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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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
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