Catalog and Publication Outlook : Moving Forward Cautiously

But there has been some reprieve, as publishers reported fewer magazine title closures, a drop in online magazine title conversions and less erosion of total circulations. Catalogers also saw some stabilization with retail conditions improving, as well as fewer consolidations and bankruptcies.

During the past year, there was some good news as ad spending for certain magazines increased slightly. According to Rick Marcoux, president of RR Donnelley Magazine and Commercial Services, reported ad spending in consumer magazines rebounded some, especially in previously impacted categories such as automotive, financial, real estate and technology.