Effective April 1, 2008, Wegman’s Food Markets, Inc. has announced that Premier Retail Services, Inc., is their category consultant for magazines, and will assume responsibility for processing RDA claims, the negotiation and invoicing of the Wegman’s front-end checkout programs, and the booking and invoicing of promotional programs. SOURCE: Wegman’s Food Markets & Premiere Retail Services [...]
The 2008 Retail Conference, co-sponsored by the Magazine Publishers of America and the International Periodical Distributors Association, begins today in Tampa. Concerns that are speculated to arise deal with rising cover prices, wholesaler incentives, and the tension between publishers and wholesalers, and a list of other affairs. A survey by the Periodical Book Association of [...]
John Harrington takes a look at the new PBAA Report and the upcoming MPA/IPDA 2008 Retail Conference, beginning March 30 in Tampa, Florida. The report suggests “the conference will take place in an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern; at least among the 38% of PBAA’s members who participated in the survey, which was conducted in [...]
In a press release, the companies announced the launch of “iMags,” which will offer publishers new means of digital distribution. Curtis Circulation and Pressmart Press Release (Mar. 26, 2008)
In advance of Time Warner Inc.’s annual meeting on May 16, 12 stockholding organizations have introduced a proposal that would split the chairman and chief executive officer positions. However, Jeff Bewkes employment contract stipulates that he can resign if he isn’t also elected chairman. The Time Warner board is advising shareholders to vote against the [...]
The Magazine Publishers of America has published the MPA Environment Handbook for 2008, which explores the role of the environment in publishing decisions. The volume is written and researched by individuals involved in every facet of magazine publication from manufacturing, to printing, to distribution and is focused on environmental policies that meet the needs of [...]
Since supermarket sales are down for magazines, wholesalers are finding alternative venues where the demand for magazines is strong. Places such as Costco and Sam’s Club and other clubs are a great place to sell monthlies. And dollar stores, like Dollar General, sell a good amount celebrity weeklies. One reason magazines tend to do well in [...]
In the inaugural issue, IPDA president Jerry Lynch describes the e-newsletter as, “…a communications vehicle for all partners in the magazine and book distribution channels, from publisher through retailer, as we work together to address our challenges and leverage our strengths.” In the same introductory column, Lynch also announces plans for a mid-March, IPDA-sponsored meeting among to foster more [...]
In its annual regulatory filing Friday, Time Warner Inc. indicated that it expects to cut more jobs in its magazine publishing division in the first quarter. The jobs cuts are expected to affect fewer than 100 people, but result in $10 to $20 million in saved expenses for the company. Yahoo Finance (Feb. 22, 2008)
Dennis Porti of Curtis Circ tells Circulation Management’s Tony Silber that the key to improving efficiency levels across the industry rests with the biggest, checkout magazines, who represent the bulk of the draw. He also suggested that any precipitous attempts to bring the industry’s sell-thru to the 50% level would have a “disastrous” affect on [...]