Monthly Archives: September 2009

Catalogues heralding seasonal sales

By , Wednesday, 30 September 2009, Be the first to comment

Those delicious cinnamony German Christmas biscuits
are on sale in my local Lidl, proof, if any were needed, that the Christmas
selling season is underway.

As such I’m beginning my habitual unscientific
monitoring of seasonal print paraphernalia. Honours go to Lakeland for being first to hit my doormat
with a dedicated Christmas catalogue. Since that one arrived a week or so ago I’ve
also received the RSPB variant and the rather cute “Dogalogue” from the Guide
Dogs for the Blind Association.

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Riveting Read

By , Monday, 28 September 2009, Be the first to comment

What great news that Debbie Read is back in this industry with a substantial role, and what a coup for Wyndeham to secure someone of her calibre for the vital group procurement role. This is an appointment that really will make people sit up and take notice.

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MPs brought to book

By , Friday, 25 September 2009, 3 Comments

Hats off, again, to the team at The Telegraph. Its coverage of the MP expenses scandal boosted summer circulation figures for the newspaper itself, now they’ve come out with a book telling the whole incredible story of the exposé.

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Digital definition cause of confusion

By , Thursday, 24 September 2009, 1 Comment

What does the descriptor “digital” mean to you? Yesterday
I was asked what a digital printing plate was. No doubt it makes perfect sense to
Kodak, Agfa et al when they describe their CTP plates thus, but it’s actually
quite a confusing use of terminology when you think about it.

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Many small, positive messages could add up to a big plus for print

By , Wednesday, 23 September 2009, Be the first to comment

After
opening my post (yes, post) I found myself holding an envelope with a message printed
inside. It says “this Basildon Bond window film can go in the paper recycling bin”.

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Book publishers finding new uses for personalised print

By , Tuesday, 22 September 2009, Be the first to comment

An interesting little snippet from the world of book publishing, where cult author Douglas Coupland has a new book out, Generation A.

There’s a nice touch to the launch, in that it’s possible to order a special limited edition signed hardback where purchasers can also customise their own version of the book jacket online at the point of ordering. It seems from the website that the customised jacket will arrive separately from the “standard” book, which could make sense in terms of the supply chain operation sitting behind this.

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From empire to dissolution

By , Monday, 21 September 2009, Be the first to comment

It appears that Peter Lynch, the former Adare financial director, has had rather less joy establishing a significant business in print than his erstwhile colleague Mark Scanlon.

Just a couple of years ago Lynch arrived at Oakhill Group, now renamed Prime Active Capital, with ambitions to create a £100m print presence by acquiring and turning around under-performing printcos. Wheels within wheels and all that, Tony and Jane Gill (ex-Encore Direct envelopes empire) also have a stake in PAC.

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Molto Bella

By , Friday, 18 September 2009, 1 Comment

As yesterday’s blog inadvertently turned into a sort of extended rant, it seemed a good idea to conclude the week with something a bit cheerier.

Happily a more upbeat topic is at hand, thanks to the recent news about Polestar winning a contract for two Bauer weeklies that were previously printed on the continent.

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Simple M&S card not-so-simple after all

By , Thursday, 17 September 2009, 10 Comments

Today I bring you a world
first – a review of my experiences using the new M&S Personalised greetings
card service.

I ordered two cards on Friday, one to be delivered
to a Nottingham address, the other to Francis Towers
in Brentford.

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What will Wallis do next?

By , Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 1 Comment

Just catching up on some interesting snippets from
the past week, among which is the fact that Stuart Wallis has joined HH
Associates as chairman, taking an equity stake in the print manager at the same
time.

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