The Future of Newsprint: International Newspaper Group's 2020 Virtual Leadership Summit

During America’s Newspapers’ PIVOT 2020 Virtual Conference, The International Newspaper Group (ING) hosted a panel discussion entitled The Future of Newsprint, targeted to operations executives who must plan and implement policies and practices that can effectively deal with whatever the future holds.

Moderated by Wayne Pelland, SVP of Operations with Gannett, and Vice President of the ING board of directors, this 90-minute session featured panelists who are among the most respected thought leaders and advocates for newsprint across North America.

On the panel discussion, recorded on October 8th, 2020,are:

• Gary Blakeley, CEO of PAGE Cooperative, who manages one of the largest purchasers of newsprint in the US, was previously Director of Service and Technical Support for Southern Lithoplate, Operations VP for Freedom Communications in Colorado Springs and Senior Director of Group Purchasing & Production at Freedom.

• Larry Hoffman, VP Production at Dow Jones & Company, has been with the legendary newspaper since 2005. Prior to that he was Vice President Production at Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., which was acquired in 2009 by the Dow Jones Local Media Group. Hoffman is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Printing Management and Business.

• Russell Lowder, Executive Vice President of White Birch Paper, oversees global sales of White Birch’s annual production of more than one million metric tons of newsprint, directory paper, bulky book grades, specialty board and high bright paper products. He is also a member of the Pulp and Paper Products Council steering committee and past chairman of the organization’s newsprint committee.

• Frank O’Toole, President, Gannett Supply Corporation is responsible for the procurement of products, services and supplies, including newsprint. Frank manages the companywide paper program and all related issues for Gannett’s U.S. and U.K. operations. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s School of Business, majoring in Finance.

• Lisa Taner, Director of Paper Production & Services at The New York Times Company since 2001, has responsibility for all newsprint and magazine paper purchases that support the College Point Production Facility, 26 National Print Sites, and various printers associated with the NYT Magazine products.