Rainsville Weekly Post Merges into Fort Payne Times Journal

The Rainsville Weekly Post merged into the daily Fort Payne Times-Journal on February 25th, 2010.  The former subscribers of the Weekly Post will receive the Saturday edition of the Times-Journal until their current subscription expires.  They can then decide if they want the daily paper or not.

Niles Daily Star and Dowagiac Daily News Switch to Mail Distribution

Leader Publications announced today that effective May 3rd, 2010, the Niles Daily Star and Dowagiac Daily News will switch from carrier delivery to mail delivery.  The in-home date will not change for either vendor.  In the event that the U.S.P.S. would stop Saturday delivery, the Niles Daily Star Saturday distribution would revert back to carrier delivery.

Appleton Post-Crescent to stop Post-Crescent East edition

The Appleton Post-Crescent announced it will cease publishing its weekly Post-Crescent East edition on Friday, May 28th, 2010.  The content of the weekly edition will be moved into the daily edition of the Post-Crescent.

Honolulu Star Bulletin to Acquire Honolulu Advertiser

The Justice Department has given Honolulu Star Bulletin owner David Black permission to purchase the Honolulu Advertiser from Gannett Company.  Black intends to consolidate the two publications, and create a new daily called the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.  The sale is expected to be completed on Sunday, May 2nd.  A timeline for the consolidation of the two publications has yet to be announced.

ABC's Circulation Biggest Gainers

The Naples Daily News (FL) had a 21.8% increase in circulation from 2009 to 2010, per the latest ABC Fas-Fax report, leading all publications with a 50,000 or more circulation base.  The Daily News newly reported weekday circulation is 77,565.

The Schenectady Gazette (NY) had a 21.6% increase in circulation from 2009 to 2010, with a new reported weekday circulation of 55,318.

The Macomb Daily (MI) increased 13.4% from 2009 to 2010, with a new reported weekday circulation of 54,240.

The Toledo Blade (OH) had the largest increase for a paper with 100,000 circulation, increasing to 117,704, or a 6.3% increase.

The Bend Bulletin (OR) led all newspapers with a 34.3% increase, with a newly reported weekday circulation of 43,895.

Bend Bulletin Increases Circulation 34%

The Bend Bulletin reported a 34.3% increase on weekday circulation from one year ago, along with a 32.5% increase on Sunday distribution, per the latest ABC FAS-FAX report. 

The increase is due to an aggressive marketing campaign coupled with strong promotions to the paid e-edition of the newspaper, per Keith Foutz, corporate circulation and operations director.  ABC is also allowing the Bend Bulletin to count those paid newspaper subscribers who also get the the paid e-edition, something that was not permitted before.

Washington Blade Reopens for Business

The Washington Blade, a gay and lesbian publication covering the Washington D.C. area, will resume publishing on Friday April 30th, 2010, under new ownership. The publication was previously owned by Windows Media and was closed down suddenly in November 2009.

The Blade is anticipating distribution of 25,000 copies.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Changes TMC

The Richmond Times-Dispatch launched a new TMC product called the Richmond.com INKED Edition on March 3rd, 2010.  This product will be delivered to non-subscribers of the Times-Dispatch on Wednesdays.

The Times-Dispatch discontinued their two existing TMC products in conjunction with this action.  The Star Watch and Metro Money Saver, no longer exist.

Memphis Commercial Appeal Changes TMC

Effective May 11th, 2010, the Memphis Commercial Appeal will begin distributing its TMC product, formerly known as the Memphis Blue Trader, through Valassis' Red Plum product. The distribution day will remain on Tuesday, but the quantities and shipping address will change (contact the Memphis Commercial Appeal for details).

New York Metro to Expand Distribution to Queens

The New York Metro, a free community daily newspaper, will expand its coverage into the Queens borough with a zoned edition of 40,000 copies distributed throughout the area on Thursdays, per Editor & Publisher.

Antigua Sun and Sun St. Kitts May Close

Two Caribbean newspapers, the Sun St. Kitts and the Antigua Sun were to close on April 19thas a result of the arrest of parent company Sun Printing & Publishing owner R. Allen Stanford.

The Antigua Sun is still operating with the furloughed staff now working for free, hoping to find a financial situation to keep the publication going. The Sun St. Kitts remains closed.

Heartland Publications to Emerge from Bankruptcy

Heartland Publications has had its reorganization plan approved by a federal judge and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 30th per Editor & Publisher. Heartland Publications had filed for bankruptcy last December 21st.

Heartland Publications publishes fifty paid newspapers covering nine different states.

Southern Voice and Atlanta David Reopen

The Southern Voice reopened on April 14th under new ownership, Matt Neumann. The gay and lesbian oriented publication closed down for business in November 2009 when Window Media filed for bankruptcy. The publication will start out with 10,000 copies with an eventual goal of 20,000.

The Atlanta David, which also had closed last November, was also purchased by Mr. Neumann, and relaunched in March 2010.

Baltimore Jewish Times Files Bankruptcy

Alter Communications, parent company of the Baltimore Jewish Times filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, April 14th. The publishers are committed to continuing the weekly publication of the Times.

El Mensajero Changes Page Format

El Mensajero, in San Francisco, recently changed its page format from 5 columns to 6 columns. The new column dimensions are as follows:

Column 1 - 1.4375"
Column 2 – 3.0625"
Column 3 – 4.6875"
Column 4 - 6.3125"
Column 5 – 7.9167"
Column 6 – 9.5625

American Communication Group Celebrates 23rd Birthday

American Communications Group (ACG), one of the nation's premier print media agencies, and the largest independently owned, celebrated its 23rd birthday on April 13th. The company, based on out of Torrance, CA, handles all aspects of print media management including media analysis, planning and budgeting, contract negotiations and management, print media placement, invoice management and reconciliation.

ACG also handles digital advertising, including online advertising, mobile application advertising, e-mail blasts, and social networking opportunities.

ACG specializes in retail advertising, though is not exclusive to that category. ACG is proud to help the following companies with their print media: JCPenney, Michaels, Family Dollar Stores, ShopKo, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Buy Buy Baby, The Sports Authority, Smart & Final, Bravo Health, and Publix.

Hudson-Catskill Newspaper Corp Acquires Two Publications

The Ravena News-Herald and Greene County Local Courier have been acquired by Hudson-Catskill Newspaper Corp.

The Ravena News-Herald is a weekly paid publication with approximately 2,300 distribution each Wednesday. The Greene County Local Courier is also a weekly publication with distribution of 1,500.

Herkimer Pennysaver Changes Name

The Herkimer Pennysaver changed its publication name to the Utica Your Valley, effective March 2010.

Peoria Times-Observer Ceasing Publication

TimesNewspapers has announced that the Peoria Times-Observer will cease publishing next month. The April 28 edition of the Peoria Times-Observer will be the final edition of the newspaper, which is delivered free of charge to homes in North Peoria and Dunlap.