the next 60 days. “We are not going away,” he said. “We want all of our suppliers to know that we are a responsible company, and aware of our responsibilities, but we needed to take this step.”
Molinski said last fall’s economic free-fall, in combination with costs associated with developing a new commercial press, forced Web Press to reorganize. “It was a huge economic undertaking,” he said of the research and development required to design the new machine.
The press, he said, will be introduced later this year.
Molinski said Web Press is in the process of obtaining debtor-in-possession financing to ensure its continued operation, and that it doesn’t plan any layoffs or consolidation.
“There is no interruption of sales, service or parts,” he said. Installations will also continue to occur without interruption, he said, citing a Quad-Stack install that took place last week at Horizon Publications in Vancouver, B.C.
Web Press’ bankruptcy petition was filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle.
The Kent, Wash., vendor also reshuffled its executive suite, naming Bernie Molinksi president, succeeding Ricky L. Guinn, who was named director of operations. Mark Ricca remains Web Press’ chairman and CEO.
Molinksi told News & Tech that the company expects to issue a new business plan within the next 60 days. “We are not going away,” he said. “We want all of our suppliers to know that we are a responsible company, and aware of our responsibilities, but we needed to take this step.”
Molinski said last fall’s economic free-fall, in combination with costs associated with developing a new commercial press, forced Web Press to reorganize. “It was a huge economic undertaking,” he said of the research and development required to design the new machine.
The press, he said, will be introduced later this year.
Molinski said Web Press is in the process of obtaining debtor-in-possession financing to ensure its continued operation, and that it doesn’t plan any layoffs or consolidation.
“There is no interruption of sales, service or parts,” he said. Installations will also continue to occur without interruption, he said, citing a Quad-Stack install that took place last week at Horizon Publications in Vancouver, B.C.
Web Press’ bankruptcy petition was filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle.
DMN streamlines advertising with Atex
The Dallas Morning News went live on a 463-seat Atex AdBase advertising and business system. The app will allow the publisher to integrate every aspect of the advertising sales process, from ad order entry and placement to financial tracking and reporting, Atex said. AdBase also handles all invoicing and accounts receivable for the newspaper’s print and digital advertising business. AdBase will allow DMN to reduce the number of internal advertising systems from four to one, which will streamline operational expenses by approximately 50 percent, while increasing overall efficiency and sales capabilities, Atex said.
The migration to AdBase lays the foundation for what the publisher refers to as its Integrated Advertising System, which is an initiative designed to refocus its sales and marketing departments to enhance the quality of its customer service offerings.
“Our goal is to better understand our clients’ marketing objectives and develop recommendations that reach their target audiences and deliver results,” said Fran Wills, The Morning News’ senior vice president of marketing and interactive. “IAS and AdBase will help facilitate this change in the way we do business.”
Look for more information about the deployment in the September issue of News & Tech.
The migration to AdBase lays the foundation for what the publisher refers to as its Integrated Advertising System, which is an initiative designed to refocus its sales and marketing departments to enhance the quality of its customer service offerings.
“Our goal is to better understand our clients’ marketing objectives and develop recommendations that reach their target audiences and deliver results,” said Fran Wills, The Morning News’ senior vice president of marketing and interactive. “IAS and AdBase will help facilitate this change in the way we do business.”
Look for more information about the deployment in the September issue of News & Tech.
ABB gets controls upgrade
ABB said it will upgrade aging press controls across four Goss International Colorliner presses at Singapore Press Holdings’ plant in Jurong.
The vendor will install a centralized MPS Production press management system with a geo-cluster server and four clients, MPS Inform and a total of 16 control consoles, eight of which equipped with soft proof monitors.
SPH will also be the first user of ABB’s new graphical imposition generator.
ABB will begin upgrading the presses this fall, with completion expected in late 2010.
The vendor will install a centralized MPS Production press management system with a geo-cluster server and four clients, MPS Inform and a total of 16 control consoles, eight of which equipped with soft proof monitors.
SPH will also be the first user of ABB’s new graphical imposition generator.
ABB will begin upgrading the presses this fall, with completion expected in late 2010.
LA Times to deliver OC Register
The Orange County (Calif.) Register will be delivered to homes and vending machines by the Los Angeles Times starting in September, the two newspapers announced last week.
The distribution agreement is a bid to give the Register seven-figure savings in payroll and warehousing costs each year, said Larry Riley, vice president of circulation and distribution.
Through the deal, the Register will become the Times’ largest commercial delivery contract.
The change will impact 721 independent contractors who currently deliver The Register and approximately 55 full-time and 143 part-time workers, who will be laid off, Riley said.
“We are facing challenges and we have to find efficiencies,” he said.
The Times will distribute the Register and its weekly publications to subscribers, Riley said. Separately, the Register contracts with a third-party firm to deliver the weeklies to non-subscriber households, and that arrangement will continue.
The deal comes on the heels of the publishers’ announcement of plans to launch OCSaver/Local Values, a joint advertising insert, beginning Aug. 27-29 (see Dateline, July 27, 2009).
The distribution agreement is a bid to give the Register seven-figure savings in payroll and warehousing costs each year, said Larry Riley, vice president of circulation and distribution.
Through the deal, the Register will become the Times’ largest commercial delivery contract.
The change will impact 721 independent contractors who currently deliver The Register and approximately 55 full-time and 143 part-time workers, who will be laid off, Riley said.
“We are facing challenges and we have to find efficiencies,” he said.
The Times will distribute the Register and its weekly publications to subscribers, Riley said. Separately, the Register contracts with a third-party firm to deliver the weeklies to non-subscriber households, and that arrangement will continue.
The deal comes on the heels of the publishers’ announcement of plans to launch OCSaver/Local Values, a joint advertising insert, beginning Aug. 27-29 (see Dateline, July 27, 2009).
New Mexican launches ink optimization app
The Santa Fe New Mexican installed ProImage’s OnColor Eco ink optimization software.
“It has brought us quantifiable ink savings in production of in-house and commercial productions on both our KBA Comet and commercial Didde press,” said Mike Campbell, systems administrator. “Over the past 60 days, since installation, we have processed 8,900 pages and are already averaging 15 percent ink savings.”
OnColor Eco converts RGB and CMYK pages containing pixel and vector data to correct color space for optimal printing, while preserving the original color appearance, ProImage said.
Look for more on ink optimization and The New Mexican’s installation in the September issue of News & Tech.
“It has brought us quantifiable ink savings in production of in-house and commercial productions on both our KBA Comet and commercial Didde press,” said Mike Campbell, systems administrator. “Over the past 60 days, since installation, we have processed 8,900 pages and are already averaging 15 percent ink savings.”
OnColor Eco converts RGB and CMYK pages containing pixel and vector data to correct color space for optimal printing, while preserving the original color appearance, ProImage said.
Look for more on ink optimization and The New Mexican’s installation in the September issue of News & Tech.
WaPo launches mobile site
The Washington Post launched a new mobile site built on a proprietary platform.
Users in the Washington, D.C.-area will have access to customized weather, breaking sports scores and regional news stories.
Amtrak has signed on as sponsor of the launch.
The new site sports five main sections and has two mobile editors dedicated to updating content and managing breaking news alerts.
“The newspaper and Web site have long been core to our business, but we are committed to reaching our audience whenever they want news and information, wherever they are,” said Goli Sheikholeslami, general manager of Washington Post Digital.
In the very near future, visitors to the site will be able to make a restaurant reservation, buy a movie ticket and conduct other advanced transactions directly from the site as well as receive real-time traffic routes integrating Google maps and GPS.
Users in the Washington, D.C.-area will have access to customized weather, breaking sports scores and regional news stories.
Amtrak has signed on as sponsor of the launch.
The new site sports five main sections and has two mobile editors dedicated to updating content and managing breaking news alerts.
“The newspaper and Web site have long been core to our business, but we are committed to reaching our audience whenever they want news and information, wherever they are,” said Goli Sheikholeslami, general manager of Washington Post Digital.
In the very near future, visitors to the site will be able to make a restaurant reservation, buy a movie ticket and conduct other advanced transactions directly from the site as well as receive real-time traffic routes integrating Google maps and GPS.
ABC to launch new community newspaper audit service
The board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations gave initial approval to launch a new ABC Community Newspaper Audit service that will feature streamlined, off-site audits that occur every other year. The initiative also simplifies rules and reporting requirements and will enable community papers’ circ data to be included in Fas-Fax and ABC's searchable online database.
Pending final approval, the service will be available to all U.S. and Canadian newspapers with paid circulation under 25,000, beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
Meantime, the board agreed to extend for one year the testing of an optional consolidated report that allows newspapers to display a variety of print, online and other audience data.
In June, ABC released the first such report for the Chicago Tribune and Tribune Media Group.
The ABC board also gave final approval to a rule modification that allows U.S. and Canadian newspapers with average weekday paid circulation under 50,000 to break out "power days" if they opt not to report their circulation each day of the week.
Pending final approval, the service will be available to all U.S. and Canadian newspapers with paid circulation under 25,000, beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
Meantime, the board agreed to extend for one year the testing of an optional consolidated report that allows newspapers to display a variety of print, online and other audience data.
In June, ABC released the first such report for the Chicago Tribune and Tribune Media Group.
The ABC board also gave final approval to a rule modification that allows U.S. and Canadian newspapers with average weekday paid circulation under 50,000 to break out "power days" if they opt not to report their circulation each day of the week.
Vietnam newspaper to install Tensor press
Tensor Group Inc. said it sold a two-tower, one-folder T-400BE press to Can Tho General Printing Joint Stock Co. of Cantho City, Vietnam. The singlewide press, which features an H-50 folder, will be installed in the fourth quarter.
The towers will be fed by four splicers, giving the printer up to 32 pages of 2-color tab production. Can Tho General Printing currently plans to run 24 tabloid pages with 8 pages of 4-color and 16 pages of 2-color. A number of dailies and weeklies will be printed on the press, Tensor said.
The towers will be fed by four splicers, giving the printer up to 32 pages of 2-color tab production. Can Tho General Printing currently plans to run 24 tabloid pages with 8 pages of 4-color and 16 pages of 2-color. A number of dailies and weeklies will be printed on the press, Tensor said.
Australian publisher picks DTI for circ management
Digital Technology International said it has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with News Ltd. to provide all of the publisher’s Australian newspaper divisions with DTI Circulation, its suite of newspaper circulation, distribution, marketing and reporting software.
The deal covers News Ltd.’s 11 major operating divisions in Australia, with a total circulation of more than 12 million copies each week, and includes The Australian, the country's only national broadsheet.
"The software will allow us to manage circulation across all divisions in the same way, and therefore, enable News Ltd. to interface with our customers in a common manner nationally,” said Catherine Woodside, the publisher’s circulation director.
The deal covers News Ltd.’s 11 major operating divisions in Australia, with a total circulation of more than 12 million copies each week, and includes The Australian, the country's only national broadsheet.
"The software will allow us to manage circulation across all divisions in the same way, and therefore, enable News Ltd. to interface with our customers in a common manner nationally,” said Catherine Woodside, the publisher’s circulation director.
Day Publishing beefing up online with Saxotech
The Day Publishing Co. of New London, Conn., said it will use Saxotech Inc.’s Mediaware Center software to support its online publishing.
The deployment includes the Saxotech Digital Center, an interface for managing news content across multiple digital channels.
The single online publishing platform will integrate directly into Day’s existing systems and workflow.
“Our new site will be more user-friendly, allowing us to build a closer relationship with our readers,” said Timothy Dwyer, executive editor.
The deployment includes the Saxotech Digital Center, an interface for managing news content across multiple digital channels.
The single online publishing platform will integrate directly into Day’s existing systems and workflow.
“Our new site will be more user-friendly, allowing us to build a closer relationship with our readers,” said Timothy Dwyer, executive editor.
French publisher buys WIFAG 4-by-1
French media group Ouest purchased a WIFAG OF 375 S press for its SIGL printing plant in La Ceveroliere, near Nantes.
The 4-by-1 press is slated for commissioning by the end of 2010, with a maximum production speed of 92,000 copies per hour. The press will produce 48 pages, of which 32 will be full color. The press is equipped with automated cutoff register and color register controls. Ouest will also install six fully automatic A50 autopasters, one KF 140 2:5:5 jaw folder, an ABB control system and an ink metering system from CGI.
The 4-by-1 press is slated for commissioning by the end of 2010, with a maximum production speed of 92,000 copies per hour. The press will produce 48 pages, of which 32 will be full color. The press is equipped with automated cutoff register and color register controls. Ouest will also install six fully automatic A50 autopasters, one KF 140 2:5:5 jaw folder, an ABB control system and an ink metering system from CGI.
Transcon secures funding
Transcontinental said it signed two new financing agreements, totaling $135 million. One is a five-year loan of $50 million through the Societe Generale de Financement du Quebec, and the other is a six-year loan for $85 million through European bank HypoVereinsbank, which Transcontinental said will be used to buy production equipment over the next two years.
Transcontinental also obtained an additional $25 million in the one-year credit facilities recently arranged with its bank syndicate. This amount is in addition to the $125 million previously announced on May 5, 2009.
Transcontinental last week said it would purchase four Commander CT presses from Koenig & Bauer AG to support production of The (Toronto) Globe and Mail (see Dateline, July 29, 2009).
Transcontinental also obtained an additional $25 million in the one-year credit facilities recently arranged with its bank syndicate. This amount is in addition to the $125 million previously announced on May 5, 2009.
Transcontinental last week said it would purchase four Commander CT presses from Koenig & Bauer AG to support production of The (Toronto) Globe and Mail (see Dateline, July 29, 2009).
Star Tribune reorg close to finish line
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune said a bankruptcy court approved plans to put the paper’s reorganization plan to a vote among creditors.
If approved, the company could emerge from bankruptcy as early as Sept. 17 with new owners and only $100 million in debt, according to the Star Tribune.
The newspaper is also expected to identify a new publisher and board of directors. Current publisher Chris Harte said he would step down before the paper emerges from bankruptcy. Current owner, Avista Capital Partners, purchased the Star Tribune for $530 million in 2007. Its equity will be wiped out as a result of the reorganization.
If approved, the company could emerge from bankruptcy as early as Sept. 17 with new owners and only $100 million in debt, according to the Star Tribune.
The newspaper is also expected to identify a new publisher and board of directors. Current publisher Chris Harte said he would step down before the paper emerges from bankruptcy. Current owner, Avista Capital Partners, purchased the Star Tribune for $530 million in 2007. Its equity will be wiped out as a result of the reorganization.
Venezuelan pub picks Goss
Diario Panorama of Maracaibo, Venezuela, chose Goss International for a web-width reduction, Digital Page Pack and controls upgrade on its existing Metroliner and MetroColor presses. The publisher produces 150,000 copies Monday-Saturday of Panorama and Mi Diario newspapers and 170,000 copies on Sundays.
“The reduction in web width and digital inking system on our Metroliner and MetroColor presses will enable us to reduce our costs at a time when newsprint has seen large price increases,” said Luis Enrique Ramirez, production manager at Diario Panorama.
“The reduction in web width and digital inking system on our Metroliner and MetroColor presses will enable us to reduce our costs at a time when newsprint has seen large price increases,” said Luis Enrique Ramirez, production manager at Diario Panorama.
Peru publisher taps QTI
El Comercio in Lima, Peru, installed QuadTech’s Icon integrated platform in a bid to increase efficiency and reduce waste, QTI said.
The publisher is installing the technology on a 48-page manroland Lithoman press to automate and meet the high-quality demands of its commercial customers.
Meantime, QTI changed the name of its Irish subsidiary Vigitek to QuadTech Ireland. QTI purchased the firm, which designs and manufactures print inspection technology, in May 2008.
The publisher is installing the technology on a 48-page manroland Lithoman press to automate and meet the high-quality demands of its commercial customers.
Meantime, QTI changed the name of its Irish subsidiary Vigitek to QuadTech Ireland. QTI purchased the firm, which designs and manufactures print inspection technology, in May 2008.
Print 09 to present sneak preview Webcast
The Graphic Arts Show Co. said it will present an advance preview of Print 09’s “Must See ‘Ems” nominees, encompassing some of the most innovative technologies to be demonstrated during the upcoming show.
The free Webcast will be presented on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. EDT.
To register for the free webinar visit: http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=O9w8eUEt4MmT7wYil9CNUwc6b3%2f65UdENeq7xyF5YjQ%3d&digest=z8xf1SEsfjvDG2dnEBVz9Q.
News & Tech will present a special Print 09 seminar covering newspaper production trends on Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place. The 90-minute seminar will be moderated by News & Tech editor-in-chief Chuck Moozakis. Print 09 is being held Sept. 11-16.
The free Webcast will be presented on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. EDT.
To register for the free webinar visit: http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=O9w8eUEt4MmT7wYil9CNUwc6b3%2f65UdENeq7xyF5YjQ%3d&digest=z8xf1SEsfjvDG2dnEBVz9Q.
News & Tech will present a special Print 09 seminar covering newspaper production trends on Monday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 502 A/B in the South Hall of McCormick Place. The 90-minute seminar will be moderated by News & Tech editor-in-chief Chuck Moozakis. Print 09 is being held Sept. 11-16.
Rima sets sales
Rima-System said it sold an RS-610 log stacker and RS-650 log palletizer to Dartmouth Printing in Hanover, N.H., while Transcontinental Printing in Mexico City purchased two 610 log stackers and an RS 400 articulated arm robotic palletizer and associated floor and overhead conveying systems.
Finally, Universal Printing in St. Louis purchased a Rima-System inline rotary trimmer to be installed on its Goss International Sunday 2000 press. The trimmer, and an accompanying RS-34 indexing stacker, will let the printer press-finish a wide variety of work, Rima-System said.
Finally, Universal Printing in St. Louis purchased a Rima-System inline rotary trimmer to be installed on its Goss International Sunday 2000 press. The trimmer, and an accompanying RS-34 indexing stacker, will let the printer press-finish a wide variety of work, Rima-System said.
In Brief
ArcWest Architects named Rick Ruffino a partner. Prior to joining ArcWest, Ruffino served as director of manufacturing for the U.S. outsourcing group at Transcontinental Inc. and continues to serve as a consultant at the printer’s newly opened Fremont, Calif., production facility.
The Los Angeles Times Media Group named Bill Nagel executive vice president of business services, a newly created position.
Catherine J. Mathis, who has served as chief of communications for The New York Times Co. for 12 years, is leaving the company at the end of the month to take a similar position with Standard & Poor’s.
Ethan Riegelhaupt, vice president for speechwriting and internal communications, will take Mathis’ place on an interim basis.
Amerikal Products Corp. promoted Nick Buettner senior technician.
Local.com Corp. named Michael Plonski chief technology officer.
Advanced Vision Technology named Juan Da Silva sales director for Latin and South America.
Verve Wireless named Bill Ganon chief revenue officer.
(New York) Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman will use money raised from stock sales to pay for the new Koenig & Bauer presses that will be used to print the paper. Bloomberg said Zuckerman has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 1 million shares of stock, worth some $51 million, to finance the purchase of the machines.
Hearst Newspapers said it will deploy Flyerboard ad software from PaperG across 15 newspaper Web sites.
www.paperg.com
Lancaster (Pa.) Newspapers said it will use software from CommunitySportsDesk for local sports coverage.
www.communitysportsdesk.com
Kodak said the JDF Interoperability Matrix identified Creo Color Servers as having the greatest number of connections to third-party workflow apps. The Matrix is produced by CIP4, the International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress.
http://www.cip4.org/matrix/
WoodWing Software rolled out Brand Station, its Web-to-print app, designed to help ensure brand consistency. Brand Station integrates with WoodWing’s Enterprise content publishing platform. The vendor also announced the availability of its Adobe CS4-compatible SmartLayout plug-in.
www.woodwing.com
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. said Gulf Printing and Publishing Co. purchased blanket washers for its manroland Cromoman semi-commercial presses in an order valued at approximately $1.3 million.
www.baldwintech.com
UV vendor GEW unveiled C3, a new reflector design for its range of UV curing systems. Based on the vendor’s retractable cassette system, this third-generation reflector cartridge was developed as a replacement to the existing XC (extreme cure) reflector system used on its VCP and eCP product platforms, GEW said.
www.gewuv.com
Printing Press Services International is supplying a two-tower shaftless press extension and controls system upgrade at Trinity Mirror’s Newcastle plant in the United Kingdom. It also just completed a web-width reduction project at Newsquest’s U.K. facilities.
www.printing-press-services.co.uk
Hearst Corp. leased the printing facility formerly used to produce the San Francisco Chronicle to a construction company that’s building the nearby San Francisco General Hospital. The lease for the 7.9-acre property on Cesar Chaves Street is for five years.
The Los Angeles Times Media Group named Bill Nagel executive vice president of business services, a newly created position.
Catherine J. Mathis, who has served as chief of communications for The New York Times Co. for 12 years, is leaving the company at the end of the month to take a similar position with Standard & Poor’s.
Ethan Riegelhaupt, vice president for speechwriting and internal communications, will take Mathis’ place on an interim basis.
Amerikal Products Corp. promoted Nick Buettner senior technician.
Local.com Corp. named Michael Plonski chief technology officer.
Advanced Vision Technology named Juan Da Silva sales director for Latin and South America.
Verve Wireless named Bill Ganon chief revenue officer.
(New York) Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman will use money raised from stock sales to pay for the new Koenig & Bauer presses that will be used to print the paper. Bloomberg said Zuckerman has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 1 million shares of stock, worth some $51 million, to finance the purchase of the machines.
Hearst Newspapers said it will deploy Flyerboard ad software from PaperG across 15 newspaper Web sites.
www.paperg.com
Lancaster (Pa.) Newspapers said it will use software from CommunitySportsDesk for local sports coverage.
www.communitysportsdesk.com
Kodak said the JDF Interoperability Matrix identified Creo Color Servers as having the greatest number of connections to third-party workflow apps. The Matrix is produced by CIP4, the International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress.
http://www.cip4.org/matrix/
WoodWing Software rolled out Brand Station, its Web-to-print app, designed to help ensure brand consistency. Brand Station integrates with WoodWing’s Enterprise content publishing platform. The vendor also announced the availability of its Adobe CS4-compatible SmartLayout plug-in.
www.woodwing.com
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. said Gulf Printing and Publishing Co. purchased blanket washers for its manroland Cromoman semi-commercial presses in an order valued at approximately $1.3 million.
www.baldwintech.com
UV vendor GEW unveiled C3, a new reflector design for its range of UV curing systems. Based on the vendor’s retractable cassette system, this third-generation reflector cartridge was developed as a replacement to the existing XC (extreme cure) reflector system used on its VCP and eCP product platforms, GEW said.
www.gewuv.com
Printing Press Services International is supplying a two-tower shaftless press extension and controls system upgrade at Trinity Mirror’s Newcastle plant in the United Kingdom. It also just completed a web-width reduction project at Newsquest’s U.K. facilities.
www.printing-press-services.co.uk
Hearst Corp. leased the printing facility formerly used to produce the San Francisco Chronicle to a construction company that’s building the nearby San Francisco General Hospital. The lease for the 7.9-acre property on Cesar Chaves Street is for five years.
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