Salmat’s profits were up 21.9 per cent to $24.3m in the first half of 2009-10 compared with $19.9m during the same period the year before. While the company reported total mail volumes were down four per cent, its Targeted Media Solutions division earnings increased by 40.5 per cent to $20.7m following strong outcomes from efficiency programmes and new business wins.

McPherson’s Limited’s book printing division experienced a $2.9m loss in sales revenue to $32.4m in the first half of 2009-10, which the company attributed to “the continuation of subdued market conditions, particularly with respect to professional reference publications”.

The first national, industry-wide audience measurement planning tool for outdoor media in Australia was launched this week. Move, (Measurement of Outdoor Visibility and Exposure), covers major formats and environments, including roadside billboards, posters, street furniture, railway stations, transit, shopping centres and airports, according to the Outdoor Media Association (OMA).

Gunns has reported a 98.7 per cent plummet in profits in its half year results to $400,000, compared with $22m in the second half of 2009. The troubled company says its woodfibre business was severely impacted by the strong Australian dollar and declining volumes.

Fairfax Media’s print division profits in Australia and New Zealand dropped 19.5 per cent to $43.3m in the first half of 2009-10, however overall earnings for print were $57.6M, less than one per cent below the $58m reported the year before.

Plans for the 27th National Print Awards Presentation Dinner are now well under way, with well known media personalities Gorgi Coghlan and Larry Emdur confirmed as hosts for the gala dinner, which will be held at Sydney’s Darling Harbour on March 26.

Blue Star Print Group has reported earnings of NZ$20m for the first half of 2009-10, which represents a 163 per cent improvement on the six months ended June 30, 2009. However, this is still down on the pre-global financial crisis performance of NZ$27.6m for the six months ended 31 December 2008.

Printing Industries has launched a study to determine the current and future levels of industry interest in business and personal development through formal training programmes and qualifications.

Sydney-based print and graphic communications exhibition PrintEx is returning to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour next year. Organisers say spaces for the event, which was last held in 2007, are currently on sale and the event is predicted to be a sell out.

While Amcor’s profits rose three per cent to A$172.5m in the first half of 2009-10, the packaging giant’s sales dropped 15.6 per cent to A$4.08bn. The company claims that although economic conditions in Australia improved during the July to December 2009 period, they remain weaker than the same period last year.