APN Print and Chinese Herald Form Unique Partnership

August 10, 2011

APN Print and Chinese Herald Form Unique Partnership

New ground has been set in the newspaper printing industry by a partnership deal struck between printers APN Print and the publishers of the Chinese Herald, which will see both partners working to promote the paper.

The Chinese Herald is a four-day-a week-broadsheet produced for the New Zealand market and a new contract has been agreed to print the paper at APN Print’s Ellerslie plant (renowned as the site where the New Zealand Herald is printed).

The new contract is expected to take effect next month.

However APN Print chief operating officer Brian Hood said this would be a contract with a difference.

“This is not just a normal passive printing contract where we undertake to print the newspaper, nor is this just another commercial newspaper customer.

“We have committed to a business partnership and have agreed to supply content to the Chinese Herald and we will work together on distribution, marketing, circulation and advertising. Both sides will be endeavouring to make the newspaper an even bigger success.”

Mr Hood said he believed this is a first in terms of a print customer and the APN Publishing business working constructively together to have a strategic relationship.

“This is especially important given that we are dealing with a newspaper that reaches out to a growing ethnic community within New Zealand.

“We are hopeful that this significant business co-operation cements our relationship together for many years to come.”

APN Print New Zealand operations general manager New Zealand Dan Blackbourn said that the Ellerslie plant was well-equipped to handle the Chinese Herald contact.

Raymond Chen, president of the Chinese Herald, said the paper was very pleased to become a new member of the big APN Print family. “We believe with the support from the excellent team of APN Print, Chinese Herald can present better-than-ever quality to our readers. I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks for the help given by all the APN Print team, especially Brian Hood.”

Chinese Herald chief executive Maggie Chen said that while technology was important to the NZ Chinese Herald, people were the most important factor.

“When I first meet Tim Kinvig, business development manager from APN Print in 2007, I was impressed by Tim’s enthusiasm and motivation. Tim has kept in contact with me for more than four years.

“Furthermore, the senior management team from APN Print, Brian Hood and Dan Blackbourn, are always willing to hear, to offer their helping hand, and that impressed me deeply. During several months, I have got to know the team at APN Print even better. I am looking forward to working closely with these great people.”

ENDS

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