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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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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