Direct Mail & Postal

USPS high-density decrease approved, questions of cap on decrease raised

Cara Wood July 02, 2009

Commercial and nonprofit mailers of US Postal Service Standard Mail high-density flats, mail pieces delivered to each address on a delivery route, will enjoy new minimum per-piece price decreases of 0.1 cent. The decreases kick in on July 19. In addition, mailers will see decreases to the pound price element that match the Standard Mail Saturation rate. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the rate on July 1, potentially setting a new precedent on how to address a rate decrease in a period of deflation.
 

Johnnie Walker private tasting by Wunderman

June 30, 2009

Johnnie Walker looked to Wunderman to establish a digital presence for the brand's field marketing program, which involves hosting educational Scotch tastings in key markets to extend the reach of the brand's different types of Scotch.
 

Kit Kat edible postcard a Grand Prix winner at Cannes Ad Festival

Carol Krol June 24, 2009

Nestle's Kit Kat took home the Media Grand Prix, the top media award, at the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, for its edible direct mail product. JWT Tokyo developed the "Kit Kat Mail" campaign, which featured a small, mailable three-dimensional box with a Kit Kat bar enclosed. It is sold exclusively at 20,000 post office outlets in Japan. It also marks the first time Japan Post postal service has partnered with a marketer.
 

New NextMark service dynamically updates list counts

Nathan Golia June 18, 2009

NextMark has launched NextMark Select, a service that integrates counts data from service bureaus with datacards on the list managers' end. Datacard counts can now be dynamically updated, a first for the industry, said Chris DeMartine, director of business development for NextMark.
 

Money-saving strategies for direct mailers

June 15, 2009

Thanks to the recent postage increase and economic pressure, mailers are once again in search of ways to cut costs and improve the efficiency of their efforts. Four industry experts share their best belt-tightening tactics.
 

Creative solutions from Shawan Downs, Gerber, Kodak

June 15, 2009

Hear what Julie Petroski, VP, group creative director at Targetbase, thinks of Shawan Downs' promotional effort for its Steeplechase, Gerber's "Start healthy, stay healthy pledge" campaign, and Kodak's "ScanMate/What's in your inbox?" campaign.
 

Don't neglect these marketing basics

Rick Doss, GM, InnerWorkings June 15, 2009

Most of us know the keys to direct marketing success are multifaceted and includes many — if not all — of the following techniques.
Define the goals of your program with a clear and concise call to action. Create and scrub your list.
 

PostNet signs Epicor for CRM, loyalty growth

Lauren Bell June 12, 2009

PostNet International Franchise Corp., a global postal, copy, design and print service shop, has sign Epicor as its CRM provider. Epicor has been charged with helping PostNet develop a long-term CRM strategy, improving upon its previous in-house CRM work, which focused largely on point-of-sale efforts.
 

Problem Solver: Are you prepared for the biggest postal change in years?

Dave Henkel June 12, 2009

Beginning in late November 2009, mailers will be required to switch to full-service Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) to qualify for greater U.S. Postal Service discounts. IMB offers a dynamic alternative to the extremely limited POSTNET barcode. As you prepare to make the switch to IMB, here are five tips to make sure you take advantage of IMB's benefits.
 

Duluth Trading taps Donnelley Marketing

Lauren Bell June 11, 2009

Donnelley Marketing, a division of InfoGroup, has won list processing duties for multichannel retailer Duluth Trading Company. Duluth Trading Co., which sells workwear, tools, games and other "tradesmen" goods, chose Donnelley from a group of five serious contenders to handle its list rental fulfillment and all acquisition mailings, as well as house file hygiene and merge/purge duties.
 

New magazine targets frozen and dairy grocery industry

Lauren Bell June 09, 2009

Highlighting the continued strength of the grocery industry, a new magazine for buyers and sellers of frozen and dairy products will launch this summer. Frozen and Dairy Buyer, slated to debut in August, will target buyers of frozen and dairy foods at the supermarket HQ level and those involved with the sale of such products to consumers, as well as some manufacturers.
 

FedEx campaign targets UPS support of labor bill

Sharon Goldman June 09, 2009

A multimillion-dollar ad campaign was launched today by FedEx to target UPS' support of legislation that would make it easier for FedEx employees to unionize. The campaign includes a Web site, brownbailout.com, which asks consumers, "Why is mega-corporation UPS trying to use its political clout to get a bailout from the U.S. Congress, leaving you to pay the tab?"
 

Summer Sale starts July 1 for eligible mailers

Cara Wood June 05, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the US Postal Service's summer sale, formally known as the Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program, on June 4.
 

Chase launches new rewards card and program

Lauren Bell June 05, 2009

JP Morgan Chase and Co. has launched a new proprietary rewards program for its Chase Card Services division. The "Ultimate Rewards" program, available to users of the Chase Freedom card and the new Chase Sapphire card, offers points rewards, which can be redeemed for cash, merchandise, travel and gift cards.
 

The PRC approves the USPS summer sale

Cara Wood June 04, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission today unanimously approved the US Postal Service's proposal to implement a "summer sale" or Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program. The seasonal rates are scheduled to take effect on July 1.
 

Echo awards judging features firsts in green marketing, award organization

Cara Wood June 01, 2009

The first round of judging for the 2009 International Echo Awards, a body of awards from the Direct Marketing Association that celebrate creative, strategy and results across direct marketing media, began May 19. This is the first year Echos has had a vice chair from the client side. Another first this year is the Green Marketer Award.
 

Editorial: Marketers must adapt to new expectations

Cara Wood June 01, 2009

From the buzz around backyard gardening and DIY culture to the increasing popularity of coupons, 'staycations' and fuel efficiency, it's clear that broke is the new black. And, with penny-pinching en vogue, some customers are easing into new market expectations.
 

Inside the summer sale on mail

June 01, 2009

Stephen Kearney, SVP of customer relations for the US Postal Service, says a five-day postal week is 'probably going to be necessary' to reduce costs.
 

Creative campaigns from Redhook, Western Union, WEL Foundation

Lauren Bell, Nathan Golia, Cara Wood June 01, 2009

Find out what Norm Alger, VP/director, creative, Digitas Health, thinks of RedHook's "Liquid Goodness" campaign, Western Union's Chines New Year effort, and Wesley Enhanced Living Foundation's direct mail call for donations.
 

What does the future hold for catalogs?

June 01, 2009

Whether retail or b-to-b, the economy and rising print and postal costs are crunching the catalog sector. Our experts assess what the future holds for the popular sales channel.
 

Personalization personified in mailer where Rugman cometh and grabbeth

Cindy Kilgore, manager of creative development, EU Services June 01, 2009

My husband and I collect beautiful rugs, including our prized "Kerman," purchased from Area Rugs by Rugman. Imagine my shock back in 2006 to see our very own luscious Kerman rug featured on the cover of a tabbed self-mailer.
 

Act prompty on leads for better conversions

Sergio Alvarez, COO and founder, Ai Media Group May 29, 2009

There has been a longstanding debate over whether to immediately act on leads or to nurture them before handing them off to sales. While it is understandable, there are, in practical terms, very few advantages to waiting before acting on a lead — especially in a down economy. I would like to share three quick reasons why calling leads immediately will better serve your company.
 

Borrell study predicts 39% drop in direct mail spend by 2013

Lynne Miller May 28, 2009

Advertising revenue from direct mail is expected to plunge 39%, from $49.7 billion in annual spending in 2008 to $29.8 billion, by the end of 2013, according to a new forecast from Borrell Associates. If the forecast turns out to be right, direct mail would fall from the No. 1 position for ad revenue to No. 4, behind the Internet, broadcast TV and newspapers, the report added.
 

USPS revenue and volume continue to plummet

Cara Wood May 28, 2009

According to preliminary financial information released today for April 2009, the US Postal Service has seen a year-over year decline of $764 million in operating revenue — an 11.9% decrease from April 2008. Government appropriation increased by $1 million from 2008 to 2009. Year-to-date USPS revenue is at just over $41 billion. It was originally forecasted to hit $45 billion, which was also the total revenue at this point last year.
 

MeritDirect offers online shopping

Lauren Bell May 28, 2009

MeritDirect has launched a new Web site that allows users to place orders, run counts and view data cards through an e-commerce platform. The redesigned site connects users to multiple divisions of the MeritDirect business, including list brokerage and customer acquisition and list management and also offers resources such as whitepapers.
 

LAetcetera stumbles out of the starting gate

Lauren Bell May 27, 2009

LAetcetera, the second weekend glossy planned as an insert for the Los Angeles Times, has suspended publication after only a month of printing. It was scheduled to have been mailed three times per month. The paper's first insert glossy, the monthly LA, will continue publishing.
 

Health insurers sending more acquisition mail

Chantal Todé May 22, 2009

Acquisition direct mail to individuals and coming from health insurers increased by 18% between April 2008 and March 2009, according to research firm Mintel Comperemedia. Mintel Comperemedia's direct mail database shows health insurers positioning themselves as high quality and focused on the individual, not just the employer.
 

Sandow Media upgrades Worth

Lauren Bell May 21, 2009

Sandow Media is relaunching Worth magazine this month, aligning with an extensive redesign and a switch to a more exclusive distribution model. The lifestyle and personal finance magazine, which Sandow acquired last year, will be direct-mailed to 110,000 high net-worth readers in the top 11 designated market areas (DMAs) in the US.
 

Cox Enterprises to sell Saving Source Direct to MailSouth

Nancy Kearney May 19, 2009

Cox Enterprises Inc. said it will sell its Tarboro, NC-based Saving Source Direct to MailSouth, headquartered in Helena, AL, in a deal expected to close May 26. The pending sale follows Cox Newspapers' 2008 announcement that it had placed all of its publishing assets in Texas, Colorado and North Carolina for sale.
 

NPF: USPS financial situation drives morning panel

Lauren Bell May 19, 2009

The US Postal Service's financial situation dominated a discussion with Marie Therese Dominguez, VP, government relations and public policy, USPS, and Patrick Donahoe, USPS deputy postmaster general and COO, this morning at the National Postal Forum. Retiree health benefits, mentioned in Monday's opening session, were a main focus of the talk.
 

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