Transcontinental’s profitability was up substantially in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 2009 for the third quarter in a row. Though revenue was down 11% from last year, due to the negative impact of the exchange rate, the divestiture or closure of plants and publications, and paper prices, according to a company press release.

The global recession, auto industry crisis and online competition combined to push Québec-based publisher Auto Journal Group to seek bankruptcy protection last Friday.

The Alberta Magazines Conference welcomed over 200 industry professionals last week at the largest conference of its kind in western Canada. In an industry and region that can be isolating, the conference provided an opportunity for people to connect, says Alberta Magazine Publishers Association’s communications specialist Anh Chu.

Ina Saltz (in blue) critiques magazine covers during CSI: Creative Scene Investigation. Photo by Don Molyneaux.

With a focus on fashion, beauty and culture, the recently launched online magazine, Frontrowmag.com will be promoted heavily at the upcoming LG Fashion Week in Toronto, says editorial director Michelle Bilodeau.

Frontrowmag.com

Spring is in the air, and also on the magazine covers. This month Cover Critiques has the gardening magazines squaring off with the 20th anniversary April issue of Canadian Gardening going up against the premier issue of Garden Making.

Canadian Gardening and Garden Making

The board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations has modified its definition of a digital magazine to accommodate new reading devices such as the Apple iPad.

Canadian Living has launched a redesigned magazine and a new brand strategy with its April issue. The changes come as the magazine celebrates its 35th anniversary.

Canadian Living's April issue

The Canadian Society of Magazine Editors have announced a call for entries for the 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards.

The 2010 Editors' Choice Awards will be handed out June 2

Canadian publishers slow to embrace iPad [The Gazette]:
The Gazette reports while large U.S. publishers have announced plans to launch on the iPad, their Canadian counterparts have been slow to warm to the product.

Digital Lift-Off [Forbes.com]:
Forbes reports on a study by Outsell which says U.S. advertisers will spend more on digital media in 2010 than on print.

Following a two-year process, Redwood Communications has rebranded itself as Totem. The custom publisher’s renaming is part of the deal it made with Transcontinental when it was purchased by the company in November of 2008.

Totembrandstories.com