NR Market Watch

It is reassuring to find slivers of good news for newspapers these days and a recent survey by comScore affirmed what we believe to be true – newspaper websites are the most visited and most trusted source of online local news. The results were reported in MediaPost.

Overall, 57% of respondents said local newspaper Web sites were their No. 1 destination for various kinds of local information — more than all other online local news media combined. The survey also reveals high rankings for the trustworthiness of advertising on local newspaper Web sites.

ABC News announced they are slashing 25% of its news staff, according to the New York Times. The cuts are in response to economic pressures squeezing the broadcast business, According to ABC News president David Westin.

“These are forces larger than any of us — business forces, just the realities of broadcast versus digital, as well as financial forces, given the advertising market,”  Westin told the Times.

Meanwhile at Google advertising advertising revenues and profits continue their astonishing rise.  Last year they eclipsed $23 billion.

These trends are pretty clear. News resources across traditional media continue to diminish and along with it independent reporting. The news-brought-to-you-by-advertising model is fading, at least for traditional media. To the extent that reporters are being being replaced we’re seeing a rise in blog and broadcast commentary.

Is there money in wine? Is Too Tall Jones too tall?

Entrepreneur Magazine has a neat article on how an attorney turned unsold grapes from his vineyard into a Chardonnay that was fundamental to founding Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates. Jess Jackson now has an estimated net worth of $1.85 billion – with a “B”.

Maybe it is time to enroll in the viticulture and enology classes at Umpqua Community College.

From: The Better Business Bureau,

pr@thebbb.org

Lake Oswego, Ore. – Feb. 24, 2010 – Nine months after it was enacted, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 went into effect on Feb. 22, 2010, granting credit card holders new consumer protection rights. Meanwhile, a survey by CreditCards.com indicates that almost 75 percent of cardholders admit to not reading the terms and conditions of their credit cards.

“Credit card debt, fees and penalties can put American families in financial trouble,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Consumers need to take the time to understand the fine print of their credit card agreements and learn about the consumer protection initiatives within the new CARD Act.”

BBB recommends that all consumers review the new provisions set forth by the Credit CARD Act of 2009:

More Notice for New Interest Rate Changes. Card issuers must give cardholders 45-days advance notice in the event of an interest rate change. Additionally, promotional rates must apply for at least six months and, unless disclosed up front, cardholders cannot have their rate increased in the first year.

Cardholder Opt-Out. If there are significant changes made to the terms of the account, cardholders can choose to reject those changes and will have five years to pay off the balance under the original terms.

Older Age Restrictions Added. Card issuers are no longer allowed to issue a credit card to anyone under 21 unless they can prove they have the means to repay debt or if an adult over 21 co-signs on the account. Credit card companies also face new restrictions on how they can promote cards to college students and can no longer offer free gifts as enticements on campuses.

New Rules for Monthly Statements. In response to complaints that bill due dates were being moved up—and leading to increased late fees—monthly statements must now be mailed or delivered 21 days prior to the due date. Additionally, card issuers can no longer set a payment deadline before 5 p.m. and cannot charge cardholders if they pay online, over the phone or by mail—unless the payment is made over the phone either on the due date or the previous day.

Overpayments Go Toward Highest Interest Balances. If the cardholder has varied interest rates for different services or accounts, any overpayments must be applied to the account that is incurring the highest interest rate.

Over the Limit Opt-In. Cardholders must opt-in to be able to exceed their credit limit—and subsequently be charged an over-limit fee by the issuer. If a cardholder chooses not to opt-in, then he or she will not be able to exceed their credit limit and incur any resultant fees.

Increased Disclosure on Minimum Payments. Card issuers must disclose how long it will take the cardholder to pay off their bill if they only pay the minimum monthly payment as well as how much the cardholder would need to pay every month to pay off the balance in 36 months.

Say Goodbye to Double-Billing Cycles. When calculating finance charges, card issuers can no longer employ two-cycle or double billing—a method that causes cardholders to pay interest on previously paid balances.

From: Big Resea4ch

COLUMBUS, OH – (MARKET WIRE) – 2/24/2010 – Month-over-month, forecasts for same store sales growth look brighter for many retailers, according to the February ForecastIQ® (a service from Prosper Technologies, LLC). The predictions, however, include sales for March and April and with Easter on April 4th this year, the positive outlook could turn out to be a dead cat bounce in light of the fact that the BIGresearch consumer confidence reading dropped to 27.2%. This is nearly three points lower than last month (30.0%) and the lowest recorded since Jul-09 (also 27.2%).

Of the twenty-seven retailers ForecastIQ tracks every month, five have improved from the “almost certain decline” column, leaving six total in the category (the lowest number since ForecastIQ started tracking in October of 2008). However, fifteen retailers still remain unlikely to see growth, and with seasonality a factor, it doesn’t look like the industry is out of the woods just yet.

Forecasts for American Eagle, Nordstrom and Old Navy have inched up over the last couple months and are all likely to see an increase in same store sales through March and April. Abercrombie & Fitch experienced the sharpest improvement in outlook; after fifteen months of projections to almost certainly see a decline, they are likely to see an increase as well.

About ForecastIQ®

ForecastIQ® was developed by Prosper Technologies and Greg Allenby by analyzing over 8 years of data from the BIGresearch monthly Consumer Intentions & Actions (CIA) surveys based upon future spending plans of consumers and the same store sales of over 27 publicly held retailers, by applying Bayesian quantile analysis to the data. The results are accurate and provide a forecast of consumer spending 75 days in advance. Same store sales forecasts are provided by percent growth over the next 45 and 75-day period. Short-term forecasts are also available via enhanced consensus estimates.

About Prosper Technologies

Prosper Technologies develops software applications that provide consumer-centric analytics to marketers/retailers for better forecasting consumer demand, allocating marketing dollars, tracking consumer behaviors and understanding cross-shopping patterns.

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From: Oregon Labor Market Information System

Employment Declines Continued in 2009by Brooke Jackson-Winegardner
Published Feb-1-2010Overview

Oregon has been losing jobs since the national recession began in December 2007. Over the past year, Oregon ranked 47^th in rate of job growth (Graph 1). The state’s employment declines have coincided with a rising unemployment rate over the last two years.

Educational and health services – where population growth and the aging population foster job growth despite recessionary pressures – was the only industry to show growth during 2009. Every other private-sector industry posted job losses. Construction and manufacturing were particularly afflicted.

The employment picture varied from place to place within Oregon. Four rural counties posted employment gains from November 2008 to November 2009. The remaining 32 counties saw losses ranging from 1.3 percent to 13.3 percent.

With only one exception, unemployment rates across Oregon were higher during 2009 than they were in 2008. Most counties saw an increase of nearly 3 percentage points.

Oregon’s growth in average pay (more…)

(Photos: News-Review Business Manager Sam Hollenbeck and wife Dawna staff the concession at Rose School Carnival; NR Reporter, Inka Bajandas,  provides Face Painting.

The News-Review and students at Rose School formed a partnership several years ago designed to improve the lives of students.

Over the years we’ve donated cash, equipment, clothing, school and personal supplies. We’ve also donated a little manpower such as assisting at the annual school carnival which we helped re-start, and SMART readers. The end of the year celebration at the playground with Umpqua Ice Cream is always fun.

Times are tight for our schools and students. I’d encourage you to consider using your business resources to help a local school. Just give them a call.

From: Rod Carlson, NR Pressroom Manager

The News-Review has done it again. With the overall efforts of all departments we have placed 1^st and 2^nd in two categories of the Web Offset Association Print Awards;

• Category A2: Produced using coldset printing on newsprint 4/color (reproduction)
  • 1^st Place Photo: Spotted in the field (on page 2 of the June 25, 2009 issue)
  • 2^nd Place Photo: Pussyfooting around (on page 2 of the May 13, 2009 issue)

Both photos taken by Robin Loznak.

• Category D2: Daily newspaper – complete edition printed on newsprint
  • 1^st Place: Thursday, October 22, 2009 issue
  • 2^nd Place: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 issue

We’re  very proud of  press crew members Todd, Cecil, Jon and Steve.

From Neil Hummel, Century 21

February 18, 2010

Greetings:

Employment or lack of employment is the most concern on Oregonian’s minds, however some sectors are seeing job growth such as food processors, transportation, utilities, health services and state government jobs.  Their report goes on to say, “ large job losses occurred in 2009 and continue into 2010 in construction, wood products, private and local governments, educational services and other services.”  Well, now you know why Douglas County continues to have a large unemployment rate, one of the highest in the state of Oregon because most of those job losses are centered here in Douglas County.

None of us were happy about the passage of ballot measures 66 & 67 which led to many states extending an open invitation for businesses to relocate. We are hoping this current special Legislative session will address some of these tax issues to make Oregon more business friendly.  Thus far, the only reason they are in session is because of a projected revenue shortfall which did not happen because of 66 & 67.  They are meeting or not meeting for no apparent reason.  Oh well, that is how government works or doesn’t work.

Real estate in Douglas County is improving, yes January of this year compared to last January saw closed sales increase by +58.3%,  pending sales grew +21.2%  which is great news. Pending sales are important to us for they normally lead to closed sales in the future.  The average sales price also increased by +1.9% from a year ago  ($153,200-$150,300)  Much of this increase can be attributed to the 1^st time buyers’ home credit of $8000 and the $6500 credit for existing home owners.  That part of the stimulus package is working well in our economy.  There is a 19.4 month supply of inventory on market which is down from 30.3 month supply in January a year ago, another good indicator that the market is improving.

Vacancy rates in residential, commercial and industrial properties continue to rise.  In residential vacancy rates of 9-11% are common and in the commercial- industrial market at 18-20%.  Many of the rates are readjusting downward with some offering free 1 month rent for those that sign a contract for a least 12 months.  We are also seeing owners paying for tenant improvements and either absorbing all the costs or sharing those costs with the tenants.   We are in, and will continue for sometime to come, a buyers’ and tenants’ market where they are dictating the prices and the terms.  We are seeing signs of some improvement and as spring and summer arrive, which historically our markets improve, we hope this trend continues upward.  I told someone the other day I really don’t have to give up anything for Lent, I am already sacrificing.

Haven’t these Winter Olympics been exciting to watch.  Just to see all those smiles on the young athlete’s faces and the records that they are setting has been wonderful.  I really enjoy seeing these athletes that train so hard accomplish these amazing feats. Please keep all our military and their families in your thoughts and prayers as our two wars continue.

There will be no DTO breakfast meeting on Thursday, February 25^th at 7:00 a.m. at Elmer’s in Roseburg due to the start of the Oregon Logging Conference.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for Roseburg will be Thursday, March 11^th where Jim Geisinger from Associated Oregon Loggers will be the guest speaker.