Latest E&P Operations "Exclusive"

Deciding whether to outsource design services is more than weighing the cost

Design services are vital in the publishing industry. And one of the ways publishers are choosing to get their vital ads built and pages crafted is outsourcing the entire creative process. However it is crucial to evaluate first the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to outsource.

 

More E&P Operations "Exclusives"
In a recent interview with Editor & Publisher, Richard Rinehart, corporate vice president of operations at McClatchy, expressed his excitement about his upcoming role as president of the International Newspaper Group (ING) board of directors. With his extensive background in operations, Rinehart hopes to use his expertise to assist ING in their mission to promote excellence in the journalism industry.
It is once again time to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the publishing operations industry’s outstanding performers for this year. The Operations All-Stars initiative is a collaborative effort between Editor & Publisher and the International Newspaper Group (ING) to recognize the industry’s top talent. This year’s winners were announced at the ING's Indianapolis News Conference.
It’s a story everyone in the publishing industry has heard before: Adapt to the digital age or be forgotten. The Philadelphia Inquirer received the message loud and clear when they adapted their design and operations strategy last year. Their innovative approach not only ensured their sustained relevance but also effectively preserved their rich historical legacy.
The American Press Institute awarded two $25,000 grants to The Keene Sentinel and the National Trust for Local News to support experimentation and progress around the print transition with the goal of keeping customers and revenues. 
The United States Postal Service versus local carriers — publishers around the U.S. have asked this question for decades. It is not a new question, and the answer is ever-evolving. Editor & Publisher is following up on “Handling carrier challenges” from our May issue to dive deeper into the question facing publications as they navigate carrier challenges.
In the digital age, an increasing number of publications choose to eliminate their print issues and move entirely online. However, those publications with a loyal print subscriber base are left to choose between a myriad of local carriers or the United States Postal Service (USPS). There is no correct answer. Publications must do the research and evaluate the market.
With costs rising, many publications are looking for ways to cut down on expenses in order to increase ROI. One such strategy for decreasing expenditure might be a reduction in print frequency, but publications must consider the effects of such a change on their brand and audience. Changing your print frequency is a question that should be carefully considered.
In February 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, escalating the Russo-Ukrainian War that has been ongoing since 2014. The ripples of this conflict have been felt worldwide, with the global economy experiencing rising costs. Many industries — including the printing industry — have a common denominator that could be a contributing factor to the rise in costs: aluminum.
Despite what many believe about printing, it is not a dying practice. The printing industry continues to experience growth in other areas, such as advertising. The Global Commercial Printing Market is projected to be worth $484.22 billion by 2027, a nearly 12% increase from 2021.
Latest Operations Industry News
Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California, has selected imPRESSions Worldwide of Burlington, Washington, to oversee its Press Drive System retrofit across its GOSS Headliner Offset Presses.
ST. CLOUD — Earlier this year I had the privilege  of introducing St. Cloud LIVE,  a new local news website serving the greater St. Cloud area.
The Buffalo News is laying off 160 production employees as it moves its printing operation to Cleveland in a shift announced earlier this year by owner Lee Enterprises.  
The North State Journal will soon be printed in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with several other regional and national publications after the completion of an acquisition announced Tuesday.
CherryRoad Media has acquired eight community newspapers in Ohio and Indiana and a commercial print operation from Delphos Herald, Inc. and the Cohen family. Most of these newspapers date to the mid- to late 1800s, with more than 150 years of history serving their respective communities.
CherryRoad Media Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Hutchinson, Kansas, printing operations from Gannett Co., Inc. The printing operation currently prints most of CherryRoad Media's Kansas publications as well as numerous other newspapers in central and western Kansas.
Plant closures and consolidation prompt earlier deadlines, longer drives, higher costs as papers scramble to stay in print.
It is not often a newspaper, or any business for that matter, can celebrate 150 years of consecutive service to its community, but now the Daily Herald can.
The Oregonian/OregonLive will discontinue printing a newspaper on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, bringing an end to 142 years of daily print publication early next year.
Readers reacted strongly to last week’s column, describing how newspapers in New York and Los Angeles are cutting traditional sports sections. I shudder to think what might happen if The Seattle Times made a similar move, which isn’t being considered. Top editors confirmed it has no such plans. Still, it was encouraging to hear that people still care so deeply about newspapers.
Media advocates in Colorado swarmed into action this week to help several local newspapers continue publishing a physical edition after a large out-of-state company announced it would shut down the printing plant they currently use in Pueblo.