Cutting mail delivery is often cited as a way to cut costs, but the postal industry counters that it would adversely affect consumers. Our experts assess the potential impact of a five-day postal week

I am not joining the Do Not Mail campaign, and neither should you. First, we had the opt-in and opt-out clauses in our e-mails, then we needed a double approval to get our e-mail messages past all of the firewalls, and then we had the Do Not Call Registry to cut out the telemarketers. Now, the newest assault on our freedom is this proposed Do Not Mail campaign.

Today's marketers want to stay competitive in an uncertain economy, but direct mail can be expensive. Four experts share their tips for making a piece look good — but cost less.

The presidential election is over - finally! - and we can all breathe a sigh of relief after two years of fundraising, debates, attack ads, Saturday Night Live skits and — oh yes — issues. As you may be, I am all electioned-out. But I'm not tired of considering the far-reaching effects of one of the most powerful aspects of the campaign — direct marketing.

Experts address how to use service centers to improve sales, designing a direct mail ad and mesauring customer loyalty.

As e-mail marketing usage grows, so does its benefits. Marketers now use e-mail as part of their business-to-business and business-to-consumer integrated marketing mix, as most recipients accept and even welcome targeted, opt-in e-mails.

Feeling the impact of the turmoil in the financial marketplace, Transcontinental Inc. said that its US direct mail subsidiary will consolidate production from its Warminster, PA, facility to a facility in Hamburg, PA. As a result, 460 positions are being eliminated in Warminster.

Many companies in the mailing industry are integrating sound environmental practices, but the industry, as a whole, needs to get greener, speakers at the World Environment Center roundtable on sustainability in the mailing industry said. They also agreed the industry needs to do a better job of telling its story.

United Airlines and FedEx have announced a partnership to ship airline passenger's luggage between destinations. The two are offering door-to-door, overnight delivery of luggage in the continental U.S.

Macromark has introduced the Gold Investors Kit list to the market.