8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 11, 2011

International Paper Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission file number 1-3157

New York	13-0872805
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee	38197
(Address of principal executive offices)	(ZIP Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (901) 419-7000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The information in this Report, including the exhibit, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and General Instruction B.2 thereunder. Such information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

SECTION 7. REGULATION FD.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 11, 2011, the Board of Directors of International Paper Company (the “Company”) elected Sharon R. Ryan as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company effective November 1, 2011. A copy of the Company’s press release announcing Ms. Ryan’s election is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 9. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being furnished as part of this Report.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release of International Paper Company dated October 12, 2011.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	International Paper Company
Date: October 12, 2011	By:	/s/ SHARON R. RYAN
	Name:	Sharon R. Ryan
	Title:	Vice President, Acting General Counsel and
		Corporate Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release of International Paper Company dated October 12, 2011.

E-4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

International Paper Names Sharon Ryan as General Counsel

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—October 12, 2011— International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced the appointment of Sharon R. Ryan to the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective November 1, 2011. The Board of Directors approved the promotion of Ryan following her role as Acting General Counsel since May 1, 2011. Ryan will report to John Faraci, International Paper’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and will be based in the Company’s Memphis, Tenn., headquarters.

“Sharon brings a combination of industry knowledge, integrity, experience and practicality to this critical position,” said John Faraci. “I am confident that Sharon will continue to make a significant contribution in helping International Paper achieve our strategic goals, while fulfilling her professional responsibilities in a principled manner.”

Sharon Ryan joined International Paper in 1988 and in 1992 was named Vice President and General Counsel of Masonite Corporation, a former International Paper subsidiary. In 1997, Ryan was named General Counsel - Building Materials Group and became General Counsel of Consumer Packaging and Corporate Sales and Marketing in 2000. Ryan was promoted to Associate General Counsel - Corporate Law in 2006, and in 2009 assumed the additional role of Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. She was appointed Vice President of International Paper in February 2011 and in May 2011 she became Acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

Ryan, 52, received her undergraduate degree from George Washington University in 1981. In 1985, she received her J.D. degree from Boston College Law School where she was an editor for the Boston College Law Review.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company’s North American distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs about 59,500 people in more than 24 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2010 net sales were more than $25 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.

Contacts:

Media: Thomas J. Ryan, 901-419-4333; Investors: Glenn Landau, 901-419-1731; and Emily Nix, 901-419-4987