Offset printers to be benefited
from
Indian made printing blankets
With huge capital investments in procuring state-of-the-art
equipments and investing in excess of two years planning and execution of manufacturing plant, Mahalaxmi RubTech Ltd, an ISO 9001:2000 certified public limited company, is all set to introduce Indian made offset printing blankets.
Indian offset printing industry has been deprived of choices when it comes to sourcing offset printing blankets. Europe and China manufactured offset blankets are the only available options in the market. The high quality of European blankets has been accompanied with towering costs, shipping obligations and other inconveniences. Chinese blankets, on the other hand, have still not managed to step on the highest pedestal of quality. In this scenario, to meet the demand of offset printers of the country Mahalaxmi RubTech Ltd is on the verge of introducing range of Indian made high quality offset printing blankets. Slated to be launched in November 2012; the manufacturing structure of these blankets is inspired by European processes. The firm has also introduced European manufacturing technology and roped in European consultants to abet its endeavour of offering international quality at Indian prices.
As per a senior spokesperson of Mahalaxmi RubTech Ltd, “Our objectives from the outset have been eloquent. We have believed in good quality, sincere services and new technologies. The venture into offset printing blankets is just an extension of the years of hard work that we have put into textile blankets manufacturing. However it has not been easy understanding the applications of developing and manufacturing of offset printing blankets. We have given specific attention to the minutest details during the manufacturing process. Our continuous research and constant development has enabled us to offer the best offset printing blanket for Indian offset printers. Our focus is neither on low cost cheap quality product nor on offering unaffordable printing blankets that come with lot of additional costs of bulk buying and untimely deliveries, rather our efforts will be to provide reasonable priced high quality blankets offering good value for money. We are certain that dealers and printing houses will find immense value in our offering.”
Mahalaxmi RubTech Ltd, widely known as MRT, has been offering unparalleled rubber textile printing blankets for years, with export to over 25 countries worldwide. It is a part of The Mahalaxmi Group which has pursued excellence for over 40 years, marking its successful presence in the sectors of textiles, chemicals and rubber. It is the integration of these technologies and high quality products that has generated immense value and goodwill for the group. Identifying niches and catering to the needs of the market has always been the specialty of the group.
The Mahalaxmi Group has founded its business on a corporate philosophy of blending conventional and modern technologies, to produce ideal manufacturing solutions. Staying true to this philosophy, the group has hit yet another master stroke by announcing the launch of Indian made offset printing blankets.
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Vincent Peyrègne takes over
as CEO at
WAN-IFRA
New CEO Vincent Peyrègne begins his duties at WAN-IFRA. He will be dedicated to developing new strategies and approaches for the organization. “Vincent is a recognized, committed and passionate professional who is familiar with a wide variety of business environments, with a particular strength in international affairs. On top of his wide experience serving both publishers and public authorities, he is an acknowledged WAN-IFRA insider. His longstanding commitment to the publishing industry, his particular expertise in innovation, media trends and consumer insights, and his dedication to advocacy on behalf of the news industry, make him the perfect match to bring WAN-IFRA forward into a new era,” said Jacob Mathew, president of WAN-IFRA, commenting at his appointment.
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‘demand for serious publications continues’
In today’s age, the audio-visual media has emerged as a dominant medium for quenching the thirst of the target audience for real time news on current affairs, culture and entertainment. Despite this, there remains a real and popular demand for serious publications on topical issues which cannot be substituted by the ‘breaking news’ culture and short-attention span snippets in the domain of the electronic media, conveys Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the vice president of India, addressing the august gathering at the re-launch of Frontline magazine on September 20, 2012 in New Delhi.
“Frontline has always been a stimulant to the mind apart from providing good reading on most matters that I care to spend time on. The need for a remix in Bollywood terms therefore did not arise. Nor was there a need to replace persuasion with titillation. I was assured that the change would be conservatively radical rather than explicitly so,” the VP said, showing his happiness on the re-launch of the Frontline.
“Audience knows that the ‘Hindu group’ has a rich legacy, and current practice, of sustaining its foundational motto of ‘fairness and justice’. Frontline subscribes to it in full measure and will, I am confident, continue to do so.
The theme of the debate scheduled for today, on some of the core values of our Constitution, is sufficiently serious, focused and relevant, and testifies to it.
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Getting the thumbs up for single-width
newspaper production in Nigeria
Forty-four Goss Community pre sunits shipping in three months
A recent spate of Goss Community press sales in Nigeria is underlining why the press model is so fit for purpose in the region. Modularity and flexibility are two of the key features currently leading to demand where business development is typically sudden and sporadic. Four new presses will add another 44 Goss single-wide (2x1) press units in Nigeria this year, taking the total since 2008 to approaching 200 units. Goss Community and Magnum press models have also proved popular throughout the African continent, with over 375 units installed since 2007.
The latest four presses for Nigeria are characterized by the requirement for multi-edition versatility. Each has been specified to handle multiple webs through a single folder to facilitate quick and easy versioning of local editions of titles for wide distribution. In the case of the Goss Community press to be installed later this year for the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, a number of key benefits are anticipated. In Lagos, the first of two identical Community presses for Vanguard Media Limited, publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, is currently being installed. Configured as two four-high towers, one two-high tower and four Goss reelstands, the Vanguard press will be able to run up to four webs into a folder with half- and quarter-page format capability. A twelve-unit Goss Community press for Vintage Press Limited, publisher of leading national daily The Nation, will have three four-high towers, three Goss reelstands and one folder with half- and quarter-page capability.
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Sanjay Gupta elected to
Board of Editors Forum
Eight chief editors from major newspapers in India, Finland, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia were elected to the Board of the World Editors Forum, the organisation within the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) for senior newsroom personnel. From India, Sanjay Gupta has been elected to the board. He is editor-in-chief of the Hindi language Dainik Jagran, the most read daily in India, and CEO of its parent company, Jagran Prakashan. The paper’s 37 editions across 11 states are read by some 55 million people daily.
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World’s Press protests
against Indian cricket authorities
WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum joined the protest against Indian cricket authorities who locked out reputable photographic news agencies from the high-profile India-England cricket series that happened recently. “It is simply unacceptable for the Board of Cricket Control for India to take it upon themselves to refuse accreditation to legitimate news agencies, and to tear down the traditional role that independent news media plays in bringing sport news to the public,” said Jacob Mathew, president of WAN-IFRA and executive editor and publisher of the Malayala Manorama Group of Publications in Kerala, India. “Photos are an integral part of news coverage. Because of this unfortunate decision, photographic coverage goes disrupted and cricket fans being deprived of their right to choose their news sources,” he said. “These restrictions are a serious challenge to media freedom.”
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Dynamic media market
in Kenya
Kenya is now seen as a beacon of press freedom in the region and is being celebrated for innovation. Print and broadcast media have developed trusted, credible voices and play important roles in the national dialogue. Journalists and technologists have collaborated on energetic, leading-edge projects that are being replicated elsewhere, says a new report on media in Kenya, released recently by WAN-IFRA and the African Media Initiative, The report, part of a larger study of media in emerging and developing markets, focuses on a country that has arisen on the world stage as a dynamic new democracy, where technological innovation flourishes, traditional media businesses thrive, and the government operates with unprecedented openness.
At the same time, the report notes some troubling realities. The newly free media are subject to crippling reprisals under legacy libel laws. Vast numbers of people are not served by television, smartphones, or the internet. The infrastructure needed to reach them is expensive and elusive. There are socio-economic and geographic divides between urban and rural audiences: less than one-quarter of the population lives in urban areas equipped with modern technology. Outside the major cities, mobile and internet sources of news are unavailable and too often unaffordable and are likely to remain so in the medium term.
“Media are undergoing unprecedented growth in many African countries, yet viable data in many markets is simply unavailable,” said Larry Kilman, deputy CEO of WAN-IFRA, speaking at the report’s release at the African Media Leaders Forum. “The continent has also been a major recipient of media development funds, but in many ways development agencies are operating in the dark. More knowledge is needed to make this aid even more effective. This report, and our ongoing work with AMI, is aimed at filling this knowledge gap,” he said.
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Thomas Jacob becomes
COO at WAN-IFRA
WAN-IFRA announced that Thomas Jacob has been promoted to the new position of chief operating officer. With over 28 years of experience in media, Jacob previously served as one of the three deputy CEOs. He will report to the CEO, Vincent Peyregne and will be responsible for operational management and business development worldwide. “His track record in Asia Pacific can be leveraged as WAN-IFRA strives to deliver the best solutions and services to the newspapers and news publishers across the globe,” said Vincent Peyregne.
Jacob began his career as a rookie engineer with Mathrubhumi, one of the leading vernacular newspapers from India. After helming the technical department for four years, he moved to Singapore to establish IFRA’s presence in Asia. During this tenure, he established the two subsidiaries IFRA Asia and IFRA India. He then joined Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of Daily Mail and Metro in UK. As ANL’s international development director, he conceptualized a compact midmarket newspaper
for the Indian market and initiated a JV with the India Today
Group to launch a new newspaper, Mail Today.
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Mondi shines with
five international accolades
-wins three awards from PPI and two from WWF
Mondi’s contribution to industry standards in sustainable paper production, efficiency, and safety were recognized at the 2012 Pulp and Paper International (PPI) Awards. The following day, WWF announced Mondi as the recipient of two Environmental Paper Awards in the categories "Transparency" and "Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands". “This was a very exciting and gratifying time for Mondi, having had our efforts and achievements recognised by both PPI and WWF - major international organisations and stakeholders in the pulp and paper industry,” said Peter Orisich, CEO Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper.
Mondi, the global paper and packaging manufacturer, received international accolades at the 2012 PPI Awards and by WWF, the world´s largest conservation organisation, who announced Mondi as one of the winners of the 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards in the category ‘Transparency’. Mondi also received the Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands Award for 100 percent recycled NAUTILUS SuperWhite. "Mondi has been applauded by WWF for transparency on its environmental footprint, showing that the company takes their environmental and social responsibility seriously. We welcome that Mondi has published 92% of Mondi-branded uncoated fine papers on WWF's Check Your Paper database of eco-rated papers," commented Emmanuelle Neyroumande, manager of WWF International´s global pulp and paper work.
PPI awarded Mondi SCP mill in Slovakia the prize for Managing Risk and Safety in the company category as well as the Efficiency Improvements of the Year in the mill category with regard to machine performance. Mondi SCP is the producer of well–known Mondi uncoated fine papers such as MAESTRO Print offset, DNS performance and several IQ and MAESTRO office grades. The success of Mondi Group was underlined by the award in the company category for Environmental Strategy of the Year. The PPI Awards are organised by RISI, one of the leading information providers about the global forest products industry. The awards aim at honouring leadership, vision, innovation and strategic accomplishments within the pulp and paper industry.
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Only three among top ten Indian dailies
mark growth in readership: IRS Q2
- The largest read daily ‘Dainik Jagran’ retains its top positionwith an increase
- Top four English dailies, including TOI, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, and The Telegraph, lose readers
- Despite decline in readership, ‘The Times of India’ continues to lead among English dailies
In the recently held Indian Readership Survey IRS Q2, conducted by Media Research Users Council (MRUC), it has been highlighted that out of the top ten dailies in India, only the three dailies - Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, and Lokmat (all vernacular) - could mark growth in terms of readership, while the seven dailies including Dainik Bhaskar, Malayala Manorama, Amar Ujala, The Times Of India, Daily Thanthi, Rajasthan Patrika, and Mathrubhumi have shown decline in their readership in comparison with the IRS Q1 results.
As per the data of IRS Q2, almost the same thing happens in case of the top ten English dailies, out of which only the four dailies - Deccan Chronicle, DNA, Mumbai Mirror and The Tribune - could manage to increase their readership during this quarter. While the six English dailies - The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Telegraph, The Economic Times and The New Indian Express - have shown the declination. Despite a decline of around 9,000 readers in comparision with IRS Q1 figures, The Times of India continues to lead among the group of English dailies.
Similarly, out of the top ten magazines, only the four magazines - Pratiyogita Darpan, SamanyaGyan Darpan, Karmakshetra, and General Knowledge Today, could mark growth in readership, while Vanitha, India Today, Saras Salil, Meri Saheli, Cricket Samrat, and Manorama registered decline.
–Ajeet Singh
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New office bearers at
ABC for the term 2012-13
Shailesh Gupta of Dainik Jagran
as new chairman
In a recently held 64th AGM of the Bureau, Shailesh Gupta - director marketing of Jagran Prakashan Limited has been unanimously elected as the chairman of ABC for the year 2012-13. Syed Mahmood Ahmad, executive vice president - marketing of ITC Limited, an advertiser member on the Council has also been unanimously elected as the deputy chairman. Shashidhar Sinha, Universal McCann Erickson (India) Pvt Ltd elected as hony secretary; and Madhukar Kamath, Mudra Communications Pvt Ltd as hony treasurer. Hormuzd Masani shall shoulder the responsibility of secretary general.
Besides, other members from publishers’ representatives on the Bureau’s Council of Management include: M Venkatesh, Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd; Amit Mathew, Malayala Manorama Co Ltd; Aritra Sarkar, ABP Pvt Ltd; I Venkat, Ushodaya Enterprises Ltd; Hormusji N Cama, The Bombay Samachar Pvt Ltd; Devendra V Darda, Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd; Sanjeev Vohra, Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd. While, from advertisers’ representatives are Ravi Pisharody, Tata Motors Ltd; Debabrata Mukherjee, Coca Cola India Pvt Ltd; Anil Dua, Hero MotoCrop Ltd and from advertising agencies’ representatives the members are Vikram Sakhuja,
Group M Media India Pvt Ltd and Srinivasan K Swamy, RK Swamy BBDO Pvt Ltd.
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Bhaskar Das joins Zee News
After a long period of 32 years in TOI, Bhaskar Das has left the group recently and joined Essel Group as CEO for its news operations including Zee News.
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Digital Media India 2013
Digital Media India 2013, the annual Digital Media Conference of WAN-IFRA in India will be held on January 29-30, 2013 in New Delhi. To be led by Dr Stig Nordqvist, executive director-emerging digital platforms, WAN-IFRA, the conference will have sessions on digital media landscape, revenue models, user experiences, online news video and advertising. Eminent speakers from
news publishing houses in India, Far East Asia and Europe will
share their best practices and success stories. The conference
will be followed by a one day workshop on ‘Content Monetisation Strategies’.
WAN-IFRA organised the first "Digital Media India" conference successfully this year (2012) at Hyderabad, with over 70 delegates from newspapers in India. The second edition in 2013 is poised to attract more than 100 delegates from India and South Asian region. For the suppliers to the industry, this will be an opportunity to showcase their digital products & services to the news publishers.
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Paresh Nath elected as president of ILNA for third time
At the recently held AGM of ILNA (The Indian Newspaper Languages Association), Paresh Nath of Delhi Press has been elected as president of ILNA for the third consicutive year. He was first elected as president at the 69th AGM of ILNA held in the year 2010.
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Vishvas Publications
ensures
qualitative production with Pressline
-installing the brand new PRIMA web offset machine
Vishvas Publications has become the first one in Mohali/Chandigarh to opt for PRIMA web offset machine to ensure qualitative production of the books.
Established in the year 1995 and flourishing under the able guidance of the two directors - H.S. Sachar and I.S. Chhibber - Vishvas Publication Pvt Ltd is a leading publication company having its sales offices all over India. A decade old relationship of Pressline with Sachar and Chhibber, during which several post printing equipments were sold, has now resulted into this new venture. With installation of this highly productive machine, the duo has now decided to enhance their post printing equipment capabilities by adding multi clamp perfect binders and three knife trimmers.
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KN Tilak Kumar of
The Printers (Mysore)
heads INS for the term 2012-13
In the recently held 73rd annual general meeting of The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) KN Tilak Kumar of Deccan Herald & Prajavani has been elected its president for the year 2012-13. He succeeds Ashish Bagga of India Today. Ravindra Kumar (The Statesman) is the deputy president, Kiran B Vadodaria (Sambhaav Metro) - vice president and Sanjay Gupta (Dainik Jagran, Varanasi) - honorary treasurer and V Shankaran - the secretary general of the Society for the year 2012-13.
The other members of the executive committee are: Dr BS Adityan (Vaarantari Rani), L Adimoolam (Health & The Antiseptic), Pawan Agarwal (Dainik Bhaskar, Bhopal), Samahit Bal (Pragativadi), K Balaji (The Hindu Weekly), PV Chandran (Grihalakshmi), VK Chopra (Dainik Asam), Rishi Darda (Lokmat, Ahmednagar), Vijay Darda (Lokmat), Jagjit Singh Dardi (Charhdikala Daily), Ravindra Dhariwal (Navbharat Times), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran). Pradeep Gupta (Dataquest), Shailesh Gupta (Mid-Day), Shekhar Gupta (Loksatta, Mumbai), Sanjay Hazari (The Tribune), Mohit Jain (Economic Times), Dr R Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Rajul Maheshwari (Amar Ujala), Jayant Mammen Mathew (Malayala Manorama), Vilas A Marathe (Dainik Hindusthan, Amravati), Naresh Mohan (Sunday Statesman), Abhijit Pratap Pawar (Gomantak, Goa), Maheshwer Peri (Outlook), RMR Ramesh (Dinakaran), K Raja Prasad Reddy (Sakshi, Vishakhapatnam), Rakesh Sharma (Aaj Samaj), Somesh Sharma (Rashtradoot Saptahik), Manoj Kumar Sonthalia (The New Indian Express), Ms Akila Urankar (Business Standard), M Venkatesh (Hindustan Times), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjabi Kesari, Jalandhar), Pratap G Pawar (Sakal), Abhay Chhajlani (Nai Dunia), MP Veerendrakumar (Mathrubhumi), Jacob Mathew (Vanitha), Bahubali S Shah (Gujarat Samachar), Hormusji N Cama ( Bombay Samachar Weekly), T Venkttaram Reddy (Deccan Chronicle), Kundan R Vyas (Vyapar, Mumbai), and Ashish Bagga (India Today).
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Creed Engineers marks a successful Label EXPO 2012
Displaying a variety of labeling solutions, pre-press and brand protection solutions under its brand VINSAK along with few of our partners include AB Graphic, Petrel, Rotatek, Lombardi, and EPGA, Creed Engineers marked a successful LABELEXPO India 2012.
The company demonstrated live it’s much popular and advanced technology VINSAK VIS 1200 Inkjet System, which can print on a wide variety of different substrates and has a fully automated head mounting and cleaning station. The VIS 1200 Inkjet System was running with Omega HSR 330 inspection system from AB Graphic, UK. As per Ranesh Bajaj, managing director, Creed Engineers, “Label printers are looking forward to value addition and we believe that VIS 1200 should perform very well in the Indian and overseas markets. In this expo, we have shown a live demonstration of this machine that has helped us in getting more than 50 serious enquiries on the second and third day of the show. We already have installed a VIS 1200 Inkjet System in Hyderabad and hoping to install few more within this year.”
Besides under VINSAK brand protection solutions security inks, software, substrates, as well as track and trace solutions were displayed at the show. France-based Petrel supplies the security inks to Creed Engineers. According to Neeraj Sharma, general manager – machine sales, “Protection of the brand has been very important and is a big challenge now-a-days because of speedy growth of gray market, which is hurting the brand owner and causing loss in revenue as well as market share. Pharmaceutical, FMCG, and electronics industries have been the biggest sufferers. Our innovative suite of security software, security and special purpose inks, special purpose hot stamping dies, and printing equipment positioned the company to offer a complete solution to any brand owner to protect them against counterfeiting.”
Creed Engineers also displayed a printing unit of Synchroline Flexo Press, which is manufactured by Lombardi Converting Machinery, Italy. The unit is equipped with printing groups governed singularly by brushless motors and the electric board with a system register control governs the setting and maintenance of the printing register of the whole press.
Hot stamping die making from EPGA and sleeve engraving solutions from Lead Laser, were also on display. The solutions designed by EPGA involve personalizing the die itself. This makes the process more adaptable and quicker to produce because printers can use the existing film. These tools can be personalized by creating a physical effect, a lens flare effect, or a holographic
effect. These solutions are far cheaper than actual holograms and can be used for security as well as decorative purposes Sheet counting machine from Vacuumatic, UK was also demonstrated live during the show.
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Pramod Engineering demonstrates
G-30 Glory side gathering machine
-also set to launch 670 mm saddle stitcher targeting notebook application
During an open house held recently at their manufacturing facility near Delhi, Pramod Engineering demonstrated highlighted features of the new G-30 Glory side gathering machine, designed, devised and built for Italy-based Edis Publishing and Packaging House. The company presented the demonstration of G-30 just a day before its shipment to Bengaluru where the Italian publishing and packaging house is setting up their production facility for binding and finishing cricket related literature, tickets etc. Apart from the august attendees including existing clients of Pramod and the prospects, president of Delhi Printers’ Association (DPA) alongwith other office bearers were also present to closely examine the performance of this state-of-the-art machine in working mode.
Enumerating key features of the machine, Divesh Nath and Rohit Nath, directors of Pramod Engineering pointed out, “This kind of machine has been built with indigenous R&D first time in India, rather we should say in entire south East Asia. With 15 meter length, this machine will prove most economical, productive and time–saver in production with high-efficiency side gathering solution for multiple-signature publications/products. The machine is designed to pick-up folded bible-paper forms besides 60 gsm to 130 gsm substrates.”
Apart from collating printed forms, G-30 Glory machine can collect single sheets of 60 gsm+ substrates. It is suitable for 35 gsm to 100 gsm folded signatures, and 8 pages to 32 pages signatures (maximum size of the signature is: 310 mm X 280 mm. The machine can run up to 5,000 collected books, magazines, catalogues, annual reports, etc per hour. It also features an option of online wire stitching of up to one inch, with wire from 21 to 26 gauge. The book blocks can then be put up for prefect binding or needle thread sewing.
“To maintain international standard and quality of our machines, we have concentrated in the manufacturing of 95 percent components of G-30 Glory side gathering machine in-house at our state-of-the-art facility which is equipped with latest CNC machines,” conveyed Divesh.
“We are also on the threshold of launching 670 mm Saddle Stitcher in next couple of weeks’ time, targeted to the notebook industries. It will be coupled with on line 3-knife trimmer which can have even 5-knife option. The commercial trial of the new in-line 3-knife trimmer has succeeded. The introduction of this machine will substantially cut down on the cost of manufacturing and conserve time,” divulged Rohit.
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Quark Publishing Platform:
automating the creation
of rich content
-for delivery across print and digital channels
Quark recently unveiled its new Enterprise Publishing Platform for customer communications, the only integrated solution that automates the creation and delivery of rich, interactive content across print, web, and digital formats. As an open solution, Quark Publishing Platform is architected to work with existing enterprise infrastructures and business systems to optimize the publishing process.
Creating compelling communications that reach consumers quickly and in their preferred medium is a challenge faced by financial services organizations, manufacturers, governmental organizations, traditional media, and marketers. Quark Publishing Platform enables organizations to create smart content – structured and self-describing – that can be maintained and assembled as needed based on audience or output type. With this approach, enterprises can create and deliver communications that are: engaging: richly-designed, interactive, and device-appropriate; immediate: timely and up-to-date; and relevant: personalized and available across print, web, and digital channels.
“It’s well known that today’s consumers expect rich, personalized, and timely information to reach them on the devices they prefer. What’s less well known is that very few organizations have the systems in place to meet this demand efficiently. Quark Publishing Platform is the first complete solution with the potential to transform the customer communication process,” commented Ray Schiavone, president and CEO of Quark.
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Newsplex Asia opens
in Singapore
A new facility that will revolutionise the training and operations of newsrooms officially has opened at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. Jointly set up by NTU and WAN-IFRA, Newsplex Asia will be an inter-disciplinary news laboratory to train news professionals and journalists to work with emerging technologies.
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Pressmart launches MOCA,
a tablet-based education solution
Pressmart, a leading provider of multi-channel content publishing services recently announced the launch of MOCA (Mobile Learning Classroom Application), a paperless, tablet based end-to-end solution for schools. MOCA allows school going children to access text books and worksheets in a digitised format on an Android-based tablet. The solution costs $100 for a year's education. They also plan to launch solutions for life sciences and the healthcare industry, as well as more products to the digitization business, addressing smaller publishing houses.
They announced deployment of its application by La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), a school in Manila, Philippines. It also plans pilot projects in India, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia in the coming months. In Manila, where currently 80 percent of the media are Pressmart clients, around 17 schools have adopted the service. More than 600 publishers in 33 languages from 61 countries are currently using Pressmart's cutting-edge cloud based publishing technology.
VK Torpunuri, chairman, Pressmart, told that MOCA is based on a private cloud-based interactive education system aimed at making learning an interesting, enjoyable and collaborative experience on mobile devices. Raghavan Madhabhushi, chief executive officer, Pressmart, said, “ The firm plans to invest $1 million this academic year to develop the system in other markets, and to add 150 persons to the design team to expand the e-education service.”
The e-tablet initiative involving Pressmart MOCA consists of a five-phase implementation. The first, on-going, phase involves merely replacing textbooks with the tablet devices. MOCA will be sold in India at the price range of Rs. 4,000 – 7,000 for institutions. The newer products are expected to contribute 50 percent of the revenues in the coming one year.
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Successful ANJ PrintCity workshop in Brazil
Focused on new business models and
opportunities for newspapers in Latin America
Over 30 members of the Associacão Nacional De Jornais (ANJ) attended a joint Workshop meeting organised with PrintCity at Zero Hora in Porto Alegre, Brazil in September. Following an introduction to the Brazilian market by Ricardo Pedreira, the ANJ executive director, the main session was led by PrintCity members: manroland web systems, Océ and Trelleborg. The workshop focused on new business models and opportunities for newspapers in Latin America, plus an update on the latest Lean & Green industry thinking. After the meeting a tour of the press facilities at Zero Hora was organised.
As per Ricardo Pedreira, “Our ANJ members found the Workshop with PrintCity members very useful and productive. Sharing information, opportunities and samples about value added printing, press productivity and lean & green good practice created a very positive discussion and learning experience for all.” Notably, PrintCity Alliance members work together with local organisations and partners in Latin America, Europe and elsewhere to share their combined cross-industry knowledge in
targeted events, seminars and workshops. Topics vary but include Value Added Packaging plus Lean & Green knowledge and best practice.
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Bangalore to host WAN-IFRA Expo India 2013
The third edition of WAN-IFRA Expo India, the second largest trade show for trends in printing and publishing, will be held at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bangalore during September 11-13, 2013. Publish Asia, the annual conference of WAN-IFRA and the Asian Media Awards Gala will also be held alongside this expo.
The hall plan of WAN-IFRA Expo India 2013 is yet to be released for the exhibitors to book their stand space. Apart from regular bare space and shell scheme stands, there will be Premium booths with Plug & Play facility. For the first time exhibitors from abroad, there will be an ‘Explorers Arena’ too. Where at the conference, Publish Asia 2013, will have three parallel tracks - Newsroom Summit for editors, Crossmedia Advertising Summit for advertising and business executives, and Printing Summit for production and technology executives. Besides, the pre-conference workshops will also be organized, which becomes very popular amongst the select audience.
"Bangalore will play the perfect host to our expo next year. The city, known for its transforming culture and the booming information technology enterprises in the country, will complement the expo and set the mood for discussion on changing business scenario of our news publishing industry. We are happy to be present at BIEC, simply one of the best expo facilities in the country, and we look forward to provide the best in class learning and experience to all the participants," conveyed Magdooom Mohamed, managing director of WAN-IFRA South Asia.
Notably, the host city, Bangalore, with newspaper titles Deccan Herald, TOI, etc, is a happening place in India and, the venue Bangalore International Exhibition Centre is India's first ‘LEED Certified’ Green Exhibition & Conference facility. The expo facility with 40,000 sq m of exhibition space and 5,600 sq m of conference space is situated in a 34 acre landscaped area near Peenya industrial township of Bangalore.
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Publicis Groupe
acquires Arachnid
Saatchi & Saatchi, a part of Publicis Groupe, announced the acquisition of 100 percent of Arachnid, one of Asia’s leading and most highly awarded digital agencies, and one of the region’s most coveted acquisition targets for many years. The acquisition will see Arachnid rebranded Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid, as the agency becomes aligned into the Saatchi & Saatchi network in Asia Pacific. The management team of Arachnid will continue to lead the business as Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid.
The acquisition will initially see Arachnid embed a number of their key personnel in the Singapore office of Saatchi & Saatchi, with the bulk of the sixty plus Arachnid personnel across creative, technology, strategy, social and account management functions remaining in the organisation’s Kuala Lumpur headquarter. Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid will continue to operate separately from Saatchi & Saatchi Malaysia. Arachnid was one of the region’s first digital agencies, founded in 1996 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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The Washington Post to
acquire steck in Celtic Healthcare
A diversified education and media company The Washington Post Company has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Celtic Healthcare, Inc, a leading provider of skilled home healthcare and hospice services in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions. Donald E Graham, chairman and chief executive officer of The Washington Post Company said, “Our acquisition of Celtic Healthcare is part of the Post Company’s ongoing strategy of investing in companies with demonstrated earnings potential and strong management teams attracted to our long-term investment horizon. It also fits with our decentralized operating philosophy. We are a diverse group of businesses sharing common goals and values but each with its own identity and workplace culture, and with management responsible for its operations.”
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Thailand to Host World’s Press in 2013
WAN-IFRA invited the world's press to attend the 65th World Newspaper Congress, 20th World Editors Forum and 23rd World Newspaper Advertising Forum, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 02-05, 2013. It was announced at this year’s World Newspaper Congress, World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. More than 1,000 newspaper publishers, chief editors and other senior newspaper executives attended the Kiev meetings.
In addition to the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global summit meetings of the world’s newspapers and news publishers, the 2013 events will also include the annual World Newspaper Advertising Forum, WAN-IFRA’s premier event focused on advertising practices and revenues. This is the first time Thailand and Southeast Asia will host the World Newspaper Congress and its related conferences.
