HINWIL, Switzerland — Ferag last week took the wraps off an economically priced quarterfold system aimed at newspapers that want to diversify their postpress operations.
The StreamFold, available in January, is engineered as either a stand-alone system or integrated into any Ferag system via the vendor’s UTR conveyor technology. The compact, portable unit is rated at 60,000 copies per hour and will be priced at approximately $250,000.
According to Ferag CEO Juerg Moeckli, StreamFold uses the firm’s patented W-fold technology. Dusseldorf, Germany, newspaper Rheinische Post is the first paper to purchase the system.
“This new technology allows both newspapers and commercial printers to achieve new revenue streams,” said Joe Colletti, president and CEO of Ferag Americas Inc. “In today’s difficult economic times, adding a quarterfolder system to a new or existing press can be cost-prohibitive. Now, customers are able to process this work is a timely and efficient manner.”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sturm: No ‘bailout’ needed for newspapers
John F. Sturm, president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America, told lawmakers at a hearing last week that while the industry does not seek a financial bailout, there are steps Congress could take to help publishers.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
Manroland, Heidelberg merger getting closer?
Reports continue to circulate in the German media that Heidelberg and manroland will combine their operations, perhaps in the next two weeks.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Shanghai Electric completes Goss investment
Goss International said Shanghai Electric (Group) Corp. completed its investment in the press and postpress vendor, in the process becoming Goss’ second-largest shareholder.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
MNG ready to charge fees
MediaNews Group CEO William Dean Singleton said the publisher will begin charging readers a fee to access certain online content beginning next year, a Salt Lake City television station reported.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
Journal Sentinel to print STMG papers
The Sun-Times Media Group transferred production of its Chicago-area suburban publications to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following the closure of its Northfield, Ill., printing plant.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
American-Statesman switches to SLP plates
The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman converted to Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 thermal plates. The newspaper in 2007 switched to digital platemaking with thermal platesetters from Kodak. The daily is now converting a third platemaking line to CTP.
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
New Yorkers taste London media via Newsworld
Copies of the Evening Standard were on the streets of New York City last week as Newsworld Corp. produced the newspaper in conjunction with its partner, AlphaGraphics, as part of Visit London’s “Only in London” campaign.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Baldwin, technotrans end patent dispute
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. said its German unit settled its nine-year patent dispute with technotrans.
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Pubs reap savings with ProImage ink optimization
ProImage said more newspapers invested in its OnColor Eco ink optimization software, including The Albuquerque (N.M) Publishing Co., which publishes the Albuquerque Journal, and Paso Del Norte Publishing Inc. in El Paso, Texas, which publishes El Diario.
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
Star Tribune emerges from bankruptcy
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune said it will leave bankruptcy protection today, eight months after it filed for shelter from its creditors.
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
Miami Herald, Record Searchlight narrow postpress
The Miami Herald and the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., retrofit their postpress systems with modification systems from Muller Martini Mailroom Systems Inc.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
iRex to make U.S. debut
E-reader vendor iRex Technologies will make its e-reader available in the United States late next month at a price of $399.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
KBA sells Commander to German pub
Parzeller Druck und Mediendiensteistungen in Fulda, Germany, said it will go on-edition with a Commander satellite press from Koenig & Bauer AG next summer. The doublewide, 32-page press will give the publisher full-color production.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In Brief
The Los Angeles Times named Sean Gallagher managing editor, online.
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sept. 21, 2009 — Trib to offer self-service app to other publishers
Tribune Co. outlined a plan to sell self-service advertising software to other newspaper publishers in a bid to help the industry attract a greater variety of advertisers.
The software, based on Mediaspectrum Inc.’s Ad Sales app, is already in use across the majority of Tribune’s properties, said Mike Sacks, Tribune’s vice president of operations.
“Moving toward a self-service model is critical to our industry’s future,” he said. “Already, Tribune has reduced its expenses and generated significant new revenue since implementing this portal.”
All of the publisher’s papers are using at least some part of the software, known within Tribune as Display Ad Self Service, or DASS.
Sacks said Tribune has already held discussions with a number of prospective customers interested in the software.
He said Tribune is still evaluating pricing. Newspapers will have the option to either administer the app on-site or have Mediaspectrum host it for them.
“What we’re adding is the ability for papers to get this set up and hit the ground running,” Sack said. “We’re not just providing the tools. It’s also the functionality and the versatility this software provides.”
Look for the full story in the October issue of News & Tech.
The software, based on Mediaspectrum Inc.’s Ad Sales app, is already in use across the majority of Tribune’s properties, said Mike Sacks, Tribune’s vice president of operations.
“Moving toward a self-service model is critical to our industry’s future,” he said. “Already, Tribune has reduced its expenses and generated significant new revenue since implementing this portal.”
All of the publisher’s papers are using at least some part of the software, known within Tribune as Display Ad Self Service, or DASS.
Sacks said Tribune has already held discussions with a number of prospective customers interested in the software.
He said Tribune is still evaluating pricing. Newspapers will have the option to either administer the app on-site or have Mediaspectrum host it for them.
“What we’re adding is the ability for papers to get this set up and hit the ground running,” Sack said. “We’re not just providing the tools. It’s also the functionality and the versatility this software provides.”
Look for the full story in the October issue of News & Tech.
Gannett combines production of La. dailies
The Town Talk in Alexandria, La., will be printed at The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La., beginning next month.
Gannett Co. Inc. owns both papers.
The Town Talk said approximately 40 positions will be eliminated as a result of the move. News and sales operations will remain in Alexandria, the paper said.
Gannett has closed more than 20 production facilities since the publisher in the last 18 months began to take steps to consolidate printing operations.
Gannett Co. Inc. owns both papers.
The Town Talk said approximately 40 positions will be eliminated as a result of the move. News and sales operations will remain in Alexandria, the paper said.
Gannett has closed more than 20 production facilities since the publisher in the last 18 months began to take steps to consolidate printing operations.
WSJ to charge for mobile reader content
The Wall Street Journal announced last week that it will charge smart device readers a separate fee to access content, beginning Oct. 24.
The Journal will charge mobile-only subscribers $2 per week, while consumers who subscribe to the print or mobile device versions will be charged $1 per week.
Subscribers who pay for print and online access can get the mobile
version for free.
The paper’s Mobile Reader app is currently available to Apple iPhone Touch and BlackBerry smart phone devices. The software will remain free to download, and will continue to contain both free and subscription content, The Journal said.
“There is much value in being constantly and fully briefed, and our WSJ Mobile Reader offers that important service,” said Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Co. and managing editor of The Journal. “Dow Jones journalism is delivered not daily — but minute-by-minute on a mobile device.”
The Journal will charge mobile-only subscribers $2 per week, while consumers who subscribe to the print or mobile device versions will be charged $1 per week.
Subscribers who pay for print and online access can get the mobile
version for free.
The paper’s Mobile Reader app is currently available to Apple iPhone Touch and BlackBerry smart phone devices. The software will remain free to download, and will continue to contain both free and subscription content, The Journal said.
“There is much value in being constantly and fully briefed, and our WSJ Mobile Reader offers that important service,” said Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Co. and managing editor of The Journal. “Dow Jones journalism is delivered not daily — but minute-by-minute on a mobile device.”
Sun-Times bidder sets Sept. 29 deadline
The Chicago financier who said he wants to buy the Sun-Times Media Group Inc. set a deadline of Sept. 29 for workers to agree to concessions and workplace rule modifications.
James Tyree offered $25 million — $5 million of that in cash — to buy the beleaguered publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
But as part of his offer, he asked unions representing STMG workers to make permanent a 15-percent reduction in wages and make other changes to their union contract. In a series of votes last week, however, union members overwhelmingly rejected Tyree’s request.
Without concessions, Tyree said he could not purchase STMG, which publishes the Chicago Sun-Times and several dozen other Chicago-area newspapers. STMG executives have stated that if workers can’t strike an agreement with Tyree, the company could go out of business.
James Tyree offered $25 million — $5 million of that in cash — to buy the beleaguered publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
But as part of his offer, he asked unions representing STMG workers to make permanent a 15-percent reduction in wages and make other changes to their union contract. In a series of votes last week, however, union members overwhelmingly rejected Tyree’s request.
Without concessions, Tyree said he could not purchase STMG, which publishes the Chicago Sun-Times and several dozen other Chicago-area newspapers. STMG executives have stated that if workers can’t strike an agreement with Tyree, the company could go out of business.
McClatchy launching Sunday Select
McClatchy Co. said it will introduce Sunday Select, a preprint advertising program, to four of its markets, beginning in November. The program matches national retailers with shoppers who agree to receive their advertising information.
The inserts are wrapped in a broadsheet editorial package called “Yes! Your Essential Shopper” and delivered only to those households that request it.
“We’re offering advertisers a wonderful opportunity to expand their footprint and influence in some of the best markets in the country and reach the most active shoppers living in those markets,” said Steve Bernard, McClatchy’s vice president of advertising.
The Sunday Select program will debut in Sacramento, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Columbia, S.C.; on Nov. 15 and could expand to other McClatchy markets in 2010, the company said.
Sunday Select was developed by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2007 and introduced to several Gannett markets over the past two years. MediaNews Group and Tribune Co. will also launch the Sunday Select program in some markets this year.
The inserts are wrapped in a broadsheet editorial package called “Yes! Your Essential Shopper” and delivered only to those households that request it.
“We’re offering advertisers a wonderful opportunity to expand their footprint and influence in some of the best markets in the country and reach the most active shoppers living in those markets,” said Steve Bernard, McClatchy’s vice president of advertising.
The Sunday Select program will debut in Sacramento, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Columbia, S.C.; on Nov. 15 and could expand to other McClatchy markets in 2010, the company said.
Sunday Select was developed by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2007 and introduced to several Gannett markets over the past two years. MediaNews Group and Tribune Co. will also launch the Sunday Select program in some markets this year.
Va. daily slims down
The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Va., trimmed its web width to 44 inches as part of parent Media General’s move to convert all of its papers to the narrower format.
The change is being implemented to reduce the paper’s annual newsprint bill, said McGregor McCane, managing editor.
“While the newspaper has a more trim format, we’re keeping popular, regular features,” he said.
The Daily Progress is printed at the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, which took over production of the daily last summer.
Masthead International oversaw the web-width reduction of the Times-Dispatch’s presses.
The change is being implemented to reduce the paper’s annual newsprint bill, said McGregor McCane, managing editor.
“While the newspaper has a more trim format, we’re keeping popular, regular features,” he said.
The Daily Progress is printed at the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch, which took over production of the daily last summer.
Masthead International oversaw the web-width reduction of the Times-Dispatch’s presses.
Ky. printer signs Atex OEM deal
Publishers Press, a Kentucky-based printing company and content distributor, signed an OEM agreement to distribute Atex’s Polopoly Web content management and its text mining software to its 500 customers and 1,200 titles.
“We do business with small- to mid-sized publishers and so we are vitally linked to the success or failure of those publishers,” said Michael Simon, executive vice president at Publishers Press. “We want to help them invest in their future, so it has become incumbent upon us to provide the digital publishing services that will help them succeed.”
Atex is hosting the software, which will be available to customers via their Web browsers.
“We do business with small- to mid-sized publishers and so we are vitally linked to the success or failure of those publishers,” said Michael Simon, executive vice president at Publishers Press. “We want to help them invest in their future, so it has become incumbent upon us to provide the digital publishing services that will help them succeed.”
Atex is hosting the software, which will be available to customers via their Web browsers.
Texas paper misses first day
The Sept. 12 issue of the San Angelo (Texas) Standard-Times was never delivered to subscribers after a truck carrying copies from the Abilene Reporter-News, where the Standard-Times is printed, overturned on the way to San Angelo.
E.W. Scripps Co. owns both papers. The publisher transferred production of the Standard-Times to the Reporter-News earlier this year.
The Standard-Times made its e-edition available to readers at no cost for the day. The paper said it was the first time in its 125-year history that a daily edition failed to be delivered to its subscribers.
San Angelo is about 80 miles from Abilene.
E.W. Scripps Co. owns both papers. The publisher transferred production of the Standard-Times to the Reporter-News earlier this year.
The Standard-Times made its e-edition available to readers at no cost for the day. The paper said it was the first time in its 125-year history that a daily edition failed to be delivered to its subscribers.
San Angelo is about 80 miles from Abilene.
Survey: print pubs focusing on mobile market
A survey from the Audit Bureau of Circulations said that print publishers are sharpening their focus on the mobile market as an opportunity to grow their businesses.
The results, in “Going Mobile, How Publishers are Preparing for the Burgeoning Digital Market,” said that 80 percent of newspaper and magazine publishers believe people will rely more heavily on their mobile devices as a means to obtain their news and information.
Nearly 70 percent, meantime, said that mobile marketing is receiving more attention at their own publications.
Regardless of mobile’s anticipated rise, ABC publisher members do not plan to abandon their print publications in favor of a digital-only product in the near term, the survey said.
The results, in “Going Mobile, How Publishers are Preparing for the Burgeoning Digital Market,” said that 80 percent of newspaper and magazine publishers believe people will rely more heavily on their mobile devices as a means to obtain their news and information.
Nearly 70 percent, meantime, said that mobile marketing is receiving more attention at their own publications.
Regardless of mobile’s anticipated rise, ABC publisher members do not plan to abandon their print publications in favor of a digital-only product in the near term, the survey said.
In Brief
QuadTech Inc. said it sold a Register Guidance System and Ribbon Control System to Central Ontario Web Ltd., a Barrie, Ontario, newspaper and commercial printer.
www.quadtechworld.com
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network launched The News Hub, a live, daily online news broadcast featuring reporting and analysis from The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch.com and AllThingsD.com. The 8-minute segments air weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.
All of Canwest’s 10 major metro daily newspapers and cananda.com went live with mobile-optimized news Web sites designed to work with a variety of mobile devices including the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Storm smart phones.
Caspio Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. plans to deploy its Bridge database platform groupwide.
www.caspio.com
South African media company Avusa Media Ltd. went live with its first publication on the Escenic Content Engine platform.
www.escenic.com
Inc. Magazine named Elauwit’s media division, which publishes The Sun and Telegram newspapers and Business Trends on the East Coast, the fastest-growing newspaper publisher in the nation .
Evergreen Printing Co. prints the group’s papers.
www.egpp.com
OneVision Software AG opened a subsidiary in Singapore.
www.onevision.com
Cityfeet said its commercial real estate sales information will now be carried across the online editions of Gannett Co. Inc.’s 83 daily newspapers.
Cityfeet has 225 distribution partners across the United States, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
www.cityfeet.com
Printers' Service partnered with Tresu Royse Inc. to sell coating systems for printing presses throughout the United States. The alliance combines Tresu’s knowledge of coating systems and applications with Prisco's own coatings, expertise, and extensive distribution network, the companies said.
www.prisco.com
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is poised to exit bankruptcy next week now that a federal bankruptcy judge has approved a reorganization plan that includes new owners and reduced debt.
Affinity Express Inc. said it will offer Virtual Paper Inc.’s publishing software to its newspaper clients. VPI’s app converts documents into online content that can be easily searched by Google and other search engines.
www.quadtechworld.com
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network launched The News Hub, a live, daily online news broadcast featuring reporting and analysis from The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch.com and AllThingsD.com. The 8-minute segments air weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.
All of Canwest’s 10 major metro daily newspapers and cananda.com went live with mobile-optimized news Web sites designed to work with a variety of mobile devices including the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Storm smart phones.
Caspio Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. plans to deploy its Bridge database platform groupwide.
www.caspio.com
South African media company Avusa Media Ltd. went live with its first publication on the Escenic Content Engine platform.
www.escenic.com
Inc. Magazine named Elauwit’s media division, which publishes The Sun and Telegram newspapers and Business Trends on the East Coast, the fastest-growing newspaper publisher in the nation .
Evergreen Printing Co. prints the group’s papers.
www.egpp.com
OneVision Software AG opened a subsidiary in Singapore.
www.onevision.com
Cityfeet said its commercial real estate sales information will now be carried across the online editions of Gannett Co. Inc.’s 83 daily newspapers.
Cityfeet has 225 distribution partners across the United States, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
www.cityfeet.com
Printers' Service partnered with Tresu Royse Inc. to sell coating systems for printing presses throughout the United States. The alliance combines Tresu’s knowledge of coating systems and applications with Prisco's own coatings, expertise, and extensive distribution network, the companies said.
www.prisco.com
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune is poised to exit bankruptcy next week now that a federal bankruptcy judge has approved a reorganization plan that includes new owners and reduced debt.
Affinity Express Inc. said it will offer Virtual Paper Inc.’s publishing software to its newspaper clients. VPI’s app converts documents into online content that can be easily searched by Google and other search engines.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept. 14, 2009 -- Panel: Technology key to newspaper industry success
CHICAGO —The implementation of innovative technology platforms will help newspapers retain their vitality, according to a panel of newspaper executives appearing at a Print 09 newspaper seminar today.
The seminar, sponsored by News & Tech and moderated by Editor-in-Chief Chuck Moozakis, featured Austin Ryan, vice president of operations, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett; Bill May, vice president of production at The Dallas Morning News; Paul Lynch, manager of commercial sales and logistics/quality at the Chicago Tribune and John Jenkins, operations director at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va.
"Technology and automation can really help us grow our business and to build closer relationships with customers," Lynch said, detailing the Tribune's efforts to anchor its production around computer-integrated manufacturing and the launch of new digital platforms like the Chicago Now blog.
Lynch also talked about the Tribune's recently released Display Ad Self Serve portal, which allows advertisers to book ads across the paper’s various publications online. The portal, underpinned by software from Mediaspectrum, "gives us the chance to remain competitive," Lynch said.
Ryan underscored the important roles newspapers continue to play in their local communities, adding that the publisher's deployment of prepress and customer service technology helped streamline and standardize operations across its various newspapers. He also detailed some of the plans supporting Gannett's forthcoming consolidation of ad production operations in two sites, in Des Moines and Indianapolis, and the efficiencies that initiative will bring.
May, meantime, listed the steps The Morning News has taken to expand its printing business, attracting commercial clients that range from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times to newspapers printed by local colleges and high schools. He said commercial printing is now generating as much as 15 percent of the paper's top-line revenues, from less than 2 percent just three years ago.
Finally, Jenkins discussed the debut of The Free Lance-Star's 90,000-square-foot production plant, anchored by a Goss International FPS heatset/coldset press. The publisher is rebranding the production arm of the company as Print Innovators as it moves to attract additional printing customers, Jenkins said. Simply, he said, "It's print, or be printed."
Some 200 people attended the 90-minute session. Graphic Arts Show Co., which sponsors Print 09 and Graph Expo, said it intends to make newspaper production a core part of future shows, with events and activities specifically tailored to the newspaper industry, beginning with the 2010 Graph Expo show.
In other Print 09 developments:
•Océ unveiled a program designed to allow direct marketers to bring quick-response codes into print applications. Océ showed applications using COPI’s CodeZ QR subroutine for personalized interaction. Web-enabled phones with specific reader software can scan QR codes and launch a Web browser to a specific URL containing information, thereby driving increased print revenue, Océ said.
CodeZ QR generates one-to-one or personalized QR codes, called QRPurlZ.
“This immediate response, print-to-Web approach is the nest step in the evolution of personal communications,” said Sheryl Patteck, vice president of marketing services, production printing systems division for Océ North America. “Personalized URLs alone are not response ready. The time and effort to enter a personal URL from a cell phone or a PC significantly increase the likelihood they won’t even try.”
Attendees to Print 09 were able to see full-color Océ CS130T Tandem printers printing CodeZ QR symbols embedded in ads in personalized editions of Chicago Where magazine.
•Nela rolled out Nela Plate Inspector. The plate inspection tool uses an overhead scanning system to automatically detect plate defects as small as 0.1 mm at speeds of up to 450 plates per hour.
•IMC America said it is distributing a postpress collator that can be used to gather inserts for polybagging. The system, called the XYZ, is manufactured by Quebec-based Feuiltault Solution Systems and is capable of processing as much as 30,000 copies per hour, IMC said. It uses a single sucker to pull down a circular or insert and move it in a linear fashion along the raceway. It relies on mechanical components that ensure fewer misfeeds due to doubles or misses, the firm said.
•CC1 rolled out a new smart camera, equipped with digital signal processing, which eliminates the need for a host computer to reside in the pressroom. The new camera can be installed on any existing press equipped with CC1's eXaminer registration technology.
•Burgess Industries Inc. said it added remote monitoring capabilities to its plate bending equipment. Software will monitor the performance of the equipment on-site and send alerts to users' mobile phones in the event any problems are detected.
•Chromaticity said it’s merged with FineEye Color Solutions, a company with which the color management vendor partnered earlier this year to market FineEye’s ICESaver application. The combined entity will be called FineEye Color Solutions and will be headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“The merger with FineEye is the logical conclusion to Chromaticity’s long-term strategy to become a manufacturer,” said Peder Nelson, who serves as president of the new entity.
Meantime, FineEye rolled out 20/20, color separation software that the firm said will provide a 20 percent increase in gamut while reducing ink consumption by 20 percent. The software is integrated into a user's existing PDF workflow.
•AVT/GMI introduced the new ColorQuick/Clarios automated closed-loop color control app, and Microcolor/Mercury remote ink control app for commercial presses.
•Absolute and BEK Technology combined forces to market the Ink Tracker fountain filling system. The system tracks across a press' fountain and applies ink where required. Software also tracks ink consumption to enable operators to monitor the system's performance.
•EPG introduced enhancements to its KeyColor color measurement system, including ColorInSpec, which reads an entire color bar on every impression and can identify and trend print defects. EPG also showed its Adelphi presetting and Adelphi scanner interface technology for enhanced closed-loop color-control.
Look for more coverage of Print 09 in the October issue of News & Tech.
Sun-Times gets bidder
Sun-Times Media Group Inc. said a group led by Chicago investor James Tyree would be the lead bidder for its assets at a bankruptcy auction.
Tyree’s group, STMG Holdings LLC, bid $5 million in cash for bankrupt STMG. Tyree also offered to assume the publisher’s liabilities, estimated to total $20 million.
STMG Holdings is STMG’s so-called “stalking horse” bidder, which means it has certain protections, including break-up fees, if it does not win.
Resolution of the bid depends on the results of an auction if another bidder emerges and U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
STMG filed for bankruptcy protection in March. Its largest media property is the Chicago Sun-Times.
Free Press getting EZSert
Ferag said the London (Ontario) Free Press signed an order to install two 20:1 EZSert inserting systems. The Sum Media Corp. paper will also install four Ferag MultiStack stackers and a PKT bundle distribution system.
“We are very pleased to introduce the new EZSert system into the North American market,” said Joe Coletti, president and CEO of Ferag.
Installation at the Free Press is scheduled to commence in January.
Idaho daily picks QuadTech
The (Nampa) Idaho Press-Tribune installed QuadTech Inc.’s Ribbon Control System. The closed-loop print-to-cut or print-to-fold system is designed to help publishers save on makeready time, decrease waste and obtain consistent quality, QTI said.
The Press-Tribune also installed QTI’s ICON integrated platform, Register Guidance System and Register Motorization System 2000 on its new DGM 440 presses with 4-high towers.
“It became clear that the benefits of QuadTech’s technology greatly outweighed the costs,” said Roger Stowell, the Press-Tribune’s production director. “The system quickly registers color and holds precise to the targets throughout the press run.”
Google, others chiming in on micropayments
A number of organizations, including Google, Microsoft and IBM began floating micropayment plans in response to the Newspaper Association of America’s request for proposals on ways to easily charge for online news.
Google’s proposal described an online system for collecting small payments — in the range of pennies — for access to individual articles or newspaper subscriptions. The system would be brought to users via Google Checkout.
“While we believe that advertising will likely remain the main source of revenue for most news content, a paid model can serve as an important source of additional revenue,” Google wrote in its proposal. “In addition, a successful paid content model can enhance advertising opportunities, rather than replace them.”
Look for more developments on micropayments in an upcoming issue of News & Tech.
Puerto Rican printer gets Goss M-800
Goss International Corp. said Advanced Graphics Printing of Puerto Rico installed an M-800 press to improve print quality, expand capacity and provide higher pagination capabilities. The press, capable of 70,000 iph, is intended to address current and future production requirements, according to Joel Acevedo, senior vice president and general manager at AGP.
“The M-800 press has doubled our pagination capacity to 64 pages – a first in Puerto Rico,” he said. “Before, if a customer wanted a 48-page product, for example, we would have to print 32 pages then change the plates and print a further 16 in a separate print run before combining the two sections in the bindery. Printing 64-page products in a single run is much more attractive.”
The eight-unit press at AGP was installed in a stacked configuration and is equipped with Contiweb CS splicers, Ecocool dryers and a JF-70 collect folder. Goss also supplied Omnicon controls and its Goss Web Center digital workflow modules.
AGP is affiliated with Grupo Ferré-Rangel, the holding company that produces Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper El Nuevo Dia, as well as Prima Hora on Goss presses.
Meantime, Goss launched a new enhancement for existing heatset dryers, and Quad/Graphics ordered six more after testing the first one in the United States. The Ecochill enhancement uses Goss’ Ecocool dryer technology to eliminate condensation on chill rollers, preventing smearing and ink picking and allowing web presses to be run at higher speeds, Goss said. The enhancement is available as a retrofit on all Goss Ecotherm and Ecoweb dryers as well as some dryers manufactured by other suppliers.
Finally, Goss said it sole a Sunday 2000 press to the Church of Scientology, which will be installed in early 2010.
Innotech sells PCS to Hindu
Innotech said it installed a Panorama Centerfold System at The Hindu in Chennai, India. The system, Innotech’s first in the Indian market, was placed on the daily’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries DiamondSpirit press.
Innotech modified the PCS to mesh with the press. The system will allow The Hindu to produce three- and four-page-wide center spreads inside the newspaper. Two more presses will be equipped with PCS systems next month, Innotech said.
Latin American publisher opts for DTI circ app
Corporación La Prensa S.A., of Panama purchased Digital Technology International’s DTICirculation to the newsgroup’s two publications, La Prensa and Mi Diario.
DTICirculation will manage the publisher’s circulation, distribution, marketing and reporting software to help improve efficiencies at Corporación La Prensa, DTI said.
“We were confronting high return rates on some sales points and running out of stock in others,” said Carlos Rabat, general manager, Corporación La Prensa. “We needed a program that would effectively evaluate production and distribution volumes, with a user-friendly interface. We are expecting a reduction in return rates while increasing circulation through better allocation amongst sales points.”
DotLine to unveil new CTP at IfraExpo
DotLine GmbH said it will unveil a new computer-to-plate unit, the DotLine Vmax, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The new unit has a power spectrum from 50 single plates per hour up to unique 400 single plates per hour, the vendor said.
The VMax is available as semi-automatic or fully automatic device, and can expose plates formats from 300-by-490 millimeters up to 640-by-930 mm.
The fully automatic unit has a modular loading device and allows a straight, left or right orientated plate flow so that it is easy to integrate and flexible, DotLine said.
HP partners with RR Donnelley for digital press options
Hewlett-Packard and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. finalized plans on a collaboration to develop digital printing solutions for inkjet-based digital presses.
"With the introduction of the Inkjet Web Press at Drupa last year, we broke new ground in the analog-to-digital transformation of the graphics industry," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of HP’s Imaging and Printing Group.
“We are taking this transformation one step further by collaborating with the world’s largest print service provider to bring greater value to our customers.”
Under the proposed arrangement, RR Donnelley’s Research and Development Center is expected to collaborate with the Inkjet High-speed Production Solutions unit of HP to develop new digital printing technologies. Products will be sold under the HP brand.
The companies said they initially plan to focus on the development of a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) printing solution.
In Brief
Richard Cowles joined ColorQuick LLC as a business development analyst.
KBA North America named Mark Hischar, president and CEO. He will officially begin his new post Oct. 1, 2009.
German regional newspaper publisher Nordwest Zeitung said it will roll out Methode software from EidosMedia to support its print and online operations.
The Beacon-News in Aurora, Ill., introduced its new tabloid format today. The Sun-Times Media Group paper is the second newspaper in as many weeks to convert to a tab, with the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind., announcing its conversion effective Oct. 5.
McClatchy Co. said that all 30 of its daily newspapers joined AP Mobile. The Associated Press’ AP Mobile is a multimedia news portal that provides anytime access to international, national and local news.
Quark Inc. said will make all of its software available for purchase through DistributorX Inc. The agreement replaces a distribution agreement Quark formerly had with ThePowerXChange.com, Quark said.
Commercial printer Consolidated Graphics Inc. purchased two Xeikon 5000plus 1,200 dpi digital color presses. The presses are in addition to the Xeikon 6000s that CGI has already been using to produce high-quality dust jackets for photo books.
Mediaspectrum Inc. said its platform is now available as an Internet-delivered service accessible to users via a Web browser.
Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. and Choice Software, a system integrator for the printing industry, announced that CPS Printing in Carlsbad, Calif., a commercial print enterprise, implemented an integrated production workflow that automatically transfers data between their online logistics solution, cor-Port (powered by Pageflex Storefront), and their MIS platform. The bi-directional integration was developed by Choice Software using their ChoiceICE connector product, which eliminates manual data entry by digitally transferring order, job, and shipping information between the two systems.
Protecmedia said it will unveil SHIPO, software based on geomarketing, designed to manage everything connected to the circulation of a newspaper, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The app allows close control of delivery routes and sales outlets, obtaining data that, once cross-referenced, generates valuable results publishers can use to optimize performance, Protecmedia said.
Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, and Screen (USA) entered a joint marketing program. Through the program, Screen will be able to offer the Xeikon digital color solutions to its US-based clients for book publishing and transactional/TransPromo applications and Xeikon will be able to offer the Truepress jet 520.
KBA North America named Mark Hischar, president and CEO. He will officially begin his new post Oct. 1, 2009.
German regional newspaper publisher Nordwest Zeitung said it will roll out Methode software from EidosMedia to support its print and online operations.
The Beacon-News in Aurora, Ill., introduced its new tabloid format today. The Sun-Times Media Group paper is the second newspaper in as many weeks to convert to a tab, with the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind., announcing its conversion effective Oct. 5.
McClatchy Co. said that all 30 of its daily newspapers joined AP Mobile. The Associated Press’ AP Mobile is a multimedia news portal that provides anytime access to international, national and local news.
Quark Inc. said will make all of its software available for purchase through DistributorX Inc. The agreement replaces a distribution agreement Quark formerly had with ThePowerXChange.com, Quark said.
Commercial printer Consolidated Graphics Inc. purchased two Xeikon 5000plus 1,200 dpi digital color presses. The presses are in addition to the Xeikon 6000s that CGI has already been using to produce high-quality dust jackets for photo books.
Mediaspectrum Inc. said its platform is now available as an Internet-delivered service accessible to users via a Web browser.
Pageflex, a division of Bitstream Inc. and Choice Software, a system integrator for the printing industry, announced that CPS Printing in Carlsbad, Calif., a commercial print enterprise, implemented an integrated production workflow that automatically transfers data between their online logistics solution, cor-Port (powered by Pageflex Storefront), and their MIS platform. The bi-directional integration was developed by Choice Software using their ChoiceICE connector product, which eliminates manual data entry by digitally transferring order, job, and shipping information between the two systems.
Protecmedia said it will unveil SHIPO, software based on geomarketing, designed to manage everything connected to the circulation of a newspaper, at IfraExpo in Vienna next month.
The app allows close control of delivery routes and sales outlets, obtaining data that, once cross-referenced, generates valuable results publishers can use to optimize performance, Protecmedia said.
Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, and Screen (USA) entered a joint marketing program. Through the program, Screen will be able to offer the Xeikon digital color solutions to its US-based clients for book publishing and transactional/TransPromo applications and Xeikon will be able to offer the Truepress jet 520.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Sept. 11, 2009 -- KBA names North American president
KBA North America today named Mark Hischar president and CEO, effective Oct. 1.
Prior to joining KBA North America, Hischar was the president, CEO, and board member of W+D Machinery Co., an Overland Park, Kan., wholly-owned subsidiary of a German manufacturer of envelope manufacturing machines. He also served as president and CEO of Royse Manufacturing Co. and held an executive post at Matthews International Corp., a prepress and printing plate vendor.
"I am honored to begin my new post at KBA North America at a time when the company is poised to enter a new growth phase," Hischar said in a statement. "I look forward to leading the company ahead as a top-performing customer-oriented manufacturer in both sheetfed and webfed presses."
Hischar succeeds Holger Garbrecht.
Prior to joining KBA North America, Hischar was the president, CEO, and board member of W+D Machinery Co., an Overland Park, Kan., wholly-owned subsidiary of a German manufacturer of envelope manufacturing machines. He also served as president and CEO of Royse Manufacturing Co. and held an executive post at Matthews International Corp., a prepress and printing plate vendor.
"I am honored to begin my new post at KBA North America at a time when the company is poised to enter a new growth phase," Hischar said in a statement. "I look forward to leading the company ahead as a top-performing customer-oriented manufacturer in both sheetfed and webfed presses."
Hischar succeeds Holger Garbrecht.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sept. 8, 2009 — Gannett consolidating ad production at 2 sites
Gannett Co. Inc. will consolidate ad production of its 83 U.S. Community Publishing newspapers at two new ad production centers to be located at the Des Moines (Iowa) Register and Indianapolis Star.
The transition, to begin this fall, will concentrate the bulk of U.S. Community Publishing’s ad production and prepress activities at the two newspapers. The full rollout will be completed in 2011.
Gannett will use DPS Inc.’s AdTracker enterprise edition software to underpin the centers. Sixty Gannett papers already use the software, according to Scott Waschitz, DPS’ vice president of development and client services.
Documents posted on the Gannettoid.com Web site said undisclosed staff reductions will occur as a result of the consolidation, but both The Register and The Star reported they expect to add employees once the new centers are fully operational.
The creation of the ad production centers mirrors what Gannett did in 2007 when it opened two regional toning centers — also based in Des Moines and Indianapolis — to process images groupwide.
The transition, to begin this fall, will concentrate the bulk of U.S. Community Publishing’s ad production and prepress activities at the two newspapers. The full rollout will be completed in 2011.
Gannett will use DPS Inc.’s AdTracker enterprise edition software to underpin the centers. Sixty Gannett papers already use the software, according to Scott Waschitz, DPS’ vice president of development and client services.
Documents posted on the Gannettoid.com Web site said undisclosed staff reductions will occur as a result of the consolidation, but both The Register and The Star reported they expect to add employees once the new centers are fully operational.
The creation of the ad production centers mirrors what Gannett did in 2007 when it opened two regional toning centers — also based in Des Moines and Indianapolis — to process images groupwide.
Sun-Times closing 2nd Chicago-area plant
The Sun-Times Media Group Inc. will shutter its suburban Chicago printing plant used to print its Pioneer Press publications.
Journal Communications, which prints the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said it’s in discussions with STMG to take over the printing, but that no deal had yet been signed.
The Pioneer plant, in suburban Northfield, employs about 70 workers. The plant is scheduled to close before the year-end. Earlier this year, STMG also shuttered a plant it formerly operated in west suburban Chicago.
The shutdown of the plant won’t affect STMG’s downtown Chicago production facility, which produces the flagship Chicago Sun-Times and other papers.
The consolidation comes as STMG negotiates with bidders interested in purchasing the struggling publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
Published reports said that a local group, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc., is the leading suitor.
Journal Communications, which prints the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said it’s in discussions with STMG to take over the printing, but that no deal had yet been signed.
The Pioneer plant, in suburban Northfield, employs about 70 workers. The plant is scheduled to close before the year-end. Earlier this year, STMG also shuttered a plant it formerly operated in west suburban Chicago.
The shutdown of the plant won’t affect STMG’s downtown Chicago production facility, which produces the flagship Chicago Sun-Times and other papers.
The consolidation comes as STMG negotiates with bidders interested in purchasing the struggling publisher, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
Published reports said that a local group, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc., is the leading suitor.
Californian Web sites not going away
The death of The Bakersfield Californian’s online social media initiatives may have been greatly exaggerated.
Last week the AIM Group reported that the newspaper is considering shutting down its social networking sites including Bakotopia, Bakersfield Voice and other online projects.
But Logan Molen, the paper’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the online initiatives are not shutting down.
“The stories suggested the two sites were in danger of closure when in fact it’s the print versions of those two brands that are under review,” he said in a blog.
He further wrote that it’s true the paper is evaluating the ROI of the print editions and that in deep recessions “any smart business would evaluate whether it makes sense to continue funding money-losing products, no matter the reputation.”
Dan Pacheco, senior manager of digital products at The Californian, said any steps the paper might take will have no bearing on the daily’s Printcasting initiative. “We’re focusing more than ever on promoting and integrating Printcasting in the Californian’s sites,” he said.
Last week the AIM Group reported that the newspaper is considering shutting down its social networking sites including Bakotopia, Bakersfield Voice and other online projects.
But Logan Molen, the paper’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the online initiatives are not shutting down.
“The stories suggested the two sites were in danger of closure when in fact it’s the print versions of those two brands that are under review,” he said in a blog.
He further wrote that it’s true the paper is evaluating the ROI of the print editions and that in deep recessions “any smart business would evaluate whether it makes sense to continue funding money-losing products, no matter the reputation.”
Dan Pacheco, senior manager of digital products at The Californian, said any steps the paper might take will have no bearing on the daily’s Printcasting initiative. “We’re focusing more than ever on promoting and integrating Printcasting in the Californian’s sites,” he said.
KBA to market TPH presses in global pact
Koenig & Bauer AG and The Printers House have agreed to sell each other’s presses in selected markets.
Under terms of the agreement between the two press vendors, TPH will sell KBA’s presses on the Indian subcontinent while KBA sells TPH’s 2-by-1 Orient presses in the rest of the world.
TPH manufactures four different Orient models, with speeds ranging from 16,000 to 50,000 copies per hour. In addition to India, TPH has presses placed in China, Russia and the Middle East.
In the United States, TPH has one machine installed, a 30,000-copy-an-hour Orient Super press that was purchased in 2007 by Waccamaw Publishers Inc., which publishes three weekly newspapers in Horry County, S.C.
Christoph Müller, KBA’s executive vice president for web press sales, said the alliance will complement KBA’s product line. “We have complete trust in TPH, its products and people and expect it to be a significant alliance for newspaper and commercial web offset printers worldwide.”
Under terms of the agreement between the two press vendors, TPH will sell KBA’s presses on the Indian subcontinent while KBA sells TPH’s 2-by-1 Orient presses in the rest of the world.
TPH manufactures four different Orient models, with speeds ranging from 16,000 to 50,000 copies per hour. In addition to India, TPH has presses placed in China, Russia and the Middle East.
In the United States, TPH has one machine installed, a 30,000-copy-an-hour Orient Super press that was purchased in 2007 by Waccamaw Publishers Inc., which publishes three weekly newspapers in Horry County, S.C.
Christoph Müller, KBA’s executive vice president for web press sales, said the alliance will complement KBA’s product line. “We have complete trust in TPH, its products and people and expect it to be a significant alliance for newspaper and commercial web offset printers worldwide.”
Irish Times to be printed in New York
The Irish Times became the latest daily newspaper to be printed digitally in New York by Newsworld Corp. The title is being produced at Newsworld’s partner, AlphaGraphics, which also prints the London Daily Mail at its New Jersey facility for New York distribution (see News & Tech, March 2009).
Like the Daily Mail, the Times is printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet520 digital press.
The Irish Times is published six days a week, with paginations and run lengths varying from day to day, Newsworld said. Copies are distributed across New York City as well as to Washington and Boston.
“Where we have previously flown in copies of the newspaper, we are very excited that the technology and service is available,” said Ingrid Jones, international distribution manager for the Irish Times. “Our job now is to build on the existing circulation figures for New York and develop the paper for the relevant audience and readership, something we can do with the benefits and opportunities provided by digital production.”
Like the Daily Mail, the Times is printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet520 digital press.
The Irish Times is published six days a week, with paginations and run lengths varying from day to day, Newsworld said. Copies are distributed across New York City as well as to Washington and Boston.
“Where we have previously flown in copies of the newspaper, we are very excited that the technology and service is available,” said Ingrid Jones, international distribution manager for the Irish Times. “Our job now is to build on the existing circulation figures for New York and develop the paper for the relevant audience and readership, something we can do with the benefits and opportunities provided by digital production.”
Miracom begins SLS-1000 retrofit, sales program
Miracom Computer Corp. said it has begun selling, installing and servicing used and rebuilt SLS-1000 inserters.
“We have waited to announce this new venture until we were confident that we could deliver the parts and installation services quickly and efficiently," said Bill Harley, director of marketing at Miracom. "We now have a warehouse full of components, including several dozen hoppers, six of which have already been rebuilt, painted and are ready to ship." Miracom is offering rebuilt hoppers for sale, or as part of a hopper rebuild swap-out program.
Harley said the Daily News Sun in Sun City, Ariz., was the company’s first client. Miracom expanded the paper’s existing 6:1 SLS-1000 to an 8:2, using rebuilt hoppers, a second jacket hopper, installation services and a MiraSert control upgrade.
Harley said the addition of the SLS-1000 retrofit service will mesh with Miracom’s inserter control software business.
"We will be announcing a new online SLS parts ordering Web site in the near future but anyone interested in SLS-1000 parts or expansion services can call us for availability and pricing now," he said.
“We have waited to announce this new venture until we were confident that we could deliver the parts and installation services quickly and efficiently," said Bill Harley, director of marketing at Miracom. "We now have a warehouse full of components, including several dozen hoppers, six of which have already been rebuilt, painted and are ready to ship." Miracom is offering rebuilt hoppers for sale, or as part of a hopper rebuild swap-out program.
Harley said the Daily News Sun in Sun City, Ariz., was the company’s first client. Miracom expanded the paper’s existing 6:1 SLS-1000 to an 8:2, using rebuilt hoppers, a second jacket hopper, installation services and a MiraSert control upgrade.
Harley said the addition of the SLS-1000 retrofit service will mesh with Miracom’s inserter control software business.
"We will be announcing a new online SLS parts ordering Web site in the near future but anyone interested in SLS-1000 parts or expansion services can call us for availability and pricing now," he said.
Ark. papers ask for merger
Two northwest Arkansas newspaper publishers have asked permission from the U.S. Department of Justice to combine their operations.
Stephens Media LLC and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. in Little Rock said they would create a company that would be jointly owned and that would produce a single print publication for the area.
Approval is contingent upon Stephens placing The Morning News for sale. The paper, distributed in Rogers and Springdale, competes with those owned by DCI.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, Walter Hussman, CEO of the company that owns the Little Rock daily, said the merger won’t take place if someone buys The Morning News. “We suspect that won’t happen,” Hussman said.
If the merger does take place, both companies would have an equal financial interest in the new entity, called Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
Stephens Media now publishes The Morning News and several other weekly publications in northwest Arkansas while DGI owns the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Benton County Daily Record and an edition of the Democrat-Gazette zoned for 12 counties in the area.
Under terms of the proposed merger, Stephens would be responsible for editorial control while DGI would control advertising, business, production and circulation, as well as editorial functions of the zoned Democrat-Gazette.
The Democrat-Gazette said it would focus on regional coverage while the other newspapers cover local news in each city. The Morning News distribution in Springdale and Rogers would be wrapped around a daily Democrat-Gazette.
Stephens Media LLC and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. in Little Rock said they would create a company that would be jointly owned and that would produce a single print publication for the area.
Approval is contingent upon Stephens placing The Morning News for sale. The paper, distributed in Rogers and Springdale, competes with those owned by DCI.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, Walter Hussman, CEO of the company that owns the Little Rock daily, said the merger won’t take place if someone buys The Morning News. “We suspect that won’t happen,” Hussman said.
If the merger does take place, both companies would have an equal financial interest in the new entity, called Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
Stephens Media now publishes The Morning News and several other weekly publications in northwest Arkansas while DGI owns the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Benton County Daily Record and an edition of the Democrat-Gazette zoned for 12 counties in the area.
Under terms of the proposed merger, Stephens would be responsible for editorial control while DGI would control advertising, business, production and circulation, as well as editorial functions of the zoned Democrat-Gazette.
The Democrat-Gazette said it would focus on regional coverage while the other newspapers cover local news in each city. The Morning News distribution in Springdale and Rogers would be wrapped around a daily Democrat-Gazette.
Ind. paper converting to tab
The Post-Tribune in northwest Indiana is converting from broadsheet to tabloid, effective Oct. 5.
The paper, owned by Sun-Times News Group, will adopt the same format of STNG’s flagship Chicago Sun-Times. The Sun-Times prints The Post-Tribune in its downtown Chicago production facility.
The paper, owned by Sun-Times News Group, will adopt the same format of STNG’s flagship Chicago Sun-Times. The Sun-Times prints The Post-Tribune in its downtown Chicago production facility.
Seattle P-I teams with Zillow
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer announced the launch of a co-branded real estate site with Zillow.com.
Seattlepi.com now includes Zillow's search functionality, whereby users can enter any home address, neighborhood or locality and find home value estimates, recently-sold homes, homes for sale, open house listings and local market data. Visitors to the co-branded site can also access all of Zillow's real estate community content via Zillow Advice, and mortgage rates and information from Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.
Seattlepi.com now includes Zillow's search functionality, whereby users can enter any home address, neighborhood or locality and find home value estimates, recently-sold homes, homes for sale, open house listings and local market data. Visitors to the co-branded site can also access all of Zillow's real estate community content via Zillow Advice, and mortgage rates and information from Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.
Ore. publisher picks MediaSpan’s online platform
East Oregonian Publishing Co. is rolling out content management and advertising software from MediaSpan Online Services to support its eight community newspapers, one northwest agricultural newspaper and 14 Web sites.
“This partnership is about the high expectations we have for online media,” said Laura Sellers, EOPC’s director of audience development. “As a family-owned group of newspapers, we are deeply involved in serving our customers — readers and advertisers alike — by providing robust, nimble, digital media.”
Among the goals of the new platform is to allow the publisher to better respond to new information and events, and to launch new online initiatives more quickly and independently, MediaSpan said.
“This partnership is about the high expectations we have for online media,” said Laura Sellers, EOPC’s director of audience development. “As a family-owned group of newspapers, we are deeply involved in serving our customers — readers and advertisers alike — by providing robust, nimble, digital media.”
Among the goals of the new platform is to allow the publisher to better respond to new information and events, and to launch new online initiatives more quickly and independently, MediaSpan said.
Post-Gazette launches members-only site
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette launched PG+, a members-only Web site sporting interactive features and exclusive content.
PG+ will not replace post-gazette.com, but offers subscribers exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes insights into the news of the day, the publisher said.
PG+ members also have access to special Post-Gazette events, along with information about deals and discounts at sports, retail and entertainment venues.
Annual memberships are $36 and monthly memberships are $3.99.
PG+ will not replace post-gazette.com, but offers subscribers exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes insights into the news of the day, the publisher said.
PG+ members also have access to special Post-Gazette events, along with information about deals and discounts at sports, retail and entertainment venues.
Annual memberships are $36 and monthly memberships are $3.99.
NYT, WSJ planning S.F. editions
Both The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are planning to introduce editions targeting the San Francisco Bay in an attempt to win readers and advertisers.
The Times, which broke the story, said that neither Dow Jones nor NYT officials would discuss specifics, but that the editions could be launched later this year.
The Times, which broke the story, said that neither Dow Jones nor NYT officials would discuss specifics, but that the editions could be launched later this year.
In Brief
AFL Web Printing named Arthur L. Salayda business development manager.
Chromaticity named John Sweeney vice president of business development.
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it will begin delivering and distributing the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., later this month. The agreement covers both home delivery and single-copy distribution of the 80,000-circulation Dow Jones Local Media Group daily.
www.pcfcorp.com
alfaQuest Technologies released its new Ink Optimizer Module for the PrintExpress workflow management app. Integration eliminates the need for pre-processing files for optimization before submitting them to the RIP, alfaQuest said. Ink Optimizer accepts PostScript or PDF files.
www.alfaquest.com
Washingtonpost.com developed a new commenting interface, dubbed WebCom, which arranges comments in a design that’s based on which ones spark the most interest and most discussion from readers.
www.washingtonpost.com
GMG established a Japanese subsidiary, GMG Japan. The unit, headed by Kazutami Ando, will be responsible for organizing the distribution of GMG's software, logistics and technical support.
www.gmgamericas.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is providing advertisers and newspaper media professionals with access to its Multi-Media Mashup, a city-focused audience analysis tool that measures major U.S. newspapers.
Multi-Media Mashup aggregates information like print circulation and Web visitor figures into a single view on a Google map and provides up-to-date information for advertisers and agencies seeking a source of DMA information in the top 200 markets.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
Digital Technology International’s newly formed group DTICOnnect will hold its first meeting this year on Sept. 15-16, via a virtual conference.
Objectives of the new group include sharing and exchanging information pertaining to the use of DTI applications and , as a user-group, focusing on best practices, new ideas and industry needs.
www.dtint.com
Callas Software released pdfAutoOptimizer 2. Based on Acrobat's PDF engine, the app automates transparency flattening and overall file optimization while maintaining raster and vector element integrity.
www.callassoftware.com
Dynagram released DynaStrip 6.0. The upgrade focuses on features to make imposition creation and editing more productive, the vendor said.
www.dynagram.com
Wilen Direct, a Florida-based affiliate of the Wilen Group, purchased a Kodak Prosper S10 Imprinting System to deliver targeted marketing materials. Wilen is the first U.S. customer to purchase the high-speed inkjet system. Kodak also appointed FasTechnology Group LLC as a reseller of its Versamark D-series printing systems in North America.
The New York Post unveiled a redesigned Web site, featuring a cleaner look and exclusive content.
www.nypost.com
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail said it’s gone live with content management and mobile software from Escenic and Mobiletech, respectively.
Serendipity Software released Veripress, a stand-alone soft proofing app.
www.serendipity-software.com.au
WoodWing Software said it will hold a free live webinar on its newly released BrandStation Web-to-print app at the end of September. More information about WoodWing Webinars, the schedule and the registration form can be found at www.woodwing.com/en/Webinars.
Chromaticity named John Sweeney vice president of business development.
Publishers Circulation Fulfillment Inc. said it will begin delivering and distributing the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., later this month. The agreement covers both home delivery and single-copy distribution of the 80,000-circulation Dow Jones Local Media Group daily.
www.pcfcorp.com
alfaQuest Technologies released its new Ink Optimizer Module for the PrintExpress workflow management app. Integration eliminates the need for pre-processing files for optimization before submitting them to the RIP, alfaQuest said. Ink Optimizer accepts PostScript or PDF files.
www.alfaquest.com
Washingtonpost.com developed a new commenting interface, dubbed WebCom, which arranges comments in a design that’s based on which ones spark the most interest and most discussion from readers.
www.washingtonpost.com
GMG established a Japanese subsidiary, GMG Japan. The unit, headed by Kazutami Ando, will be responsible for organizing the distribution of GMG's software, logistics and technical support.
www.gmgamericas.com
Mediaspace Solutions said it is providing advertisers and newspaper media professionals with access to its Multi-Media Mashup, a city-focused audience analysis tool that measures major U.S. newspapers.
Multi-Media Mashup aggregates information like print circulation and Web visitor figures into a single view on a Google map and provides up-to-date information for advertisers and agencies seeking a source of DMA information in the top 200 markets.
www.mediaspacesolutions.com
Digital Technology International’s newly formed group DTICOnnect will hold its first meeting this year on Sept. 15-16, via a virtual conference.
Objectives of the new group include sharing and exchanging information pertaining to the use of DTI applications and , as a user-group, focusing on best practices, new ideas and industry needs.
www.dtint.com
Callas Software released pdfAutoOptimizer 2. Based on Acrobat's PDF engine, the app automates transparency flattening and overall file optimization while maintaining raster and vector element integrity.
www.callassoftware.com
Dynagram released DynaStrip 6.0. The upgrade focuses on features to make imposition creation and editing more productive, the vendor said.
www.dynagram.com
Wilen Direct, a Florida-based affiliate of the Wilen Group, purchased a Kodak Prosper S10 Imprinting System to deliver targeted marketing materials. Wilen is the first U.S. customer to purchase the high-speed inkjet system. Kodak also appointed FasTechnology Group LLC as a reseller of its Versamark D-series printing systems in North America.
The New York Post unveiled a redesigned Web site, featuring a cleaner look and exclusive content.
www.nypost.com
The (Toronto) Globe and Mail said it’s gone live with content management and mobile software from Escenic and Mobiletech, respectively.
Serendipity Software released Veripress, a stand-alone soft proofing app.
www.serendipity-software.com.au
WoodWing Software said it will hold a free live webinar on its newly released BrandStation Web-to-print app at the end of September. More information about WoodWing Webinars, the schedule and the registration form can be found at www.woodwing.com/en/Webinars.
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